Fantasy football start and sit decisions are officially harder than ever, as Week 5 marks the start of bye weeks. Whether you’re looking for someone to replace Justin Herbert in your starting lineup or just trying to play the right matchups, you need to make sure to make the right choice if you want to come away with a win.
As per usual, we’ll begin this article with a disclaimer: start your studs. If you have Justin Jefferson or Christian McCaffrey on your roster, you should be playing them no matter what. This article is strictly for flex-caliber players and matchup-specific starters.
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Week 5 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Start: C.J. Stroud
One of the most important things you can do in fantasy football is admit when you are wrong. Last week, I said not to start Stroud in fantasy football due to a tough matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That was bad advice, as the rookie finished the night with 306 passing yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. C.J. Stroud is easily the best of the rookie quarterbacks, and his impressive play has made him a week-in, week-out start moving forward.
Sit: Joe Burrow
Something is seriously wrong with Joe Burrow. Through four weeks of action, the former first-overall pick is the QB31 and is guiding one of the worst offenses in the league by just about every metric. This likely stems from his training camp calf injury, so you shouldn’t worry about Burrow if you’re in a dynasty league. However, in the short term, he needs to prove that he can stay healthy and play up to his old standard before you start him in fantasy football.
Running Backs
Start: Isiah Pacheco
From seventh-round afterthought to starting running back on one of the top offenses in football, Isiah Pacheco’s two-year career has been a wild ride. Through four weeks, Pacheco is currently the RB13 in PPR leagues despite splitting receiving work with Jerick McKinnon. Pacheco is coming off an RB6 finish against a strong New York Jets defense, so he should feast against the Minnesota Vikings.
Isiah Pacheco gets some big blocks and finds the end zone. 😤 @isiah_pachecoRB
📺: #KCvsNYJ on NBC⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/cLJQ8MOopx pic.twitter.com/Kggr7MHXay
— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2023
Sit: Roschon Johnson
Rookie running back Roschon Johnson had a strong start to the season, but that’s mostly because the Bears have him play in garbage time. Chicago is a terrible team, so garbage time came early and often in Weeks 1-3. However, the Bears had the lead for most of Week 4, and Roschon Johnson barely saw the field behind Khalil Herbert. The Washington Commanders probably won’t blow the doors off of the Bears, so this should be another Herbert game.
Start: Jaleel McLaughlin*
For the sake of this fantasy football start sit article, we’re going to assume that Javonte Williams does not suit up in Week 5. While Samaje Perine was widely believed to be Williams’ handcuff heading into the season, undrafted free agent Jaleel McLaughlin is clearly the guy to roster. Perine looks like he’s at the end of the line, while McLaughlin showed some much-needed burst and acceleration in Week 4. After Williams went down, McLaughlin recorded a combined 105 yards on just 10 touches. He will see a larger role in Week 5, and that justifies a start.
Sit: Miles Sanders
As it turns out, Miles Sanders does not look good when you take him away from the best offensive line in football. Signed to revitalize a stagnant rushing attack, the former Eagle has been one of the least efficient running backs in football. Through four weeks, he’s averaging a paltry 2.9 yards per carry and isn’t doing anything as a receiver. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before Chuba Hubbard gets a shot at the starting job, and Miles Sanders might have to get used to hearing some boos.
Wide Receivers
Start: Michael Wilson
Remember when you couldn’t start a wide receiver in fantasy football until their third year in the league? Those days are long gone, as rookies are more ready than ever to contribute from Day 1. Michael Wilson has been insanely effective on a per-target basis, hauling in 14 receptions for 237 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 targets. He’s finally starting to get the volume, as he finished Week 4 with seven receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. At 6′-2″ and 213 pounds, he’s the only receiver on the roster with a prototypical build, so his role isn’t going anywhere. While he lacks week-winning upside, he should be a reliable flex play.
Sit: Jameson Williams
Jameson Williams has the potential to be a league-winning force at the end of the year. However, he’ll probably need some time to knock off the rust before he’s ready to be a regular start in your fantasy football lineup. The former first-round pick has never played an NFL game at full health, and he’ll need time to establish himself in this offense. You should absolutely be stashing him on your bench, but you shouldn’t trust him in your lineup quite yet.
Start: Michael Thomas
The New Orleans Saints offense has not played up to expectations, but there is still fantasy football value to be had here. Michael Thomas isn’t playing like his 2019 self, but he’s still averaging an impressive eight targets per game. Derek Carr should be healthier in Week 5, and he faces a New England Patriots defense that is down their top four cornerbacks and star pass rusher Matthew Judon. Thomas should have no trouble getting open in this one, and he’s a smart start in fantasy football, especially in PPR leagues.
Sit: Marvin Mims
Through four weeks, Marvin Mims looks like the best wide receiver on the Denver Broncos. Unfortunately, Sean Payton seems to disagree, as the wide receiver simply cannot get consistent targets. Despite his impressive efficiency, it’s simply too dangerous to start a guy who averages fewer than three targets per game.
Tight End
Start: Jake Ferguson
The Dallas Cowboys tight end is always a decent start in fantasy football. This year, that player is Jake Ferguson. Stepping in seamlessly for Dalton Schultz, Ferguson has recorded 17 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown through four games and enters Week 5 fresh off the heels of a great seven-reception, 77-yard performance. He is a key part of a strong offense, and that alone makes him a smart start in fantasy football.
Sit: Tyler Higbee (If Kupp Plays)
Tyler Higbee has been a reliable starter through the first four weeks and is coming off an 11-target game. However, if Cooper Kupp comes back, it’s hard to envision a world where his impressive performance continues. Kupp is going to get his usual share of the targets, and Puka Nacua is simply too good to go back to the bench. There are only so many targets to go around, and Higbee will be the odd man out. On top of that, it certainly doesn’t help that he’s going up against a great Philadelphia Eagles defense.
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