By Yaseen Jangikhan
Quarterbacks:
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers: Start
Justin Fields had an incredible game in his matchup against the Colts in week 4. Fields almost brought the Steelers to victory after they were down in the second half 17-3. The game finished with the score being 24-27.
Fields finished the game with 10 carries for 55 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. He also had 34 drop backs and completed 22 of those passes for 312 yards and 1 passing touchdown. His rushing upside gives a tremendous bonus to getting more of those needed fantasy points. His week 5 matchup is against the Cowboys who have had a lot of trouble limiting yards, as well as getting pressure on the quarterback. Lamar Jackson rushed for 87 yards with a touchdown against the Cowboys during week 3, so we should see that role play for Justin Fields while also seeing a couple drop backs.
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings: Sit
Sam Darnold has been amazing since he joined the Minnesota Vikings. He is leading the league in touchdown passes. Anything can happen in this game with their matchup this week against the Jets. However, it’s most likely that the Vikings defense ends up helping them win more than the offense in this week 5 matchup.
The Jets defense is very good right now. They have not let an opposing quarterback get over 15 points in fantasy, so there is nothing that hints at them being beaten. It’s going to be a tough matchup for Sam Darnold, but we’ll see if he can do it.
Running Backs
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks: Start
Kenneth Walker had a breakout game against the Lions—his first after missing two weeks from an oblique injury. The Lions arguably have one of the best run stop defenses in the NFL, if not the best. Walker finished the game with only 12 carries for 80 yards and 3 touchdowns, as well as 4 receptions for 36 receiving yards a day. He is back like he never left. Achieving that against one of the best run stopping defenses in the league is fantastic. He is a permanent starter week in and week out—no doubt as long as he can stay healthy.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sit
People have drafted Rachaad White a lot in my fantasy leagues. He has disappointed them big time. Bucky Irving has started to take his starting position role bit by bit. Irving has seen his snap percentage go up a lot. With a matchup against the Falcons, it’s only going to get even worse. The Falcons have a good defense when it comes to stopping the run. His starting spot is almost gone, and we are seeing the decline of a RB who was drafted a lot, so I really see this situation as him not being a startable player from now on, week in and week out.
Wide Receivers:
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers: Start
Aiyuk has not lived up to his $30 million dollar a year paycheck. He has gotten outplayed by Jauan Jennings. You can tell after missing training camp, he is a bit sloppy.
His chemistry is not there with Brock Purdy, who is an outstanding player. However, it’s week 5 now and with how loaded the 49ers offense is he will bounce back this week against the Cardinals. We have seen how weak the Cardinals defense has been, as well as how many points they have allowed to WRs in fantasy. I think we need to give him a chance. This is a bounceback game. His best games have been against the Cardinals, so we’ll just have to see.
Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders: Sit
I do not mean that you sit Davante Adams on a week-to-week basis, no! He has been alright when he has been healthy, but he is potentially going to get benched because he prefers a trade out of Las Vegas. So, do not start him until we receive further news on his situation in Las Vegas.
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