Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

We have said it all week, even for weeks in the early going of the fantasy football season: Our running backs are letting us down.

Now, we will get a chance to look at some others in our fantasy lineups.

Stevan Ridley (knee) is out, so he cannot let us down. Doug Martin and Alfred Morris are on bye, so they cannot either. Unfortunately, we have to make do without Adrian Peterson and Le'Veon Bell on bye, too.

We attempt to help you fill the gaps with the Week 5 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, giving you the position-by-position players to use and avoid.

We are jumping on the David Wilson bandwagon with two feet, but it will be up to the Giants to realize he is their best chance to win with an error-prone Eli Manning behind a patchwork offensive line.

Get all of your starts and sits in this six-part slideshow.

Quarterbacks: Start Philip Rivers, Sit Andrew Luck

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Philip Rivers had led the Chargers and fantasy owners to a hot start, and now he draws the overmatched Raiders.

Start 'Em

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Rivers is now owned in all leagues, but he is active in merely 51 percent of CBS Sports formats. He is a top-12 fantasy starter amid his hot start, and a game on the road at Oakland should not be considered imposing. Rivers' receivers, Antonio Gates, Eddie Royal, Danny Woodhead and Vincent Brown, should all be considered solid plays too.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

We received some backlash for calling Vick a start and yet a "dud" in our Week 5 top plays Friday. The matchup against the Giants is juicy. The Giants have allowed the sixth-most points to quarterbacks, yet Vick is still on the bench in one-third of CBS Sports leagues. Apparently, Vick is not the home run some think he should be. He will still be good enough to be top 12 this week. Say, 250 yards, two touchdowns passing and one rushing.

Terrelle Pryor, Oakland Raiders

Pryor (concussion) is probable just in time to face a Chargers defense that has given up the most points to quarterbacks, especially on the ground. Pryor will have to pick up the slack for Darren McFadden (hamstring), and this is the right matchup to expect his best numbers of the season, with fantasy points in the 20s.

One-week sleeper: Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams

He has had his moments this season, but this Sunday against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars should be his best yet. The Jags are in the bottom 10 of fantasy against quarterbacks, and the Rams' running game hasn't gotten anything consistent going. The Rams will blow this game out and do it on the shoulders of Bradford.

Sit 'Em

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts 

He is the most deactivated (non-bye) quarterback in CBS Sports leagues for good reason. That Seahawks defense, even away from Seattle, is not to be messed with in fantasy. It has allowed the sixth-fewest points to quarterbacks to date, and Luck's offense hasn't been as pass-happy under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton. Luck came into the season as a fringe starter, and this matchup is an obvious one to go to your backup in.

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

You might have drafted Robert Griffin III or Ben Roethlisberger in fantasy and circled Week 5 against the Saints as a perfect time to have Cutler as a bye-week replacement for them. Not so much. Rob Ryan has transformed that defense in a hurry, and the Saints have allowed the fifth-fewest points to quarterbacks through four games. We consider Cutler a bad play here now.

Eli Manning, New York Giants

This one is not based on the matchup, because the Eagles have been the fourth worst in fantasy against quarterbacks. The Giants offensive line is too banged up, and the running game is too nonexistent to trust the error- and sack-prone Manning outside of being a low-end No. 2 quarterback in two-quarterback formats. Seriously.

One-week bust: Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers

You have hitched your wagon to Kaepernick because of where you had to draft him coming off his great postseason, so you have to start him. The problem, in addition to a dearth of receivers, is the Houston Texans have been the fourth-toughest team in fantasy against quarterbacks. Start Kaepernick, but lower your expectations to a reasonable level in this tough matchup.

Three salary-cap sleepers (with their DraftDay.com price)

• Terrelle Pryor ($12,300): Concussion questions left him a bargain, but he is probable now.
• Sam Bradford ($13,400): The matchup is as tasty as the price.
• Colin Kaepernick ($12,100): This might be his lowest price the rest of the season.

