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We’re a quarter of the way through the NFL season, and you should have a good idea about your Fantasy team by now. Hopefully, you are looking at a contending team.
At 4-0 or 3-1, you should start taking a peek at the Fantasy playoffs. Some 2-2 teams with a good point total should feel confident as well. Be aggressive making trades and try to load up with star players who could make a difference down the stretch.
At 1-3 or 0-4, you should be in desperation mode, as should some 2-2 teams just getting by. You don’t want any more losses that could sink your season, and you also should be aggressive with trades. Do whatever it takes to win now.
Hopefully, we can help get you on track for the playoffs. If you haven’t noticed, we have the best waiver wire column in Fantasy that comes out every Tuesday morning. My colleague Dave Richard also provides a trade chart to help with each player’s value — now and in the future.
And, of course, we have your start and sit suggestions right here. We’ll do our best to help you win, and hopefully the players will perform at a high level on the field.
All you can do is put together your best lineup, and hopefully it ends up with a positive result.
Editor’s note: Projections are provided by SportsLine.com.
Start of the Week
Leonard Fournette (hamstring) has already been ruled out for Week 5 at Kansas City, and T.J. Yeldon will start in his place. He should be considered a must-start Fantasy running back in this situation.
Yeldon is coming off his best game of the season in Week 4 against the Jets. Fournette started the game but couldn’t finish because of his hamstring, and Yeldon had 18 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown, as well as three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown on three targets.
He has now scored at least 14 PPR points in three of four games this year, and he has a great matchup against the Chiefs. Kansas City allows the second-most Fantasy points to opposing running backs, and eight running backs have either scored or gained 100 total yards against this defense.
The Chiefs are third in the NFL in receptions allowed to running backs with 31, behind just Atlanta (42) and San Francisco (35), which is good for Yeldon in the passing game. He has 14 receptions on the season, including nine in the past two games.
He should do well for Fantasy owners in all formats in Week 5, and he could be starting for the Jaguars for the foreseeable future with Fournette looking at a multi-week absence. We don’t know when Fournette will return, but Yeldon could be a difference maker for as long as he starts.
And in Week 5, he’s headed for a big game in a great matchup on the road.
I’m starting Yeldon over: David Johnson (at SF), Kareem Hunt (vs. JAC), Mark Ingram (vs. WAS), Marshawn Lynch (at LAC) and Adrian Peterson (at NO)
Quarterback
Sleepers
- Joe Flacco (at CLE): Flacco has scored at least 21 Fantasy points in three of four games, and the Browns have allowed at least 243 passing yards and two touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks in two of their past three outings. In his past five games against Cleveland, Flacco is averaging 263 passing yards with 12 total touchdowns and five interceptions.
- Derek Carr (at LAC): Carr had his breakout game against Cleveland in Week 4 with 39 Fantasy points, and hopefully he stays hot this week. The Chargers have allowed at least 20 Fantasy points to three of four opposing quarterbacks this season, including C.J. Beathard in Week 4. Carr doesn’t have a great track record against the Chargers, but this defense has struggled in the passing game. Look for Carr to lean on Jared Cook, Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson for a quality outing this week.
- Alex Smith (at NO): The Saints come into this game allowing the third-most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and Smith should be chasing the scoreboard on the road. Smith has scored at least 20 Fantasy points in two of three games this year, and he should add to that total coming off a bye. He also could be asked to do plenty of heavy lifting if Adrian Peterson (ankle) is unable to play.
Bust Alert
I understand if you’re reluctant to bench Mahomes. He’s been awesome with at least 24 Fantasy points in four games in a row, and he’s yet to turn the ball over, which is incredible. He had 30 Fantasy points in his lone home start in Week 3 against the 49ers, but this is a much different defense he’s going against this week compared to his four other starts. The Jaguars have allowed just three passing touchdowns all season, and Tom Brady in Week 2 is the lone quarterback with multiple touchdowns against Jacksonville. Granted, the Jaguars haven’t faced a gauntlet of great passers with games against Manning, Brady, Marcus Mariota and Sam Darnold, but they should be able to limit Mahomes in this matchup. He’s not an outright sit in most leagues, but you do need to lower expectations for him. I expect him to have his lowest Fantasy point total to date, and he’s a low-end starter at best in Week 5.
