NFL FANTASY START/SIT: WEEK 5
- The Couch GMs
- Oct 7, 2021
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 9, 2021
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: QB
Sam Darnold vs Philadelphia Eagles:
Sam Darnold is proving to be yet another example of the effect Adam Gase can have on players. Sam Darnold currently sits as QB7 and is still available in 66% of leagues (per NFL.com). Not only should he be picked up, but he should also be in your starting lineup. He is averaging nearly 300 yards a game and sneaky effective on the ground with 5 rushing TDs this season already.
Rookie QBs:
If you are in a one quarterback league these guys aren’t a must-start, but they all have the potential to be a top streaming option. If you are in a super-flex league, I am would roll with one of the rookies in my lineup. If you struggling to decide which one, They are in order as I would start them below.
Justin Fields vs Las Vegas Raiders: The new starter in Chicago. Bill Lazor is now calling plays. The improvement should continue and hopefully, Lazor get Fields to use his legs a little bit more.
Trey Lance vs Arizona Cardinals: He will have to put points to keep up with the Cardinals, and use his legs; which is a fantasy cheat code for QBs. We already saw him rush for a Touchdown when he was a situational QB. He should be the starter this week as Jimmy G deals with his calf injury.
Zack Wilson vs Atlanta Falcons: Coming off his first win, He gets to face the Falcons who ranked #30 against the quarterback. The younger gunslinger should be ready to throw it all over the yard.
Trevor Lawerence vs Tennesse Titans: Gets to face the Titans have been giving up big plays in the passing game all season and he will look to build on his strong week 4 performance.
Mac Jones vs Houston Texans: He plays the Texans. Does anything else need to be said?
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: QB
Taylor Heinicke vs New Orleans Saints:
Heinicke has been a scoring machine since taking over the starting job. Putting up at least 20 fantasy points a game. However, this week he takes on the Saints, who rank 6th against QBs. Meaning Heinicke may cool off this week.
Baker Mayfield vs Los Angeles Chargers:
Baker has just been off the last few weeks after hurting his shoulder. His accuracy has faded since before this injury. This week he has a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Baker should be out of your starting lineups, so you can fully enjoy his progressive commercial and not worry about him hurting your fantasy team.
Matt Ryan vs New York Jets:
The Falcons are not the offensive powerhouse we are used to from years past. They are struggling to find their identity so far this season. Matt Ryan hasn't been terrible, but he hasn’t been great either. He is currently averaging 16.38 fantasy points per game this season, which is good for QB20. The even bigger surprise is after 4 weeks the Jets rank 5th against fantasy QBs. Matt Ryan has to prove he has this offense back on track before he is inserted into starting lineups.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: RB
Damien Williams vs Las Vegas Raiders :
In the 3 games, Montgomery was fully healthy from start to finish, he saw 16+ carries in those games. Look for Damien Williams to step right in and take on that role. You might forget how effective Damien Williams was in 2019 because he took the year off due to COVID in 2020. He was a crucial factor in the Chiefs Super Bowl run and can be a nice security blanket for newly named starting QB Justin Fields.
Chase Edmonds vs San Francisco 49ers:
Chase Edmonds is quietly having a solid fantasy season. All the talks about Kyler Murray and Wide Receivers, but Edmonds has scored at least 10 fantasy points (half-point PPR) in each game this season. That's with him yet to score a TD on the season. I looked for him to continue that streak and find the end zone this week verse the 49ers.
Leonard Fournette vs Miami Dolphins:
Fournette has seemed through this point to be the clear RB1 in the Buccaneers backfield. He saw 20 carries and 5 targets in week 4. The targets are what surprise me the most, and it was mentioned by the Broadcast on Sunday night that they expect more out of him in the passing game as the season progress. As long as Fournette is a lead dog, you can put him out there.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: RB
Chris Carson vs Los Angeles Rams:
Chris Carson is listed as questionable with a neck injury for his TNF matchup. If he doesn’t play he is out of your lineups. If he does play, he should still be out of your lineups. On the short week expect him to be limited and split time with Backup Alex Collin, who did look good in week 4 with 10 carries for 44 yards and a touchdown.
Melvin Gordon III vs Pittsburgh Steelers:
For now, Melvin Gordon is still getting more carries a game than rookie Javanate Williams, but they are about as close to a 50/50 split as you can get.
Week 4:
Melvin Gordon 9 Carries - 56 yards | 2 receptions - 11 yards
Javonte Williams 7 carries - 48 yards | 3 receptions 11 yards
Stuck in a turn 50/50 backfield, uncertain who will be starting at QB, and facing steelers defense who is averaging less than 100 rushing yards allowed on the season…you should pivot off Melvin Gordon.
