Fantasy Football Week Five: Start ’em, Sit ’em

A quarter of the season is already in the rearview, and this may be the strangest season of fantasy football I’ve ever seen.

If you drafted Jonathan Taylor, Alvin Kamara, Najee Harris, Dalvin Cook, Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne, Cam Akers, Ezekiel Elliot, James Connor, or AJ Dillon, I am genuinely sorry for you. What a lackluster performance from projected top running backs we’ve seen thus far.

What stung for me the most was Cordarelle Patterson going down. He had already notched a touchdown and was over four yards per carry against Cleveland before exiting with a knee injury.

Disappointment aside, we play on. Let’s take a look at what your lineup should look like heading into Week 5.

Ian’s Record: 19-10

Start ’em

Tyreek Hill (WR, Dolphins) vs. Jets

With Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol for the foreseeable future, Teddy Bridgewater will take over under center for the Dolphins’ week 5 matchup against the Jets.

Many may think having Bridgewater taking snaps will taint Hill’s production in the coming weeks, but with an extended week of practicing with the first-team, I think he’ll be just fine. Tua went down during the second quarter, and Hill still finished the game with 10 receptions for 160 yards.

Look for Bridgewater to resort to Hill against a Jets defense that’s currently giving up a lot of points while head coach Mike McDaniel works to keep the Dolphins’ season alive.

Damien Harris/Rhamondre Stevenson (RBs, Patriots) vs. Lions

The Pats have found a true community backfield in Harris and Stevenson, as Harris has scored in three straight games and Stevenson is seeing his snap share increase, as well as being able to pass-catch.

Both running backs should be of fantasy relevance this week against the Lions. Detroit leads the league in touchdowns allowed to running backs with eight, as well as being second in fantasy points allowed. 

Look for Harris to put up more of the RB1-type numbers as he’s still seeing a slight edge in snaps, but Stevenson should be in your RB2/flex spot.

DK Metcalf (WR, Seahawks) vs. Saints

After a slow start, Metcalf seems to have found his footing in the past two weeks, being targeted 12 times in week three and 10 times in week four after being targeted 13 times in weeks one and two combined.

Geno Smith gained some swagger after the Seahawks’ shootout victory over the Lions last week, scoring three total touchdowns and averaging 21.3 yards per throw to Metcalf on seven connections.

After winning week one, the Saints have dropped their last three in a row. Seattle’s pass attack has been much better than expected, so expect another high-volume game for Metcalf as New Orleans has allowed 34.95 fantasy points to wide receivers thus far.

Trevor Lawrence (QB, Jaguars) vs. Texans

I think it’s safe to say the issue in Jacksonville last year was Urban Meyer.

So far this season, we’ve seen more and more flashes of Heisman winner, number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence. He’s currently completing 65.7% of his passes for 946 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite fumbling four times last week against the Eagles, Lawrence is in third gear on his revenge tour.

The Texans are dead last in ESPN’s latest Defensive Rankings Poll for week 5, so look for Lawrence to have a huge bounce back following the disappointing loss in Philadelphia.

Sit ’em

Matthew Stafford (QB, Rams) vs. Cowboys

The Rams are an enigma so far this season.

After being embarrassed at home by the Bills to start the year, the Rams almost lost to the Falcons, won an ugly game against the Cardinals, and got embarrassed again in San Francisco.

Through four weeks, Stafford only has four touchdowns and has thrown six interceptions. His offensive line so far has been unable to effectively protect him, and his ability to share the ball between Cooper Kupp and the rest of his weapons has been borderline miniscule.

With the Cowboys coming to town, I don’t see a reviving performance on Stafford’s horizon. The Rams need to sort out their blatant weaknesses fast if they intend on having a season relatively close to last.

Diontae Johnson (WR, Steelers) vs. Bills

It’s tough to tell the legitimacy of the Steelers now that Kenny Pickett has been named the starting QB. With Mitchell Trubisky under center the Steelers looked like the worst team in the AFC North. Johnson was somewhat reliable however, scoring at least 12 PPR points in the first three weeks.

When Pickett took over in week 4 though, Johnson saw his production severely diminish by only being targeted 4 times for 11 yards. While not putting up a stellar performance himself, Pickett’s attention seemed more focused on George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth.

Pittsburgh also has a tough matchup heading to Buffalo this week, as the Bills’ defense currently ranks in at least the top six of yards per game allowed, rushing yards per game allowed, passing yards per game allowed, opposing QB rating, sacks, and points per game allowed. 

Dalton Schultz (TE, Cowboys) vs. Rams

While Cooper Rush has found success being the Cowboys’ starter during Dak Prescott’s absence, the same fortune has not rubbed off on Dalton Schultz.

When Dak is starting, Schultz is capable of being a top 10 fantasy tight end. Since Rush has been the starter however, Schultz has been targeted significantly less.

The Rams have yet to allow a tight end to score, which poses yet another problem for Schultz’s fantasy relevance this week. They’ve held Dawson Knox, Zach Ertz, Kyle Pitts, and George Kittle to 11 combined catches for 93 yards so far this season.

James Connor (RB, Cardinals) vs. Eagles

After QB Kyler Murray said the Cardinals should feature Conner more in week 4, head coach Kliff Kingsbury gave him 18 total touches against the Panthers. The uptick in touches proved ineffective however, as he only amassed 77 yards and 10 PPR points and hasn’t scored since week one.

The Eagles run defense has been tough, too. In their past three games against Dalvin Cook, Antonio Gibson, and James Robinson, they held that trio to an average of 6 fantasy points. This could be another rough outing for Conner, I’m expecting low-end flex production.