Starts/Sits For Fantasy Football Week 5

The bye weeks have started in fantasy football! This is when the starts/sits become even more challenging as key players may be off. Here’s a look ahead at week 5 of the fantasy football season.

Starts/Sits For Fantasy Football Week 5

Bye weeks show how well you drafted your bench. If you have solid players waiting in the wings, bye weeks mean nothing to you. Your savviness with the waiver wire can also come into play as you can pick a one-hit wonder and then drop him the next week. Ultimately, the team that is most likely to affect teams this week is the Chargers. Justin Herbert likely occupies a start quarterback slot and maybe some of the receivers as well. However, there aren’t any heavy hitters beyond that. Onto the list!

Packers WR Christian Watson (9) – Benny Sieu/ USA TODAY Sports

Start: WR Christian Watson (at Raiders)

Watson made his season debut last week against the Lions. A hamstring injury has hampered him, and he had limited play in the game. Some of this was due to a pitch count, but the Lions also took complete control of the game, and the Packers may have decided to save their top wide receiver. However, he did end up catching a touchdown in his limited play. For this week, Watson has gotten a full amount of rest as the team played on Thursday. A bye week follows this game, allowing for recovery afterward. The Raiders are tied for the most touchdowns allowed to receivers. I like Watson this week.

Bengals WR Tyler Boyd (83) – Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Sit: WR Tyler Boyd (at Cardinals)

At first glance, this seems like a good play. Tee Higgins is most likely out with an injury. The Cardinals’ defense is not exactly the ’85 Bears. However, a deeper look shows that Boyd is a low-floor, low-ceiling play. He saw seven targets last week but only caught four of them for 26 yards. Not exactly an inspiring stat line. Interestingly enough, the Cardinals have also been stingy when it comes to slot receivers allowing the ninth-fewest yards in the league. Play him if you have to but temper your expectations.

Bills RB James Cook (28) – Nic Antaya/Getty Images

Start: RB James Cook (at Jaguars, in London)

One of the reasons the Bills offense has been so potent the last three weeks is the run game. Cook’s presence has alleviated the pressure off of Josh Allen in the run game. While last week he had a rough outing, his previous two weeks saw him get a total of 112 yards in each outing. This week he goes up against a Jaguars defense that has given up big days to Dameon Pierce and Bijan Robinson in back-to-back weeks. Cook is becoming a staple in many starting lineups.

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (31) -Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Sit: RB Raheem Mostert (vs. Giants)

Everything is there for a great game from Mostert. They are playing the Giants who have been pitiful against running backs. Mostert has had a phenomenal season so far outside of last week. That may have been due to the fact that Miami was down by a lot and abandoned the run by the second half. Here is where I am concerned. De’Von Achane is slowly becoming the featured back. Last week, Achane got more carries than Mostert. Again, it was a blowout but I think that the Dolphins are going to start to favor the more explosive Achane. I’m nervous about starting Mostert.

Colts QB Anthony Richardson (5) – Jenna Watson/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK

Start: QB Anthony Richardson (vs. Titans)

Richardson reminds me of when Jalen Hurts first took over the Eagles quarterback position. He wasn’t necessarily a polished player but his production made him great in fantasy football. Last week, he threw for over 200 yards and two scores and added another on the ground. His ability to create plays with his legs makes him great in fantasy. He has proven that he isn’t going to be a disaster so while he may have some growing pains, the floor in terms of fantasy is there.

49ers QB Brock Purdy (13) – Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Sit: QB Brock Purdy (vs. Cowboys)

I put Purdy on the list of starts last week, and it worked out great. Overall, he is becoming a quarterback that you can trust in fantasy football. The weapons around him give him a great floor. When he can dump the ball off to Christian McCaffrey and let him do the rest, it helps his stats. This week, I would look elsewhere. The Cowboys have been devastating to opposing quarterbacks. They lead the NFL with a 49 percent pressure rate. Micah Parsons is dealing with an injury, and if he doesn’t play, that helps things, but most likely, you can find a quarterback with a better matchup this week.

Ravens WR Zay Flowers (4) and Texans CB Steven Nelson (21) – Brad Mills/ USA TODAY Sports

Start: WR Zay Flowers (at Steelers)

I raved about Flowers last week but ultimately had him on the sits list due to the matchup against the Browns. He didn’t have a good week (pat myself on the back for that one), but this week has a much more favorable matchup. The Steelers secondary has struggled to contain opposing wide receivers, giving up six touchdowns and the fifth-most points to opposing receivers this season. Look for Flowers to have a bounceback week and put up some good numbers, especially with Odell Beckham Jr. still getting healthy.

Falcons WR Drake London (5) – Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Sit: WR Drake London (vs. Texans)

Anyone in the Falcons’ passing game is start at your own risk, but London has been a bright spot. He caught a touchdown pass last week and has had some good weeks in fantasy football. This week, the Falcons play the Texans, who have become one of the surprises of the year. DeMeco Ryans has this defense playing well. They have been especially tough against perimeter receivers and have not allowed a touchdown to the position in four games. Until Desmond Ridder shows more improvement, I am wary of making London a must-start every week.

That is my list of starts/sits for week 5 in fantasy football. Good luck to all!