Start-sit decisions can be challenging for any fantasy manager. Here's our Traffic Cop Report as you get ready for Week 5.
✅ Green Light
WR Jayden Reed at Rams: In the two Jordan Love starts this year, Reed has finished WR1 and WR2 in half-point PPR scoring. Giddy up.
RB Alexander Mattison at Broncos: It won't be easy sledding, but he's earned extra work, and Zamir White is dinged-up besides. So much of running back fantasy analysis comes down to solving for opportunity.
WR Wan'Dale Robinson at Seahawks: He's a PPR monster right now and the Giants might need him more if Malik Nabers (concussion) isn't able to play.
TE Tucker Kraft at Rams: We're dying for tight ends we can trust, and Kraft is coming off nine targets, six catches and a touchdown. Don't ignore that two-point conversion catch, either; that reflects future goal-line equity.
🫤 Yellow Light
RB Breece Hall vs. Vikings (London): He's too talented to sit, but the Jets can't unsee how electric rookie Braelon Allen has been. Both players might see goal-line opportunities; the first to convert a short touchdown likely gets the baton.
RB Kareem Hunt vs. Saints: He's no longer an explosive back, but the Chiefs trust him and Carson Steele was marginalized after a fumble last week.
WR Brandon Aiyuk vs. Cardinals: Do we have to accept he's a better real-life player than a fantasy one? Last year's dream efficiency was never a good bet to repeat, and the Niners don't go out of their way to pepper Aiyuk with targets. Jauan Jennings is going to steal some opportunities, too.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Dolphins: The Patriots don't want to back off their feature back, who was paid in the offseason. But Stevenson has four fumbles in four weeks; one more could result in a benching.
WR Tyreek Hill at Patriots: The quarterback room is downright depressing, but Hill's targets should bounce back and he only needs one big play to justify a start. He's too talented to bench.
🛑 Red Light
QB Patrick Mahomes vs. Saints: He's a signature player in a prime-time game, but his fantasy slump is almost a year old and the receiving room has significant questions. Our game is about numbers, not names.
WR Jakobi Meyers at Broncos: His role in the offense could be expanding with Davante Adams likely headed out of town. But consider Meyers for future weeks, not this Sunday when he's marooned on Surtain Island.
RB Rico Dowdle vs. Cowboys: He continues to move Ezekiel Elliott out of the way, but the Steelers have been the league's worst matchup for opposing running backs.
WR Garrett Wilson vs. Vikings (London): I'm at believe-it-when-I-see-it mode with Wilson, and his fantasy managers can't be thrilled about the Davante Adams rumors. |