Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 5
Our Week 5 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em article offers all the best advice for navigating the tough process of bye weeks.
Let’s talk about what I got right. Jayden Daniels went off with 24 fantasy points, marking his second consecutive week of going off. Additionally, Zack Moss at least beat his projections, hitting 17.8 fantasy points. George Pickens benefitted from a great game script, as the Pittsburgh Steelers were trailing the Indianapolis Colts for the majority of the season. He finished with 16.3 fantasy points despite not scoring a touchdown. Meanwhile, Dalton Kinkaid also had a good day, scoring 9 points.
Anthony Richardson suffered an injury, which forced him out of the game. Therefore, my recommendation to sit him was accurate, even if it came under circumstances I don’t usually wish. J.K. Dobbins also went under his projections, hitting only 9.2 fantasy points against a tough run defense. Hunter Henry was nonexistent against the San Francisco 49ers, managing just 3.2 fantasy points. My sit advice has been hot lately, and knowing how players will struggle is sometimes beneficial.
Rhamondre Stevenson was not a good pick, as he managed just 8.4 fantasy points this week. Also, I was incorrect about Michael Pittman, as he now has an actual quarterback throwing to him (more on that later).
It is always wise to check the fantasy football points team ranks to see how teams have done against certain positions, which usually indicates how they will do this coming week.
Our fantasy football recap tells you everything you need to know about what happened in Week 4. Don’t forget to optimize your lineups with our NFL Optimizer. It will help you a lot.
Week 5 Starts
*Start Stat Percentage, Via Yahoo
Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers vs. ARZ (93% started)
Brock Purdy went below his projections this way, but much of that was due to a poor game script. He still finished 15 for 27 with 288 yards passing, one touchdown, and one interception, which helped earn him 14.6 fantasy points against the New England Patriots. But this week, he faces the Arizona Cardinals, the fourth-worst in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. If that doesn’t convince you, take a look at how Purdy did last season. Purdy scored 21.3 fantasy points in the home game against the Cardinals and 25.7 in the road game. Therefore, he is a set-it-and-forget-it option as he ascends and becomes a much better quarterback as the season progresses.
D’Andre Swift
Chicago Bears vs. CAR (85% started)
D’Andre Swift finally arrived! He went off, running 16 times for 93 yards and a touchdown while catching all seven targets for 72 yards against the Los Angeles Rams. Ridiculously, he finished with 29.5 fantasy points. While I don’t expect him to do this every week, I do believe he can get close this week against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are the second-worst in the NFL in fantasy points allowed against running backs. Fire Swift to the moon this week.
Najee Harris
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. DAL (93% started)
People forget about Najee Harris, especially considering he is on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and all eyes are on Justin Fields. Regardless, Harris has put up respectable numbers, hitting 13.6 and 10.3 fantasy points over the last two weeks, respectively. However, he has not scored a touchdown yet. That may change this week, as Harris faces the Dallas Cowboys, who are the third-worst in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to running backs. If there is ever a week for Harris to break through and explode for numerous fantasy points, this is the week.
Amari Cooper
Cleveland Browns vs. WAS (95% started)
The matchup is excellent. However, his quarterback is not. Amari Cooper had a great matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Yet, he only caught four of eight passes for a measly 35 yards and 7.5 fantasy points. But if there is ever a chance for redemption, it’s this week. Cooper will face the Washington Commanders, who are dead last in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. If Cooper cannot dominate this matchup, it may be time to reevaluate his status on your roster. So far, every receiver has burned this pass defense. Cooper has a legitimate chance to finish as WR1 if he can take advantage of the weak matchup.
Michael Pittman
Indianapolis Colts vs. JAX (91% started)
Michael Pittman finally broke through, catching six passes for 113 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coincidentally, he started doing well when Joe Flacco entered the game for an injured Anthony Richardson and catching passes. Look, I don’t advocate for or celebrate injuries. But Richardson not being the quarterback helps a lot. Additionally, he will face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who just allowed Nico Collins to burn them for 12 catches and 151 yards and a touchdown. They also could not stop Stefon Diggs. Keep an eye on Richardson’s injury status. Also, the Colts will be playing in Jacksonville, where they usually struggle. Therefore, there will be chances for Pittman to catch passes.
Tyler Conklin
New York Jets vs. MIN (35% started)
Tyler Conklin had an underwhelming week, catching just four of eight targets for only 17 yards and just 5.7 fantasy points. But let’s look at the underlying numbers. Aaron Rodgers has targeted this man 14 times over the past two weeks. For whatever reason, Rodgers likes throwing to him. Additionally, let’s consider the weather. It is expected to rain on Sunday in London. If that happens, Rodgers might make shorter throws, which would benefit someone like Conklin. Plus, the Minnesota Vikings, the opponents for Sunday, are the fifth-worst in the NFL in points allowed to tight ends. There will be a chance to shine this weekend.
Week 5 Sits
Derek Carr
New Orleans Saints vs. KC (47% started)
The party is over for Derek Carr. After exploding over the first two weeks, thousands of fantasy football managers used their top waiver spots to get him. What has he done in return? Absolutely nothing. Carr struggled again this past week, going 28 for 36 with 239 yards passing while throwing an interception. You might still want to keep him in case he bounces back. However, you should bench this week on Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Zack Moss
Cincinnati Bengals vs. BAL (87% started)
Zack Moss has done well over the last two weeks, getting 20.7 and 17.8 fantasy points, respectively. He has done well in three of the first four weeks. Yet, this week, he gets a challenge. The Bengals will host the Baltimore Ravens, who are the fourth-best in the NFL in points allowed to running backs. If you are looking for fantasy points from any Bengals players this week, you may want to look at your receivers instead.
James Cook
Buffalo Bills vs. HOU (98% started)
James Cook was on the Week 1 start list and did moderately well. Then, he thrived over the next two weeks. Things came crashing to a halt in Week 4 when the Bills struggled mightily against the Ravens. This week, Cook draws another tough matchup, facing the Houston Texans, who are the sixth-best in the NFL in points allowed to running backs. Cook is not ready to be a “set-them-and-forget-them” player yet. He still has more to prove.
Jordan Addison
Minnesota Vikings vs. NYJ (75% started)
Jordan Addison returned from injury, destroying the Green Bay Packers with three catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. However, he will face the New York Jets in London this week. The Jets are the seventh-best team in the NFL in points against wide receivers. While Sauce Gardner will likely be shadowing teammate Justin Jefferson, Addison will likely draw D.J. Reed, who is pretty solid on the other side. It will be a tough task for Addison, especially if it rains.
Diontae Johnson
Carolina Panthers vs. CHI (88% started)
Diontae Johnson has had two straight great games. However, he will face a tough defense as he goes toe-to-toe with the Chicago Bears. The Bears are the fifth-best in the NFL in points allowed against wide receivers. Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson will be shadowing Johnson and will not let him out of their sights. Substantially, he might get extra targets, especially if the Panthers are trailing. But he will have a tough time turning those targets into anything solid.
Dalton Kincaid
Buffalo Bills vs. HOU (98% started)
Dalton Kincaid was on the “start” list last weekend and did not hit his projection. Still, he managed 9.7 fantasy points and still got seven targets. If he struggled against a team that is bad against defending tight ends, imagine how bad he will do against a team that is good against them. That’s right. This week, Kincaid will face the Texans, who are the third-best in the NFL at defending the tight end with an average of 5.23 fantasy points allowed.
