Welcome to the NFL week five! It is absolutely mind boggling that we are a full month into the pro football season. However, as that is the case, some trends are starting to become clear. Most definitely, managers will want to keep track of such trends when determining their starting fantasy lineups. Fortunately, this Week Five Fantasy Starts/Sits edition arrives to help do just that.

For clarity’s sake, as was pointed out last week, all position rankings are taken from ESPN. Without doubt, if there are disagreements about the players listed below, let’s talk about it! Further, if there are questions about players that are not included here, let me know who they are and I will do some research and get back to you.

Reminder: The first game Sunday comes to us from London. It is the Jets and Vikings. The game will start at 8:30 AM central time. Set your lineups accordingly. On top of that, the bye week makes its first appearance. There are four teams that won’t play this weekend: Detroit, LA Chargers, Philadelphia and Tennessee. With all of that out of the way, let’s get down to it.

Week Five Starts

Quarterbacks

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Certainly, getting behind Deshaun Watson the past few years hasn’t been a recommended course of action. His struggles on the field, not to mention his legal troubles, have left Watson buried in fantasy. Let me be clear: this isn’t the most rah-rah endorsement of Watson. However, there is reason for optimism going into week five.

In Sunday’s game in Vegas, Watson threw for 176 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he ran eight times for 32 yards. He has thrown for three touchdowns in the past two games. Also true: he has three turnovers in that time. However, he didn’t have any in the first two games. Giving the ball to the other team shouldn’t be a huge concern going forward.

Even if that is the case, there are a few excellent reasons to start Watson this week. First, as pointed out at the top, there are four teams on bye, restricting the available players at quarterback. The second, and the biggest reason, is that Watson will face the Commanders next.

Washington ranks next to last against signal callers. If in a fantasy quarterback fix, Watson can solve the problem, at least for this week.

 Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

Just because the Seahawks lost their first game Monday night is no reason to knock Geno Smith from the starters list. After all, Smith did throw for 395 yards and a score in the defeat. The thought that the Seahawks have a better defense in 2024 was put to torn to shreds by the Lions. Seattle still has some serious work to do on that side of the ball.

That being the case, the Seahawks will have to put points on the board to be successful. Smith has a TD in every game so far. Further, he leads the NFL in completions and yards while completing 72.3 percent of his passes.

True, he won’t be going up against the Lions this Sunday, as the New York Giants come to the Pacific Northwest. The Giants rank 14th against QBs in fantasy. Even so, playing in Seattle is a different beast altogether. This Week Five Fantasy Starts/Sits edition predicts another big game from Smith. Without doubt, keep him in your starting lineups.

Running Backs

Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

Most likely, not many people started Javonte Williams against the Jets this past Sunday. There was every reason to justify that decision. Even so, Williams had a productive day against New York, carrying the ball 16 times for 77 yards.

Those that have Williams on their roster should have every confidence starting him in the Broncos’ next game. Why? Their week five opponent is the Las Vegas Raiders, which rank next to last against enemy ball carriers.

Further, the game is in the Mile High City. Vegas defenders will be out of breath quite often Sunday. In the final analysis, getting Williams into the starting lineup is most highly advised.

Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens

Of course, when it comes to running backs for the Baltimore Ravens, more than likely Justice Hill doesn’t come to mind. That is a mistake. Obviously, Hill won’t be getting many rushing yards. However, that isn’t where his value lies, but in the passing game. Against Buffalo, Hill carried the ball just four times, but did catch all six of his targets for 78 yards and a touchdown.

In four games, it was the second time that Hill caught six passes. He is averaging 10.1 yards per catch, which is excellent for a running back. In the Baltimore offensive attack, it seems like they have decided that the tight end isn’t a necessary weapon. They much prefer to run the ball and throw it to Hill.

Fortunately, that works well for his fantasy managers. There is every reason to believe that will continue to be the case going forward. In their next game, the Ravens play Cincinnati. The Bengals surely will focus on fellow running back Derrick Henry, While doing so, Hill should have room to roam through their secondary.

Bottom line: Hill will catch passes and has an excellent chance of finding the endzone. Simply stated: this Week Five Fantasy Starts/Sits edition says get Hill into starting lineups this Sunday.

Wide Receivers

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

For Packer fans and fantasy managers alike, there was great news this past weekend. Quarterback Jordan Love returned to the lineup far faster than anyone had a right to expect. Obviously, that helps the passing game in general and Romeo Doubs in particular. With Love back as the starter, Doubs received eight targets. In Love’s first game before his injury, he targeted Doubs seven times. A definite pattern has emerged.

First, the news regarding Christian Watson‘s ankle injury isn’t as bad as first feared. Further, it appears he won’t have to go on IR. Second, though, he almost certainly miss this Sunday’s game against the Rams. Love will have to focus elsewhere. Enter Doubs. Los Angeles is terrible at defending wide outs, ranking a lowly 26th.

All of the Packers’ wide receivers will be extremely active in this game. Of course, Doubs will be one of them. The opponent and the situation give him the green light as a starter this week.

Note: As of Friday afternoon, Doubs is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Make sure his status is clear before making any decisions with him.

Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

Hard as it may be to believe after Cleveland’s performance against the Raiders, I am rolling with Jerry Jeudy for a second straight week. In Vegas, Jeudy was targeted nine times, catching six for 72 yards. In four games, he has seen 30 targets. He caught only three of eight in the first game, but has caught 15 of 21 targets since.

The very best news, though, was left for the end. In their next game, Cleveland goes up against the Commanders. Washington has had lots of success in many areas this season, but defending receivers isn’t one of them. They come into this game with the last ranked defense against wide outs.

I expect that the Browns will have to keep up with the Commanders in this game. Of course, that means they will throw the ball a lot. If you started Jeudy last week, as I recommended, this Week Five Fantasy Starts/Sits edition says keep rolling with the flow.

Tight Ends

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

For many fantasy managers, the tight end position has been a deadly poison. Fortunately, there is a player that can help bring some first aid. That player is Tucker Kraft, the second Packer featured on this Fantasy Week Five Starts/ Sits edition. Against the Vikings in week four, Kraft set season highs in catches (6), targets (9) and yards (53). Further, he found the endzone.

Minnesota ranks 28th against fantasy tight ends. The Rams, fortunately for Kraft and his managers, aren’t much better (26th). Obviously, with Love back in the lineup, all of the Packer receivers will greatly benefit.

In a position as weak as tight end this season, Kraft is a beacon of light. There is no reason to overthink this. If he is on your roster, set Kraft as the starter and don’t look back.

Week Four Sits

Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers

Without doubt, there hasn’t been many more compelling stories than Andy Dalton this season. The Panthers were the worst team in the league through two games. Carolina decided to bench former first overall selection Bryce Young. Enter Dalton.

All he has done in his two starts is throw for 539 yards with five touchdowns and a single interception. One would think that would be enough of an argument to get and keep him in starting lineups for the foreseeable future. In superflex and two QB leagues, there certainly is a strong argument to do just that.

Even so, in single QB leagues, if there is a better option, managers will want to look into it. The Bears are next on the Panther schedule. Surely, Dalton will want to exact some revenge on Chicago, having once played for the Bears.

Only problem is that Chicago is the top ranked defense against fantasy QBs through four games. There will be times when Dalton can be recommended as a starter. This Week Five Fantasy Starts/Sits edition says that this game, however, isn’t one of them.

Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders

Another player making a return appearance this week, unfortunately for him, is Gardner Minshew. After making his appearance in my first article, Minshew justified the selection by throwing for a measly 130 yards against Cleveland. Additionally, there were no TD passes, either. His passing yardage has gone down in every game since week one.

There is no reason for optimism going into week five, either. The Raiders hit the road to take on the Denver Broncos, who just shut down the Jets in New York. Whatever else one may say about Denver, they have left the defense that allowed 70 points where it belongs, in last season. They come into this game ranking seventh against QBs.

As has been pointed out many times, playing at altitude in Denver is not conducive to good performance. Minshew has been on an elevator pointing straight down for a few weeks now. That and the fact that the game is in Denver is enough to keep him far from any starting lineup, regardless of league type.

