Week 5 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Lineup Advice, Stars to Exploit and Sleeper Options

Week 4 brought more surprises and, unfortunately, injuries to the forefront of the fantasy landscape. The New York Giants, for example, knocked the Los Angeles Chargers from the ranks of the unbeaten.

The Giants also lost star receiver Malik Nabers to a season-ending ACL tear in the process.

Nabers joins a list of injured stars that already included James Conner, Najee Harris and Joe Burrow.

With byes kicking in this week, many managers will need to bank on favorable matchups and rely on sleepers off the waiver wire. Here, you'll find some of the best and worst plays of Week 5, along with a few sleepers to consider.

All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

While the New Orleans Saints are still searching for their first win, running back Alvin Kamara has remained a quality fantasy option. His receiving ability has given him a high PPR floor, and his volume has been solid.

However, Kendre Miller is starting to cut into Kamara's workload, which may alarm some fantasy managers. Miller saw 11 carries to Kamara's 15 in Week 4. He also averaged more yards per carry and found the end zone, while Kamara did not.

With four receptions and 72 scrimmage yards, though, Kamara still salvaged his afternoon for fantasy managers.

While Miller does pose a long-term threat to Kamara's fantasy status, the latter can be trusted against the New York Giants in Week 3. Kamara should see 4-5 receptions and should find running room against a defense that has surrendered 6.1 yards per carry this season.

Sit: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

The New England Patriots will face the Buffalo Bills in Week 5, which means a reasonable matchup for New England's backs. Buffalo has surrendered a whopping six yards per carry this season.

The problem for Rhamondre Stevenson managers is a matter of opportunity. The Patriots have given rookie TreVeyon Henderson an expanding workload while also including Antonio Gibson in the mix .

Gibson and Henderson both found the end zone in Week 4, while Stevenson saw just nine carries, one reception and 41 scrimmage yards. While Stevenson did lead the Patriots in carries, Henderson (seven) and Gibson (six) weren't far behind.

While the matchup for Stevenson is favorable, it's just too hard to trust his role in New England's offense at this point.

Start: Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

After a slow first couple of weeks, Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has returned to fantasy prominence. He had eight catches for 104 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 and four receptions for 79 yards on Sunday.

Managers should expect Collins to continue producing at a high level in Week 5, as the Texans will visit the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens have struggled defensively this season and have already surrendered more than 1,000 passing yards and nine passing touchdowns. Baltimore also saw cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins leave Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs with injuries.

While Houston may be able to find running room against the Ravens with Woody Marks and Nick Chubb, it should still lean heavily enough on the pass to give Collins a considerable workload.

Sit: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/David Richard

Cleveland Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy had a breakout campaign in 2024, finishing with 90 catches and 1,229 yards. However, he's struggled mightily with drops this season and is quickly approaching drop territory.

Jeudy has averaged roughly three catches and 46 yards per game this season. He's also caught only 13 of 30 targets, so there's a chance that he'll return to being a start-worthy receiver based on volume alone. However, this isn't a great week to trust him.

The Browns are coming off their second blowout loss of the season and are about to head to England to face the Minnesota Vikings. While Cleveland appears to be sticking with Joe Flacco at quarterback, his confidence has to be wavering.

The Vikings, meanwhile, have been excellent against the pass, allowing an average of 151.5 yards per game, 5.2 yards per pass attempt and just three passing touchdowns on the season.

Sleepers

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Texans RB Woody Marks

Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans

It appears that the Texans are finally ready to turn their backfield over to Marks. While Chubb will likely still have a role, the rookie is the more explosive back. He finished Week 4 with four receptions, 119 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns.

In Week 5, Marks will face a vulnerable Ravens defense, likely as Houston's new full-time starter. He's available in roughly 70 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants

Giants receiver Wan'Dale Robinson is still only rostered in 55 percent of ESPN leagues and 49 percent of Yahoo leagues. Now is the perfect time to see if he's still available in your league.

With Nabers out for the season, Robinson will likely slide into the WR1 role for New York for the remainder of the season. How that looks long-term with Jaxson Dart at quarterback remains to be seen.

While Robinson had just four receptions over the past two weeks, he had 14 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown over the first two. This week, he'll face a Saints defense that has surrendered 6.7 net yards per pass attempt and nine passing touchdowns.

*Fantasy roster information from FantasyPros.