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

Fantasy football managers are seriously testing their depth only one month into the season. Malik Nabers and Tyree Hill joined the list of this year's injured NFL stars, and now bye weeks are upon us.

The Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers will be out of action this week.

The bad news is that most managers will be short on high-end flex options. The good news is that some fringe starters will still have start-worthy matchups.

Let's dive into some of the best and worst fringe plays of Week 5, based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Rey Del Rio

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery isn't the same PPR all-star that teammate Jahmyr Gibbs is. He's more of a matchup-based play who happens to be coming off of a tough matchup.

While the Cleveland Browns failed to keep it close against Detroit, they did hold Montgomery in check. He finished with just nine carries for 12 yards. That's obviously not good enough.

Montgomery should go back in starting lineups this week, however. While he might not rack up the 164 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns that he had in Week 3, he should have a strong outing against a bad Cincinnati Bengals defense.

Cincinnati just gave the Denver Broncos their first 100-yard rusher in over two seasons and it has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Sit: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Washington Commanders rookie Jacorey Croskey-Merritt has been a fine late-round pickup for managers who bet on his sleeper potential. However, he's in a committee backfield that isn't yielding a high volume—even with Austin Ekeler on injured reserve.

Croskey-Merritt had two receptions and 57 scrimmage yards in Week 4, which is far from a blank in the flex slot. However, he also saw just seven of Washington's 20 non-QB carries.

Unless managers are really short on flex options, they shouldn't trust the rookie's workload this week. The Commanders are set to visit the Los Angeles Chargers, who were battered by Cam Skattebo on Sunday but have been stout against the run overall.

The Chargers have surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs.

Start: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Early this season, Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has reminded fans of how dependable he can be when healthy. He's quickly built chemistry with new starting quarterback Daniel Jones and has been targeted a whopping 29 times through four games.

Pittman has logged no fewer than four receptions in a contest and has found the end zone in three of four games. While he's rapidly approaching must-start status, he's still rostered in less than 90 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Check that wire, folks!

This week, Pittman is a must-start against the Las Vegas Raiders at home. The Raiders have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season. Following Adonai Mitchell's pair of gaffes in Week 4—he wiped out two touchdowns with a fumble and an unnecessary hold—Pittman may be targeted even more than usual.

Sit: Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

It was great to see Chris Godwin back in the lineup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. However, it's clear that he's not fully up to speed yet after last year's ankle injury and a long layoff.

Godwin played 81 percent of the offensive snaps but caught just three of 10 targets for 26 yards.

The chemistry with Baker Mayfield—and the ensuing fantasy production—will come. However, managers might want to wait another week before thrusting Godwin into their starting lineups.

The Buccaneers are set to visit the Seattle Seahawks, who have surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs this season.

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros.