Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 5: Flex, PPR Advice for Fringe Fantasy Football Stars

Sometimes, fantasy football is a straightforward affair. You draft some top players, set your lineups and leave them until bye weeks start arriving.

More often, though, injuries and uneven performances require playing late-round picks and waiver-wire pickups. That's precisely where many managers are as they head into Week 5 of the 2022 NFL season.

We've already seen players such as Sterling Shepard (ACL) and Javonte Williams (ACL) lost for the season. We've also seen players like Mike Gesicki (8 catches, 71 yards, 1 TD) and Ezekiel Elliott (254 scrimmage yards, 1 TD) disappoint regularly.

Many managers are now looking at starting fringe playables in the flex, and that's precisely what we're here to examine. We'll look at five players rostered in between 30 and 80 percent of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues and determine which to start and which to sit based on factors such as projected role, past performances and matchup.

All picks are based on points-per-reception scoring.

Start 'Em: Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, San Francisco 49ers

Jeff Wilson Jr. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (22) runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. has become a fringe star because starter Elijah Mitchell is out with a sprained MCL.

While Mitchell is expected to return this season, he's on injured reserve and won't be back in the near future. This has led to Wilson getting an opportunity.

"Jeff is such a good football player," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said, per Lindsey Pallares of the team's official website. "Anything that we ask him to he does."

Against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, the 26-year-old carried 18 times for 74 yards and a touchdown. The Rams, it should be noted, have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

Wilson will have an easier matchup this week against the Carolina Panthers, which have allowed the 16th-most fantasy points to opposing backs.

Managers should expect similar or better numbers than last week and a solid performance in the flex by the North Texas product.

Sit 'Em: Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Rashaad Penny (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 02: Rashaad Penny #20 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 2, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Week 4 brought a breakout performance for Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny. He rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries and caught one pass for six yards. Is it time to place him in the must-start category?

No.

The reality is that the 26-year-old's performance came against the Detroit Lions, which have the NFL's worst defense. He was far less productive over the first three weeks, rushing for a combined 143 yards and no touchdowns with three receptions for 10 yards.

Managers should expect a return to mediocrity for the San Diego State product against a stout New Orleans Saints defensive front.

The Saints have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2022. They'll do a much better job of corralling Penny on the ground, and he doesn't offer a ton of PPR upside.

Start 'Em: Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Michael Gallup (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 02: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a touchdown pass against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on October 2, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup suffered a torn ACL near the end of the 2021 season and made his 2022 debut in Week 4.

While the 26-year-old didn't have eye-opening receiving numbers (two catches, 24 yards) in his first game back, he did find the end zone.

It looks like Dallas will rely on backup quarterback Cooper Rush again this week, as Dak Prescott (thumb) isn't back to pre-injury form. Franchise owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan (h/t Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein) that the starter still can't grip a football "well enough to play."

Rush has played well, going 3-0 in his starts this season, and he should have better chemistry with Gallup in their second straight game together.

This is also a good matchup for the Colorado State product, as the Los Angeles Rams have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing receivers through the first month.

Don't be surprised if Gallup is no longer a "fringe" starter after this week and more of a regular flex staple.

Sit 'Em: George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

George Pickens (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against the New England Patriots at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to start rookie first-round pick Kenny Pickett over Mitch Trubisky at quarterback in Week 5.

"Kenny will start this week," head coach Mike Tomlin said, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

This makes rookie second-round receiver George Pickens a fine waiver-wire target for the rest of the season. The Georgia product is only rostered in 39 percent of Yahoo leagues and 38 percent of ESPN leagues.

Pickett and Pickens flashed chemistry together in Week 4, and the latter finished with six catches for 102 yards.

However, this isn't the week to thrust Pickens into the starting lineup. The Steelers face the Buffalo Bills, which have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers.

This will be Pickett's first career start, on the road and against a ferocious Buffalo pass rush (13 sacks in four games). It's unlikely to be a pretty outing for the Steelers offense.

Start 'Em: Tyler Conklin, TE, New York Jets

Tyler Conklin (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 25: Tyler Conklin #83 of the New York Jets runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium on September 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

It's not typically wise to start tight ends in the flex because most managers don't end up with quality depth at the position. If you're stuck, though, this is a fine week to start New York Jets pass-catcher Tyler Conklin.

Over the past two weeks, the 27-year-old has caught 11 passes for 136 yards. He had three catches for 52 yards in Week 4, which is encouraging. It suggests that his role isn't suddenly disappearing with quarterback Zach Wilson back in the starting lineup.

This week, Conklin and the Jets host the Miami Dolphins, which have struggled defensively this season. They have already allowed 1,197 yards and eight touchdowns through the air in 2022.

Miami has also struggled to limit opposing tight ends, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to the position. Managers can likely find more upside with a receiver or running back in the flex, but Conklin should provide a solid PPR floor in a pinch.

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*Fantasy roster information and points allowed via FantasyPros.