Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 5

Overall Grade: B+

Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Series Ground Rules 

• I will review and grade my picks every week for complete transparency. I think this is important.
• I’m only recommending players to start who have a start percentage of 75% or lower at Sleeper.
• I’m only recommending players to sit who have a start percentage of less than 60% at Sleeper.

Important Tip: When in doubt, always trust your gut over my picks. I’m good at fantasy, but it’s your team.

Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 5 Recommendations

Justin Fields

49% Starting at Sleeper

Fire up Fields with confidence this Sunday. The Cowboys sport the league’s worst pass defense, creating a solid matchup for the dual-threat QB at home. Fields bounced back from his concussion beautifully in Week 4, racking up 307 total yards against Miami with both a passing and rushing touchdown. His legs remain his superpower, averaging nearly 50 rushing yards per game, and he has already found the end zone twice on the ground. With Dallas struggling to contain mobile quarterbacks and Fields’ explosive playmaking ability, expect him to exploit this defense both through the air and on designed runs. This is a smash start in all formats.

Tony Pollard

67% Starting at Sleeper

Start Pollard as a volume-based RB2 this Sunday in the desert. The veteran back continues to dominate touches in Tennessee’s backfield, logging 16+ carries in every game despite the Titans’ offensive struggles. His 64 yards on 14 carries in Week 4 showed flashes of efficiency even in a shutout loss. With Tyjae Spears sidelined on IR, Pollard remains the clear workhorse without competition for touches. Arizona’s defense presents an exploitable matchup for ground games, and the Titans desperately need to establish the run to take pressure off rookie QB Cam Ward. Pollard’s three-down role guarantees 18-20 touches, giving him a safe floor with touchdown upside. Trust the volume in all formats.

Woody Marks

39% Starting at Sleeper

Smash. The rookie sensation just erupted for 119 total yards and two touchdowns in Week 4, finishing as a top-6 fantasy back while overtaking Nick Chubb for backfield supremacy. His snap share has skyrocketed from 12% in Week 1 to team-leading usage by Week 4, and he’s now handling both early-down work and passing-down duties thanks to his elite receiving skills. The matchup couldn’t be sweeter. Baltimore ranks dead last in NFL defense and allows the most fantasy points to running backs this season.

Marks has a clear path to 20+ touches against a banged-up defense that got shredded by the Chiefs last week. This is a potential RB1 week. Fire him up everywhere.

Bhayshul Tuten

7% Starting at Sleeper

Need a bye week RB? Roll with Tuten as a high-upside RB2 or flex play on Monday Night Football.

Tuten is emerging as a solid flex option after scoring touchdowns in consecutive weeks and carving out a meaningful role following the Tank Bigsby trade. Head Coach Liam Coen is finding creative ways to deploy his 4.32 speedster. With Travis Etienne handling the heavy workload, Tuten thrives in change-of-pace and scoring situations. On MNF against Kansas City, his explosive playmaking ability makes him a high-upside flex play who could deliver another touchdown for fantasy managers willing to ride the hot hand.

Wan’Dale Robinson

40% Starting at Sleeper

Robinson is a must-start this week following Malik Nabers’ season-ending ACL tear. The slot specialist now steps into a co-WR1 role alongside Darius Slayton, and the opportunity is massive. Robinson has already shown his ceiling this season with an 8-catch, 142-yard, 1-TD explosion in Week 2. He’s averaging over eight targets per game and leads the NFL in yards from the slot

The Saints’ secondary has been vulnerable, and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart will lean heavily on his most reliable target in his second career start. Robinson’s chemistry with the passing game, combined with increased volume in a pass-heavy game script, makes him a high-floor, high-ceiling WR2/flex play with legitimate WR1 upside. Fire him up confidently.

Keon Coleman

36% Starting at Sleeper

Coleman is primed for a breakout performance under the primetime lights against a struggling Patriots secondary. The second-year receiver has shown consistent involvement in Buffalo’s explosive offense. The Patriots rank near the bottom in pass defense, and Buffalo will look to exploit mismatches on the perimeter. Coleman’s big-play ability (20+ yard catches in three games) and red-zone size make him a high-upside WR3/flex play with legitimate WR2 potential in this plus matchup.

