Keagan Smith outlines three must-start players with smash potential for NFL DFS lineups in Week 13, including Jacoby Brissett, Travis Etienne and Nico Collins.

Yet another NFL Sunday is upon us, meaning it’s time for the latest edition of our weekly must-starts column.

We’ve got a smaller slate than usual after four games took place across Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Hopefully you’ve had your fill of leftovers and got plenty of steps while shopping, because it’s time to get comfy on the couch for the remainder of the weekend. After crunching the numbers, we’ve got another three must-start players for your fantasy football contests. Whether a standout talent to build lineups around or an intriguing value with matchup and salary, these are guys who can smash and win the week. Let’s jump right in.

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QB Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals ($5,800)

Last week, I gave Jacoby Brissett a shoutout in this column as our must-start quarterback. While he didn’t exactly explode, he did exactly what we needed and racked up 21.7 DKFP by going 33-for-49 with 317 yards and a touchdown while running for 20 yards as well. The Cardinals are not a very good football team, but that also helps drive up the passing volume and make their quarterback an even better fantasy play. Since taking over under center in Week 6, Brissett has thrown at least 31 times in every game with four weeks of 44+ pass attempts and one game with an astounding 57 tries. He’s completed 67.0% of his passes, threw for at least 258 yards in all six contests with an average of 314.5 yards through the air, and he’s tossed two touchdowns in all but one outing as well. His scoring average over that span? It’s a grand total of 23.4 FPPG, which would slot in as the second-highest mark of any QB on this slate.

Is that a lot of talk just to convince you to take Brissett? Yes, but I’m personally enjoying this run in a couple of season-long leagues and he’s primed for another big game here. Marvin Harrison Jr. could return from an appendectomy on Sunday against the Buccaneers, who are 18th in defensive EPA/pass (0.02), 27th in passing yards allowed per game (243.5) and 26th in opponent PPG allowed (25.8). With Tampa Bay also able to score points of its own, we could see a shootout as Brissett airs it out 40+ times again.

RB Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars ($6,500)

While Bhayshul Tuten looms in the Jaguars’ backfield, the rookie probably isn’t taking over just yet. Travis Etienne maintained a clear grasp on the lead role last week with 15 carries to just seven for Tuten, with the former running for 86 yards. He’s ninth in the NFL among halfbacks with 815 rushing yards on the campaign, and he’s played one fewer game than four of the players ranked above him as well as Christian McCaffrey, ranked directly behind in the same stat. Etienne isn’t the biggest name in fantasy and comes in as a moderately priced option, but he brings a very steady floor with 15.4 FPPG this season and a low of 15.7 points since the Week 8 bye. He’s a big-play threat every time he takes the field and does maintain a grasp on goal-line duties in Jacksonville, plus he’s seen at least three targets in eight of his 11 appearances this season.

Liam Coen’s offense is one of the best in the league for running backs thanks to the scheme and game plan, and against the lowly Titans, the Jags can really go to work. Tennessee is 24th in defensive EPA/rush, 25th in rushing yards allowed per game (132.8) and has allowed the second-most touchdowns (16) via the ground this season. With the Jaguars expected to play with a lead all day against one of football’s worst franchises, Etienne brings RB1 potential this week.

WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans ($6,700)

It’s been far from the best campaign for the Texans’ top wideout, but Nico Collins’ talent hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s still very clearly one of the best wide receivers in the NFL and possesses a rare blend of size and athleticism at 6-foot-4. There have been some tough weeks in fantasy football for the star, but he truly came alive over the last few games with 14.5, 25.6 and 24.2 DKFP prior to an 8.5-point performance in his last appearance. Still, Collins averages 15.4 FPPG and still has every bit of a ceiling as anyone.

This matchup against Sauce Gardner and the Colts does spark a little bit of concern. After all, Collins faces one of the top cornerbacks in football, and even than, C.J. Stroud finally returns from a concussion and may be a little bit rusty. Still, that doesn’t worry me too much since the Texans will have to fight tooth and nail to keep pace with an elite Indianapolis offense that hangs plenty of points on the scoreboard. The Colts are still 28th in opponent passing yards per game (245.4) and see the second-most pass attempts by opponents (38.4) likely as a result of other teams trying to play catch-up. This is a must-win game for Houston in the AFC South, so watch for Collins to get plenty of opportunities in this one.