Week 5 Quarterbacks Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Peyton Manning	Den	at Dal	1	0
2	Aaron Rodgers	GB	vs. Det	2	0
3	Matthew Stafford	Det	at GB	4	+1
4	Drew Brees	NO	at Chi	3	-1
5	Cam Newton	Car	at Ari	9	+4
6	Tom Brady	NE	at Cin	7	+1
7	Matt Ryan	Atl	vs. NYJ	10	+3
8	Tony Romo	Dal	vs. Den	8	0
9	Colin Kaepernick	SF	vs. Hou	13	+4
10	Russell Wilson	Sea	at Ind	14	+4
11	Philip Rivers	SD	at Oak	6	-5
12	Michael Vick	Phi	at NYG	5	-7
13	Terrelle Pryor	Oak	vs. SD	12	-1
14	Sam Bradford	StL	vs. Jac	15	+1
15	Jay Cutler	Chi	vs. NO	17	+2
16	Brian Hoyer	Cle	vs. Buf	18	+2
17	Andrew Luck	Ind	vs. Sea	16	-1
18	Alex Smith	KC	at Ten	19	+1
19	Andy Dalton	Cin	vs. NE	21	+2
20	Eli Manning	NYG	vs. Phi	11	-9
21	Joe Flacco	Bal	at Mia	22	+1
22	Matt Schaub	Hou	at SF	23	+1
23	Carson Palmer	Ari	vs. Car	25	+2
24	Ryan Tannehill	Mia	vs. Bal	20	-4
25	EJ Manuel	Buf	at Cle	26	+1
26	Geno Smith	NYJ	at Atl	24	-2
27	Ryan Fitzpatrick	Ten	vs. KC	27	0
28	Blaine Gabbert	Jac	at StL	28	0

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Running Backs: It Is Now or Never for David Wilson, Maurice Jones-Drew

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

David Wilson did a backflip against the Panthers on a touchdown that didn't count; we might get one this week.

Start 'Em

David Wilson, New York Giants

Everyone is jumping on the Wilson bandwagon now, almost to the point that it should scare you. The Giants have rid Wilson of Da'Rel Scott (waived) as a passing-down vulture, even if Brandon Jacobs remains on the roster to steal the short touchdowns. Wilson is the Giants' one real chance at respectability, so it is time to unshackle him against an Eagles defense that is the 11th worst against running backs.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

It hasn't been the Lisfranc injury that has held MJD back to date as much as the Jags' ineffective offense all around. Well, the Rams should help get him started. They are the worst team in fantasy against running backs, making DeMarco Murray and Frank Gore fantasy monsters in past weeks. You own MJD, and if you can't start him here, you cannot start him anywhere.

Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers

When he went down with a concussion before the bye, it looked like James Starks (knee) and Johnathan Franklin were going to steal his fantasy thunder. Nope. It is Lacy's feature-back job in Green Bay. Starks is out and Franklin fumbled away the Bengals victory, so Lacy will get a full workload against a Lions defense that has given up the third-most points to running backs to date. Get Lacy active for his 80 yards and two touchdowns.

Finally out of purgatory: Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens learned a painful lesson against the Bills last Sunday: They cannot get away from Rice and a power-running game. They traded for Eugene Monroe to be their new left tackle, and Rice should rise back up for fantasy owners against a Dolphins defense that has given up the seventh-most points to fantasy backs. Rice should be a big part of the passing game in this one, like Darren Sproles was against Miami on Monday night.

Sit 'Em

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati Bengals

The timeshare with Giovani Bernard is bad enough, but the Pats run defense will still be stout, even after the loss of Vince Wilfork (Achilles) for the season. BGE is a bad play now, and he should see fewer and fewer carries in lieu of Bernard as the season progresses.

Daryl Richardson, St. Louis Rams

The Rams have a mess at running back, and it comes when we thought we might finally get big numbers out of Richardson. The Jags are on the schedule, and they have allowed the most rushing yards in the NFL to date. Richardson is no longer considered the sure starter, and Isaiah Pead and Zac Stacy might get the start now, although Jeff Fisher isn't tipping his hand. Where there is smoke, there is fire, so sit Richardson this week. You cannot trust this situation from any angle.

Darren McFadden, Marcel Reece and Rashad Jennings, Oakland Raiders

Run DMC did not practice all week with a hamstring strain, but don't buy into any of Dennis Allen's talk about McFadden being a possibility to play without practice. McFadden is on the wrong side of doubtful, and none of the Raiders backs are viable options against a Chargers defense that is fifth best in fantasy against running backs. Read: Don't trust Jennings either.

Three salary-cap sleepers (with their DraftDay.com price)

• David Wilson ($7,650): The Giants have to go to him sometime. It is now or never.
• Eddie Lacy ($10,000): The injury and running back competition leaves him below true value.
• Maurice Jones-Drew ($7,250): We don't know if the Jags will use him in the passing game too, but they should in this favorable matchup.