Josh Downs

16% Starting at Sleeper

Despite a quiet Week four (4 catches, 24 yards) in a penalty-filled loss to the Rams, Downs remains Daniel Jones’ trusted check-down option with consistent volume in Indianapolis’ offense. The Colts averaged a franchise-record 34.3 points per game through their 3-0 start, and Jones has shown chemistry with Downs when the offense clicks.

The Raiders’ secondary has been exploited all season, ranking near the bottom in pass defense. Downs’ role as the primary slot receiver means he’ll face favorable matchups against linebackers and nickel corners. After seeing eight targets in Week 2, expect the Colts to get back on track at home against a beatable opponent. Downs offers a safe PPR floor with 6-8 catch upside, making him a confident WR3/flex start in a bounce-back spot for Indianapolis.

Malik Washington

8% Starting at Sleeper

Bye week, pick up a starter with season-long potential.

Washington steps into a golden opportunity with Tyreek Hill sidelined for the season. The second-year receiver has flashed versatility, including a 74-yard punt return touchdown, and now inherits increased targets in Miami’s passing attack. Jaylen Waddle is now the clear WR1, Washington profiles as the primary slot weapon who’ll benefit from defenses keying on Waddle and tight end Darren Waller, who exploded for two TDs in his Dolphins debut.

The Panthers rank among the league’s worst pass defenses, and Tua Tagovailoa needs reliable outlets in this must-win road game.

Brenton Strange

22% Starting at Sleeper

Strange has quietly become one of the most consistent tight end plays in fantasy. He’s tied for the team lead in targets (7) in Week 4 alongside Brian Thomas Jr., proving Trevor Lawrence trusts him in crucial situations.

The Monday Night Football spotlight against Kansas City sets up beautifully. Strange offers a safe floor with six-catch performances in two of his last three games, and tight ends historically thrive in primetime when offenses lean on their safety valves. At a barren position, Strange’s 4-6 catch potential and consistent involvement make him a rock-solid TE1/streaming option. With Jacksonville’s 3-1 start generating offensive confidence, Strange is the reliable play you need this week.

Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 5 Recommendations

Chase Brown

74% Starting at Sleeper

Brown faces a Lions defense riding high as 10.5-point favorites, and the game script looks brutal for Cincinnati’s ground game. With Jake Browning struggling at quarterback, the Bengals’ offense has sputtered to just 15.3 points per game, forcing Brown into constant negative game scripts. His alarming 2.0 yards per carry ranks dead last among starting running backs, and Detroit’s defense has recorded 14 sacks over their last three games. Cincinnati has been dominated in consecutive blowout losses, signaling more pass-heavy abandonment of the run. Keep Brown benched until Burrow returns.

Travis Hunter

100% ? Starting at Sleeper

Hunter’s historic two-way role hasn’t translated to fantasy value (yet), averaging just 2.5 points per game through four weeks. The Jaguars are still figuring out how to deploy their No. 2 overall pick, with Hunter playing limited snaps on both sides of the ball and averaging a concerning 5.6 yards per target. Against a solid Chiefs secondary on Monday Night Football, Hunter’s inconsistent usage makes him a risky fantasy play. With just 118 yards and zero touchdowns through four games, he remains a developmental project rather than a reliable fantasy option. Bench him until his role expands significantly.

T.J. Hockenson

64% Starting at Sleeper

Hockenson faces a nightmare matchup against Cleveland’s elite defense, which ranks first in the NFL, allowing just 222.5 yards per game. With Carson Wentz struggling under pressure, taking six sacks in Week 4, and the Browns boasting 11 sacks through four games, Minnesota’s passing attack will be under siege. Hockenson has been quiet all season with just 28.8 yards per game, and Jordan Addison’s return has already cut into his target share. The Vikings’ battered offensive line makes this European road trip even more treacherous. Keep Hockenson on your bench against this suffocating Browns defense.