Running backs
Sleepers
- Chris Thompson (at NO): We’ll see if Adrian Peterson (ankle) is fine this week against the Saints, and you should start him as a No. 2 running back if he’s healthy. But Thompson also has plenty of appeal in a game where Washington is likely chasing points. New Orleans has allowed 14 receptions to running backs in the past two weeks against Atlanta and the Giants, and Thompson has 20 catches through three games. He scored at least 22 PPR points in his first two outings and has the chance for another standout performance this week.
- Austin Ekeler (vs. OAK): Ekeler hasn’t had more than 14 touches in any game this season, but he’s scored at least 12 PPR points in three of four outings. At some point, his minimal workload may catch up to him, but you should still feel comfortable using him in this matchup with the Raiders. Five running backs have either scored a touchdown or had at least 100 rushing yards against Oakland, and this should be a good game for Ekeler and Melvin Gordon.
- Derrick Henry (at BUF): In full disclosure, I wish I had the guts to rank Henry higher because this feels like a breakout game for him. The Bills offense should struggle to move the ball this week, and the Titans should dominate time of possession. And while the Bills haven’t given up a lot of rushing yards, they have allowed touchdowns, with seven scores allowed to the position. Henry has yet to find the end zone this year, but I’m expecting a touchdown from him in Week 5. He’s worth using as a flex in all leagues.
- Nyheim Hines (at NE): The Colts aren’t expected to have T.Y. Hilton (hamstring), can’t run the ball and will likely be chasing points. That should lead to Andrew Luck throwing the ball with lots of dump-off passes, and Hines has three games this season with at least five catches. He’s clearly a better option in PPR, and he’s averaging 13.5 PPR points for the season. He’s a flex option in Week 5 given the circumstances in this matchup.
- Javorius Allen (at CLE): Could this be the week the Ravens give Allen a full workload over Alex Collins? Coach John Harbaugh called out Collins for his fumble woes, and that could lead to more work for Allen. He failed to score in Week 4 for the first time this season, but he has at least 13 PPR points in three of four games. Allen is worth using as a flex option, with his value higher in PPR. And the Browns have allowed four running backs to catch at least three passes this season.
Bust Alert
Hyde comes into Week 5 as the No. 8 PPR running back, and he’s scored at least 11 PPR points in each game this season, including five touchdowns over that span. But this should be his worst game of the year against Baltimore. If he doesn’t score a touchdown he might be in trouble since he’s averaging just 3.4 yards per carry, and he only has four catches for 15 yards in four games. The Ravens have allowed just one rushing touchdown this season, which was to Royce Freeman in Week 3, and are No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Coach Hue Jackson also said Nick Chubb could get more work after he had three carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders in Week 4. Hyde should still get the majority of touches, but I would only use him as a flex option this week, with his value lower in PPR.
Wide receiver
Sleepers
- Taywan Taylor (at BUF): In Tennessee’s first game without Rishard Matthews in Week 4 against Philadelphia, Taylor was featured in the offense with seven catches for 77 yards on nine targets. He now heads to Buffalo where secondary receivers have done well because Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White typically makes things difficult on the No. 1 guy (see Corey Davis below). Taylor could score at least 12 PPR points for the third time in the past four games.
- Chester Rogers (at NE): It’s a guessing game of who will be the No. 1 Colts receiver this week with T.Y. Hilton (hamstring) out, with Rogers, Ryan Grant and Zach Pascal all vying for targets. I like Rogers the best since he’s coming off a strong game in Week 4 against Houston with eight catches for 85 yards on 11 targets. Andrew Luck will be throwing a lot in this matchup, and I expect Rogers to see a high volume of targets again Thursday night.
