Fantasy football owners face tough start 'em, sit 'em questions right away in Week 5 with a potential battle of backup RBs in the Colts-Broncos Thursday night showdown, and things don't get much easier heading into the weekend. Fortunately, Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer is here to help with his Week 5 fantasy lineup advice and DFS tips.
Usage/production trends and a new set of favorable/unfavorable matchups affect lineup decisions every week, but the biggest issue will always be injuries. There are plenty of big ones set to affect Week 5 lineups, starting with Javonte Williams' season-ending ACL tear and Jonathan Taylor's worrisome ankle issue. Beyond those, Keenan Allen (hamstring), Alvin Kamara (ribs), D'Andre Swift (shoulder), David Montgomery (knee, ankle), Michael Thomas (toe), Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), Jakobi Meyers (knee), Hunter Renfrow (concussion), Daniel Jones (ankle), and Jameis Winston (back) are all dealing with ailments that could keep them out, and you know more injuries will pop up later in the week. That's on top of players like Cordarrelle Patterson (knee), Treylon Burks (toe), Jahan Dotson (hamstring), and Tua Tagovailoa (head) who have already been ruled out.
Throw in the potential returns of players who started the season on IR (Brian Robinson Jr., Gus Edwards) and yet another early-morning London game (Packers-Giants), and fantasy owners will need to be "on call" all weekend.
Navigating through a wide array of potential starting options, here are our must-starts and start 'em sit 'em recommendations for Week 5. If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller's industry-leading "Who To Start?" tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
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WEEK 5 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. PIT)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at ARI)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. CIN)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (at BAL)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (at CLE)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. PHI)
Stronger starts
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (vs. ATL). He has his groove back (at least on the field), and he'll shred a weak overall defense at home.
Derek Carr, Raiders (at KC). He is bound to put up plenty of garbage passing points opposite Patrick Mahomes.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (vs. CHI). He will be solid given it's back to being an afternoon home game vs. an average defense.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. NYG in London). He won't need to do a ton, but the Giants' secondary stinks, so 250 yards and two TDs are easy pickings.
Carson Wentz, Commanders (vs. TEN). He likes to rip into weaker defenses, and this is a sneaky shootout.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. HOU). Lawrence will rock it again in a comfortable spot against a defense that cannot stop the run or pass.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (at WAS). Plenty is being given up by this atrocious Commanders pass defense.
DFS Targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Tom Brady, Buccaneers ($7,800 vs. ATL). The GOAT unleashed fury late against the Chiefs, and he will take out some issues on the Falcons' wilting defense with at least 300 yards and three TD.
DraftKings tournament pick
Andy Dalton (if he starts, $5,200 vs. SEA). Dalton would be the cheapest veteran QB on the board not named Davis Mills or Baker Mayfield if he starts again for Jameis Winston. He won't go full Jared Goff at home on the Seahawks' defense, but he can get a 3X or 4X value.
Streamer Special
Teddy Bridgewater, Dolphins (at NYJ). This is a sweet "revenge" game spot where he can ride his wide receivers to Tua-like production in a great matchup.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. DAL). He's borderline droppable when he's not producing TDs and racking up turnovers.
Jared Goff, Lions (at NE). Bill Belichick will find a way to fluster him, too.
Geno Smith, Seahawks (at NO). Smith struggled against the one tricky defense on the road he faced, so don't expect follow-up big numbers here, either.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (at CAR). It will be hard for Jimmy G to post big numbers when it will be so easy for the 49ers to run.
Zach Wilson, Jets (vs. MIA). He has some youthful upside, but don't force it.
Kenny Pickett, Steelers (at BUF). He also has some youthful upside, but don't force it.
Justin Fields, Bears (at MIN). He still has some youthful upside, but don't force it.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Nick Chubb, Browns (vs. LAC)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (at GB in London)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at CLE)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (at WAS)
- Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (vs. SF)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. NYG in London)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (at BAL)
- James Robinson, Jaguars (vs. HOU)
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Jamaal Williams, Lions (at NE)
- Dameon Pierce, Texans (at JAX)
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (vs. ATL)
- Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers (at CAR)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at KC)
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Najee Harris, Steelers (at BUF)
- AJ Dillon, Packers (vs. NYG in London)
- Miles Sanders, Eagles (at ARI)
- Khalil Herbert, Bears (at MIN)
- James Conner, Cardinals (vs. PHI)
Stronger starts
JK Dobbins, Ravens (vs. CIN). He's getting the key volume now as the clear lead back, and the Ravens should lean run heavier here.