Running Backs

Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings

After averaging 8.2 yards per carry against the 49ers in week two, many people in fantasy sat up and took notice of Ty Chandler. Unfortunately, he has disappeared since that game, despite the Vikings’ outstanding start this season. In the past two games, Chandler has just 10 carries, which matches his game two output. Even worse, he has only 18 yards on the ground in that time. Further, he adds nothing to the passing game, catching just one pass in the past three weeks.

In the next game, he and the Vikings cross the Atlantic Ocean to take on the New York Jets. Whatever other issues the Jets are having, they held the Broncos to just 10 points this past weekend. The fact that they rank ninth against running backs is proof of that statement.

In fact, I see little reason to start any of the Vikings or Jets players, other than the obvious, in a game played overseas, in an unknown environment with plenty of distractions. Without doubt, that includes Chandler. Keep him far from starting lineups is the recommended course of action on this Week Five Fantasy Starts/Sits edition.

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

To say that the season is off to a bumpy start for the Dallas Cowboys is an understatement. Beating the rival Giants this past Thursday night didn’t calm a lot of fears of the Dallas faithful. Certainly, the play of favorite son Ezekiel Elliott isn’t keeping things warm and cozy in Arlington, either. After going 10-40-1 in the first game against Cleveland, a stone wall has surrounded Elliott on the field.

In the past three games, Elliott has just 14 carries. He’s gained only 41 yards and hasn’t sniffed the endzone. He hasn’t been active in the passing game either, catching just six on the year. No question, it is looking bleak at the moment.

Unfortunately for him and the Cowboys, their next opponent, Pittsburgh, is the top ranked defense against running backs. Even worse, the game is on the road. There isn’t any a more clear way that this can be stated: keep Elliott far from starting lineups this week.

Wide Receivers

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints

No question, Rashid Shaheed had a nice game last Sunday against the Falcons. Shaheed set season highs in catches (8) and targets (11). He turned those catches into 83 yards, his second highest total on the year. Through four games, Shaheed has been quite good in three of them. Further, he has two TD catches.

All of that sounds great, obviously. The main problem is that Shaheed and the Saints aren’t going up against the Falcons this week. No, they have a road date next up with Super Bowl champion Kansas City. The Chiefs do many things right. One of them is defend wide receivers, ranking seventh.

No Question, Rasheed has been a great story this young season. This Week Five Fantasy Starts/Sits edition looks into the future and says: don’t look for that to continue in week five, however.

Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings

Going into the London game, a second Viking makes an appearance on this week. In this instance, that player is Jordan Addison. In the first four games, Addison has suited up in only two of them. In those contests, he hasn’t looked like the receiver we saw in his rookie season a year ago.

Truly, his stats back up that assertion. He has a grand total of eight targets and only six catches. His yardage did improve from 35 in his first game to 72 against the Packers. As good as that sounds, don’t expect a repeat performance against the Jets in London.

As previously mentioned regarding the conditions facing Chandler, the same applies here. Additionally, the Jets defend the receiver position well, ranking sixth overall. When we get to the final equation, it indicates sitting Addison this week.

Tight Ends

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

For the second straight week, despite the success of Jayden Daniels, I am sitting Zach Ertz. This past Sunday against the Cardinals, Ertz was targeted just three times, catching all of them for a scant 22 yards. Four games in, Ertz hasn’t been targeted more than five times in any contest.

True, he went up against the 10th ranked defense against fantasy tight ends in Arizona. The news, however, doesn’t get much better this week with Cleveland on the horizon. The Browns rank 12th in that category.

Clearly, Daniels has had success so far in his rookie season, but his game apparently doesn’t include tight ends much. Until that changes, if it does, Ertz is bench bound for the foreseeable future.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this Week Five Fantasy Starts/Sits edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to bellyupsports.com/ and bellyupfantasysports.com/ for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!

I am a co-host of The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show. Our final show of the season was this past Sunday. There is still time to check it out, which can be done here.