- Marques Valdes-Scantling (at DET): Randall Cobb (hamstring) and Geronimo Allison (concussion) are expected to be out this week, which should give Valdes-Scantling a bigger role after he played 54 plays in Week 4 against Buffalo with Cobb out. He only had one catch for 38 yards on three targets, but those numbers will rise due to the injuries. Valdes-Scantling is worth using as a No. 3 receiver in deeper leagues.
- Jamison Crowder (at NO): Crowder had his best game of the season in Week 3 against Green Bay with four catches for 39 yards and a touchdown on four targets, and hopefully he can build off that performance following Washington’s bye week. The Saints have struggled with slot receivers this season, and Crowder could be needed if Washington is chasing points on the road. He’s worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy option this week.
- Keke Coutee (vs. DAL): We’ll see if Will Fuller (hamstring) is out this week, but even if Fuller plays as expected, you can expect Coutee to see plenty of targets lining up in the slot. He might not replicate his Week 4 numbers at Indianapolis when he had 11 catches for 109 yards on 15 targets, but Dallas has struggled with slot receivers this season, including Tyler Lockett and Tate the past two weeks. Coutee has plenty of appeal as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in Week 5.
- Mohamed Sanu (at PIT): Sanu has quietly played well in each of the past two games against New Orleans and Cincinnati with at least 15 PPR points in each outing. He has 10 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets over that span, and he has a favorable matchup against the Steelers this week. While Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley have overshadowed Sanu — and are must-start options in all leagues — Sanu can be considered a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in PPR this week.
Bust Alert
Jeffery was awesome in Week 4 at Tennessee in his 2018 debut after missing the first three games with a shoulder injury. He had eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown on nine targets, and hopefully he’ll be fine for the rest of the year. He also faces a Vikings defense that he torched in last year’s NFC Championship Game with five catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns on five targets. So why is he listed here? I’m slightly concerned for Jeffery that the Vikings defense, specifically the secondary, shows up this week after being embarrassed in Week 4 at the Rams. Coach Mike Zimmer called out his defense, and I expect Xavier Rhodes to respond this week in a likely matchup with Jeffery. I could be wrong, so start Jeffery with confidence if you disagree, but I’m expecting Jeffery to produce more like a No. 3 Fantasy receiver than a must-start option.
Tight end
Sleepers
- Geoff Swaim (at HOU): Swaim has established himself as the No. 1 tight end for the Cowboys with his production over the past two games. He has eight catches for 86 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets over that span against Seattle and Detroit, and he has a favorable matchup this week against the Texans. Houston has allowed a tight end to score in three of four games this year, and Swaim will hopefully add to that total this week.
- Ricky Seals-Jones (at SF): The 49ers have allowed a tight end to score in every game this season, and hopefully Seals-Jones keeps that streak alive in Week 5. He scored in Week 3 against Chicago and has 17 PPR points in his past two games against the Bears and Seahawks.
- Jeff Heuerman (at NYJ): In the first game without Jake Butt (ACL), the Broncos leaned on Heuerman in Week 4 against the Chiefs with four catches for 57 yards on seven targets. He could have a similar stat line this week. The Jets haven’t really been tested by any tight ends this season since David Njoku was their toughest competition in Week 3. We’ll see if Heuerman can crack this defense, but he’s worth using as a streaming option.
Bust Alert
Njoku finally scored double digits in PPR points in Week 4 at Oakland with 10 on five catches for 52 yards on seven targets, and hopefully this is the sign of things to come. But prior to playing the Raiders, Njoku had a combined 15 PPR points in his first three games. It was encouraging to see Baker Mayfield lean on Njoku in his first NFL start, but it will be hard to trust Njoku this week against the Ravens. Baltimore has yet to allow a tight end to score a touchdown, and Njoku has yet to score this season.