Alvin Kamara or Mark Ingram, Saints (vs. SEA). Whoever runs the ball against the Seahawks needs to be in lineups.
Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. DET). They won't be hiding the fact they will ride the running game hard again in this cake matchup.
Breece Hall, Jets (vs. MIA). He's trending toward feature volume with the Jets trending toward fully embracing the rookie's talent.
Kareem Hunt, Browns (vs. LAC). The Browns should be run-heavy to attack the clear Chargers' weakness.
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (at NYJ). They should stay more grounded, and his effective volume should add up to a TD this week.
Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. HOU). He should get plenty of receiving and rushing work in support of James Robinson.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Austin Ekeler, Chargers ($9,000 at CLE). Check on the status of Myles Garrett (shoulder), but if the Browns' defensive line is depleted again Ekeler can stay white hot.
Damien Harris, Patriots ($7,200 vs. DET). Harris was an absolute hammer against the Packers and can bring it even more against the Lions (see Rashaad Penny).
DraftKings tournament picks
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots ($5,500 vs. DET). Stevenson has similar upside to Damien Harris but comes cheaper as a mild contrarian play.
Breece Hall, Jets ($5,400 vs. MIA). The matchup numbers say stay away, but Hall's talent, volume, and passing-game usage say he can be an absolute steal.
WEEK 5 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at LAR). This is a tough spot for their run blocking.
Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr., (vs. DAL). There's nothing to trust on the other side of that matchup either.
Rashaad Penny, Seahawks (at NO). The Saints' defense is still stout vs. the run, and he's rushing dependent.
Devin Singletary, Bills (vs. PIT). There's nothing wrong with the matchup, but the usage is spotty given he's really only had one decent game.
All Commanders (vs. TEN). You have no idea how the snaps will go down, starting with Antonio Gibson.
All Falcons (at TB). The matchup is brutal, and the split for Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley caps usable value.
Rachaad White, Buccaneers (vs. ATL). He's a plus handcuff with late-season upside, but he's not a fantasy starter yet.
WEEK 5 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. DAL)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. PIT)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at BAL)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. KC)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at ARI)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at NYJ)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at CAR)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at LAR)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. ATL)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at NYJ)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (at BAL)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. IND)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (if he returns, at NE)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. HOU)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. SEA)
- Marquise Brown, Cardinals (vs. PHI)
- Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at DEN)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at NO)
- Mike Williams, Chargers (at CLE)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (if he returns, at CLE)
- Michael Thomas, Saints (if he returns, vs. SEA)
Stronger starts
Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. PIT). He has been a decoy in recent weeks but now he's practicing in full while Jamison Crowder is down and Isaiah McKenzie doesn't look good to play. Look for him to get back to making big plays opposite Diggs.
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. ATL). You can destroy the Falcons in the slot away from their strengths outside.
Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel, Commanders (vs. TEN). No Jahan Dotson (hamstring) makes it golden to go with them against this secondary.
Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. NYG in London). They're locked in as the reliable 1-2 punch for Rodgers and these corners are bad.
Brandin Cooks, Texans (at JAX). He got warmed up last week and should put up decent garbage points.
DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at ARI). He gets going again away from the rain.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals (at BAL). He has a good history here, and the Ravens are weakened in the slot.
Adam Thielen, Vikings (vs. CHI). He's rejuvenated and making it work opposite Justin Jefferson again.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Tyreek Hill, Dolphins ($8,400 at NYJ). The Bridgewater-Hill connection is real, and the Jets will be overwhelmed in coverage.
Christian Kirk, Jaguars ($7,500 vs. HOU). Kirk will go back to eating in the slot against a mess of a Texans cornerback corps.
Robert Woods, Titans ($5,900 at WAS). No Treylon Burks (toe) says Woods will get to take advantage of this juicy spot.
DraftKings tournament picks
Mike Evans, Buccaneers ($6,900 vs. ATL). Evans is getting lit with end-zone targets, and he can score another double given his recent history in the Falcons' matchup.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders ($6,200 vs. TEN). McLaurin is due for a blowup, and it can come in a spot against a weak secondary with no competition from Jahan Dotson (hamstring).
George Pickens, Steelers ($4,300 at BUF). The starting of Kenny Pickett is great for him, as he will be peppered with targets in a negative game script.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Diontae Johnson, Steelers (at BUF). He'll get the toughest matchup, and Kenny Pickett will further drop his value relative to George Pickens.
Drake London, Falcons (at TB). Carlton Davis can give him trouble with size and strong safety help.
