The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 5 (Fantasy Football)
At some point, “I drafted this guy to be my starter” stops being a reason to start dudes. But benching someone because he disappointed you last Sunday is not much of a strategy, either (sup’, recency bias).
Below, let us break down Andy’s, Jason’s, and Mike’s Starts of the Week and the reasons to trust each pick in Week 5.
Andy’s Starts of the Week
QB Box Nix @ LAC
With Patrick Mahomes and Bryce Young on bye, Nix is a reasonable option to get you through the week. LAC ranks 24th in pressure rate and has not done much to slow down opposing passing games. Andy is trusting the matchup, and the Chargers fan in me unfortunately has no argument because secondary studs Derwin James and Donte Jackson are likely out.
RB D’Andre Swift & Kyle Monangai @ GB
You do not have to pick a side in the CHI backfield to like this spot. The Bears have leaned on the run, and GB ranks last in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Monangai has been more efficient than Swift behind the same offensive line, so his value does not depend entirely on Swift missing the game. Monitor their availability, but both backs in this matchup can eat.
WR Jameson Williams @ ARI
The frustrating weeks are part of rostering Williams, but this is not the matchup where Andy wants you backing away. ARI ranks last in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs, giving Williams a favorable opportunity to build on last week’s rebound. His volatility has not disappeared, but we should be using the matchup to make this decision rather than how annoyed we were with him two weeks ago.
TE Sam LaPorta @ ARI
At TE, I would rather bet on the chance to score than chase a TD from the previous week. LaPorta leads the position in end zone targets, and ARI has been a favorable matchup for TEs. Andy is sticking with the role and the matchup here.
Jason’s Starts of the Week
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QB Jared Goff @ ARI
We do not need rushing fantasy production from a QB when the passing matchup looks like this. ARI is allowing a league-worst 9.1 yards per pass attempt, and DET has already been productive through the air. We trust that combination to deliver another useful fantasy performance, making Goff a strong QB1 option this week.
RB Bhayshul Tuten vs PHI
Do not bench Tuten because PHI’s defense has a reputation. That unit is not exactly stout like we thought it would be. Tuten is averaging 17 opportunities per game, and the Eagles have not been nearly as difficult a rushing matchup as their name might suggest. Jason is going right back to Tuten in London rather than searching for a reason to move away from a useful workload. Treat him as an RB2 you can start with confidence.
WR Michael Wilson vs DET
Thirty targets over his last two games is the kind of workload I want to sign up for, not talk myself out of. Wilson gets a DET secondary that has struggled to slow down opposing passing games. Why so confident? So. Much. Volume. He has that sucker turned up to 11, and the ball should continue to come his way.
TE T.J. Hockenson @ NO
Hockenson’s 13-catch game showed how much work he can get with Justin Jefferson sidelined. Jason likes going back to him against NO, particularly if Jefferson sits again. Jefferson has said he plans to play, so do not build this start/sit decision around an absence that is not confirmed. In 15 games without Jefferson, he averages six targets.
Mike’s Starts of the Week
QB Jacoby Brissett vs DET
Where’s the beef? Not with this start. You do not have to fall in love with Brissett to love the matchup. Every opposing starting QB to face DET this season has finished inside the top five at the position. That is not a promise that Brissett will do the same, but it is a strong reason to take Mike’s streaming recommendation.
RB RJ Harvey vs LAC
Fantasy points do not care whether a checkdown looked impressive because it did not look great for DEN last week against SF. But Harvey has drawn a target on 44% of his routes, the highest rate among NFL players with at least 45 routes run. That receiving involvement is why it makes sense to start him against LAC, particularly in half-PPR and full-PPR formats. You do not need DEN to turn him into a traditional workhorse for this usage to matter.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
WR Davante Adams vs BUF
One quiet game with Puka Nacua back does not automatically make Adams a bench candidate. He still has a 24% target share on the season. BUF ranks 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs, giving a clear reason to expect a rebound. It is strange that he does not have a target inside the 10-yard line. We need more goal-line opportunities, but this is a matchup to attack.
TE Isaiah Likely @ WAS
We spend a lot of time trying to find TEs who might get involved. Likely already is, leading NYG with six red zone targets through the opening month. He also leads all TEs in target share. Yes, 2% more than Trey McBride. WAS has struggled against the position.