CLEVELAND, OH – There are plenty of fantasy storylines heading into Week 5 of the NFL season. Can stars like Juju Smith-Schuster and Odell Beckham Jr. breakout of their hibernation or will they continue to post underwhelming numbers?
Studs like Saquon Barkley and A.J. Green are out. Injuries, bad performances and bye weeks mean you’re probably dealing with some tough lineup decisions.
Here are the players you should start in Week 5:
Start 'Em
Kyler Murray – The young quarterback has had an up and down rookie campaign. Sunday’s game against the Bengals should be filled with plenty of highs. Russell Wilson, Jimmy Garoppolo and Mason Rudolph have all thrown for multiple touchdowns against Cincinnati this season. The Bengals are allowing the 11th most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Murray is a QB1 and a worthwhile play in daily leagues.
Josh Gordon, Julian Edelman and Phillip Dorsett – The Redskins have allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Taylor Gabriel had three touchdowns against them in Week 3. The Patriots’ offense struggled last week in Buffalo, which means Tom Brady and company should have a huge week against a lackluster opponent.
David Montgomery – Montgomery has to have a breakout performance at some point. The rookie running back has shown enough ability to be an every down workhorse. This feels like the week Montgomery breaks through with a big game. The Bears should rely on their rushing attack more than ever with Chase Daniel starting and Mitchell Trubisky injured. The Raiders are allowing 137 yards from scrimmage per game to opposing running backs, which is 12th in the NFL. Montgomery is a low-end RB2 with plenty of upside in Week 5.
Tyler Boyd – Boyd only has one 100-yard receiving game this season, but that should change this week against the Cardinals. He’s the only reliable target Andy Dalton has with A.J. Green out and John Ross on injured reserve. It may be ugly at times, but the fourth-year wide receiver should get double-digit targets. Boyd is a PPR machine with plenty of upside.
Odell Beckham Jr. – Beckham looks to bounce back from a two-catch performance against the Ravens. Jarvis Landry is in concussion protocol, which means Beckham could be in line for more targets than normal. He’s being targeted 9.25 times per game so far this season. The 49ers allowed 100-yard receiving days to both John Ross and Tyler Boyd in their Week 2 matchup against the Bengals. Steelers’ wide receivers Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster both caught touchdowns against the 49ers. Beckham should have a big game on Monday Night Football against San Francisco.
Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen – Things aren’t going well in Minnesota. Thielen ripped Kirk Cousins. Diggs missed practice and the Vikings’ passing offense looks awful. As bad as it is, their issues are going to get fixed this week against a poor Giants defense. New York is allowing the fourth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Look for Diggs and Thielen to put up huge numbers and take out some of their frustration on the Giants.
Sit 'Em
Cole Beasley – Beasley is a PPR monster who made his way onto our waiver wire list this week, but that doesn’t mean he needs to be in your fantasy lineup. The Titans have an underrated defense and could be going up against Matt Barkley with Josh Allen in concussion protocol. You can do worse than Beasley this week because he’s going to be targeted, but you could also do much better. He’s a WR4 based on Allen’s injury and the matchup.
Josh Jacobs – Jacobs hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1 and is going up against a tough Bears defense. The rookie is averaging 76.8 rushing yards-per-game, but he only has three receptions (five targets) this season. Jacobs is averaging eight points-per-game in PPR leagues since his Week 1 performance against Denver. He’s a flex option for Week 5, who’s a better fit in standard leagues.
Ronald Jones – You might’ve snagged Jones off of the waiver wire this week, but it doesn’t mean you need to start him. The Saints have a great defense and haven’t allowed a 100-yard rushing game since the 2017-2018 season. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 35 yards on 18 carries against the Saints last week. Jones is worth having on your team, but keep him on the bench in Week 5.
Le’Veon Bell – It’s nearly impossible to sit Bell in season-long leagues, especially with bye weeks and injuries, but temper your expectations for him. The Eagles’ run defense is one of the best in football. They’re going to do everything they can to take Bell out of the game and make someone else beat them. He’s averaging 18 points per game in PPR leagues, but New England completely neutralized him in Week 3. Expect Philadelphia to do the same thing. Avoid Bell in daily leagues.
Sleepers
Jaylen Samuels – Samuels could be the lead back if James Conner isn’t able to play against the Ravens. The Baltimore defense got steamrolled on the ground by the Browns in Week 4, allowing 237 yards from scrimmage to Nick Chubb and Donrell Hilliard. Samuels had 83 yards from scrimmage in Week 4 against the Bengals and passed for another 31 yards. He should be owned in all leagues and is worth starting as an RB2 if Conner can’t play.
Will Fuller – It’s only a matter of time until Fuller explodes for 100+ yards and two touchdowns. He had 14 receptions for 183 yards this season. The Falcons’ defense is beatable. They’re 14th in points allowed to wide receivers this season. Kenny Stills is dealing with a hamstring injury, which means Fuller could be in line for more snaps. Deshaun Watson overthrew Fuller on what would’ve been a 75-yard touchdown last week. He’s a high-upside flex option and worth considering in daily leagues.
Auden Tate – The Bengals are without A.J. Green and John Ross, which means someone outside of Tyler Boyd has to step up and catch passes from Andy Dalton. Tate isn’t a burner, but he has great size and isn’t afraid to go up and catch poorly placed passes. He has 10 receptions for 138 yards in his last two games. Tate will also get plenty of red zone targets due to his size and ability to catch the ball at its' highest point. He’s worth a look in deeper leagues and is a sneaky play in daily games.
Ben Watson – Watson returned to the Patriots this week after serving his four-game suspension. He has a great matchup against a beatable Redskins’ defense. Watson should be well rested and ready to help the Patriots’ offense. Don’t be surprised if he finds his way into the end zone this week.
Antonio Callaway – Like Watson, Callaway returns to the Browns after a four-game suspension. He could have a prominent role in the offense right away with Jarvis Landry in concussion protocol and Rashard Higgins still dealing with a knee injury. Callaway averaged 13.6 yards-per-reception last season and finished with five touchdowns.