Week 5 Running Backs Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	LeSean McCoy	Phi	at NYG	1	0
2	Jamaal Charles	KC	at Ten	2	0
3	Arian Foster	Hou	at SF	6	+3
4	Marshawn Lynch	Sea	at Ind	4	0
5	Reggie Bush	Det	at GB	5	0
6	Matt Forte	Chi	vs. NO	3	-3
7	Ray Rice	Bal	at Mia	9	+2
8	Frank Gore	SF	vs. Hou	8	0
9	Chris Johnson	Ten	vs. KC	13	+4
10	David Wilson	NYG	vs. Phi	16	+6
11	DeMarco Murray	Dal	vs. Den	7	-4
12	Eddie Lacy	GB	vs. Det	11	-1
13	Knowshon Moreno	Den	at Dal	20	+7
14	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jac	at StL	15	+1
15	Trent Richardson	Ind	vs. Sea	10	-5
16	DeAngelo Williams	Car	at Ari	19	+3
17	Bilal Powell	NYJ	at Atl	14	-3
18	Ryan Mathews	SD	at Oak	21	+3
19	Danny Woodhead	SD	at Oak	24	+5
20	Darren Sproles	NO	at Chi	12	-8
21	Willis McGahee	Cle	vs. Buf	28	+7
22	Lamar Miller	Mia	vs. Bal	17	-5
23	Giovani Bernard	Cin	vs. NE	18	-5
24	Fred Jackson	Buf	at Cle	22	-2
25	Joique Bell	Det	at GB	25	0
26	LeGarrette Blount	NE	at Cin	29	+3
27	Rashard Mendenhall	Ari	vs. Car	30	+3
28	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Cin	vs. NE	35	+7
29	Jacquizz Rodgers	Atl	vs. NYJ	27	-2
30	Pierre Thomas	NO	at Chi	31	+1
31	C.J. Spiller	Buf	at Cle	23	-8
32	Isaiah Pead	StL	vs. Jac	42	+10
33	Zac Stacy	StL	vs. Jac	45	+12
34	Daryl Richardson	StL	vs. Jac	34	0
35	Robert Turbin	Sea	at Ind	62	+27
36	Bryce Brown	Phi	at NYG	49	+13
37	Ronnie Hillman	Den	at Dal	43	+6
38	Bernard Pierce	Bal	at Mia	38	0
39	Rashad Jennings	Oak	vs. SD	26	-13
40	Ben Tate	Hou	at SF	36	-4
41	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	vs. Phi	50	+9
42	Kendall Hunter	SF	vs. Hou	53	+11
43	Daniel Thomas	Mia	vs. Bal	48	+5
44	Brandon Bolden	NE	at Cin	40	-4
45	Jason Snelling	Atl	vs. NYJ	32	-13
46	Michael Bush	Chi	vs. NO	52	+6
47	Andre Ellington	Ari	vs. Car	39	-8
48	Benny Cunningham	StL	vs. Jac	47	-1
49	Montee Ball	Den	at Dal	46	-3
50	Johnathan Franklin	GB	vs. Det	41	-9
51	Christine Michael	Sea	at Ind	67	+16
52	Tashard Choice	Buf	at Cle	60	+8
53	Mike Goodson	NYJ	at Atl	59	+6
54	Chris Ogbonnaya	Cle	vs. Buf	44	-10
55	Jackie Battle	Ten	vs. KC	57	+2
56	Ronnie Brown	SD	at Oak	61	+5
57	Knile Davis	KC	at Ten	81	+24
58	Alfonso Smith	Ari	vs. Car	76	+18
59	Jordan Todman	Jac	at StL	74	+15
60	Bobby Rainey	Cle	vs. Buf	70	+10
61	Anthony Dixon	SF	vs. Hou	86	+25
62	Stepfan Taylor	Ari	vs. Car	89	+27
63	Chris Polk	Phi	at NYG	68	+5
64	Donald Brown	Ind	vs. Sea	56	-8
65	Darren McFadden	Oak	vs. SD	37	-28

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Wide Receivers: Start Hakeem Nicks, Say Uncle (Er, Ankle) on Roddy White

Start 'Em

Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

Yes, we listed Eli Manning as a bust this week despite the matchup. It doesn't have to apply to his receivers necessarily. Victor Cruz has been good in fantasy to date, while Manning has stunk. It is Nicks' turn to rise up against an Eagles defense that given up the most points to receivers in fantasy. Ride Nicks through thick and thin.

Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders

He wasn't quite as good with Matt Flynn a week ago, but the return of Terrelle Pryor should mean much better fantasy numbers for the Raiders' clear go-to receiver. Moore also gets the benefit of a Chargers defense that has given up the sixth-most points to wide receivers in fantasy. The Chargers offense should push the pace and leave Moore with 100-plus yards and a touchdown, even if it comes in garbage time.

Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon, Jacksonville Jaguars

Yes, we get it: Blaine Gabbert is terrible and struggles to get the ball downfield. The good news is Blackmon is back from his four-game suspension, and the Rams are the seventh-worst team in fantasy against receivers. Both Shorts and Blackmon are good enough to start during the thick of the bye season. Heck, you can even hope the Rams run it up early and the Jags are forced to go back to Chad Henne, who made Shorts and Blackmon both fantasy starters at the end of last season playing off each other.

Tavon Austin, St. Louis Rams

Austin couldn't get started against the 49ers defense in Week 4, but the Jags are clearly a more favorable matchup for the rookie slot receiver. The Rams are determined to get him started, and Austin will be get high-volume work out of the slot and potentially break some long ones against a Jags defense that cannot stop anything or anyone.

Play him if he plays: Danny Amendola (groin), New England Patriots

The Pats added Austin Collie off the street, but Amendola is still looking forward to a return Sunday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. Amendola is the type of receiver you force back into fantasy lineups if he plays. He will be Tom Brady's most frequent target.

Sit 'Em

Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons

He has been gutting it through his high-ankle sprain, but a looming Monday night blowout of the Jets precedes the bye week. After watching White struggle through 97 percent of the snaps last Sunday night against the Patriots, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, we probably should expect a light workload against the Jets. White's ankle needs a couple of weeks off right now. He hasn't been good anyway. You won't be missing much.

Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans

Washington was a popular pickup off waivers, but you probably wasted your pick. Before Kenny Britt (ribs) was in the Titans' doghouse, it was reserved for Washington. Couple Britt's return from injury Sunday with the Titans having to go to their backup quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and you have a bad situation for fantasy. The Titans just have too many interchangeable receivers, including Kendall Wright, Damian Williams and rookie Justin Hunter, who has vultured touchdowns each of the past two weeks. Washington is not a good start with so many variables.

Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

They haven't produced consistent starter-quality numbers, and they are facing that irresistible force in the Seahawks secondary. Seattle is No. 1 against fantasy wide receivers, and Pep Hamilton hasn't done as much good for Andrew Luck and the passing game as Bruce Arians did a year ago. It is a bad week to have any Colts receiver in your starting lineup, even if you think they will eventually get it going.

DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans

He has had his moments as a rookie, but you should fully expect Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and even Garrett Graham to be Matt Schaub's leading targets in this matchup. The 49ers defense is a lot better than it has shown. Hopkins just doesn't make the cut in most leagues for his pending four catches for 45 yards.

One-week disappointment: Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears

Jeffery is emerging as an added weapon for Jay Cutler in Marc Trestman's West Coast offense, but Rob Ryan has the Saints playing better defense than anyone expected, especially against the pass. The Saints are the fifth-toughest team against wide receivers to date. Jeffery isn't quite starter-worthy, even if he was a must-add option off waivers this week.

Three salary-cap sleepers (with their DraftDay.com price)

• Tavon Austin ($6,550): The best part about this price is DraftDay.com uses a PPR format. Austin should be good for seven catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, making him a steal at this price.
• Hakeem Nicks ($8,600): His slow start isn't on him. It is on Eli Manning, who just cannot be this bad against that Eagles secondary, right?
• Eddie Royal ($6,450): Apparently, the salary-setter is not sold on Royal. We are sold on the resurgent Philip Rivers and as sour on the Raiders as ever. Royal is a steal here.