Defense/Special teams
Start ‘Em
Titans (at BUF) – 12.5 projected points
No team allows more Fantasy points to opposing DSTs than the Bills, so go all in on the Titans DST this week. Buffalo has allowed at least five sacks in three of four games, and the Bills have six interceptions on the season. Buffalo also has two games this season — Week 1 at Baltimore and Week 4 at Green Bay — with a combined three points. The Titans DST has scored at least 10 Fantasy points in three of four games this year, and the unit should score double digits again this week in Buffalo.
Sleepers
- Panthers (vs. NYG): Eli Manning only has one interception on the season, but the Giants have scored fewer than 20 points in three of four games this year. And Manning has been sacked 15 times through four games. The Panthers DST is a great streaming option coming off a bye.
- Patriots (vs. IND): The Colts are beat up due to injuries and traveling on a short week with the game in New England on Thursday. Andrew Luck has been sacked six times in the past two games, and the Colts have allowed two DST touchdowns on the season to the Bengals and Texans. The Patriots DST also just scored 12 Fantasy points in Week 4 against Miami at home.
- Broncos (at NYJ): The Broncos defense could be tired after playing Monday night and then having to travel to the East Coast for a 1 p.m. start, but I wouldn’t worry too much with the matchup against the Jets. Sam Darnold has already been sacked 10 times, and he has five interceptions for the season. The Broncos defense fared well against the Chiefs in Week 4, and the Broncos DST should dominate this Jets offense in Week 5.
Sit ‘Em
Packers (at DET) – 7.4 projected points
I expected the Packers DST to be great in Week 4, and the unit delivered in a tremendous matchup against Buffalo at home. The Packers had two interceptions, seven sacks and recovered a fumble while shutting out the Bills. This week, Detroit’s offense should have much more success against Green Bay, and the Packers DST scored a combined 18 Fantasy points in the first three games of the season. The Packers DST should not be trusted this week on the road.
Kicker
Start ‘Em
Elliott has scored at least eight Fantasy points in each of the past two games against Indianapolis and Tennessee, which coincides with Carson Wentz being back on the field. This week, he gets a great matchup against the Vikings, who allow the most Fantasy points to opposing kickers. Minnesota has allowed 11 field goals, with three kickers making multiple field goals against the Vikings this year. Every opposing kicker against Minnesota has scored at least eight Fantasy points.
Sleepers
- Ka’imi Fairbairn (vs. DAL): Fairbairn is hot right now with six made field goals and five extra points in his past two games against the Giants and Colts. Hopefully, he keeps it going this week against the Cowboys. While Dallas has yet to allow a kicker to score more than seven Fantasy points in any game this year, you should ride the hot hand (or foot) of Fairbairn at home.
- Cairo Santos (at SEA): Santos is the new kicker for the Rams after Sam Ficken was cut, and he will hold the job until Greg Zuerlein (groin) returns. Based on this offense, it’s a good idea to buy into Santos as a streaming option for Week 5.
- Graham Gano (vs. NYG): The Giants have allowed every opposing kicker to make multiple field goals against them, including Wil Lutz and Fairbairn combining for seven field goals and four extra points in the past two weeks. Gano has yet to score double digits in Fantasy points this season, but this is a good week to trust him at home against the Giants.
Sit ‘Em
Janikowski had his best game of the season in Week 4 at Arizona with 11 Fantasy points behind two made field goals and two extra points, including a 52-yard kick as time expired. He also missed two field goals. Prior to that, he had seven Fantasy points or less in three games in a row, and the Rams have allowed one kicker to score more than seven Fantasy points this year, which was Dan Bailey in Week 4. Even at home, we don’t recommend using Janikowski as a streaming option.
So who should you sit and start? And what shocking QB could win you Week 5? Visit SportsLine now to get Fantasy football rankings for every single position, and see which shocking QB finishes in the top 10 this week, all from the model that out-performed experts big time last season.
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