It's the last game of the regular season, a guy I promised a start to has started every other game so far this season. Does he need to start this one as well, or is there a little leeway?

When my promised-start guy missed just 1 start (had him 3rd LB in depth chart in a 4-3 defense and the 4th guy actually passed him in stats over the first 5 games of the season and moved up on the depth chart) his WE took a ~20-25 point hit and it took 3 games of starting him to again for his WE to move back to roughly where it was before, although it was still a couple points lower than it was initially. So there's a decent chance that your guy's WE takes a big hit as well just from one missed start and may end up with the reduced WE for the duration of the offseason. I'd be interested to know how it goes for you if you do decide to sit him.

plus I think you take a rep hit as well right??

I believe so. It's a small-ish hit from what I've read but enough that you shouldn't recruit your entire class based on promised starts and then not start most of them.

No Jeff, based on my experience I don't believe you need to play him.

Thanks, I'm going to risk it. He's not that important and I've actually got a chance to win a game I thought I would get blown out in. Maybe I'll move him up to 3rd on the depth chart.

Posted by jeffn48 on 11/6/2017 2:24:00 PM (view original):
Thanks, I'm going to risk it. He's not that important and I've actually got a chance to win a game I thought I would get blown out in. Maybe I'll move him up to 3rd on the depth chart.

If you are getting blown out a the half you might be able to put him in and get the start anyway.

It was 21-13 at the half so I decided to go for it and keep him on the bench. Then I lost 42-20, so I hope he doesn't complain.

Don't worry. Awags is correct. He won't complain.

Posted by jeffn48 on 11/6/2017 2:59:00 PM (view original):
It was 21-13 at the half so I decided to go for it and keep him on the bench. Then I lost 42-20, so I hope he doesn't complain.

I apologize, I misread what you typed. I didn't think the game had happened yet not that it was already at the half and you were still close.