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Quarterback
Start of the Week: Matthew Stafford (@ BAL)
I can’t remember a time where Baltimore’s defense was in such bad shape, and Stafford had 294 yards and three touchdowns through the air against them two years ago in a shootout loss. The Ravens being without Lamar Jackson (hamstring) could lead to a one-sided affair that keeps Los Angeles from needing to throw the ball around, but Sean McVay might want to put things in Stafford’s hands more after not doing so to end the game last week. With Baltimore just allowing C.J. Stroud to throw for 244 yards and four scores on them, Stafford is our overall QB7.
Start: Jared Goff (@ KC)
We’re also looking back to a couple of years ago for Goff—when the Lions showed they could go into Arrowhead and win with a 21-20 upset on opening night of the 2023 season. Detroit has only turned into more of an offensive machine since then, and Goff has been lights out in two career games versus the Chiefs with 333.0 passing yards per game and a 5:0 touchdown-interception ratio. Facing a desperate team on the road in primetime won’t be easy, but we have Goff as a top-10 play.
Start: Mac Jones (@ TB)
Jones is averaging 301.7 passing yards per game on 43.0 attempts per game in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and last Thursday night left no doubt that he’s no ordinary backup quarterback. The Bucs just allowed Sam Darnold to torch them with 341 yards and four touchdown last week, and even if Tampa Bay is healthier on the backend, Shanahan having a few extra days to prepare will have Jones ready to attack a defense that Brock Purdy hit for 353 yards and two touchdowns in 2024. Consider him a high-end QB2 option.
Start: Bryce Young (v DAL)
The Cowboys didn’t have any trouble with Justin Fields and the Jets last week until “garbage” time, but Carolina has a more traditional passing attack for Young to take advantage of a matchup versus a defense allowing the most passing yards per game (284.6) and passing yards per attempt (8.4) in the league. Dallas has also allowed a 12:1 touchdown-interception ratio on the season, and the Panthers establishing the run could open things up for Young to have success. If you’re in a tough spot, the former No. 1 overall pick can be a quality streamer.
Sit of the Week: Trevor Lawrence (v SEA)
Lawrence’s confidence is growing with Jacksonville at 4-1, and he went off as a runner on Monday night in the upset win over the Chiefs with 10 carries for 54 yards and two touchdowns—including the game-winning score. However, the Seahawks are a difficult matchup as a stingy defense versus the pass, and the Jags still finding their groove through the air could lead to disappointment this week for Lawrence on a modest 213.2 passing yards per game. It might be best to view him as a low-end QB2.
Sit: Drake Maye (@ NO)
Maye played very well last Sunday night, but his fantasy output was modest (12.12), and I’m still having a difficult time wrapping my head around those who rank him as a top-five option at quarterback. While the Saints can be attacked, they have the No. 9 pass defense in the league through five weeks, and the group just forced a turnover on five consecutive possessions in last week’s win over the Giants. Maye is a top-15 option, but he barely makes the cut, and I wouldn’t start him over options like Bo Nix or Daniel Jones.
Sit: Aaron Rodgers (v CLE)
Pittsburgh should be ready to go coming out of the bye with a chance to create more separation in the AFC North this weekend—but Cleveland has been stout versus opposing quarterbacks; that’s especially true versus pocket passers with Joe Burrow (8.82 fantasy points), Jordan Love (11.12), and Jared Goff (12.52) all putting up sub-par numbers, and Lamar Jackson has been the only option to go for 15.0+ fantasy points against them. It’d probably be wise to look elsewhere this week.
Sit: Justin Fields (v DEN)
Fields can always do damage as a runner and has racked up fantasy points when New York has trailed this season, but a matchup versus Denver knocks him out of the QB1 ranks. Last season, Fields had 117 yards and a touchdown while being limited to eight carries for 27 yards in a Week 2 win over the Broncos, and that came before Vance Joseph’s group turned into a top unit. Again, the upside remains based on his rushing ability, but Fields might be best left on the bench.
Running Back
Start of the Week: Rico Dowdle (v DAL)
Things will obviously change if Chuba Hubbard (calf) returns this week, but Dowdle is looking like a legitimate high-end RB2 after a career day—and he’ll still be a strong FLEX if Hubbard is back. Dallas has shown flashes of improved run defense and maybe they’ll sell out to stop Carolina, but Dowdle told his former team to “buckle up” ahead of the matchup, so he’ll be running with a chip on his shoulder. Being at home helps, too, and Dowdle already had the goal-line role before Hubbard went down to give him the better end of the backfield either way moving forward.
Start: Bill Croskey Merritt (v CHI)
The Bears having the bye might help, but they’ve been ripped apart on the ground this year with a whopping 6.2 yards per carry allowed—and Croskey-Merritt is positioned to take full advantage following a breakout game (16 touches for 150 yards and two touchdowns). On the season, the impressive rookie runner is up to 6.6 yards per carry, and his snap percentage (47.5% last week) should only continue to rise. Lock him into lineups as a strong RB2.
