While many star players have byes in week 5, there are other options worth plugging in their place.
Quarterback
Start:
Carson Wentz (PHI): There’s still plenty of room on the Wentz wagon, as he has steamrolled through all competition in the first quarter of his rookie year. Don’t expect Wentz to stop rolling any time soon, as he faces a severely struggling Lions defense.
Andy Dalton (CIN): After facing a number of difficult matchups in the first four weeks, Dalton is ready to let loose against Dallas defense, which is prone to poor coverage.
Sit:
Matt Ryan (ATL): Ryan exploded out of the gate and currently leads all players in ESPN standard scoring. But he will take on an elite Denver defense on the road. Temper expectations for Ryan, at least for this week.
If you’re desperate:
Joe Flacco (BAL): Flacco has been eager to throw the ball deep this season, and he should have a great chance to do so against Washington’s depleted secondary. Mike Wallace and Steve Smith, Sr., should beat the Redskins corners deep at least a couple of times.
Running back
Start:
Frank Gore (IND): Now it’s Gore’s turn to gash the Bears’ poor run defense that has allowed five rush TDs this season. With no other back showing any threat of cutting into his workload, he should enjoy a solid day.
Jordan Howard (CHI): Howard looked phenomenal last week as the lead back, and he has another solid matchup against the Colts. Look for him to get plenty of handoffs and receptions again.
Sit:
Ryan Mathews (PHI): Mathews is fighting a few nagging injuries, and backups Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood have looked phenomenal when given touches, so this backfield is shaping up as an avoidable committee.
If you’re desperate:
DeAndre Washington (OAK): Opportunity is knocking for the shifty rookie after Latavius Murray suffered a toe injury during practice. He has the talent to seize the opportunity against the Chargers this week.
Wide receiver
Start:
Michael Crabtree (OAK): Crabtree has emerged as Derek Carr’s top target, and with Jason Verrett out, he has a juicy matchup against the Chargers.
Sterling Shepard (NYG): Shepard, like all Giants receivers, was held in check last week by the dominant Vikings defense. His matchup gets a lot easier this week, as he faces a Packers defense that has been gashed all season.
Sit:
Dez Bryant (DAL): Bryant has struggled when on the field this season, and if he plays this week, he has to deal with a vicious Bengals defense. There are WRs with a much higher ceiling across the league this week.
If you’re desperate:
Sammie Coates (PIT): Coates has run away with the No. 2 receiving role in the most exciting offense in the NFL, supplanting Markus Wheaton. He should find himself open many times against a Jets defense that has been exploited repeatedly through the air.
Tight end
Start:
Kyle Rudolph (MIN): After a couple of years of fantasy irrelevance, Rudolph is back on the tight end radar since Sam Bradford has not hesitated to pepper him with targets both in and out of the red zone. With the Texans preoccupied with Stefon Diggs, Rudolph has a great chance to produce this week.
Hunter Henry (SD): Filling in for Antonio Gates, the rookie has looked like a true veteran, making plays all over the field. He should be heavily involved in the depleted Chargers offense this week against a Raiders defense that is still trying to figure out how to stop the pass.
Sit:
Jason Witten (DAL): Despite his high floor, Witten faces a very physical set of Bengals linebackers. Since he isn’t being targeted in the red zone, there’s not much value playing him.
If you’re desperate:
Cameron Brate (TB): Brate has been a surprisingly reliable check down option for Jameis Winston, and with the Panthers defense struggling greatly against the pass, Brate has a chance to produce starting TE numbers again.