NFL Fantasy Football: Week 5 starts and sits, Aaron Rodgers, CeeDee Lamb...

We learn something new every week in the NFL it seems. And if we don’t, it’s because it’s been enough weeks that some things have just confirmed themselves to be consistently true. But it’s those inconsistencies and players that make it tough to set your fantasy lineup each week.

In Week 4, we saw players like Austin Ekeler and Christian McCaffrey finally have the big game we expected them to have all along. This is why we make sit ‘em lists, and not necessarily drop ‘em lists after just three weeks. But now it’s Week 5 and the players who continue to NOT have the games we expected them to at this point, may be looking at that permanent sit position. Aaron Rodgers, for example…after four weeks, the back-to-back MVP should be producing better numbers, but alas, he looks more like a bench warmer in the fantasy world.

Fantasy Week 5 Start ‘Ems

Quarterback: Russell Wilson, Broncos (vs Colts)

Wilson had his best game last week, throwing for 237 yards for two touchdowns, one of which was a rushing TD. He gave his fantasy owners 27.5 points. This week, the streak should continue as the Broncos play the Colts, who have allowed 16.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. The Colts defense has been great at stopping the run so far this season, which means the Broncos should be doing a lot of passing, which means more points for Wilson fantasy owners.

Wide Receiver: CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at Rams)

The Cowboys WR1 while Gallup was out has been making his presence known with Cooper Rush at quarterback. As Gallup works his way back from an ACL tear, Lamb should still be the primary target. He’s had a touchdown in the last two games with 31 targets in the last three. It should still be Rush in at quarterback this week and the Rams defense has not been performing well against receivers. They have allowed the second-most points to receivers so far, allowing 47.98 per game.

Running Back: Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at Chiefs)

In Week 4, Jacobs had 28 carries for 144 yards and two touchdowns, giving fantasy owners a whopping 35 fantasy points. It was unclear how big a role he would play on the Raiders offense in the beginning of the season, seeing just one target in both Weeks 1 and 2. But in the next two, he had 11 targets total and is clearly becoming a leader on the offense. This week, the Raiders face the Chiefs, whose defense has allowed 27.65 fantasy points per game to running backs. Start him.

Tight End: David Njoku, Browns (vs Chargers)

If you picked up Njoku off the waivers after Week 3, you weren’t too sorry. Though he had one fumble, he also had five catches on seven targets and is leading the Browns in yards per route ran. He is definitely seeing the snaps and the targets and will be against the Chargers in Week 5. Last year, Njoku put up 149 yards against the Chargers. His status is still listed as Questionable, but don’t let that worry you. He’s been limited in practice, but mostly to make sure he’s good to go for Sunday.

Kicker: Brett Maher, Cowboys (at Rams)

It is amazing to me that we have two Cowboys players on this list in Week 5, even if one of them is the kicker. After Week 1, no one saw this coming. But I digress. After all the kicking drama that happened in the Cowboys offseason, Maher has ended up being their clutch player as well as the third-best fantasy kicker. He has given 11 or more points to fantasy owners in the last three games. If the Cowboys offense continues to struggle, that could leave Maher with lots of opportunities in the coming weeks, including this one against the Rams.

Defense: Denver Broncos (vs Colts)

The Broncos haven’t been the best defense so far in fantasy, but this could be their week. The Colts have given up the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing defenses (11.5), the fourth-most sacks (15), third-most fumbles (4), and THE most interceptions (5). Start them safely against a Jonathan Taylor-less Colts offense.

Fantasy Week 5 Sit ‘Ems

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs Giants)

Are you surprised? Rodgers can be a fantasy flop despite being an NFL MVP, and this year, he’s both a fantasy flop and a real-life flop. Okay, maybe flop is harsh for real life, but he’s certainly not the quarterback he used to be. He has not passed for more than 260 yards and hasn’t had more than two touchdowns per game. And in fantasy, he’s yet to get more than 17 points. The Giants defense has so far limited quarterbacks to 13.8 fantasy points, so just another confirmation that Rodgers is a sit this week, and very possibly for more to come.

Wide Receiver: Julio Jones, Buccaneers (vs Falcons)

Jones was out Weeks 2 and 3 with a knee injury, but came back to play in Week 4. He played the entire first half, but then sat out most of the second, looking like the knee may still be an issue. He had just 7 receiving yards and got fantasy owners just 1.7 points. Godwin is the better WR to start from the Bucs lineup. Even though he’s not fully healthy, he’s seeing the targets and Jones just is not. He’s got competition on the WR core, even if they’re all a little iffy as far as health. After last week though, I’d bench him against the Falcons.

Running Back: Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (at Buccaneers)

With Cordarelle Patterson on Injured Reserve, many picked up Allgeier. He did see more playing time than his counterpart, Caleb Huntley, but Huntley saw the more important snaps near the goal line. As long as Patterson is out, it’s likely Allgeier will be the Falcons’ lead RB, but it doesn’t mean he’ll get you tons of points. Against the Buccaneers in their territory, I wouldn’t chance it. The Bucs defense is tough and have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, just 16.15.

Tight End: Irv Smith, Vikings (vs Bears)

Though Smith saw the third-most targets on the Vikings offense last week, they don’t mean much if he doesn’t produce. He has seen one touchdown from Week 2, but hasn’t seen the end zone since then. WR Justin Jefferson is hogging that territory, with five TDs on the season. Considering his competition at the goal line, it’s not likely Smith will be making the scores this week, especially against a Bears defense who’s allowing just 8.4 fantasy points per game and one touchdown to tight ends in the last four weeks.

Kicker: Nick Folk, Patriots (vs Lions)

Folk has been historically a decent start as far as kickers go, but this year he’s been below average. The Patriots offense isn’t looking so hot, with their QB1 and QB2 possibly out, which will limit his opportunities even further - yes, even against the Lions terrible defense. Start Maher instead if you have the chance and sit Folk.

Defense: Los Angeles Chargers (at Browns)

The Chargers defense is riddled with injuries right now. Most notably, linebacker Joey Bosa is out 8-10 weeks. Nose tackle Austin Johnson and middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy are both dealing with issues, too. The Browns have given up just three turnovers to opposing defenses this season, allowing them just 2.75 fantasy points per game, tied for the second-fewest in the league. Do not start them this week.