Start: TreVeyon Henderson (@ NO)
New England has brought Henderson along slowly to begin his career, but Antonio Gibson (knee) is done for the season, and Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled again last week (though he did follow it up with two touchdowns). The Pats will unleash Henderson at some point, and the Saints—who have allowed 20.4+ fantasy points to running backs in four-of-five games—have been susceptible to receiving production out of the backfield. Considering the big-play ability, Henderson can be a low-end RB2/FLEX even on limited touches.
Start: Hassan Haskins (@ MIA)
There is debate between Haskins and Kimani Vidal as the runner to start for the Chargers with Omarion Hampton (ankle) out, but we’d assume the more bruising option of the two will have the edge versus a soft Miami defense that just allowed 206 rushing yards to Rico Dowdle. At worst, Haskins should handle goal-line carries for the Chargers, and he did find the end zone twice last season—making him a plug-and-play FLEX option in a great matchup.
Sit of the Week: Chase Brown (@ GB)
Green Bay has played outstanding run defense to begin 2025 with the second-fewest yards per game allowed (77.5)—and the group is rested coming off an early bye week. From a long-term perspective, Brown should be boosted by Joe Flacco being under center (and he didn’t hesitate to target running backs on checkdowns as the starter in Cleveland), but I’m worried about the success on the ground this week. Averaging just 8.1 fantasy points per game through five weeks, Brown is again just a low-end RB2.
Sit: Cam Skattebo (v PHI)
An increased role with Tyrone Tracy Jr. (shoulder) out over the past two games has led to 24.0 touches per game for Skattebo—but Tracy will be back tomorrow night, and Philadelphia is too good up front to not improve their run defense soon. If standout linebacker Nakobe Dean (knee) returns, it will further downgrade the matchup for Skattebo; and while I expect he will be the lead back in the Jaxson Dart-led offense, he’s averaged 3.5 yards per carry over the past two games, and New York could fall behind early if the Philly offense finally clicks.
Sit: Isiah Pacheco (v DET)
Pacheco owners should feel good about him seeing more creative usage as a pass-catcher over the past two weeks, and Kansas City has done a nice job opening up running lanes with Pacheco going for 4.5+ yards per carry in all but one game this year. Unfortunately, the touches just haven’t been there with 10 or fewer carries in all five games, and Kareem Hunt has been the preferred option near the goal line. Facing a Detroit defense that stops the run at a high level, Pacheco is just a decent FLEX on Sunday night.
Sit: Travis Etienne Jr. (v SEA)
Etienne is always worth a spot in lineups due to his big-play ability (and remains a top-20 option this week), but Seattle is allowing just 3.3 yards per carry on the season while limiting chunk gains for enemy runners. Plus, the Jaguars continue to rotate other backs in with Etienne (58.6% of the snaps played on Monday night), and the Seahawks hadn’t allowed a rushing touchdown until last week when Rachaad White hit them twice for a score. If you have options, Etienne could be in for a quiet day.
Wide Receiver
Start of the Week: A.J. Brown (@ NYG)
Outside of a 6/109/1 line in Week 3, Brown has been limited to a combined 13 receptions for 85 yards and zero touchdowns in his other four games—so many are surely leaving him on the bench until he breaks out of the struggles. That said, the Eagles did work to get Brown involved last week in a tough draw versus Pat Surtain II, and now he faces a New York defense that he’s stung for lines of 4/70/1, 4/95, 6/80, and 5/89/1 in four healthy career matchups. I’d get him in lineups as a top-five option despite the slow start.
Start: Terry McLaurin (v CHI)
There is some risk here if McLaurin (quad) ends up not playing with Bears-Commanders on Monday night—but head coach Dan Quinn said he’s expected back for the primetime clash. If so, the Bears are very vulnerable in the secondary with Jaylon Johnson (groin) out, and McLaurin caught five passes for 125 yards against them in last year’s matchup. With the connection between Jayden Daniels and his top pass-catcher being too quiet to begin the season, look for McLaurin to have a big night in Week 6.
Start: Romeo Doubs (v CIN)
Doubs still being available on the waiver wire in quite a few leagues is crazy, but he had three touchdowns the last time we saw him in Week 4—and now takes on a bottom-five Cincinnati pass defense that’s allowed the second-most passing touchdowns in the league (12). In general, Green Bay has been at their best when Doubs is involved, so look for that to be the case coming out of the bye, and he’ll carry plenty of touchdown upside to be a low-end WR2/FLEX option.