Week 5 Wide Receivers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Calvin Johnson	Det	at GB	1	0
2	A.J. Green	Cin	vs. NE	7	+5
3	Dez Bryant	Dal	vs. Den	2	-1
4	Brandon Marshall	Chi	vs. NO	6	+2
5	Demaryius Thomas	Den	at Dal	3	-2
6	Julio Jones	Atl	vs. NYJ	5	-1
7	Victor Cruz	NYG	vs. Phi	4	-3
8	Wes Welker	Den	at Dal	8	0
9	Jordy Nelson	GB	vs. Det	10	+1
10	Randall Cobb	GB	vs. Det	9	-1
11	Larry Fitzgerald	Ari	vs. Car	13	+2
12	DeSean Jackson	Phi	at NYG	11	-1
13	Josh Gordon	Cle	vs. Buf	16	+3
14	Andre Johnson	Hou	at SF	12	-2
15	Torrey Smith	Bal	at Mia	14	-1
16	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	vs. Phi	19	+3
17	Mike Wallace	Mia	vs. Bal	23	+6
18	Anquan Boldin	SF	vs. Hou	18	0
19	Marques Colston	NO	at Chi	17	-2
20	Eric Decker	Den	at Dal	15	-5
21	James Jones	GB	vs. Det	22	+1
22	Dwayne Bowe	KC	at Ten	28	+6
23	Steve Smith	Car	at Ari	20	-3
24	Julian Edelman	NE	at Cin	26	+2
25	Steve Johnson	Buf	at Cle	32	+7
26	Danny Amendola	NE	at Cin	31	+5
27	Reggie Wayne	Ind	vs. Sea	21	-6
28	Eddie Royal	SD	at Oak	39	+11
29	Tavon Austin	StL	vs. Jac	36	+7
30	Denarius Moore	Oak	vs. SD	35	+5
31	Kenbrell Thompkins	NE	at Cin	27	-4
32	Sidney Rice	Sea	at Ind	52	+20
33	Kenny Britt	Ten	vs. KC	74	+41
34	Justin Blackmon	Jac	at StL	29	-5
35	Cecil Shorts	Jac	at StL	25	-10
36	Roddy White	Atl	vs. NYJ	30	-6
37	DeAndre Hopkins	Hou	at SF	34	-3
38	Brian Hartline	Mia	vs. Bal	24	-14
39	T.Y. Hilton	Ind	vs. Sea	37	-2
40	Golden Tate	Sea	at Ind	45	+5
41	Nate Washington	Ten	vs. KC	38	-3
42	Alshon Jeffery	Chi	vs. NO	33	-9
43	Rueben Randle	NYG	vs. Phi	47	+4
44	Vincent Brown	SD	at Oak	44	0
45	Miles Austin	Dal	vs. Den	48	+3
46	Kendall Wright	Ten	vs. KC	49	+3
47	Mohamed Sanu	Cin	vs. NE	59	+12
48	Robert Woods	Buf	at Cle	43	-5
49	Donnie Avery	KC	at Ten	56	+7
50	Keenan Allen	SD	at Oak	60	+10
51	Michael Floyd	Ari	vs. Car	41	-10
52	Andre Roberts	Ari	vs. Car	57	+5
53	Chris Givens	StL	vs. Jac	40	-13
54	Riley Cooper	Phi	at NYG	62	+8
55	Ryan Broyles	Det	at GB	53	-2
56	Doug Baldwin	Sea	at Ind	70	+14
57	Rod Streater	Oak	vs. SD	55	-2
58	Stephen Hill	NYJ	at Atl	54	-4
59	Lance Moore	NO	at Chi	68	+9
60	Brandon LaFell	Car	at Ari	61	+1
61	Jeremy Kerley	NYJ	at Atl	42	-19
62	Marlon Brown	Bal	at Mia	46	-16
63	Jason Avant	Phi	at NYG	67	+4
64	Austin Pettis	StL	vs. Jac	51	-13
65	Brandon Gibson	Mia	vs. Bal	69	+4
66	Justin Hunter	Ten	vs. KC	77	+11
67	Harry Douglas	Atl	vs. NYJ	71	+4
68	Davone Bess	Cle	vs. Buf	63	-5
69	Jon Baldwin	SF	vs. Hou	79	+10
70	Kyle Williams	SF	vs. Hou	78	+8
71	Marvin Jones	Cin	vs. NE	91	+20
72	Damian Williams	Ten	vs. KC	103	+31
73	Ted Ginn	Car	at Ari	64	-9
74	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Ind	vs. Sea	66	-8
75	Brandon Stokley	Bal	at Mia	89	+14
76	Dexter McCluster	KC	at Ten	84	+8
77	Terrance Williams	Dal	vs. Den	50	-27
78	Kenny Stills	NO	at Chi	73	-5
79	Earl Bennett	Chi	vs. NO	80	+1
80	Jacoby Ford	Oak	vs. SD	90	+10
81	Kris Durham	Det	at GB	72	-9
82	Dwayne Harris	Dal	vs. Den	82	0
83	Brian Quick	StL	vs. Jac	96	+13
84	Aaron Dobson	NE	at Cin	65	-19
85	Greg Little	Cle	vs. Buf	83	-2
86	Ace Sanders	Jac	at StL	81	-5
87	Seyi Ajirotutu	SD	at Oak	117	+30
88	Stephen Williams	Sea	at Ind	116	+28
89	Austin Collie	NE	at Cin	119	+30
90	Brice Butler	Oak	vs. SD	93	+3

