Start Em Sit Em Week 5 – Fantasy Football (2024)
Another exciting week of the 2024 fantasy football season is in the books. Welcome to the Week 5 edition of our 2024 Start Em Sit Em. In this article, we will be bringing you our top starts and sits of the week. Our writers and experts from The FF Faceoff Podcast will be working together to make this happen every week.
These players will not always be the most obvious start or sit candidates. No one needs to tell you to start Ja’Marr Chase or Bijan Robinson every week. However, these players will likely be your Flex options or players you’re potentially on the fence about as your RB2 or WR3. Continue reading for our Week 5 Start Em Sit Em. As always, hit us up on all forms of social media with any lineup questions. Let’s get into it.
Week 5 Start Em Sit Em
Your Week 5 NFL Start EM Sit Em decisions will be crucial for getting your fantasy football team on a path to the playoffs. As the season begins, it’s vital to analyze matchups. More importantly, to determine which players are poised for big performances and which ones might struggle.
Whether you’re considering a breakout running back or grabbing a sleeper wide receiver off the waiver wire, making smart choices in your Week 5 is vital to fantasy football success. If you’re 0-3, you’re not dead yet. Let’s bounce back and find a win in Week 5.
Start Em Sit Em Week 5 Quarterbacks
START – Justin Fields QB Pittsburgh Steelers
After a mundane beginning to his season, Justin Fields has garnered some impressive numbers for fantasy. In the last two games, he’s thrown for 245 and 312 passing yards with two passing touchdowns and another three scores on the ground. Until he completely flops (if ever), he’s been given the reins of the Steelers offense. Plus, we don’t really know if Russell Wilson is any real threat to take over under center.
Next up for Fields is a date with a Dallas defense that hasn’t looked impressive. In the last three weeks, two quarterbacks have surpassed 240 passing yards, two have averaged more than 12 yards per attempt and two have run for 39 or more yards. Dallas has also given up the most passes of 40+ yards while accumulating the 8th fewest sacks this season.
Keep putting Fields in your lineups. He’s on a hot streak that doesn’t look to be ending yet. –Benjamin Ditlevson
SIT – Sam Darnold QB Minnesota Vikings
Whether you were savvy in the draft or had the highest bid a couple of weeks ago, Sam Darnold has been an awesome fantasy player this season. He’s leading the league in touchdown passes (11) and he’s second in yards per attempt (8.8) among players with at least 40 passes thrown. However, I think we should pump the brakes on him for Week 5.
The Vikings head over to London for their next matchup against the Jets, who are no joke on defense. They’ve allowed only two passing scores, the second-fewest yards per attempt (5.6) and the fifth-lowest completion rate (61.1).
Chances are, you have another quarterback worth starting on your roster. You may want to go that route. I’m not saying Darnold is going to suck this week, but I don’t expect a performance close to what we’ve seen in the first four weeks. -Benjamin Ditlevson @FFRabbitDad
START – Trevor Lawrence QB Jacksonville Jaguars
If there’s ever been a week to confidently start Trevor Lawrence, it’s Week 5 against the Colts. While Lawrence has yet to top 16.5 fantasy points in any game this season, the Colts present the perfect opportunity for a bounce-back performance.
Lawrence has posted at least 20.9 fantasy points in four of his last five meetings with Indianapolis. Additionally, the Colts have allowed 25+ fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in three of their four games in 2024 (Malik Willis being the lone exception), giving up eight total touchdowns and two 300-yard performances.
With both Brian Thomas Jr. and Christian Kirk starting to heat up, Lawrence offers a safe floor and some built-in upside, making him a solid option for Week 5 lineups. -Anthony Cervino
Start Em Sit Em Week 5 Running Backs
START – Kareem Hunt RB Kansas City Chiefs
Some folks may think it is too early for Kareem Hunt to ring the bell. Based on what we saw in Week 4, I think the time is now. After an early fumble by Carson Steele, Hunt took over the primary running duties with 14 carries for 69 yards. Samaje Perine probably holds onto the 3rd down role as a stout pass catcher, but the bulk of handoffs will go to Hunt.
