The first month of the football season is over. Whether your fantasy team is undefeated or winless, knowing who the starts and sits are can be the difference between a win and a loss. Here are the starts and sits for Week 5 for fantasy football.
Fantasy Football Starts and Sits for Week 5
Quarterback: Sam Darnold (Start), Matt Ryan (Sit)
With five rushing touchdowns through four weeks, Sam Darnold has transformed into a low-end QB1 going forward. He has also eclipsed 300 passing yards in his last three games. Only rostered in 33 percent of ESPN leagues, Darnold is a streaming option this week against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Despite his resurgence in Week 4, Matt Ryan is a sit this week against the New York Jets. He offers no rushing upside and may not have to throw that much in a game the Atlanta Falcons are favored in. Also, losing Calvin Ridley is definitely going to make life harder for the veteran.
Honorable Mention Starts: Trey Lance (if he starts) (vs. Arizona), Daniel Jones (vs. Dallas)
Honorable Mention Sits: Joe Burrow (vs. Green Bay), Trevor Lawrence (vs. Tennessee)
Running Back: Damien Williams (Start), Miles Sanders (Sit)
David Montgomery is expected to miss four to five weeks with a knee injury which vaults Damien Williams into a starting role. Williams already had passing game usage and could potentially have a three-down role in this Chicago Bears’ offense. Simply put, Williams is a must-start in all leagues this week.
Miles Sanders was drafted as an RB2 on most fantasy teams but his usage is concerning. He has nine rushing attempts over the last two games. For a starting running back, that simply isn’t going to cut it. Until Sanders’ usage climbs back up, it is best to find another option to start this week.
Kenneth Gainwell is currently 10th amongst all rookies in all-purpose yards.
149 players were drafted ahead of him. pic.twitter.com/R2DYX9LznP
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) October 7, 2021
Honorable Mention Starts: Cordarrelle Patterson (vs. NYJ), Samaje Perine (vs. Green Bay)
Honorable Mention Sits: Melvin Gordon (vs. Pittsburgh), Michael Carter (vs. Atlanta)
Wide Receiver: Hunter Renfrow (Start), Allen Robinson II (Sit)
Many thought that Bryan Edwards or Henry Ruggs III could break out this season but it has been Hunter Renfrow who has been the Las Vegas Raiders’ most consistent receiving option so far. Renfrow has one touchdown in each of the last two weeks and has at least five catches in every game this season. If you are looking for a receiver with a high floor, Renfrow is your guy.
IT’S THE HUNTER RENFROW ROUTE pic.twitter.com/YihZ359qis
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 5, 2021
After four subpar weeks, it is finally time to bench Allen Robinson II. He has a combined 13 targets from Weeks 2 to 4 and last week was the first time he had more than 35 yards receiving (63 yards). Robinson could breakout during any game but it is starting to look like Darnell Mooney is the receiver you want to roster in the Bears offense.
Honorable Mention Starts: Jakobi Meyers (vs. Houston), Corey Davis (vs. Atlanta)
Honorable Mention Sits: Laviska Shenault (vs. Tennessee), Odell Beckham Jr. (vs. LAC)
Tight End: Dalton Schultz (Start), Robert Tonyan (Sit)
Despite being in a timeshare with fellow teammate Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz has solidified himself as a TE1 in fantasy football. He has six-plus targets in three of four games and has been one of Dak Prescott’s favorite targets in the red zone. With three touchdowns over the last two games, Schultz is approaching must roster status.
Dalton Schultz walk-in TD❗️pic.twitter.com/rluVyGbkPI
— TWSN (@TWSN___) October 3, 2021
Drafted as a starting tight end, Robert Tonyan has been a bust so far. One of the questions about him coming into the season was if he was going to have touchdown regression to the mean from last year (11 TDs last year). So far he has had that regression and his low usage in the Green Bay Packers offense makes him touchdown-dependent. He is currently averaging two receptions per game and should be dropped in most leagues.
Honorable Mention Starts: Dawson Knox (vs. Kansas City), Tyler Conklin (vs. Detroit)
Honorable Mention Sits: Kyle Pitts (vs. NYJ), Jonnu Smith (vs. Houston)
Defense: New England Patriots (Start), Buffalo Bills (Sit)
One thing that Bill Belichick is great at is being able to shut down rookie quarterbacks. His defenses have given up 9.5 points on average over the last six games against rookie quarterbacks and Belichick has a 22-6 record all-time versus them. This has to be mentioned because rookie Davis Mills is starting for the Houston Texans, New England’s Week 5 opponent. Make sure this defense isn’t floating around on your waiver wire.
The Buffalo Bills have the number one ranked defense in fantasy football thanks to posting shutouts in two of their first four games. Their run of dominance will run out this week when they face one of the best offenses in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills’ defense should be benched and not dropped this week.
Honorable Mention Starts: Arizona Cardinals (vs. San Fransisco), Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Chicago)
Honorable Mention Sits: Cleveland Browns (vs. LAC), San Fransisco 49ers (vs. Arizona)
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