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Tight Ends: Go Back to Greg Olsen, Jared Cook, and Move Away from Brandon Myers

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

A modest start has clouded Greg Olsen's fantasy status, but he should be a star in Week 5.

Start 'Em

Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers

There have been a number of breakthroughs that have pushed Olsen down in fantasy value, but this move is no fault of his own. Olsen still rates among the best tight ends in fantasy, particularly since he rates as one of his elite quarterback's (Cam Newton) top offensive weapons. The matchup against the Cardinals, who have been the worst team in fantasy against tight ends, is one too good to ignore.

Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

Ordinarily, we wouldn't have to even mention this. Witten tends to be as steady as they come at the roller-coaster tight end position. But Witten hasn't been great since the opener against the Giants, so we have to give him a fantasy vote of confidence here. Denver has given up the fifth-most yards to tight ends to date, and Witten will be the first tight end to get in the end zone against the Broncos this year.

Jared Cook, St. Louis Rams

If you have followed this writer since the preseason, you will know the ranking on Cook hasn't been that optimistic. It looked bad in Week 1 but justified since. Well, this is a week to jump on the Cook bandwagon. The Jags are the ninth-best matchup for fantasy tight ends to date, and Cook should be able to get into the end zone in a game that figures to be a blowout in St. Louis.

You have to play him: Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers

Davis doesn't have a great matchup—Houston is third against tight ends—and he is dealing with a hamstring issue, but he played in Week 4 and had 10 days to rest up for the Texans. You have to keep him active, especially because of the stress of having four teams on bye puts on your fantasy roster.

Sit 'Em

Brandon Myers, New York Giants

The Eagles haven't allowed a touchdown to a tight end through four weeks, and they are in the top 10 of fantasy against the position. Myers was also shut out in Week 4, and the Eli Manning-led Giants offense is a mess. Myers is a bad fringe play in any matchup right now.

Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts

You were right to pick him up off waivers. He is a legit top-12 tight end in fantasy now that Dwayne Allen (hip) is out for the season. You will probably be wrong to play him against that Seahawks secondary. You might want to stick with the tight end you had been using before you picked up Fleener—just for this one week.

Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals

They will have better weeks ahead, but if there is any team that knows how to handle two pass-receiving tight ends at a time, it would be Bill Belichick's Patriots. The Pats are middle of the pack against tight ends, but Belichick likes to take what you want to do away and make someone else beat him. They won't be beat by A.J. Green or either of these guys Sunday.

Three salary-cap sleepers (with their DraftDay.com price)

• Rob Housler ($5,650): He is not yet a fantasy household name, but his high-ankle sprain has been given time to heal. Carson Palmer is going to incorporate him more and more into the offense. 
• Jermichael Finley ($8,950): A concussion has kept his price down to a reasonable level. He is probable now, though.
• Jared Cook ($9,000): We expect numbers closer to his season opener than what he has put up the past few weeks.

