Welcome to full-fledged roster management. The first several weeks of the fantasy football season are easy. Start your studs and sit your scrubs. Right? Right. No problem. Once the bye-weeks begin, roster management becomes key. For the savvy, keeping up with actual production trends, waiver wire, and rest-of-season improvement trades become the difference of a good team and a good team that’s winning on a consistent basis.
Public service announcement, the following teams are on bye this week: the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Adjust rosters accordingly.
In this article, we’re going to analyze the matchups and production trends to determine the best starts of the week for season-long leagues, and some solid daily fantasy sports (DFS) plays.
Fantasy Football Week Five Starts And Sits Featuring Sony Michel
Quarterback Starts
Blake Bortles vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is no stranger to poor play or bad press. However, he’s been a solid performer since the last five weeks of the 2017 season. He’s had some good games to start this season as well, going over 300 yards passing twice already.
The Jaguars travel to the Chiefs for their Week Five matchup. The Chiefs are currently allowing the fourth most points to quarterbacks. Uncle Rico could light up this defense. With Leonard Fournette expected to be out of the lineup, Bortles is more likely to go into pass-happy mode. He also provides some rushing ability with his legs, which keeps his floor very safe.
Bortles is a strong start this week in what should be a good matchup. For anyone who streams the position, Bortles is the number-one streaming option this week.
Marcus Mariota vs. Buffalo Bills
Marcus Mariota owners have probably experienced some disappointment through the first three weeks. Between poor play and injury, Mariota and the Tennessee Titans did not look good. However, he seems to be healthy again and showed it last week. He threw for 344 yards, two touchdowns and rushed 10 times for 46 yards and one more score.
The Buffalo Bills are allowing the 12th-most points to quarterbacks so far this season. Mariota maintains safe-floor play with a lot of upside now that his arm is healthy. He’s a definite start in Superflex or two-quarterback leagues.
Quarterback Sits
Russell Wilson vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Seattle Seahawks have struggled on both sides the ball so far this season. While the defense has struggled it has fared better than the offense. It’s unfair to blame the entirety of their struggles on Russell Wilson, as we’ve seen him succeed in unfavorable matchups. The Seahawks offensive line is not protecting him and has led to a definite decrease in fantasy production. The coaching has also been suspect, calling some head-scratching plays at times.
This week the Los Angeles Rams visit the Seahawks and Wilson owners should be concerned. The one possible plus in this matchup is that the Rams should be leading most of this game which could force Wilson to throw more. That’s assuming his offensive line allows him time to do so.
In a bad matchup and missing the rushing floor we’re used to seeing from Wilson, owners should explore other options this week. Between poor offensive coaching and line play, Wilson isn’t looking like the matchup-proof quarterback we’re used to seeing.
Running Back Starts
Sony Michel vs. Indianapolis Colts
New England Patriots first-round pick Sony Michel has been someone the fantasy community has played the wait-and-see approach with. He was dealing with an injury at the end of preseason and through the first week of the regular season. In weeks two and three his snap percentage and carry count both rose. Week Three was Michel’s coming out party. He eviscerated the Miami Dolphins going for 112 yards and one score on 25 carries.
If there’s any one thing that varying writers and analysts can agree on, it’s volume is worth chasing. Michel has seen that volume increase and was productive with it last week. He also remains an untapped resource as he’s a good receiver as well, though James White has that role on lock-down.
The Colts haven’t been terrible against the run, but they’ve also faced a few bottom-end running backs. With Rex Burkhead on injured reserve, look for Michel to literally run away with this role. He’s a locked-in RB2 with upside for this juicy week-five matchup.
Nyheim Hines vs. New England Patriots
It seems odd to mention both running backs playing in the Thursday night game, but here we are. No running backs for the Indianapolis Colts have impressed as far as rushing goes. Neither has rookie Nyheim Hines. Hines is starting to build value as a receiving option and as an extension of the ground game.
Last week Hines rushed four times for ten yards, which is not appealing. What is appealing is the 9/11 targets for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Make no mistake, no one is insinuating that he will repeat the two-touchdown performance this week. But, heading into a short-week matchup and missing T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle, Hines is looking rather appealing as a receiving option. The Colts are going to need the help at the position and Luck seems to have some trust in the young back. He’s a PPR play this week.
Running Back Sits
LeSean McCoy vs. Tennesse Titans
The Tennessee Titans are giving up the fourth fewest points to the running back position. They have yet to allow a touchdown to a running back this season.
LeSean McCoy is still recovering from a rib injury and a hand injury. He’s seen less than 10 touches per game and hasn’t eclipsed 39 rushing yards all season. Last week, in a blowout loss, he saw a season-high six targets. Things aren’t looking good for Shady in the twilight of his career. He’s better left on benches this week unless the bye-week forces him into lineups.
Wide Receiver Starts
Tyler Boyd vs. Miami Dolphins
The Cinncinati Bengals have been surprisingly plentiful in their sowing of fantasy points this season. Quarterback Andy Dalton has been productive and therefore made his pass-catchers viable fantasy assets as well. Tyler Boyd has been consistently putting up numbers this season with his steady targets and this week looks like another good outing in the making.
The Dolphins are without cornerback Bobby McCain for this contest. The Bengals sadly lost Tyler Eifert for the remainder of the season, which opens up more red zone opportunities for Boyd. The one possible hitch in this giddyup is if Mixon returns, his pass-catching ability may slightly affect Boyd’s target share. It shouldn’t affect it too much and Boyd remains locked in as a PPR WR3 with upside.
Kenny Golladay vs. Green Bay Packers
Entering the season, the biggest worry about Kenny Golladay was wondering whether or not Matthew Stafford could sustain three fantasy-viable wide receivers. The question was never anything to do with Golladay’s talent, size, or ability. Not only has Golladay shown that he can consistently get it done, but Stafford has also silenced the worries. With the departure of Eric Ebron, those targets are being dispersed to all three wide receivers and any of the three are possible home runs.
If Packers cornerback Kevin King remains out, look for Golladay to put together another solid outing on the back of Stafford’s pass-happy approach. In all but one game this season Golladay has had at least six receptions for at least 50 yards. Fire him up, especially in PPR formats.
Wide Receiver Sits
Quincy Enunwa vs. Denver Broncos
Quincy Enunwa has been a surprisingly reliable fantasy option thus far. This week’s matchup against a solid pass rush may be difficult for rookie quarterback Sam Darnold to handle. Enunwa has done well as an intermediate receiver, but Darnold will be harassed most of the game and likely become a check-down specialist. If that happens, Enunwa suffers and Bilal Powell becomes the beneficiary. Difficult to expect a lot of positive fantasy production from this game.
