Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em – Week 5

Onto Week 5 we go!

Start ‘Em

Tutu Atwell, WR – Los Angeles Rams

Week 5 Matchup: vs Green Bay Packers

Tutu Atwell is coming off back-to-back double-digit PPR outputs, as last week had caught four of six targets for 82 yards. He led the Rams in receiving yards and was second on the day in receptions behind fellow wide receiver Jordan Whittington. Atwell has been a decent option with the likes of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua banged up, and has looked better than Demarcus Robinson. Per FantasyData, in the Week 4 loss to the Bears, Atwell edged out Robinson by three with 55 snaps to his 52, which was good for a snap share of 90.2%.

D’Andre Swift, RB – Chicago Bears

Week 5 Matchup: vs Carolina Panthers

Welcome to the 2024 season, D’Andre Swift. Swift finally showed up last week in the win against the Rams, totaling 93 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. And even more notably (for PPR purposes), he caught all seven of his targets for 72 yards.

It was a great week for those who still kept faith in Swift, and he should look to keep things rolling against a Panthers defense that has allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Last week, Carolina allowed Bengals running back Chase Brown to turn 15 carries into 80 yards and two touchdowns.

Tyler Conklin, TE – New York Jets

Week 5 Matchup: @ Minnesota Vikings (in London)

I had high hopes for Tyler Conklin against Denver last week due to some injuries in the middle of the field for the Broncos’ defense, but he finished with just 17 yards on four receptions. The positive to that is the fact that he had eight targets, which tied the team lead alongside Allen Lazard and Garrett Wilson. For that, I’m going to double down and roll with Conklin again this week against the Vikings. Aside from the obvious #RevengeGame narrative, Minnesota is allowing the fifth most fantasy points to tight ends on the year to date, and last week allowed Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft to turn six catches into 53 yards and a touchdown.

You could do worse than Conklin right now if you’re a Dallas Goedert manager with him on his BYE, or if you’re a [gulp] Mark Andrews manager.

Sit ‘Em

Zack Moss, RB – Cincinnati Bengals

Week 5 Matchup: vs Baltimore Ravens

Despite Brown having two touchdowns of his own against Carolina last week, Zack Moss was no slouch himself. He turned 15 carries into 51 yards, and caught all four of his targets for 27 yards and a touchdown. The issue with wanting to start Moss (or even Brown) here, is that Cincy is facing a Baltimore defense that has allowed the 30th most fantasy points to ‘backs on the year. If you can afford to sit Moss, you should. James Cook had 21 yards on nine carries last week in the loss to the Ravens.

Javonte Williams, RB – Denver Broncos

Week 5 Matchup: vs Las Vegas Raiders

Javonte Williams is coming off of his best game of the season last week vs. the Jets, but even then he finished with 10 full-PPR points. His 16 carries turned into 77 scoreless yards, and he is not a consistent factor in the pass-game work. Williams has yet to hit 80+ rushing yards in a game this season, and will continue to lose touches to Jaleel McLaughlin. Despite getting to face a Raiders defense that is allowing the eighth most fantasy points to opposing ‘backs on the season, Williams is a sit due to his lack of output thus far on the year.

Jakobi Meyers, WR – Las Vegas Raiders

Week 5 Matchup: @ Denver Broncos

Everyone in the league is on Davante Adams watch, and while he surely won’t play this week, you would think it opens the door for Jakobi Meyers to be worthy of a start. However, one shall assume he’s set to lineup against start CB Patrick Surtain II, who just held Garrett Wilson in check last week to the tune of 41 scoreless yards on five catches. Meyers is a sit this week for that reason alone.

It’s also worth noting to the trend over the last three weeks, with second-year Tre Tucker posting 41.3 full-PPR points compared to Meyers’ 38 pts.

– Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Reddit)