2022 Fantasy Football Week 5: Start Em’ or Sit Em’

Each week we’ll break down one player that should start in your fantasy lineup and one that would be better left on the bench per position. There are players like Josh Allen & Cooper Kupp who are matchup proof and should be in your starting lineups every week barring a major circumstance. Through 4 weeks, we’ve been correct on 20 of our 32 picks as we had a tough week amidst the craziness and injuries of last week causing us to slip. 

QB Start of the Week: Kirk Cousins – Minnesota Vikings

On paper, the Chicago Bears have one of the top 5 pass defenses in the NFL. In actuality, the teams that have faced the Bears have largely attacked them through the ground and the teams didn’t need to rely on the pass as much. 3 of the 4 quarterbacks they faced were sub par quarterbacks and wouldn’t be able to do much through the air regardless of who they were playing. Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense is a step up from all the offenses they’ve faced excluding the Packers. We expect similar results for the Bears as in that Packers game and Kirk Cousins is going to have a 250 yard+ game with multiple touchdowns as the Vikings surge to victory. 

QB Sit of the Week: Geno Smith – Seattle Seahawks

After his best performance on the season and finishing week 4 as the 2nd best fantasy quarterback, Geno Smith is looking like a very trendy option and was a hot waiver wire pickup. That matchup in week 4 though was against Detroit who has a league worst defense that’s giving up 35 points per game. Smith did well from a fantasy perspective but that was truly matchup driven. We don’t like Smith against a tough New Orleans defense who just limited Kirk Cousins and Tom Brady in recent weeks.

RB Start of the Week: James Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars

Last week was a forgettable week for most players on both teams in the Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles game.  The heavy rain slowed down both offenses and neither team was able to move the ball well downfield outside of Miles Sanders for the Eagles who we were wrong about in last week’s edition. With clear skies slated for this weekend, the Jaguars offense will bounce back against the lone winless team remaining in the NFL in the Houston Texans. The Texans are averaging 172 rushing yards given up per game which is 2nd worst in the league and both Robinson & Etienne should provide fantasy relevance this weekend. Robinson has the edge as he’s earned a higher volume of carries this season. If Lawrence can get these running backs involved more in the passing game, then Robinson could climb to being a top fantasy back overall on the year. In a game against the lowly Texans, this is a perfect opportunity to utilize them more. 

RB Sit of the Week: Najee Harris – Pittsburgh Steelers 

Kenny Pickett is getting his first career start and it’s not going to be an easy one. Kenny Pickett stepped into action last weekend and when he did, he had 2 rushing touchdowns which was a good start for him, but bad news for Najee Harris fantasy owners. Pickett was the one doing run plays at the goal line vs. the running back. It’ll be tough for Pittsburgh to get into the red zone much against Buffalo which is where Najee thrives and hopefully this Buffalo game will be a learning experience for Pickett and company to utilize those surrounding him and get Najee’s season back on track. 

WR(s) Start of the Week: Terry McLaurin & Curtis Samuel – Washington Commanders

With Jahan Dotson out this week, Wentz is going to seek out the other 2 receivers in McLaurin and Samuel to get the ball. The Titans have one of the best run defenses in the NFL which we don’t expect Gibson, Robinson, or McKissic to get much done on the ground. The game script will be heavy pass and in PPR leagues, both McLaurin & Samuel should get a significant chunk of targets their way making them strong WR2’s/Flex’s. 

WR Sit of the Week: DJ Moore – Carolina Panthers

It’s tough for us to put DJ Moore on this list for a 2nd time in 3 weeks, but with the way Carolina is playing, it’s clear that Baker is not the answer. As long as Baker Mayfield is the starting quarterback of the Panthers playing the way he is playing, DJ Moore does not provide significant fantasy relevance. Moore has a very promising future and with a better quarterback situation, he’ll thrive, but for now, we’re going to keep him on the bench. It is not time to drop him, but he should be a hold and stash until Darnold is healthy and takes back the starting job from Baker. 

TE Start of the Week: Gerald Everett – Los Angeles Chargers

With Keenan Allen out for another week, Mike Williams and Gerald Everett’s stock continues to remain higher. With many predicting Josh Palmer to rise up, he left those disappointed and is now questionable to play this week. If he does play, he’ll still see a lower snap count and Everett will get more opportunities. 

TE Sit of the Week: Dalton Schultz – Dallas Cowboys

Until Dak Prescott comes back, Dalton Schultz is not a reliable starting tight end for fantasy owners. He’s managed a combined 80 yards through the last 3 weeks and was held to 0 catches last week against the Commanders. Cooper Rush has been undefeated in all of his starts and has done an admirable job keeping the Cowboys afloat, but the next 2 weeks are on the Road against the Rams & the Eagles. 2 of the tougher matchups on the year and without Dak Prescott, we’re not confident in relying on anyone in this Cowboys offense besides CeeDee Lamb over the next 2 weeks.