Every team now has four games in the books. However, those pesky bye weeks have arrived. That means fantasy football managers will have to dig deep to compile a winning line. FullTime Fantasy‘s Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 5 will help you find those hidden gems to insert into your Week 5 lineups.
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Josh Dobbs (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Cincinnati
Dobbs has displayed impressive form over the last three weeks, averaging 24.6 points per game against the Giants, Cowboys, and 49ers. His upcoming matchup against a reeling Bengals team in Week 5 appears promising. The Bengals’ defense has been yielding an average of 19.4 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.
Dobbs has been showcasing his mobility with at least 41 rushing yards in each of his past three games, and he has yet to throw an interception. He has performed over expectations this season and is a sleeper start decision at home in week 5.
Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Dallas
Purdy faces a challenging matchup against Dallas in Week 5, but I still have confidence in him as a lower-tier starter. He has managed to secure a minimum of 20.8 Fantasy points in three out of his four starts, with two consecutive games producing at least 23.3 points. It remains to be seen whether the Cowboys can effectively contain this 49ers offense. Dallas has previously encountered quarterbacks like Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson, Joshua Dobbs, and Mac Jones, but Purdy is poised to be their toughest opponent thus far.
Additionally, he has demonstrated exceptional performance when playing at home, accumulating at least 20.0 fantasy points in all five games he has started in San Francisco during the regular season, dating back to the previous year, with an average of 23.8 points over this period.
Sit ‘Em
Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos) vs. New York Jets
Wilson delivered a strong performance last week in a favorable matchup against the Bears. However, his fantasy performance this season has been inconsistent. Week 5 presents a formidable challenge as he faces the Jets, who have proven to be tough on quarterbacks.
New York held Josh Allen to single-digit fantasy points in Week 1 and limited Patrick Mahomes to 13.2 points, his worst game of the season. The Jets’ ability to generate pressure without blitzing, combined with their strong secondary, makes this an awful matchup for Wilson. While he has been playing well, this week may not be the best time to start him.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
Breece Hall (New York Jets) at Denver
Hall commanded 46 percent of the snaps in Week 4. Despite not having a standout day, he managed to turn the opportunities into 69 total yards and 9.9 fantasy points. While it may not have been a breakout performance, glimpses of his explosiveness were evident, again. Hall faces a very favorable matchup as the Broncos have allowed the most rushing yards to running backs this season, surpassing any other team by over 100 yards.
Also, Denver has conceded the most rushing touchdowns and ranks in the top five for yards, touchdowns, and catches allowed to running backs. Every primary running back facing Denver this season has scored a minimum of 22 fantasy points, insane. While the Jets’ offensive limitations pose some risk, the potential for a high-scoring matchup justifies considering Hall as a top 10 Week 5 option.
Jaleel McLaughlin (Denver Broncos) vs. New York Jets
On the opposite sideline, Jalell McLaughlin has some potential. However, keep an eye on the Javonte Williams injury reports. But he already sat out on Wednesday’s practice and was limited on Thursday. If Williams is sidelined, McLaughlin has the potential to become a valuable high-upside running back in all fantasy leagues. You probably blew your FAAB budget or top waiver priority to get him, might as well start him if it makes sense.
In Week 4, he looked incredible with seven carries for 72 yards and three receptions for 32 yards, including a touchdown on three targets. Sean Payton has indicated that McLaughlin has earned more playing time in the upcoming games. While the situation may evolve if everyone is healthy, this could be a breakout opportunity for McLaughlin if he gets the start against the Jets in Week 5. Over the past three games, the Jets have allowed good performances, such as Tony Pollard exceeding 100 total yards with seven catches, gaining 158 total yards along with a touchdown. Additionally, Samaje Perine holds sleeper potential if Williams is sidelined, but McLaughlin appears to offer more upside in this matchup.
Sit ‘Em
Miles Sanders (Carolina Panthers) at Detroit
Detroit boasts the league’s top-ranked rush defense, having allowed just 243 yards and 18 rush first downs. That is tied for the third-fewest in the league. Sanders has been averaging 17.25 touches per game but has only exceeded 9.8 fantasy points (Half PPR) once so far this season.
