Fantasy Football Start/Sit Week 5

Start: Justin Fields (NYJ vs DAL): I’m starting Fields because the Jets can blunt Dallas’ rush with RPO, quick game, and designed keepers that lock in his floor. In a ~47.5 total with a tight spread, late scramble/rush attempts juice the ceiling. I’m playing the rushing insulation and red-zone keeper equity.

Start: Daniel Jones (IND vs LVR): I like Jones at home with play-action and sprint-outs to neutralize Crosby/Koonce and stack efficient throws. The rushing element gives me a built-in floor. In a ~47.5 total as a favorite, I’m chasing multi-TD upside.

Sit: Trevor Lawrence (JAC vs KC): I’m sitting Lawrence against Spags’ simulated pressure and late safety rotations that squeeze windows on third down. In a middling ~46.5 total, I’m not paying for a squeaky efficiency line. I’ll pivot to a similar tier with a cleaner projected outcome.

Sit: Sam Darnold (SEA vs TB): I’m benching Darnold because Tampa’s split-safety looks force checkdowns and sap YAC. Even with a modest ~44.5 total at home, the red-zone path is thin. I’d stream elsewhere unless I’m desperate in deep superflex.

RUNNING BACKS

Start: Jonathan Taylor (IND vs LVR): I’m in on JT with Indy favored and a balanced ~47.5 total supporting sustained drives. The gap/zone blend should pop second-level lanes against this front. I’m projecting 18+ touches with prime goal-line equity.

Start: Trey Benson (ARI vs TEN): I’m starting Benson as a positive-script closer for a home favorite (roughly a TD). If Tennessee stalls, fourth-quarter carries stack in a ~41.5 total. That’s RB2 volume with upside.

Sit: Derrick Henry (BAL vs HOU): Henry isn’t the same; that’s basically it, and I’m fading him until he punishes me for it. Baltimore may tilt pass-lean on money downs versus Houston’s front, and the non-targeted snaps get punished in catch-up. Without a TD in a mid-40s total, the floor feels fragile.

Sit: Tony Pollard (TEN @ ARI): I’m benching Pollard as a road dog where every carry is precious and long-down snaps can drift away. If the game script flips negative, the two-minute work gets messy. He’s touchdown-dependent this week.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Start: Garrett Wilson (NYJ vs DAL): I’m starting Wilson to attack man coverage with isolation routes and deep crossers off play-action. In a ~47.5 total, WR1 usage plus red-zone slants gives me multiple outs. I’m playing talent and leverage.

Start: Jakobi Meyers (LV @ IND): I’m rolling with Meyers versus Indy’s zone that funnels sit-downs and option routes. I expect 7–9 chain-moving targets in a top-half total. That’s a sturdy WR2/3 floor.

Sit: Cooper Kupp (SEA vs TB): I’m benching Kupp because the Bucs’ pattern-match narrows option-route windows and can divert looks to backs/TEs. If Seattle leans run as a small home fave, volume and red-zone chances tighten. I’d chase a higher-ceiling spot.

Sit: Ladd McConkey (LAC vs WAS): Like Henry, I’m sitting until McConkey makes me regret it. I’m out this week against Washington’s two-high shells that cap explosives and force patience. Target consolidation is volatile, and red-zone work may skew elsewhere (hello, Keenan). Boom-bust bench until the environment improves.

TIGHT ENDS

Start: Hunter Henry (NE @ BUF): I’m starting Henry because a negative script versus a favored Bills team funnels late targets. Play-action seams and proven red-zone usage give me volume or TD paths. In a slate-high total, he’s a low-end TE1.

Start: Tyler Warren (IND vs LVR): I’m smashing Warren for play-action leaks near the goal line, where his box-out game wins. Even on modest volume, the targets are high value. I’m hunting a touchdown, here.

Sit: Mike Gesicki (CIN vs DET): I’m benching Gesicki with Detroit’s nickel/safety leverage, squeezing TE YAC into contested sideline stuff. As an underdog, Cincy likely funnels to perimeter WRs in chase mode. I’m only starting him if I’m praying for a busted-coverage TD, which I’m not.

Sit: Dallas Goedert (PHI vs DEN): I’m sitting Goedert because Denver is really good at bracketing the middle and forcing the ball outside. I’d need a splash play, which he hasn’t consistently shown this year. Great player; wrong spot for the ceiling.