This NFL season is flying by, and there has been no shortage of information to sift through and determine what exactly it means for fantasy football.
With some key players returning this week, what should we be expecting from these players from a fantasy standpoint? Here’s my take on some of the burning start/sit questions you have going into Week 5.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
Week 5 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
Should You Start Cooper Kupp in Week 5?
Cooper Kupp is going to be playing in his first NFL game this season against the Philadelphia Eagles. Fantasy managers will be chomping at the bit to start him in this one.
However, can we trust him after dealing with a nagging hamstring injury for the preseason that then led to him being placed on injured reserve to begin the year? In a normal week, there would normally be enough other options available for you to sit Kupp and wait it out just one week to see what he looks like on the field.
Nonetheless, with players like Keenan Allen, Mike Evans, DK Metcalf, etc. all out on bye this week, some fantasy lineups are hurting going into Week 5. Kupp’s a top-20 play in my rankings, and he could easily move well past that next week if he shows that he’s operating at 100% against the Eagles.
Final Verdict: Start ‘Em
Should You Start Puka Nacua in Week 5?
The news that Kupp will be back in the lineup on Sunday has left fantasy managers uncertain about how to view the rookie standout WR, Puka Nacua.
1️⃣0️⃣x1️⃣7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/AgIEDonhYX
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 4, 2023
Nacua’s been dominant in Kupp’s absence, but is he set to still have a substantial role now that Kupp’s returning to the lineup? While we don’t know the answer to that, we have seen numerous times in the past this offense features two viable fantasy WRs.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Nacua’s days as a top-12 WR for fantasy are likely numbered, but with Kupp likely operating at less than 100% against the Eagles, Nacua can still be viewed as a top-20 WR. The two Rams wideouts are essentially back-to-back in my rankings.
Final Verdict: Start ‘Em
Should You Start Jonathan Taylor in Week 5?
In quick succession on Saturday, Jonathan Taylor went from being activated off of injured reserve to being handed a three-year contract extension by the Indianapolis Colts.
While that’s likely an indication JT is ready to return to top-five RB status for fantasy football in 2023, that may not be the case right out of the gates. There’s a strong possibility that we see the Colts ease Taylor back into the starting lineup and still give Zack Moss work against the Tennessee Titans.
Additionally, the Titans’ run defense is no joke — they’re allowing just .3 rushing touchdowns and only 70 rushing yards per game up to this point. There’s no telling what we’re going to get here from Taylor in his first game in this new Colts offense, so he should only be a starting option for your fantasy lineup if you’re in a pinch.
He’s just inside my top 20 RBs due to the upside that he presents. But if you need some safety in your starting lineup, you’re better off rolling with someone like Alexander Mattison, Dameon Pierce, etc.
Final Verdict: Sit ‘Em
Should You Start Tyler Boyd in Week 5?
With the news that Tee Higgins is highly unlikely to play for the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5 with his rib injury, fantasy managers should be considering pivoting to Tyler Boyd as a fill-in option.
While there is certainly a path where this move pays off, the Bengals’ passing attack has done very little over the first month of the season for us to feel confident starting anyone outside of Ja’Marr Chase in fantasy football.
Boyd is outside the top 36 WRs on the week for me and is just a low-floor full-PPR option that you should only be looking at if you’re in a pinch.
Final Verdict: Sit ‘Em
Should You Start Jameson Williams in Week 5?
This move is where we find out whether or not you have the resolve needed to be a true fantasy football champion. Starting a WR that only has one career catch to his name in his first game back off of suspension is not for the faint of heart, but it could end up yielding massive results.
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Both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs are listed as doubtful for this matchup against the Carolina Panthers at the time of writing. The Detroit Lions are going to desperately need someone else to step up in this game — Williams will have an opportunity.
With that being said, we have little clue as to Williams’ conditioning level, his chemistry with Jared Goff, or even his ability to produce in the NFL! He has all the speed and athleticism in the world to be a top-tier WR for fantasy football, but he’s wildly unproven.
If you have him on your roster, you should only be viewing him as a boom-or-bust Flex option. You could wind up with one long reception for a touchdown that will help push your lineup over the top, but you could also just as equally wind up with zero receptions on 10 snaps as he works his way back up to speed.
Final Verdict: Sit ‘Em