Start: Jameson Williams (@ KC)
Williams had another quiet day last week and should be downgraded to more of a low-end WR2/FLEX with upside for now—but Kansas City will play man coverage that he should be able to exploit on Sunday night. Even with the struggles thus far, Jamo showed in Week 2 that it might just take one or two catches for him to make a major impact, and I’d bet on Detroit dialing up a shot if the Chiefs put more attention on stopping the run. We still have Williams in the top 20.
Others: Kendrick Bourne (@ TB), Hollywood Brown (v DET)
Sit of the Week: Chris Godwin Jr. (v SF)
Godwin should round into form as the weeks pass, but an inefficient season debut (three receptions for 26 yards on 10 targets) was followed up by just four targets last week—and Tampa Bay gave increased opportunities to Sterling Shepard (4/24/1) and Tez Johnson (4/59) behind star rookie Emeka Egbuka. The Niners haven’t been the best matchup for Godwin over the years (47.0 receiving yards per game in four career meetings), so he should be viewed as a FLEX with multiple options involved for Tampa Bay’s passing attack.
Sit: Chris Olave (v NE)
Olave was back to heavy targets last week (double-digits for the fourth time in five games), but it came in a great spot versus the Giants—and Olave is still averaging just 4.5 yards per target on the season. While a deep ball should hit at some point to unlock the downfield upside, Olave could have trouble getting behind Christian Gonzalez on Sunday; we’d put him just outside the top 36 at wide receiver.
Sit: Tee Higgins (@ GB)
Joe Flacco was the best possible quarterback for Higgins’ fantasy value with Joe Burrow (toe) out, but Green Bay has mostly tried to limit downfield receptions—and I’m not sure how much time the veteran passer will have behind a below-average offensive line. Higgins is a threat to find the end zone with Flacco giving his guys a chance, but the chemistry will only have a week of build-up time, and this is probably a spot to avoid if you can.
Sit: DK Metcalf (v CLE)
Metcalf makes the WR2 ranks and can pay off with encouraging usage prior to the bye week, but Cleveland has a couple of sticky cornerbacks in Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II—making the big-bodied target more reliant than you’d like on contested catches. Add in the Cleveland pass rush perhaps making Aaron Rodgers get rid of the ball quicker than he’d like, this could be one of the quieter games for Metcalf—who has been somewhat volatile with touchdowns saving him in games with 20 yards and 32 yards last month.
Others: Jerry Jeudy (@ PIT), Travis Hunter (v SEA)
Tight End
Start: of the Week: Evan Engram (@ NYJ)
We just have to take a look at what Jake Ferguson did to the Jets last week with seven receptions for 49 yards and two touchdowns to feel good about Engram—and Sean Payton prioritizing him in scoring territory has been notable. After catching the game-winning touchdown last week, Engram likely earned himself more opportunities, and the connection with Bo Nix will continue to grow. I’d consider him a top-10 option.
Start: Zach Ertz (v CHI)
I’m interested in how the Washington offense will look with everyone healthy and Bill Croskey-Merritt involved—as there could be some downside on weekly basis for those with fewer targets (as we saw with Ertz not catching a pass last Sunday). For this week, though, Ertz should be involved against a Chicago defense that struggles to defend the middle of the field, including last year when had seven receptions for 77 yards in the October matchup. I’d have confidence in him as a low-end TE1.
Start: Mason Taylor (v DEN)
On paper, the Broncos have been better defending tight ends this season—surrendering the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position (7.5); but the numbers are skewed by facing three teams that don’t typically feature the position, and we saw both Tyler Warren (4/79) and Dallas Goedert (3/19/1) have some success. With how often Justin Fields looked Taylor’s way last week (12 targets), the rookie should move up to the TE2 ranks.
Sit of the Week: Kyle Pitts Sr. (v BUF)
Pitts has had an extremely steady start to the season, and he’s coming off one of his best career outings with a 5/70/1 line prior to the bye. However, the Bills remain a top defense in taking away opposing tight ends with the second-fewest fantasy points per game allowed to the position (4.6), and Monday night profiles more of a run-heavy, Bijan Robinson-centric game if possible. Pitts falls outside the top 15 for us.
Sit: Pat Freiermuth (v CLE)
Freiermuth has felt like an afterthought for Pittsburgh, and his numbers with Aaron Rodgers have slid rather than grown with a combined one reception for six scoreless yards over the past two games (after at least having three receptions for 59 yards in the first two weeks). Pittsburgh hasn’t even gotten Jonnu Smith going yet—so with that set to happen at some point and Darnell Washington involved as well, Freiermuth doesn’t even make the TE2 ranks with up-and-down production versus Cleveland.
Sit: Theo Johnson (v PHI)
A role in scoring territory in the new-look offense for the Giants has led to three touchdowns over the past two games for Johnson—but he’s averaged just 4.5 yards per target and now takes on a Philadelphia defense that didn’t allow a touchdown to a tight end until Evan Engram’s catch-and-run last week. I wouldn’t want to chase the recent production and would shoot for an option in a better offense for Week 6.