Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Week 5 lineup advice, best matchups, DFS picks

The bye weeks are here. Injuries are mounting. A quarter of the 2024 NFL season is finished. Fantasy football managers who need help making tough lineup decisions for Week 5 have come to the right place.

Vinnie Iyer is back with another version of the Decider, a unique blend of positional rankings and start ‘em, sit ‘em advice. Let's break down the best and worst plays in redraft based on matchups, usage, and other factors, plus some good price values to target in DFS.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks

Regular starts

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (at CIN)
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL)
3. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (at HOU)
4. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (vs. CLE)
5. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. BUF)
6. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at LAR)
7. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at SF)

Stronger starts

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. DAL): He'll get it done with plenty of running against a weakened front and also find a few big pass-plays downfield with multiple TDs again.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI): Purdy was pretty in throwing the ball all over the field at home vs. the Patriots, and it continues against his hometown team.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. NO): It's hard to run on the Saints, so he'll find his way to 250 and 2 at home.

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (vs. NYG): He could have had a lot of TDs with his big night in Detroit, but here he gets those key scores with a little less volume.

Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (vs. TB): He's starting to feel it with his preferred weapons, and he'll be ready for a prime-time TNF duel.

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (if he plays, at JAC): Either Richardson with his dual threat ability or Joe Flacco with his strong pocket passing can have success either way on the Jaguars' defense.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at ATL): He should be flinging it to keep up with Cousins opposite him on TNF.

WEEK 5 FANTASY RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

DFS pick

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL, $6,400 on DraftKings, $7,800 on FanDuel): You can now throw on the Ravens downfield pretty well, and it's difficult to think the Bengals will stick with the run in a huge division game at home against an opponent Burrow knows well and has burned big-time in the past.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker starts

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs. CAR): He won't need to throw much here as the Bears win with the running game and defense going away at home.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (at PIT): The Steelers struggled last week but will be ready to rebound at home with their pressure and coverage.

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. IND): The matchup might say yes, but the former Clemson QB's actual production says no.

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (at WAS): The matchup might say yes, but the former Clemson QB's actual production says no.

Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (vs. MIN): You can't go here after that clunker, now facing the Vikings' red-hot defense.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (vs. NYJ): He will go back to seeing a few ghosts in the London fog against the Jets' defense.

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (at KC): He is 3-14 against the Chiefs, and Arrowhead remains a prime-time house of horrors for him.

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Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Running backs

Regular starts

1. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (at CIN)
2. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
3. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (vs. GB)
4. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (vs. TB)
5. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (at KC)
6. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (if he plays, at JAC)
7. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (vs. NYG)
8. Breece Hall, New York Jets (vs. MIN)
9. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at LAR)
10. James Cook, Buffalo Bills (at HOU)
11. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (at SF)
12. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (if he plays, vs. IND)
13. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. CLE)
14. Devin Singletary, New York Giants (at SEA)

Stronger starts

D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. CAR): He became a Swift turnaround last week, and it keeps going here vs. the Panthers' shaky running back defense.

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. MIA): He gets a chance to operate and maybe dominate in a positive game script this week.

Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (vs. LV): The backfield went back to him last week just in time to rip the Raiders.

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (at CHI): You need to run on the Bears to move the ball on the Bears.

Joe Mixon,  Houston Texans (vs. BUF): If he can go, he could be very busy against a reeling front seven against the run and short pass.

Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (at WAS): He might get one last shot to lead the backfield and seems best to play in a trailing, negative game script opposite a good offense.

Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. NO): He needs to be used to save the backfield as a runner and receiver for at least one week.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at ATL): He has become the preferred high-leverage opportunity play over Rachaad White.

WEEK 5 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full Waiver Wire list | Top Players to Target | How to spend FAAB

DFS Picks

Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at LAR, $6,400 on DraftKings, $7,000 on FanDuel): Jacobs needs to get on track to keep his feature job on his new team and comes through here against a Rams defense that just got gashed by Mason and Siwft.

D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. CAR, $5,700 on DraftKings, $6,400 on FanDuel): There's no reason to think Swift will cool off from his much-needed bust-out at home against the Rams, back home vs. the Panthers.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Running backs

Weaker starts

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. NYJ): Jones doesn't really have a revenge game vs. Rodgers and will struggle with the right volume.

De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at NE): You can't trust him or this running game in the current state of the offense.

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. DAL): The matchup looks good on paper, but the Cowboys can tighten up, and he doesn't look good on the field anymore.

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at ATL): Bucky will keep being more of the man for the Bucs.

Braelon Allen, New York Jets (vs. MIN): You can't go here when Hall needs to get going again first.

Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (at PIT): He's getting the volume, but this is a rough spot, and they can abandon using their backs.

Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL): You can't expect him or Chase Brown to gather much in a bad spot against the Ravens with a split.

Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. IND): Looks like Etienne (shoulder) will be fine to keep starting, so you can't trust how many touches he will get.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Wide receivers

Regular starts

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL)
2. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (at PIT)
3. Nico Collins, Houston Texans (vs. BUF)
4. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. NYJ)
5. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (at SF)
6. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs NYG)
7. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at LAR)
8. Malik Nabers, New York Giants (at SEA)
9. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. PHI)
10. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (vs. TEN)
11. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (at ATL)
12. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. PHI)
13. Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans (vs. BUF)
14. D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears (vs. CAR)
15. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
16. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (vs. CLE)
17. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders (if he plays, at DEN)
18. Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
19. George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. DAL)
20. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (vs. MIN)
21. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (vs. TB)

Stronger starts

Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns (at WAS): Cooper should rebound well against a beatable secondary with his team trailing.

