Fantasy Football Week 5 Lineup Advice - Start/Sit

With week five upon us, getting those victories has become vastly important for some. Hitting on a good level of high producers a week prior, we look to gain the advantage once again. Some very interesting matches are on the docket leaving the potential for fantasy points to be abundant. Let’s dive into our week five edition of start/sit lineup advice.  

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START - GET THEM IN YOUR LINEUP

Quarterbacks:

Carson Wentz (PHI)

There’s nothing like seeing a juicy matchup grace your fantasy team like the Eagles home to the Jets. This contest should act like a tune up for all top players on this roster as the Jets will again be without CJ Mosley for this one. Wentz should have no issue finding his receivers in bunches lifting his overall day to high-end levels. This is a no brainer in our eyes.

Tom Brady (NE)

Coming off one of the worst performances in recent history, Tom Brady will get back on track in a very big way this week as his Patriots face off against the lowly Washington Redskins. The Skins have grave issues all over the field and will have no answers in how to stop this offense. The run game should be a greater feature this week, which will only help the play action pass. Brady should go over 250-yards and at least two touchdowns.

Running Backs:

Jordan Howard (PHI)

Flying back from the dead a week ago, the Eagles Jordan Howard proved what he could accomplish when he was given the opportunity. Howard is a very talented runner with an even better offensive line to boot. Early indications will move toward getting the lead early to run the ball late to end the contest. While there is still a risk in terms of usage, we feel very confident Howard will find the endzone once again on Sunday.

Leonard Fournette (JAX)

Its official, Leonard Fournette is back in a very big way. The Jacksonville Jaguars have adjusted their offensive approach with Gardner Minshew behind center, which has opened up more running lanes. Back-to-back weeks of great offensive productivity has been the result, and the trust is only growing.  While this week’s contest could be a challenge for him to find room, but at this point, we’ll take a middle of the pack rank (Carolina run defense) and preach Leonard heavy.

Joe Mixon (CIN)

The curious case of Joe Mixon this season starts and stops with the team that’s in front of him. Mixon has talent for days but is completely limited to the inadequacies of his offensive line. There is literally no room for him to gallop through and he simply can’t get blocks on screen passes. Nevertheless, this matchup verse the Cardinals is too good to pass up, as you may not get a better prospect for production. Mixon is trending in the wrong direction, but this week we see many good things happening.   

Wide Receivers:

Adam Thielen (MIN)

While the frustration is clear, the Vikings pass offense has been nothing short of abysmal. Taking down every playmaker on this club in the process, some have already begun benching Adam Thielen in hopes for great support elsewhere. Even though our patience is running thin as well, we must stay the course and recommend starting Thielen with sound confidence. Facing the Giants who give up some of the largest numbers in the pass is a sure bet. However, if they can’t get it done this week, our opinions will change drastically.   

Phillip Dorsett (NE)

Much like the Tom Brady evaluation, the same can be said for Phillip Dorsett this week. As the Patriots look to be much more explosive in this contest early, Dorsett should get many looks deep in hopes to find the endzone for that kill-shot. Target share will always be a concern here, but big play potential shouldn’t disappoint. Great matchup with lesser coverage will be the storyline for this Pats receiver.  

Alshon Jeffery (PHI)

Getting back on track offensively was the mantra last week, and although Alshon Jeffery is still dealing with his share of pain of an injury, this week should again see an endzone dance come to fruition. Jeffery saw nine targets a week ago, but couldn’t muster much outside of his touchdown. This week will bring better outlooks as the Jets are one of the worst in the league at defending the pass. Buckle up and watch the points fall.

Tight-Ends:

Jimmy Graham (GB)

Without the services of their star receiver Davante Adams this week, Jimmy Graham should take a more prevalent role on this offense. Playing against the Cowboys who have played very well on the defensive side, locking down the receivers will be their primary focus. Establishing the run, while hoping to see Graham exploit the middle should be a common thread. This play has some level of risk attached, but we like the odds. 

Greg Olsen (CAR)

Last week’s passing problems will be a thing of the past as Kyle Allen will be much better for this showing. The Jaguars will be without Jalen Ramsey once again, which should allow Greg Olsen to take advantage as Jacksonville adjusts their coverage schemes. The Panthers will have learned a great deal from last week’s game film, and we believe Olsen could again be a huge target. 

SIT - LEAVE THEM ON THE BENCH

   

Quarterbacks:

Daniel Jones (NYG)

Even as we have grown to support what is happening in New York, this is the week all things come back to earth as this rookie gets his first real test. Regardless in how the Vikings offense has played, their defense still rests as a top tier group that will provide looks to confused Daniel Jones. His scrambling ability should provide some relief, but we are benching him this week to gain more understanding verse better defenses.

Marcus Mariota (TEN)

Don’t be fooled with how Marcus Mariota played last week in Atlanta, the Falcons defense is truly broken and would give up points to your grandpa. Facing off against the Buffalo Bills defense who made Tom Brady look pedestrian a week prior, Mariota will be in for similar treatment. The Bills defense is for real and will bring many looks to halt anything positive form this offense. If you had thoughts to play him this week, remove it from your mind immediately.     

Running Backs:

LeVeon Bell (NYJ)

As difficult as it can be to bench star talent, we have no choice but to suggest LeVeon Bell to sit in week five. Granted, this game could get out of hand early, leaving the Jets to check down a ton to Bell, we aren’t ready to take that risk. The Eagles are very stout up front and will leave little room for Bell to take advantage. If you’re willing to attempt this start, you will be hoping for late production in garbage time.  

Ronald Jones (TB)

Yes, we know, this will be a very unpopular suggestion heading into week five contests, but we can’t promote the up and coming play of Ronald Jones. While we can understand the excitement surrounding Jones, this week’s test verse the Saints run defense isn’t something we have an interest in preaching. Tampa Bay has looked much better these last couple weeks, but falling back down to earth is on the horizon. He will have better days.  

Matt Breida (SF)

You may be banking on the rushing prowess of the 49ers Matt Breida on Monday Night, but we would clearly advise against this. Even with the 49ers coming off the bye week with an extra week of preparation, the Cleveland Browns defensive front is extremely undervalued. They attack the ball carrier with force and leave little room for opportunity. Jimmy Garoppolo will be under duress for a lot of this match, and the run game will follow. Don’t like this matchup whatsoever. 

Wide Receivers:

Calvin Ridley (ATL)

Outside of week two, targets have been a major issue for the Falcons Calvin Ridley, and given the team struggles these past couple contests, we are staying far away. There is no question that Ridley is a special talent, but at this point we are more than comfortable to recommend benching him for better options. Until Atlanta figures out their issues, it’s impossible to trust this receiver.

John Brown (BUF)

While the Buffalo Bills have found solid chemistry with John Brown in the pass game, this will be a week of great frustration. The Tennessee Titans are loaded on the defensive side which will make it near impossible for Brown to shake free. The secondary on this club is in our eyes top notch, and will give the Bills a run for their money. The risk for a deep touchdown to save his day is something we can’t endorse.

Sammy Watkins (KC)

We haven’t had much fortune in predicting the future of Sammy Watkins throughout his career, and maybe this one too will go completely sideways. After the first week explosion, the Chiefs haven’t seen the returns from Watkins even though the target share has been there. This is what Watkins has been throughout his NFL career, and we can’t bet on him finding that offensive magic again this week. Even as the Colts defense was burnt a week ago by the Raiders, we don’t get the warm and fuzzies that Watkins will get more than his usual eight to 10 points.  

Tight-Ends:

OJ Howard (TB)

If you haven’t already, it’s time to cut bait with the Buccaneers OJ Howard. While we completely understand keeping him on your roster in relief, there is no way we can trust anything from this player so far this season. Even if Howard goes off for a 30-point showing, being on the bench is the appropriate play here. Fantasy football is about wins, and Howard has cost many teams a great deal of pain. It’s a massive no start from us here.