Amari Cooper, Browns (vs. LAC). This matchup is also pretty tough either inside or outside for him so expect to stay cold after disappearing vs. A.J. Terrell.
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at NO). He's probably getting the tougher matchup vs. Marshon Lattimore.
D.J. Moore, Panthers (vs. SF). The Niners are a bad matchup, and this passing game can't be trusted.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at CAR). The volume isn't there, and the matchup isn't good.
Darnell Mooney, Bears (at MIN). He's tempting after his breakout in Week 4, but waiting to see if he continues to mesh with Justin Fields is smarter.
Michael Gallup, Cowboys (at LAR). The matchup isn't bad on the backend, but this will be a low-scoring, defensive-minded affair where his impact can be limited.
All Jets (vs. MIA). Zach Wilson's return has made it tougher to pick between Corey Davis, Garrett Wilson, and Elijah Moore.
All Chiefs (vs. LAR). The production has been random beyond Travis Kelce, and everybody is boom-or-bust/high-risk, high-reward.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. CIN)
- Darren Waller, Raiders (at KC)
- T.J. Hockenson, Lions (at NE)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at ARI)
- Zach Ertz, Cardinals (vs. PHI)
- George Kittle, 49ers (at CAR)
Stronger starts
Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. DAL). He's clearly the guy Matthew Stafford trusts most after Cooper Kupp.
Tyler Conklin, Jets (vs. MIA). He's involved with the wideouts, and the matchup is good for a shot at a possible score.
Hayden Hurst, Bengals (at BAL). He's getting good usage relative to the wideouts and has a shot to score after C.J. Uzomah killed it here last season.
Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. DET). With Jonnu Smith hurting and limitations at wideout, don't be surprised if New England would get him going in a favorable spot.
Logan Thomas, Commanders (vs. TEN). With Jahan Dotson (hamstring) down, Thomas should have some key targets.
Taysom Hill, Saints (vs. SEA). This is a deep shot, but the Saints will get him high-leverage rushing snaps again this week.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game and DraftKings tournament pick
Dallas Goedert, Eagles ($6,100 and $4,700 at ARI). With no Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews on the main slate, Goedert is the best bet to be the T.J. Hockenson of this week with a surefire plus matchup.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at BUF). This matchup is brutal, as Mark Andrews learned last week.
Gerald Everett, Chargers (at CLE). The Browns have been tough on tight ends.
David Njoku, Browns (at LAC). The Chargers have been tough on tight ends.
Robert Tonyan, Packers (vs. NYG in London). The Giants have done a good job in intermediate coverage.
Irv Smith Jr., Vikings (vs. CHI). You cannot trust him with the usage.
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (at LAR). The matchup is bad, and Cooper Rush doesn't have much going with Schultz.
Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. HOU). They won't need him much with the wideouts and backs going off.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- Bills (vs. PIT)
- 49ers (at CAR)
- Packers (vs. NYG)
- Cowboys (at LAR)
- Buccaneers (vs. ATL)
- Jaguars (vs. HOU)
- Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Rams (vs. DAL)
- Broncos (vs. IND)
Stronger starts
Saints (vs. SEA). They tend to play better in their true home in the Superdome, and there can be some sacks and a turnover or two gotten here.
Dolphins (at NYJ). They will do their best to blitz Zach Wilson into mistakes.
Patriots (vs. DET). You can bet Bill Belichick will force Jared Goff into mistakes.
Chiefs (vs. LV). The Chiefs did get a pick-six vs. the Chargers in their last home game, so a prime-time bump is in order here.
Titans (at WAS). The Titans are not a bad flier after playing well against the Colts, and they can cause some issues for Carson Wentz.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Patriots ($3,600 vs. DET). The Pats were more of a boom-or-bust value pick in Green Bay until their pick-six paid them off. It can happen again vs. Jared Goff.
DraftKings tournament pick
Cowboys ($2,500 at LAR). They're guaranteed to get some sacks and a pick or two off Matthew Stafford -- and they're woefully underpriced.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Eagles (at ARI). They're not as good on the road, and there should be some points put up by the Cardinals.
Ravens (vs. CIN). The blitzing only helps Joe Burrow.
Chargers (at CLE). Not in their shorthanded state.
Browns (vs. LAC). Not in their shorthanded state either.
Panthers (vs. SF). They can make plays but not when their offense isn't helping.
Seahawks (at NO). The numbers for the Saints say "yes," but the poor defense says "no."
Lions (at NE). The numbers for the Patriots say "yes," but the poor defense says "no."
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 5 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.