Week 5 Tight Ends Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	at Chi	1	0
2	Jordan Cameron	Cle	vs. Buf	2	0
3	Tony Gonzalez	Atl	vs. NYJ	6	+3
4	Antonio Gates	SD	at Oak	3	-1
5	Jason Witten	Dal	vs. Den	5	0
6	Vernon Davis	SF	vs. Hou	8	+2
7	Greg Olsen	Car	at Ari	7	0
8	Julius Thomas	Den	at Dal	4	-4
9	Jermichael Finley	GB	vs. Det	11	+2
10	Rob Gronkowski	NE	at Cin	12	+2
11	Martellus Bennett	Chi	vs. NO	9	-2
12	Owen Daniels	Hou	at SF	13	+1
13	Jared Cook	StL	vs. Jac	10	-3
14	Coby Fleener	Ind	vs. Sea	16	+2
15	Brandon Myers	NYG	vs. Phi	15	0
16	Rob Housler	Ari	vs. Car	26	+10
17	Charles Clay	Mia	vs. Bal	14	-3
18	Garrett Graham	Hou	at SF	24	+6
19	Brent Celek	Phi	at NYG	20	+1
20	Scott Chandler	Buf	at Cle	29	+9
21	Jermaine Gresham	Cin	vs. NE	21	0
22	Tyler Eifert	Cin	vs. NE	22	0
23	Zach Miller	Sea	at Ind	23	0
24	Kellen Winslow	NYJ	at Atl	17	-7
25	Joseph Fauria	Det	at GB	32	+7
26	Lance Kendricks	StL	vs. Jac	45	+19
27	Dallas Clark	Bal	at Mia	18	-9
28	Brandon Pettigrew	Det	at GB	19	-9
29	Mychal Rivera	Oak	vs. SD	30	+1
30	Zach Ertz	Phi	at NYG	36	+6

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Defensive/Special Teams: Streaming Options Abound, Avoid Patriots-Bengals Here

Start 'Em

St. Louis Rams

Any time you can line up a fantasy defense against Blaine Gabbert, you have to try. The Rams haven't stopped anyone, but they can get after the quarterback and should be able to force Gabbert into mistakes. The Rams might be the best defensive unit on the board this week. The Jags are third worst in fantasy against opposing defense/special teams.

Atlanta Falcons

You might not like the Falcons' individual defensive players, but you have to like the fact that they are going to get healthy against the Jets at home on Monday Night Football. You are going to be thankful you had them active against the shaky recent play of Geno Smith, especially on the road.

Carolina Panthers

They are coming off that rout of the Giants and a bye week, and they get another error-prone quarterback this week in Carson Palmer. The only reason you might not like the Panthers over the Rams or Falcons is because their game is on the road. The Panthers are a lot better defensively than anyone gave them credit for coming into the season, though. Ron Rivera is a defensive coach, and he is finally changing the culture there.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are active in just 12 percent of CBS Sports leagues, but you have to like their run defense and the fact that they can blow out the Raiders in this one. We list the Chargers as a top-10 defensive/special teams play this week.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Giants have been the best matchup for D/STs thus far this season, so you might get some use out of the Eagles if you are into streaming defenses. This might be the only week to trust this rag-tag group, particularly with the stress Chip Kelly's uptempo scheme puts on a defense and time-of-possession numbers.

Sit 'Em

Cincinnati Bengals

This isn't a bad defense to run out there in most weeks, but the Patriots are not a mistake-prone offense. They figure to get more productive with the maturation of their young receivers and the potential return of Danny Amendola (groin). Use one of the streaming options above if you have been running the Bengals out there and have room on your roster for a second defense.

New England Patriots

The Pats are in the same boat as the Bengals. They are generally a matchup play in fantasy, and the Bengals are one of the teams that generally don't make a lot of mistakes in the way of turnovers or sacks. Also, the loss of Vince Wilfork (Achilles) won't help. You are justified even cutting the Pats defense and becoming a streaming fantasy owner when it comes to your defense now.

Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts 

They shouldn't be owned in most leagues anyway, but you cannot like these units against the likes of the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. They are two of the most benched units in fantasy at CBS Sports for very good reasons this week. Send them back to the waiver pool.

Three salary-cap sleepers (with the DraftDay.com price)

• Philadelphia Eagles ($5,000): This unit is mostly garbage, but like we said above, so too are the Giants and Manning right now.
• New Orleans Saints ($5,200): You probably shouldn't trust them coming off that big Monday night performance and having to go on the road, but the Bears have allowed the seventh-most points to opposing defense/special teams. 
• San Diego Chargers ($5,500): They are a better defensive team than this price suggests, and that Raiders team shouldn't be able to keep up. 