The Saints come to town in Week 5 after dropping to close games. The defense has been worked over on the ground in their last two contests, allowing 7.3 yards per carry to running backs.
Hunt is a player that you might even be able to scoop off of waivers and start in the same week. With the uncertainty surrounding the passing game in Kansas City, the running game may become a feature for weeks to come. –Benjamin Ditlevson
SIT – Zack Moss RB Cincinnati Bengals
Last week Zack Moss had his lowest rushing share on the season while seeing 15 carries, the same amount as backfield running mate Chase Brown. Brown has had the higher yards per carry three weeks in a row and saw two of the three carries from inside the five-yard line in Week 4. Now facing the Ravens who have allowed the third-fewest points allowed to RBs, Moss is a player I’m looking to avoid. –Daman Zimbelman
START – Najee Harris RB Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s tough to trust Najee Harris in fantasy. Without a touchdown to his name so far this season, his ceiling remains limited. While Harris has managed to post decent floors in 2024, including consecutive games with double-digit PPR points, the breakout performance has yet to materialize. However, that could change in Week 5, as he faces a Cowboys defense that ranks among the worst against the run.
The Cowboys have allowed backs like Jerome Ford, Derrick Henry, and Alvin Kamara to reach an 18-point PPR floor, with both Henry and Kamara going off for over 30 points. Harris is averaging 19.5 touches per game and getting a touch on 51.7% of his snaps.
He’s running efficiently, too, with 76.8% of his yards coming after contact. Additionally, he’s been more involved in the passing game, logging at least five targets in back-to-back games and being targeted on 42.9% of his routes. Given this volume and a favorable matchup, Harris is a strong start in Week 5. – Anthony Cervino
SIT – Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys
While Rico Dowdle has established himself as the Cowboys’ RB1, that doesn’t mean much in fantasy when he’s only averaging 10.8 touches per game. Even though running backs like Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor have found some success against the Steelers this season, they boast elite skill sets and play behind strong run-blocking lines—something Dallas can’t claim right now. Against Pittsburgh’s stout run defense, all Cowboys running backs, including Dowdle, should be avoided in Week 5. – Anthony Cervino
Start Em Sit Em Week 5 Wide Receivers
START – Brian Thomas Jr. WR Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr. finished Week 4 as a top 10 WR while tying his career high with nine targets. The rookie will look to build on last week’s success against a Colts team that allows WR fantasy points at a top-10 rate. The Colts will again be missing Juju Brents and may see Kenny Moore miss a second week in a row. Fire up Thomas Jr. with confidence against this banged-up unit. –Daman Zimbelman
SIT, Jakobi Myers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
I like Jakobi Myers, he’s a talented WR, that the New England Patriots certainly should have kept, instead of paying JuJu Smith-Schuster and I believe he’s going to have some strong games now that it looks like DaVante Adams is going to be shipped off to a contender.
However, he is most likely to catch the “Eraser” that is Patrick Surtain Jr. in coverage. You might be enticed to use Myers now that Adams is out, but I think Tre Tucker stands to benefit more as Surtain is going to be draped all over Myers in this game. –Steve DeAngelo
START- Jordan Whittington, WR, Los Angeles Rams
The preseason hype is slowly coming to fruition for Whittington who had a pretty solid game last week catching six balls for 62 yards on eight targets against a very formidable Bears defense. He led the team in targets, and routes run and I expect that to continue going forward as he replicates Puka Nacua’s play more than any other receiver on this team.
With Jordan Love returning last week, the Packers’ offense got going against the Vikings’ defense and it’s going to continue this week against the Rams, forcing the Rams’ offense to have to throw early and often. Whittington is going to be the benefactor of that in a game that has a total of 47 points. Whittington could get over 100 yards in this game and/or get into the endzone against a Packers defense that has allowed five TDs, through 4 games to receivers so far, which is tied for 6th most in the league. –Steve DeAngelo
SIT, Keenan Allen, WR, Chicago Bears
Keenan Allen hasn’t looked like his old self since joining the Bears. Injuries have limited his availability, and when he’s played, his production has been underwhelming. In two games, he’s been targeted 11 times, catching 7 passes for just 49 scoreless yards. While it’s encouraging that he’s been targeted on 60.9% of his routes run, the results haven’t followed.
