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

It may feel like the fantasy football season has only just started, but we're already four weeks in. And with most leagues operating a 14-week regular season, we'll pass the one-third mark on the schedule by this time next week.

That could be welcome news if you're cruising toward a playoff spot, but if you're struggling, it may seem like you're running out of time to get your team on track. If you fall into the latter group, there's still plenty of time, because every week and each win can be so valuable.

So, as we head into Week 5, here's some advice regarding start/sit decisions you may be facing with your flex spot in points-per-reception leagues.

Start 'Em: Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

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Kenneth Gainwell is emerging as a legitimate fantasy option out of the Eagles' backfield, even if he remains behind Miles Sanders on the depth chart.

Sanders has been struggling, while the 22-year-old's heavy involvement in the passing game makes him an intriguing flex play moving forward.

In Week 4, Gainwell had the best showing of his rookie season to this point, with three carries for 31 yards and a touchdown and six receptions for 58 yards. He was targeted eight times and is becoming a reliable weapon for quarterback Jalen Hurts.

This week, Philadelphia is taking on the Carolina Panthers, which had a tough time stopping the Dallas Cowboys' RB duo of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard this past Sunday.

If the Eagles follow a similar game plan, it could lead to another strong showing for Gainwell. He's still a bit of a risky play, but he could be on the verge of a huge breakout soon, and this seems like a week when it could happen.

Sit 'Em: Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

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Josh Jacobs returned from an ankle injury for Monday night's matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers after missing the Raiders' previous two games.

Although the 23-year-old had 18 touches (13 carries and five catches), he didn't make much of an impact, recording only 57 total yards.

It's unlikely that Jacobs gets it going in Week 5, because Las Vegas has a tough home matchup against the Chicago Bears. Through their first four games, the Bears rank 10th best in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to running backs, per NFL.com, so the Raiders may be better off trying to move the ball through the air.

Kenyan Drake and Peyton Barber each had only one carry against the Chargers, so it seems Jacobs is going to have the majority of the workload moving forward, which is encouraging for future weeks. But you're better off trying to find another option at the RB or flex position this week.

Start 'Em: DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins

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With Tua Tagovailoa still out and Jacoby Brissett starting at quarterback for the Dolphins, DeVante Parker is the clear No. 1 target in this version of Miami's offense.

The 28-year-old has been targeted at least seven times in each of the Dolphins' first four games, and he should continue to be heavily involved.

Although Parker had only four catches in Miami's Week 4 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, he still had 77 yards and a touchdown. And most importantly, he was targeted a team-high nine times, showing that Brissett is going to continue looking his way.

In Week 5, the Dolphins are set to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose secondary keeps getting more banged up each week. So, although Miami may not win, it should rack up some yardage through the air, making Parker a strong flex option due to this favorable matchup.

Sit 'Em: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns

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In two games since returning from his left ACL tear, Odell Beckham Jr. has yet to make much of a fantasy impact.

The 28-year-old had five catches for 77 yards in Week 3, then notched two receptions for 27 yards in Week 4. And it may be tough for him to put up any bigger numbers in Week 5.

The Browns have a challenging road matchup against the Chargers, which rank fifth in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (192.5). That may not bode well for Cleveland, which has had a bit of trouble moving the ball through the air of late with quarterback Baker Mayfield enduring some struggles.

It's possible Beckham will start to put up better numbers later in the year, and it's evident he'll be among the focal points of the Browns' offense. But he's not quite performing well enough for fantasy consideration in these tough matchups, so it's better to leave him on your bench this week.