Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 5 2023

We’re a month into the season and whether you’re 4-0 or 0-4, it’s no time to relax as we approach the first week with teams on a bye. Here are some start and sit tips to help get you through it.

QB starts

CJ Stroud (@ ATL)

This year’s second overall pick in the draft has had a stellar start to life in the NFL. CJ Stroud is currently the QB2 so far this year, per FantasyData, after throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions across his first four games. The Texans’ pass heavy approach has led him to stand fourth in the league in passing yards. He now presents an excellent streaming option against an Atlanta Falcons team heading straight back across the Atlantic after their game in London.

Joe Burrow (@ ARI)

The Bengals start to the year has been one of the most confounding stories in the NFL so far. While dealing with an injury Burrow has thrown for an average of just 182 yards per game, throwing only two touchdowns, whilst also throwing two interceptions. It is completely understandable to look elsewhere this week, but I’m still willing to take the risk against a Cardinals team which has allowed
the seventh-most points to quarterbacks this season.

QB sits

Dak Prescott (@ SF)

Dak Prescott, for fantasy purposes, has had a somewhat underwhelming start. The veteran stands as the QB21 so far this year, scoring an average of just 13.7 points per game, according to FantasyData. He faces a tough test this week against the San Francisco 49ers who have allowed the seventh-fewest points to Quarterbacks across the first four weeks of the season. He may be better served on the bench this coming Sunday.

Russell Wilson (vs NYJ)

After a lacklustre 2022, Russell Wilson’s fantasy output has seen a marked improvement so far this year. He stands as the QB9 after throwing nine touchdowns to just two interceptions and an average of over 250 passing yards per game. This week’s matchup, however, is one to avoid as the Broncos travel to East Rutherford to face the Jets. The Jets have allowed the tenth-fewest points to Quarterbacks so far this year, limiting Patrick Mahomes to 203 yards, one touchdown and two
interceptions on Sunday.

RB starts

Breece Hall (@ DEN)

As he continues to recover from injury, Breece Hall’s production is only going to trend one way. In his limited usage this season we have seen glimpses of Hall’s explosiveness. The second-year back ranks second in yards per attempt this season, only behind Devon Achane (obviously), with an impressive 6.6 yards per carry. And with Robert Saleh telling reporters that Hall would no longer be on a snap count, Hall is a must-start against a Broncos team which has allowed the most rushing
yards this season.

Raheem Mostert (vs NYG)

While rookie De’Von Achane has justifiably been in the headlines in the last two weeks, it is important not to forget about teammate Raheem Mostert. The veteran has had a good start to 2023, with last week representing the first time he did not hit double-digit PPR points this season. After a tough matchup and game scripta against the Bills, Mostert should be in line to bounce back against a Giants team which has allowed the tenth-most points to running backs.

RB sits

Zack Moss (vs TEN)

At the time of writing, there is no indication as to whether Colts superstar Jonathan Taylor will return to action this coming weekend. Whatever the case, there is a strong case to sit Moss this coming weekend, despite three strong performances. Moss has stood in admirably, rushing for an average of just over 92 yards per game. This week, however, he faces a Titans defence which has continued to stifle the run game, allowing a total of just 280 rushing yards and a single rushing touchdown this year. Tennessee has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to the Running Back
position.

Najee Harris (vs BAL)

Harris may have had his best fantasy outing of the season last week, yet it was still only just over double figures in PPR scoring. The volume Harris has enjoyed in recent years has slowly ebbed away, with running mate Jaylen Warren only seeing one fewer touch last week. The Steelers welcome Baltimore this coming week, in a game they are four-point underdogs, indicating we may once again see a heavy dosage of Warren. Harris is a low-upside option once again, and one I would look to
avoid.

WR starts

Christian Watson (@ LV)

After missing the first three weeks of the campaign, Christian Watson’s return was saved by a touchdown. The second-year wide receiver recorded just two receptions from his four targets for just 25 yards. It is worth noting, however, that Watson was working on a pitch count, on the field for under 50% of the offensive snaps. After an elongated break after Thursday Night Football, and an indication he is practicing this week, expect his workload to increase. He faces a beatable Raiders pass defence this Sunday and remains a high-upside option.

Zay Flowers (@ PIT)

Flowers has had a solid start to his NFL career, hitting an average of 61 receiving yards over his first four games. Last week the rookie only saw four targets, his lowest figure so far, reeling in three for 56 yards. This coming week he presents a high-upside choice against division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have allowed the fifth-most points to Wide Receivers in PPR scoring, according
to FantasyData. After allowing Nico Collins to rack up 168 yards across his seven receptions (nine targets), Flowers may well be the next to take advantage.

WR sits

Jerry Jeudy (vs NYJ)

Jeudy may have seen his production improve over the last two weeks, but this week may present a tricky matchup. After missing the first game and having a quiet second, the former first round pick has hit over 130 receiving yards across eight catches in the last two games. However, as discussed above the Broncos face a tough Jets defence, which has allowed the third-fewest points to Wide
Receivers. Due to bye weeks you may have little choice, but higher upside options may be preferable.

Drake London (vs HOU)

The Falcons’ bizarre passing game continued on this side of the Atlantic last week as Desmond Ridder stuttered to throw for just 191 yards, throwing two picks in the process. Drake London’s fantasy production was saved by touchdown, yet was held to just 28 receiving yards. He now faces a tricky Texans matchup. Houston has allowed the fourth-fewest points to wide receivers this season, and means fantasy managers should prepare to look elsewhere this week.

TE starts

Zach Ertz (vs CIN)

Zach Ertz has quietly been producing solid fantasy performances this season. The veteran Tight End ranks second in targets amongst tight ends this year with 30 across his four games. Last week he received ten targets, the joint-most alongside Marquise Brown, reeling in six catches for 53 yards. With this usage, against a Bengals team which has allowed the sixth-most points to tight ends this
year, he presents a solid option this week.

Jake Ferguson (vs SF)

Ferguson is another under the radar tight end who has been seeing solid usage so far this season, seeing seven targets in three of his four games. Last week he enjoyed the best game of his career, catching all of his seven targets for 77 yards against the Patriots. Although he faces a tough matchup against the 49ers this week, his usage is enough for him to remain a streaming option once again.

TE sits

Kyle Pitts (vs HOU)

The Falcons’ woes in the passing game were explained earlier and last week’s performance should be an indication of the struggles the team may face in negative game scripts. Kyle Pitts’ production as a consequence remains a mystery recording two receptions for just 21 yards from four targets. He has now failed to hit 50 receiving yards in any game so far this season. Until we see a change, Pitts is
better left on your bench.

Dalton Schultz (@ ATL)

Schultz may have had a bounce back game last week, but the first few weeks should indicate that last week was an outlier. Last week was his first outing in which he saw over 40 receiving yards, hitting under ten yards in two of his first three weeks. Stroud may be hitting the headlines because of his impressive performances, but little of that production has gone Schultz’s way.

Jonathan – @JKlonowskiNFL