Clyde Edwards Helaire vs Buffalo Bills:
Clyde has been reminding the fantasy community of his talent and why the chiefs spent a first-round pick on him in 2020. Back-to-back 100 yard rushing games in week 3 & week 4. My concern is this week the chiefs play the Bills who we know will put up points and can we trust Andy Reid to stay with the running game. I'm willing to move off CEH for someone else (like if you were able to grab Damien Williams this week), but he isn’t a must sit, if you have no better options
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: WR
Jamison Crowder vs Atlanta Falcons:
Jamison Crowder saw his first action of the season in week 4. He stepped right into his role of demand targets. He saw 9 vs the Titans. Crowder isn’t a flashy player, but a solid flex option with WR2 potential in half point and full point per reception leagues.
Emanuel Sanders Kansas City Chiefs:
In the high-powered Buffalo Bills offense, veteran WR Emmanuel Sanders has strung together some strong fantasy performances. He is seeing 6 or more targets in a game. Has 2 straight double-digit fantasy games. This week in a game were expecting a high score from both teams. You should feel good playing Sanders, a guy who is still available in 40% of leagues (yahoo)
Laviska Shenult vs Tennessee Titans:
Last week was unfortunately the end of DJ Chark’s season. With now a void at WR, seconds year player Laviska Shenault Jr is looking to breakout. After putting up 99 yards on 6 catches in Week 4. Look for Laviska’s involvement to grow. He gets to face division rival Tennessee Titans who are currently ranked 31st against fantasy WRs on the season.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: WR
Odell Beckham Jr vs Los Angeles Chargers
Odell Beckham Jr has been back for 2 games and the Browns went from averaging 32 points a game to 26 points a game. That's not on Odell. Baker Mayfield is also dealing with a should injury that seems to have affected his accuracy. This week OBJ and the Browns take on Chargers who rank #2 against fantasy WRs not great for a "struggling" Browns offense.
JuJu Smith-Schuster vs Denver Broncos
Juju has been lackluster this season. 3 our the 4 games he has scored 7.2 points or less. We saw last week he was getting open, but Big Ben and him are not on the same page. With Claypool potentially returning this week., I would avoid any steelers receiver not named Dionte Johnson.
Mike Williams vs Cleveland Browns.
Mike Williams came back to earth Monday night vs the Raiders. He faced his toughest defense to date (Raiders ranked #11 against fantasy WRs) and he struggled. Only 4 targets and 1 catch. Despite the impressive start, his targets have decreased each week. This week he faces a tougher matchup in the Broncs defense(Ranked #6 against fantasy WRs). So while it may be tough, you may want to move off of Mike Williams this week.
"STARTS" OF THE WEEK: TE
Cameron Brate vs Miami Dolphins:
Rob Gronkowski was inactive in week 4 after being diagnosed with cracked ribs and a punctured lung. While I am no doctor, I don’t expect him to play in week 5. Cameron Brate has performed well in the past. Tom Brady likes to utilize the TE. He may not see the same target share as Gronk, but will be involved and can be started if needed.
Mike Gesicki vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Mike Gesicki seems to be the only guy benefiting from Jacoby Brisset filling in for Tua. He has seen back-to-back weeks with 13 or more fantasy points. His upward trend should continue as long as Brissett is QB and hopefully after Tua returns.
Dalton Shultz vs New York Giants:
While I still have some hesitation about Shultz like I mentioned last week. He has started to show some consistency with 6 catches in 3 of the 4 games this season. He currently ranks as TE4, and the nature of the position this year it's hard to navigate who will be good week to week. Being a part of the Cowboys' offense (Ranked 3rd in yards per game) gives him an edge this week.
"SITS" OF THE WEEK: TE
Jared Cook vs Cleveland Browns:
Jared Cook did have his best game of the season in week 4. But, I wouldn’t waste the start at TE this week chasing his fantasy points. The Browns defense is top 10 against fantasy TEs. Their defense is real life has allowed a total of 13 points in the last 2 weeks. As good as the Chargers are their offensive opportunities, including Cook can be limited.
Robert Tonyan vs Cincinnati Bengals:
Robert Tonyan has scored under 2 fantasy points in 3 of the 4 games this season. Teams are catching on to the Packers' usage of the Tonyan. Some might say he is due for a big game. As a packers fan, I hope they’re right. As a fantasy owner, I would keep him on the bench vs the Bengals. Surprisingly ranked #6 against fantasy TE this year.
Dallas Goedert vs Carolina Panthers:
Dallas Goedert has been up and down. This week he gets to face the Panthers, who despite their strong defense they are middle of the road against fantasy tight ends. So, it would seem to be a good matchup, but Goodert has yet to put together double-digit weeks back to back. He had a decent week last week, so this week will probably be the week Zack Ertz finds the end zone. With that said, I am not starting either of them if I can help it.
Good luck this week!! Be sure to follow the Couch GMs on Twitter for the latest news on who is in and who is out this week. Listen to this week's podcast for even more insight on who to start and who to sit. Our DMs are always open for any fantasy advice you may need to win your matchup.
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