Week 5 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em is here to highlight a few players at each position that we would like to sit or start (where possible).
This series will avoid the “obvious” answers. So, just because I don’t tell you to start the RB1 in the week doesn’t mean you should sit him. It means I just felt it was a no-brainer and didn’t need to be discussed. Also, take these suggestions into context with your lineup. When I say to sit a player, there are obviously going to be situations where you have no choice but to play them. Bye weeks and injuries can cause us to start players we are uncomfortable with. Examine your squad’s situation before blindly following this column.
Week 5 Quarterback Starts Of The Week:
Jared Goff, DET @ CIN
The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense is just bad. It doesn’t matter who they play; this team can make anyone look like an elite offense. They lost 28-3 last week to the Denver Broncos and gave up 48 to the Minnesota Vikings, with a backup quarterback, the week prior. Those were mediocre offenses. The Bengals face the best offense from last season in the Detroit Lions, who have already been reeling this year. It’s going to get ugly and fast. This elevates all Detroit Lions players. With most already being starting candidates every week, the one who is hit or miss is Jared Goff, and I love him this week. I have him dropping 20+ fantasy points in a 3+ touchdown performance.
Justin Fields, NYJ vs. DAL
The New York Jets might not have a passing game, but Justin Fields can get the job done on the ground. Fields had an electric 81 yards rushing against the Miami Dolphins last week and now faces an even worse defense in Dallas. The Cowboys are giving up the most yards at an embarrassingly high 420.5 per game. The Cowboys are also giving up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, at a whopping 27.5 per game. This game is going to be high scoring, and Justin Fields should have another high production fantasy game, even if the Jets fall to 0-5.
Week 5 Quarterback Sits Of The Week:
Brock Purdy, SF @ LAR
If Brock Purdy does end up playing on Thursday night, he is not someone I am putting in any of my starting lineups. Purdy still appeared banged up by his toe in the loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. On top of that, the rest of the 49ers offense is also pretty banged up, with George Kittle still on the IR, Brandon Aiyuk still on PUP, and now Jauan Jennings & Ricky Pearsall might end up missing this game too. Even if they both play, they will do so in a limited fashion. That is not something that looks promising for Brock Purdy & the 49ers going up against a top-10 defense in the Los Angeles Rams.
Drake Maye, NE @ BUF
In a surprising turn of events, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is currently QB4 on the year. However, the New England Patriots have had very favorable matchups against the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, and Las Vegas Raiders that helped put him that high on the list. Maye is playing much better than he performed last year and is averaging almost 250 yards passing per game. Unfortunately, he faces the Buffalo Bills defense, who give up the fewest passing yards per game. The Bills’ defense has only given up 125.8 passing yards per game, and that includes facing opposing quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson & Tua Tagovailoa. I love Maye this year, but I’m letting him take a backseat this week.
Week 5 Running Backs Starts Of The Week
Alvin Kamara, NO vs. NYG
The last two weeks have been a bit underwhelming for Alvin Kamara. He’s been rather inefficient, averaging only 3.4 yards per carry on a workhorse load of 33 carries. This is a whole yard worse than the 4.5 yards he averaged per carry in weeks 1 & 2. The New Orleans Saints have played tougher matchups these last two weeks against the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills, where they played from behind, and the game script did not have them running the ball much. I expect the game against the New York Giants to be much closer between two evenly paired teams, where there should be an increase in usage for Kamara. Also, the Giants are giving up the 3rd most rushing yards in the NFL, which gives Kamara a nice boost. Currently, he’s ranked around the RB25 range, but I have him pegged around RB10-RB15 for the week.
Quinshon Judkins, CLE vs. MIN
It doesn’t matter who the Cleveland Browns are playing; Quinshon Judkins is getting the brunt of the work. His touches have increased in each game he’s played, going from 13, 19, and 25 in his last game. All 3 of the past games have been against much better teams. This game is no different, even against a Minnesota Vikings defense that is allowing less than 300 yards per game. Judkins is the only player on this Browns offense that should be in your lineup consistently from here on out. I’m trusting Judkins as a reliable RB1 in his first international game.
Week 5 Running Back Sits Of The Week
Nick Chubb, HOU @ BAL
The Joe Mixon injury put a damper on the Houston Texans’ running game to start the year. The Texans drafted Woody Marks in the fourth round and added Nick Chubb via free agency. The two have done a serviceable job in his place. Nick Chubb’s been the leader of the year, but slowly, Woody Marks has been chipping away on touches. In the week 4 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Woody Marks had 17 carries compared to Chubb’s 13 carries. Marks was also more efficient on the ground, indicating a sign that the Texans might turn to him more in the coming weeks, while Mixon is still sidelined. Given the shift in roles and a matchup against a tougher Baltimore Ravens team, I am sitting Nick Chubb in all formats.