Bottom line: Sanders hasn’t been good. If the Lions establish an early lead, Sanders’s usage may be limited. Also, he has been dealing with a groin injury.
Rhamondre Stevenson (New England Patriots) vs. New Orleans
Stevenson has struggled this season. He can barely even hold off dusty Ezekiel Elliot for the starting job. Stevenson’s yards per carry (YPC) has dropped to 2.62. Also, he has averaged just 6.5 receiving yards over the last two games, leaving fantasy managers frustrated.
This week, New England faces a New Orleans Saints defense that has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. Also, the Saints have yet to allow any running back to score a touchdown in 2023. Sit Stevenson this week if you have the option.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Garret Wilson (New York Jets) at Denver
Zach Wilson displayed significant improvement in Week 4 against Kansas City. That resulted in Garret Wilson receiving 14 targets, nine catches, and 60 yards. Also, Wilson was close to securing a touchdown. Hopefully, the duo will connect for a touchdown in the upcoming game against the Broncos.
Denver’s defense has been historically awful, allowing at least one receiver to score a minimum of 16.4 PPR points in each game, with six receivers achieving at least 12.6 PPR points. I would consider 12.6 points as Wilson’s floor for Week 5, with the potential for even higher production in this incredible matchup.
Christian Watson (Green Bay Packers) at Las Vegas
Watson made his season debut in the previous week, participating in 45 percent of the snaps, receiving four targets, and catching two of them for 25 yards and a touchdown. Although he was on a limited snap count, he is expected to see an expanded workload coming off a mini-bye week.
Notably, the Raiders have allowed the most touchdowns to receivers this season. Watson is known for his dynamic ability to stretch the field, and he is a valuable weapon in the red zone. Big plays and touchdowns are primary avenues for receivers to accumulate fantasy points and that is Watson’s thing. Start him with confidence this week.
Sit ‘Em
Courtland Sutton (Denver Broncos) vs. New York Jets
Sutton has been better than anticipated this season. Week 5 though against the Jets’ stout D will be a problem though. Russ has crumbled under pressure since coming to Denver and I expect the same to happen this week.
Also, Sutton has run 27% of his routes lined up on the right. That would put him at a coverage disadvantage against Sauce Gardner. Expect more routes from the left, but it should still be a struggle against this elite secondary.
Michael Thomas (New Orleans Saints) at New England
Thomas has witnessed a decline in his performance over the last three games, culminating in a disappointing 9.3-point performance in the previous week’s loss to the Buccaneers. This week, he faces a challenging matchup against New England, whose defense has held CeeDee Lamb, Jaylen Waddle, and Garrett Wilson to fewer than 15 fantasy points in games this season. With Kamara back MT is the 3rd option in this passing game.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Hunter Henry (New England Patriots) vs. New Orleans
In the absence of safety Marcus Maye due to suspension, the Saints’ defense allowed Luke Musgrave and Cade Otton to score at least 10.3 PPR points each in the past two games. Henry was a bright spot for the Patriots in Week 4 against Dallas, recording four catches for 51 yards on five targets. Mac Jones narrowly missed connecting with him for a touchdown in the end zone.
The Saints look good on paper versus tight ends. But a product of that has been ease of schedule. New Orleans opened with Tennessee and Carolina. As mentioned above, the two quality TEs they’ve faced did fine. I think Henry is a top-10 Fantasy tight end for Week 5.
Sit ‘Em
Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Houston Texans
The dynasty community has elevated Pitts to a status that his resume simply doesn’t justify. Every week is labeled as the #PittsBreakout only for another week with four targets and fewer than 40 receiving yards to go by. Quarterback is the main problem. However, Pitts hasn’t even been the best fantasy tight end on his own team.
Atlanta’s Week 5 matchup against Houston looks appealing. However, the Texans have only allowed 40 receiving yards to one tight end all season. And the TD they surrendered last week came via a halfback pass. Pitts should not be viewed as a ‘must start’ option due to his potential. Instead, he should be treated as a mediocre TE2 until his plays justifies that status.