Week 5 Defenses and Special Teams Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Defenses and Special Teams	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Seattle Seahawks	Sea	at Ind	2	+1
2	St. Louis Rams	StL	vs. Jac	1	-1
3	Atlanta Falcons	Atl	vs. NYJ	3	0
4	San Francisco 49ers	SF	vs. Hou	6	+2
5	Carolina Panthers	Car	at Ari	5	0
6	Denver Broncos	Den	at Dal	12	+6
7	Kansas City Chiefs	KC	at Ten	4	-3
8	Chicago Bears	Chi	vs. NO	11	+3
9	San Diego Chargers	SD	at Oak	16	+7
10	Houston Texans	Hou	at SF	10	0
11	Philadelphia Eagles	Phi	at NYG	17	+6
12	Baltimore Ravens	Bal	at Mia	8	-4
13	New Orleans Saints	NO	at Chi	20	+7
14	Cleveland Browns	Cle	vs. Buf	7	-7
15	Green Bay Packers	GB	vs. Det	24	+9
16	Cincinnati Bengals	Cin	vs. NE	14	-2
17	New England Patriots	NE	at Cin	9	-8
18	Miami Dolphins	Mia	vs. Bal	15	-3
19	Arizona Cardinals	Ari	vs. Car	19	0
20	Tennessee Titans	Ten	vs. KC	21	+1

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Kickers: You Should Stick with the Kickers from the Best Offenses

Start 'Em

Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers

The best things you can say about a kicker in fantasy, particularly in the middle of a season, is that he has a potent offense getting him chances and he has his bye week out of the way. That is Crosby, who will finish among the top 12 kickers this season. Set him and forget him now. 

Garrett Hartley, New Orleans Saints

The Bears have tied with the Eagles for the most points allowed to kickers through four games, and you shouldn't own that scrub Josh Brown, much less start him. Hartley is the best matchup play of the week, and that ignores the fact that Drew Brees is scorching and might merely leave his kicker doing the extra points.

Alex Henery, Philadelphia Eagles

The Giants defense is atrocious. giving up a league-high 17 touchdowns. Even if you believe the Giants will finally play better defensively, that will only mean Henery gets the benefit of more field goals. The Eagles are going to score plenty of points, and Henery will be the beneficiary.

Sit 'Em

Robbie Gould, Chicago Bears

The Saints have allowed the least field-goal attempts through four games this season, a true sign Rob Ryan has turned that defense around. The Saints just are not giving up much right now. The Bears kicker is not a great play in most weeks anyway. Go with one of those above.

Steven Hauschka, Seattle Seahawks

He has bounced on and off of waivers in fantasy, and this looks like a bad time to use him. The Colts have allowed the second-fewest points to kickers to date.

Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis Colts

There is little reason to mess with the Seahawks defense. Vinatieri hasn't been a great fantasy option to date, and this might be his toughest matchup of all. 

Three salary-cap sleepers (with the DraftDay.com price)

• Mason Crosby ($5,500): A bye last week and a disappointing 2012 season have him undervalued in all fantasy leagues right now. 
• Matt Bryant ($5,400): One of the top preseason options is now one of the cheapest for you. The Falcons are going to blow out the Jets in prime time, and Bryant gives you a shot at some late points on the cheap. The Falcons have also had red-zone issues (see video above).
• Josh Brown ($5,000): We said don't do it, but the Eagles have allowed the most points to kickers to date, and Brown is the cheapest kicker on the board. If you want to punt the position, you could do it with Brown.

Week 5 Kickers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	at Cin	3	+2
2	Matt Prater	Den	at Dal	2	0
3	Matt Bryant	Atl	vs. NYJ	1	-2
4	Justin Tucker	Bal	at Mia	6	+2
5	Dan Bailey	Dal	vs. Den	10	+5
6	Mason Crosby	GB	vs. Det	12	+6
7	Greg Zuerlein	StL	vs. Jac	5	-2
8	Phil Dawson	SF	vs. Hou	8	0
9	Alex Henery	Phi	at NYG	4	-5
10	Nick Novak	SD	at Oak	7	-3
11	Sebastian Janikowski	Oak	vs. SD	18	+7
12	Steven Hauschka	Sea	at Ind	15	+3
13	Mike Nugent	Cin	vs. NE	24	+11
14	Ryan Succop	KC	at Ten	19	+5
15	Randy Bullock	Hou	at SF	16	+1
16	Garrett Hartley	NO	at Chi	9	-7
17	Adam Vinatieri	Ind	vs. Sea	21	+4
18	David Akers	Det	at GB	14	-4
19	Robbie Gould	Chi	vs. NO	11	-8
20	Caleb Sturgis	Mia	vs. Bal	17	-3

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report this season. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game. You can also listen to him on his podcast that he deprecatingly dubbed the Fantasy FatCast.