Injuries have plagued the NFL as of late, so you may be forced to start players you normally wouldn’t, and that’s just how fantasy football goes. I’m here to boost your confidence to start or sit these players for week 5.
Starts
Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater @ New York Jets
Teddy two gloves was thrown into the fire last week and didn’t look too bad. He has two elite weapons in Hill and Waddle and can also occasionally use his legs when needed. Despite the solid play of Sauce Gardner, the Jets defense has still been hemorrhaging points in every way possible, including allowing the 10th most fantasy points to opposing QBs.
Tom Brady vs Atlanta Falcons
After last week this may seem like a no brainer, but I still want to put this out there. Brady is finally getting his full cast back at receiver and he has a very nice matchup against Atlanta who he’s always had majored success against as a Buc. In their two meetings last year Brady threw for a combined 644 yards and 9 TDs, which ends up averaging to about 31 fantasy points a game in 4 point passing TD scoring. Don’t hesitate to start Brady going into Sunday, there aren’t many guys I’d play over him.
Running Back
James Robinson vs Houston Texans
James Robinson, or James RB1nson as his Stans affectionately call him, is a terrific start this week despite his dud last week against a strong Eagles defense. Houston is the worst running defense in the NFL, and I expect the Jags to exploit that. Robinson also sees more work in positive gamescripts, which I expect to be the case in this game as I feel the Jags are the significantly better team. Expect a nice bounce back for Robinson this weekend.
Kareem Hunt vs Los Angeles Chargers
Hunt hasn’t found the endzone since week one, but that is likely to change against a porous Chargers run defense. His opportunities make him a solid play regardless, but I expect some nicer upside going into this game that would have me starting him over options that he may not in other situations, like Conner, Najee, and Zeke.
Rhamondre Stevenson vs Detroit Lions
Rham has been at or above the 55% snap mark for the Patriots since week 2, considerably higher than Damien Harris, who has yet to go above 45% of snaps. The Lions defense gives up more points than any other team in the league and are only second to the Texans defense in points allowed to the running back position. On top of that, New England LOVES to run the ball, so this seems like a recipe for success when it comes to Stevenson.
Wide Receiver
Chris Olave vs Seattle Seahawks
This is a PSA that Olave is a weekly start, and with Michael Thomas injured he’s going to get even greater volume from Dalton, who he had a nice connection with in the endzone last week in their London game. Unless you have one of the most stacked teams, Olave should be in there for you, especially this week.
Robert Woods @ Washington Commanders
Woods has slowly gained a rapport with Tannehill since joining the Titans this offseason, putting up a couple decent stat lines the last two weeks. The Commanders’ defense is bad in every facet, especially against wide receivers, where they are allowing the 3rd most fantasy points. With Burks currently sidelined due to injury, Woods will likely take on more targets and could have a big game this weekend.
Devin Duvernay vs Cincinnati Bengals
Look, I thought Duvernay’s start to the season was a fluke, but I’m willing to admit that I was wrong. Duvernay has looked explosive as the number 2 wide receiver to Bateman, and with Bateman currently out, Duvernay will now be thrust into the team’s WR1 role, although that still makes him the number 2 receiving option behind Mark Andrews. The Bengals offense has started to get things going, and Baltimore’s defense has allowed a lot of points, so I’d expect plenty of passes from the Ravens this game, with a solid target share going to Duvernay, who could house one at any moment.
Tight End
Gerald Everett @ Cleveland Browns
It was looking a little worrisome for Everett who’s been limited all week with a hamstring injury, but don’t let that sway you from starting him. With Keenan Allen still out, Everett looks to be a featured part of this offense against the Browns defense this week, who may seem decent, but have had one of the easiest starting schedules in the NFL, so this game could show their true colors.
OJ Howard @ Jacksonville Jaguars
This one is not for the faint of heart, but OJ Howard saw a massive jump in snap percentage last week, up to 75% of their offensive snaps. Brevin Jordan is still out this week and fellow tight end Jordan Akins played only 35% of snaps. The opportunity is there for Howard to get into the endzone this week, so if you’re truly desperate (I’m looking at all of you Kyle Pitts managers), he could be a pleasant surprise on gameday.
Sits
Quarterback
Carson Wentz vs Tennessee Titans
Originally, I thought this could be a get right game for Wentz, but then Dotson went down, and Curtis Samuel has been dealing with an illness that only let him practice once this week. Brian Robinson has also returned to the fold so the Commanders may look to run the ball as much as they can with their new three-headed backfield. Overall, it’s hard to trust Wentz in this one over guys like Lawrence or Goff, who I think are better starts.
Running back
Najee Harris @ Buffalo Bills
I would be very scared to play Najee in this game against one of the best run defenses in football with a rookie QB now under center. It just screams less than 10 points scored for the team, and for Najee in fantasy. You can hope for the best with a TD or him just getting enough volume to make you content with his performance, but this is fantasy football! We want fun and excitement! If you have some depth, consider sitting him this week.
Rashaad Penny @ New Orleans Saints
Penny had a monster week against Detroit, which is becoming a common theme for him, but I wouldn’t expect his success to continue against the Saints and their elite defense. The Seahawks could surprise me, but I honestly don’t expect them to be able to move the ball well in any way, so the touchdown upside that could save your week really isn’t there either. There are plenty of better options you can put into your lineup.
Antonio Gibson vs Tennessee Titans
Brian Robinson was officially activated and expects to play this weekend, so it’s officially time to bench Gibson and watch his point totals slowly dwindle. I may be acting a bit dramatic here, but I can’t help it. Gibson has been one of my favorite players for fantasy, so it will be sad to watch this happen. Anyway, yeah, don’t start him this week, the committee will be too brutal unless he finds himself getting into the endzone, and you can’t really predict that.
Wide Receiver
Diontae Johnson @ Buffalo Bills
The Bills secondary is depleted and has allowed some success, but with Pickett under center it seems like a bad week to start pretty much any Steelers player, and that includes Johnson. We have no idea who Pickett will choose as his favorite target, but it seemed like last week he leaned towards Pickens. This is a wait and see deal with Johnson combined with a scary defensive matchup.
DJ Moore vs San Francisco 49ers
Moore had 11 targets last week and still barely managed 12 full PPR points. The volume might be there, but Baker is unfortunately his QB, and the 49ers have an elite defense. This is not a good mixture. Hopefully you can get him on your bench, there are plenty of options that should be better this week.
Darnell Mooney @ Minnesota Vikings
Do NOT chase the points here with Mooney, it may be tempting considering his draft price, but don’t. The Bears are not throwing the football nearly enough to justify it, and without the necessary amount of opportunity Mooney will be destined to have yet another bad week.
Tight End
Dalton Schultz @ Los Angeles Rams
Schultz came back from injury last week and put up a big old 0. I’ve tried to convince myself that the injury was the reason, but it’s pretty clear that Rush and Schultz just don’t seem to have that connection. For reference, I’m personally starting Robert Tonyan over Schultz this week. Once Dak is back, Schultz should be back in action.