On paper, his Week 5 matchup against the Panthers looks promising, as their defense has struggled against wide receivers. However, they’ve also managed to hold down both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, keeping them under 18 PPR points each. Meanwhile, the Panthers’ run defense was gashed by Zack Moss and Chase Brown, which could shift the Bears’ game plan.
With the Bears’ offense showing signs of life in the run game, led by D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson, they may rely more on the ground attack. The competition for targets in Chicago is also stiff, which makes Allen a risky fantasy option in Week 5. -Anthony Cervino
START Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers
Jayden Reed has been ballin out this season with two huge games this year and last week Dontayvion Wicks had a nice day after Christian Watson left early. Romeo Doubs is the one who hasn’t done much yet this season and is certainly due for a big game. I think it comes this week against a porous Rams defense.
Doubs still ran the most routes out of all Packers WRs last week and tied for 2nd on 1st read percentage with Reed. Essentially, you are starting Reed and Wicks, but you can’t forget about Romeo Doubs who is a talented player in his own right. He’s due, I am giving him a shot in this matchup. –Steve DeAngelo
Start Em Sit Em Week 5 Tight Ends
START – Tucker Kraft TE Green Bay Packers
There seems to be a changing of the guard in Green Bay’s tight-end room. Tucker Kraft had a great Week 4 performance with six receptions for 53 yards and a score. He also fumbled the ball while trying to churn up a couple more yards, but that just shows his need to succeed. He’s also had his two best games with Jordan Love throwing him the ball.
The Packers will host the Rams this week – a matchup that many teams will be looking forward to this year. In three of four games, the Rams have given up more than 11 yards per catch to tight ends and eight total receiving touchdowns.
I’ve always seen Kraft as the superior player to Luke Musgrave. Now, it seems like the Packers coaching staff is seeing it too. Another great pickup-and-play athlete for your fantasy squad. –Benjamin Ditlevson
SIT – Mark Andrews TE Baltimore Ravens
After another goose egg and a horrible start to 2024, we cannot afford to put Mark Andrews in our lineups. He is currently on pace for 39 targets, 26 receptions, and 277 receiving yards.
Until we see him produce something worthwhile, he needs to be benched in fantasy. I’m not ready to drop him yet, but I sure as hell ain’t starting him. –Benjamin Ditlevson
Start Em – Streaming DST Picks
Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets
You can make a case for both the Vikings and Jets D/ST as quality fantasy starts, but at the moment, I trust Sam Darnold and the Vikings’ offense more than Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. The Vikings’ D/ST has been one of the top fantasy units this season and shows no signs of slowing down.
While they’ve allowed over 300 passing yards in each of the last three games to Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, and C.J. Stroud, Rodgers has struggled to find a rhythm outside of one strong performance against a weak Patriots defense.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores will make life difficult for Rodgers, especially considering the Vikings’ run defense ranks among the best in the league. A potentially one-dimensional Jets offense, no matter how talented their stars, could struggle against Minnesota. The Vikings’ defense has racked up 17 sacks and eight interceptions through four games, and those trends are likely to continue in Week 5. – Anthony Cervino
Start with Caution
Dak Prescott QB, Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott has been known for starting the season slowly, and 2024 has been no exception. He’s failed to surpass 19.9 fantasy points in three of his first four games, largely due to facing tough matchups. The Giants, Saints, and Browns all rank among the top 12 defenses in terms of limiting fantasy production for quarterbacks.
Unfortunately for Prescott, the tough schedule continues in Week 5 as he faces the Steelers, who rank as the sixth most challenging defense for opposing quarterbacks. The Steelers have stifled the likes of Kirk Cousins, Anthony Richardson/Joe Flacco, Bo Nix, and Justin Herbert this season—a trend that should give you pause if you’re considering starting Prescott. Facing a one-dimensional Cowboys offense, the Steelers are not the defense you want to go up against with your fantasy QB. – Anthony Cervino
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