Rock out with your Gronk out

MCT

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski scores a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Sunday, December 30, 2012.

Start – Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots

The day has finally come – Gronkowski has been medically cleared and will see the field Sunday against the Saints. Due to a lack of reliable pass catchers for quarterback Tom Brady, Gronkowski will likely see the bulk of Brady’s throws, especially in the red zone. Look for Gronkowski to establish himself in the offense early on, and prove to people he is still the best tight end in football.

Sit – C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills

In almost all fantasy mock drafts, Spiller was projected as a first round talent and has left many fantasy owners disappointed. This is because, instead of pouring on the fantasy points, he’s been spilling the football. With three fumbles in five games and an dismal 4-yards-per-carry average, his role as the primary ball-carrier has diminished along with his production.

Start – Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears

At the beginning of the year, Jeffery was just another receiver on a relatively thin Bears’ receiving corps, with most attention directed at standout pass catcher Brandon Marshall. However, over the past two weeks, it has been Jeffery averaging 23.5 fantasy points in standard scoring leagues. With a rising number of targets each game, the production will continue.

Sit – Eddie Royal, WR, Chargers

After Royal’s hot start to the season, he has once again become an afterthought in an offense that seems to be gradually getting back to its expected mediocre form. Royal has only 18 receptions on the year, good for just more than three per game. That number of opportunities does not bode well for a guy who was once a fantasy starter at the beginning of the year. Keep him out of the lineup until he shows flashes of his early-season brilliance.

Start – Garrett Graham, TE, Texans

Owen Daniels, the regular starter for the Texans, will be out between four and six weeks with a fibula fracture, which moves Graham into the starting role. As a reserve Graham has put up solid numbers, but the thing that stands out are his three touchdown receptions, which is critical to his fantasy value. With few receivers emerging alongside superstar Andre Johnson, this is Graham’s chance to show he is a viable option.