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL): Higgins has good history against this opponent at home, and he keeps it up playing off Chase.

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (at JAC): He'll be revved up for a great matchup, especially if Flacco plays.

Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (vs. NYG): He is getting massive target volume and gets an easier matchup to produce better.

Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (at HOU): He will get targeted in key spots again in the slot and score to show up Diggs. Keon Coleman also makes for a nice sleeper in the same vein.

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. NO): He needs to see a lot more big-play targets with no Rice to help Kelce.

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. IND): This rookie is also beginning to flex and will be their productive alpha again outside for Lawrence.

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (vs. LV): He somehow gets it done with Bo Nix, and he will come through again with a short score on the Raiders.

Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (at CIN): Flowers should bloom with a little more downfield volume from Jackson in a duel vs. Burrow.

DFS picks

Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at LAR, $6,500 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel): Reed seems unstoppable when Jordan Love is dealing to him and feeding him carries, and this is a smash spot.

DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. NYG, $7,000 on DraftKings, $8,200 on FanDuel): Metcalf is feeling it with Smith and this time will get at least one tuddy.

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (at JAC, $6,000 on DraftKings, $6,100 on FanDuel): Pittman is too cheap not to play with either QB against terrible corners.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers

Weaker starts

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (at NE): Waddle is less appealing than Hill because he can't break out of it with enough big-play touches.

Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers (at CHI): Not against Jaylen Johnson.

Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. IND): Not against their better inside coverage.

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints (at KC): They can control the deep shots for sure, especially in the slot.

Tank Dell, Houston Texans (vs. BUF): He's just not involved enough to trust vs. these corners.

Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI): You can't go here anymore with Samuel and Aiyuk in there with Kittle.

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (vs. CAR): You need a higher volume game to make it work for him, and this won't be one.

Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. NYJ): You can't extend beyond Jefferson vs. this secondary.

Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (vs. CAR): He won't be needed much as it's a Swift-Cole Kmet game.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Tight ends

Must starts

1. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
2. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. NO)
3. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (at DEN)
4. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (if he plays, at SF)
5. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (at NYG)
6. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (at BAL)

Stronger starts

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (vs. CAR): Kmet can crush this coverage with his athleticism at home.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at ATL): He's seen a big uptick in targets and it will pay off with a TD to boot this week.

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. DAL): He is doing damage by feeling it with Fields and can keep it up.

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (vs. BUF): He needs to be used more in this spot vs. a struggling linebacker corps.

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. IND): If he plays, he can be effective in his usual way for Lawrence.

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (at LAR): He can put together more cheesy fun.

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL): Gesicki should find the end zone with somewhere in the range of 5 catches.

DFS pick

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (at. CAR, $4,300 on DraftKings, $5,200 on FanDuel): Kmet steps back into a great spot at home vs. the Panthers, who can be beat inside coverage vs. safeties and linebackers.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Tight ends

Weaker starts

Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at TB): Let's hope this is a reverse jinx to crack his goose egg, or else his managers are really in trouble.

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at CIN): See Kyle Pitts.

Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (at CIN): You would think he would ball out with Andrews doing nothing, but no.

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (vs. CLE): Too many mouths to feed in the short passing game.

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (at WAS): If he returns, he would be hard to rust.

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs. MIA): Here comes Austin Hooper ... and thud.

Tyler Conklin, New York Jets (vs. MIN): This won't be much of a revenge game in London.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Defense/special teams

Stronger starts

1. New York Jets (vs. MIN)
2. Minnesota Vikings (vs. NYJ)
3. Chicago Bears (vs. CAR)
4. Seattle Seahawks (vs. NYG)
5. San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
6. Denver Broncos (vs. LV)

Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. DAL): They take care of business with the pass rush back at home.

Green Bay Packers (at LAR): They can get after Stafford for some sacks and picks.

Miami Dolphins (at NE): They can take advantage of old friend Jacoby Brissett.

Kansas City Chiefs (vs. NO): They're used to putting dents on Carr.

New England Patriots (vs. MIA): The Patriots get a huge playmaking break at home.

Washington Commanders (vs. CLE): They are sneaky good with sacks as they keep getting better for Dan Quinn.

DFS pick

Washington Commanders (vs. CLE, $3,000 on DraftKings, $3,500 on FanDuel): They got going under DQ up front last week and bring a blizzard of pressure on Watson.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Defenses

Weaker starts

Las Vegas Raiders (at DEN): Let's Nix them, shall we?

Cleveland Browns (at WAS): Not against a scoring machine.

Indianapolis Colts (at JAC): It's a trap vs. Trevor.

Dallas Cowboys (at PIT): Fields of nightmares is more like it.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at ATL): Cousins is more dangerous in prime time now.

Baltimore Ravens (at CIN): Burrow will light them up.

Get more of Vinnie Iyer's Week 5 fantasy football advice by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast .