Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 5
SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut. For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our weekly rankings.
Start
Sam Bradford, QB, Eagles
vs. Saints
Bradford has been far from efficient this season, but the Eagles run so many plays he still manages to post strong fantasy numbers. With rookie Nelson Agholor finally showing signs of life and Darren Sproles likely in search of revenge against his former team, Bradford has options beyond Jordan Matthews this week. The Saints have one of the worst defenses in football and should surrender multiple passing touchdowns.
Fearless prediction: 234 yards passing, 3 TDs
Dion Lewis, RB, Patriots
at Cowboys
The Patriots' Week 4 bye and LeGarrette Blount's three-touchdown performance in Week 3 may have some owners questioning what they have in Lewis. Make no mistake: Lewis is a plug-and-play RB2 who should be in your lineup every week until the end of the season. The Cowboys won't offer much resistance, so both Lewis and Blount are a good bet for double-digit fantasy points.
Fearless prediction: 79 yards rushing, 65 yards receiving, TD
Allen Robinson, WR, Jaguars
at Buccaneers
Allen Hurns has out-produced Robinson by a significant margin in the Jaguars' last two games, but that's because the Patriots schemed to take away Robinson and then Vontae Davis shut him down. The Buccaneers don't have a defensive back capable of matching up to Robinson's physical prowess, so look for him to bounce back with 100-plus yards and at least one touchdown.
Fearless prediction: 112 yards receiving, TD
Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
vs. Steelers
Gates is back from suspension and should go right into your lineup in an enticing matchup against the Steelers' generous defense. With Philip Rivers at the top of his game and the Chargers in need of more passing targets, Gates should return to a significant role. He has high-end TE1 upside from this point forward.
Fearless prediction: 76 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Others to start:
- Eli Manning, QB, Giants
- Duke Johnson, RB, Browns
- Kendall Wright, WR, Titans
- Charles Clay, TE, Bills
- Owen Daniels, TE, Broncos
Sit
Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
vs. Seahawks
History tells us that Dalton will put up a dud game for every two or three strong starts. In other words, he's due for a stinker. It makes perfect sense it will come against a strong Seahawks defense that's rounding into form with Kam Chancellor back in the mix. Avoid the "Red Rocket" this week if you have another option on your roster.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers
vs. Steelers
Many predicted a breakout game for Gordon against the Browns in Week 4. Instead, he rushed for just 38 yards on 12 carries and watched as Danny Woodhead out-snapped and out-produced him. Gordon's breakout will eventually arrive - he's too talented for it not to - but owners are advised to leave him on the bench until he proves he can produce at a consistent clip.
Golden Tate, WR, Lions
vs. Cardinals
If Calvin Johnson can't produce decent fantasy numbers in this uninspiring Lions offense, what chance does Tate have? Things won't get any easier against a Cardinals defense that ranks in the top-five against the pass. Tate sits this week, and he's on the verge of being droppable if he turns in another poor performance.
Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns
at Ravens
Barnidge has touchdowns in back-to-back weeks and is one of the Browns' best offensive weapons, but "best" is a relative term here. Barnidge has unquestionably benefited greatly from the Browns' near-total lack of wide receiver talent and some soft defenses. The Ravens have shut down opposing tight ends this season and shouldn't have too much difficulty doing the same this week.
Others to sit:
- Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
- Michael Vick, QB, Steelers
- Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions
- Tavon Austin, WR, Rams
- Pierre Garcon, WR, Redskins
Stash
Chris Thompson, RB, Redskins
On the surface, Thompson appears to be third in line for touches (behind Alfred Morris and Matt Jones) in a fairly unexplosive offense. What makes Thompson a potentially viable fantasy commodity is that he's getting almost all the passing targets (and there have been plenty, as Kirk Cousins is often content to throw check-downs). With the Redskins likely to be in comeback mode against the Falcons, Thompson could be in for a big day. That would make him an excellent sell-high trade chip.
Brandon LaFell, WR, Patriots
LaFell is eligible to return from the reserve/PUP list in Week 8. Assuming he's fully healthy at that point (the Patriots have been characteristically secretive about his foot injury), LaFell should immediately resume where he left off last season as Tom Brady's favorite big-bodied outside target. LaFell went for nearly 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Cut those numbers in half and you have a good baseline for what he should produce this year.
Quit
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Dolphins
A coaching change won't do anything to make Tannehill a better quarterback. He's simply not an accurate deep passer and likely never will be. If you're holding on hoping for the breakout seasons some analysts predicted, it's time to give up on the dream.
Marques Colston, WR, Saints
Drew Brees is back under center, but Marques Colston is still doing next to nothing. At age 32 and with a history of leg injuries, Colston seems to have hit the wall. Cut ties if you have the chance to pick up a younger wideout with a higher ceiling.