POTENTIAL BIG DAY – ALL ABOUT THE RISK/REWARD

Quarterbacks:

Kyle Allen (CAR)

What’s the point of playing fantasy football if you don’t take some risk form time-to-time? The Panthers behind Kyle Allen have a different look to them, one which we like a great deal. While last week was a complete disaster which saw Allen fumble the ball a whopping three times, his poise to keep the game plan in front of him was very impressive. Facing the Jaguars does provide some pause in our mind, but we could witness another good showing here. If you’re stuck at the position, Allen might be the guy in week five.   

Baker Mayfield (CLE)

Through the first four weeks of the season, Baker Mayfield and this Browns offense hasn’t looked anything like the elite offensive unit we had envisioned. Having struggles with play calling and execution, things looked much better last week at the Ravens. Having yet another showdown in prime time on Monday Night, this is the week you want to start and trust Mayfield with everything and the kitchen sink. The 49ers are a club that haven’t been tested to great degree, and we can totally envision a massive unleashing. Mayfield will be a monster on Monday. 

Running Backs:

James Conner (PIT)

Yet another running back that came back to respectable levels, the Steelers James Conner looked much more decisive and quick verse a struggling Bengals club. This week facing a Ravens team which was supremely gashed on the ground, again has the makings of another fabulous day. Granted, we are a little wherry of Conner’s injury which may inhibit his overall outlook, we are far too encouraged with the matchup and how the Steelers are looking to move forward. Good potential for another 20-point day rests here.

David Montgomery (CHI)

This one may surprise some given the underachieving nature to begin the season. At this point, this rookie has been a massive disappointment overall, but we can’t ignore the situation now in Chicago. Mitchell Trubisky has been ruled out of this contest which leaves the capable hands of Chase Daniel to make things happen. The workload has also been here for Monty over the past few weeks, and facing the Raiders who struggle on the best of days to make things happen, this could be the first real big day for Montgomery.

James White (NE)

While we have been no stranger to support the play of the Pats James White, we will once again provide a gleaming endorsement to play him in week five. Running the ball has been a major hurdle for the Patriots this season, but thankfully this isn’t how White is used in this offense. With Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon hobbled, White will have a field day against this Redskins club that is in grave dysfunction. PPR leagues should see White as a top earner this week.

Wide Receivers:

TY Hilton (IND)

This is more of a speculative start as we don’t yet know if TY Hilton will suit up. Dealing with a quad injury which forced him to miss the last game and a half, all signs point to him being ready for the Sunday Night showdown against the mighty Chiefs. On paper this contest appears to be a giant mismatch, but the Chiefs defense hasn’t been consistent enough to promote anything tangible. Even though Patrick Mahomes should make quick work of this team, Hilton (if healthy) should put on his own show. High risk, high reward is definitely the play here. 

Geronimo Allison (GB)

Without the services of their star Davante Adams, picking up the slack will be a player that continues to gain trust from Aaron Rodgers. Geronimo Allison was one of our favorites going back to the offseason, but hasn’t come to fruition with any statistical backing. This week has the potential to witness a player filled with so much talent showcase it verse the Cowboys. Allison is tall, quick, with decent route running ability and should be able to take advantage. Still a risk, but a sound game could be on the docket. 

Allen Robison (CHI)

At this point, perhaps a great favor to the fantasy outlook for Allen Robinson comes with Chase Daniel starting behind center. Robinson is far too gifted to be stuck in first gear and we could see more emphasis toward his direction in this matchup. Daniel is a capable thrower who isn’t afraid to take chances. Robinson will roam free on this Raiders defense and should have a very solid performance. 

Tight-Ends:

Dawson Knox (BUF)

If you haven’t already, it’s time to take notice of the Bills rookie tight end, Dawson Knox. Possessing all the measurables while being talented enough to make highlight reel catches, Buffalo will be forced to keep Knox on the field as the primary at the position. Tight end has been a major concern again this fantasy season, and facing a Titans defense that could lock down all the Bills receivers, an expanded role could be forthcoming. Extremely high-risk rests here, with good reward potential value.