Derrick Henry, BAL vs. HOU
After a monstrous performance in week 1, where he had 169 yards on the ground, Derrick Henry has combined for only 115 yards over the last 3 games. The last 3 games also featured friendlier matchups against the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, who aren’t the best at defending the run, but Henry was seldom used. He had 18 rush attempts in week 1, but only 20 over the last two weeks combined. The Ravens now face the defense that has given up the fewest points in the NFL are the Houston Texans. Regardless of who wins this game, Henry is someone I don’t like as a top-10 back. Henry thrives on scoring touchdowns, but that’s going to be hard to put up the points against this Texans defense. Derrick Henry should be trusted as a lower-end RB2, but I am not trusting him anywhere near an RB1 this week.
Week 5 Wide Receiver Starts Of The Week
Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG @ NO
With Malik Nabers out, Wan’Dale Robinson gets elevated into the WR1 role for the New York Giants. Even though Nabers missed most of the last game, Robinson only finished with 3 receptions for 14 receiving yards. To his credit, Robinson was now lining up against Donte Jackson, a more established veteran corner. It was also quarterback Jaxson Dart’s first start, and he went through some early hiccups. Dart’s second game will be against a much friendlier opponent in the New Orleans Saints. The Saints allow 205.3 yards per game, compared to the Chargers, which only allow 158.8 passing yards per game. Even though this game will be ugly, being the WR1 on a team sets Robinson up for a high target volume. I like Robinson as a low-end WR2 against New Orleans.
Michael Pittman Jr, IND vs. LV
Daniel Jones has helped boost life into an Indianapolis Colts offense that finished bottom 10 in passing metrics last year. The playmakers have all benefited, especially Michael Pittman Jr, who currently sits at WR15 on the year. He’s scored over 15 PPR points in 3 of the 4 games this year. I like him to do the same against the Raiders in what will be another Daniel Jones masterpiece. I have Pittman Jr as a top-12 receiver on the day.
Week 5 Wide Receiver Sits Of The Week
Ladd McConkey, LAC vs. WAS
I am OUT on Ladd McConkey as a WR1 this year. With the Los Angeles Chargers adding Keenan Allen and Omarion Hampton, Justin Herbert is turning to those guys more and McConkey less. McConkey is 3rd on the team in targets and is continuing to lose WR1 status to Keenan Allen. He’s also being outplayed by Quentin Johnston, a player known for dropping crucial passes. This is not what fantasy owners want to be seeing, and until his situation is fixed, I’m not starting him as a WR1 or WR2, maybe as a flex option if needed.
Jerry Jeudy, CLE @ MIN
The Minnesota Vikings are giving up the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing receivers at only 12.4 per game. This includes an all-star studded group of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Drake London, Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, and DK Metcalf. All of those guys are better than Jerry Jeudy, the best receiver on the Cleveland Browns. Even if Jeudy is the #1 option on Cleveland, I’m not touching anyone in Cleveland’s passing game against the Vikings. Jeudy would be better left off on the bench for this week.
Week 5 Tight End Starts Of The Week:
Jake Ferguson, DAL @ NYJ
Through four weeks, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson is the fantasy TE1 of the year in PPR leagues. Ferguson is averaging an impressive 15.57 points per game. He’s done this with only one touchdown on the year as well, meaning he doesn’t need to score to be fantasy relevant, like other TE options. Pro Bowl wideout CeeDee Lamb is still sidelined, and as long as he is, Ferguson will continue to play a larger role in the offense. Regardless of opponent, Ferguson is a must-start in PPR formats until CeeDee is back.
Darren Waller, MIA @ CAR
In his debut with the Miami Dolphins, Darren Waller made a statement. The veteran tight end came out of retirement, and in his first game back, he had 3 receptions for 27 yards and 2 touchdowns! Waller reminded me a lot of what we saw with the Dolphins last year and how Jonnu Smith was utilized. Even if Tyreek Hill wasn’t going to miss this game, Darren Waller should be starting in your lineups against the Carolina Panthers. With Tyreek Hill out, Waller will get an even larger target share. In PPR formats, Waller is a trendy start.
Week 5 Tight End Sits Of The Week
Hunter Henry, NE @ BUF
As mentioned earlier, Drake Maye is ranked top-5 at his position, and he couldn’t have gotten there without the help of tight end Hunter Henry, who is also ranked top-5 at tight end. A big contributor to that came in a 29-point performance in week 3. Excluding that performance, Henry is only averaging 8.1 points per game compared to the 13.3 points with week 3. The Bills’ defense is only giving up 125 passing yards per game, the fewest in the league, and the 3rd fewest fantasy points to the tight end position. Hunter Henry is a risky start in week 5, and I’d prefer someone with an easier matchup like Juwan Johnson or Tyler Warren.
Dallas Goedert, PHI vs. DEN
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert finished as TE1 on the week in week 4. A large part of that was the two touchdowns. If those weren’t touchdowns, his stats were 4 receptions for 37 yards. He’s been touchdown dependent to be fantasy relevant, and that’s not going to be able to persist. Especially, playing an elite defense like the Denver Broncos, who are giving up the 2nd fewest points per game.
For your final lineup decisions, check out the FSAN Rankings Page or check out our Sit & Start video.
Check out Scottie Pitrelli, Kyle Dozier, Brian Hartman, and Amber Phillips’s Week 5 Sit/Start live show on the FSAN YouTube Channel on this week’s Spilled Coffee.