NFL: Fantasy Football Week 5 Start Em Sit Em

Every week, we list several players that we believe should start on most fantasy rosters. We do the same with folks that should take a seat on most fantasy rosters. Of course, my recommendations are made on general terms as I have no way of knowing the specifics of your roster.

Feel free to send your start/sit questions via Twitter @EDSFootball, check out our Week 5 fantasy rankings at TheTipDrill.com (released Friday) or post your question in our Fantasy Football Forum.

Players to Start for Week 5

QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills (vs. Jaguars)

Although Fitzpatrick had only 128 passing yards against the Jets last week, he finished with two passing touchdowns in addition to making some plays with his legs (74 rushing yards). No team has allowed more points to fantasy quarterbacks this season than the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2009, they allowed the fifth-most to fantasy quarterbacks. If the winless Bills fall behind early, Fitzpatrick will find himself in plenty of passing situations.

QB: Sam Bradford, Rams (vs. Lions)

Last week against the Seahawks, Bradford had the best game of his career, so far (all four games). He finished with 289 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Only the Jaguars and Patriots have allowed more passing touchdowns than the Lions (eight) have so Bradford can be poised for another strong performance.

RB: Michael Bush, Raiders (vs. Chargers)

For three consecutive days, Raiders running back Darren McFadden has missed practice with the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 4. In addition, the Raiders might be without Michael Bennett. Before the season, Bush and McFadden were expected to form a timeshare, but Bush's fractured thumb allowed McFadden to take his opportunity and run with it. Now it could be Bush's turn.

RB: Ryan Torain, Redskins (vs. Packers)

The Redskins will be without Clinton Portis for the next four to six weeks. That means that the Redskins will start Torain against the Packers. Last week against the Eagles, Torain carried it 18 times for 70 yards and a score. On the season, the Packers have the 24th-ranked run defense after leading the league last year.

RB: Mike Tolbert, Chargers (at Raiders)

Chargers rookie Ryan Mathews is a definite start and should be a stud in Week 5 against a Raiders run defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. I wouldn't be surprised if the Chargers establish an early and big lead and we see a heavy dose of both Mathews and Tolbert. Either way, Tolbert will be involved, especially around the goal line. Tolbert is definitely worthy of a flex play in Week 5.

WR: Mark Clayton, Rams (at Lions)

Clayton has certainly made the most of his new opportunity in St. Louis. Clayton leads the team in receptions (22), targets (41), receiving yards (300) and touchdowns (two). Unlike in Baltimore, Clayton has been consistent. He has had five-plus receptions and 70-plus yards in three of four weeks. In the week he did not, he scored touchdowns on both of his receptions.

WR: Derrick Mason, Ravens (vs. Broncos)

Last week, Mason had his best performance based on receptions (six) and receiving yards (80). When Indianapolis faced Denver, Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey limited Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie had a monster week—12 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. With Bailey likely lining up against Anquan Boldin, Mason could be in for a solid performance, especially if the Broncos are without cornerback Andre Goodman.

WR: Eddie Royal, Broncos (at Ravens)

While Brandon Lloyd has played not only better but more consistently than I would have expected, I prefer Royal over Lloyd. Although Lloyd has 40 targets as well as 100-plus yards in three of his four games, it's hard for me to envision him maintaining anywhere near this level of production considering his career average of 33 receiving yards per game.

WR: Steve Johnson, Bills (vs. Jaguars)

The Jaguars have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Although Lee Evans may be the team's "No. 1" receiver, he leads the group in salary only (over $9 million this year). Johnson leads the team's receivers in receptions (12), yards (168) and touchdowns (two) as well as targets (22). If you're in a 12-team league, Johnson would be a low-end WR3.

TE: Brent Celek, Eagles (at 49ers)

Celek struggled to get targets with Michael Vick as quarterback. With Vick (likely) out against the 49ers, Celek should see a larger number of targets with Kevin Kolb under center. In 2009, two of Celek's three 100-yard games came during the two games that Kolb started.

Players to Sit for Week 5

QB: Donovan McNabb, Eagles (vs. Packers)

Through one quarter of the season, McNabb has only three touchdowns. In addition, he has two games with less than 200 passing yards. This week, he faces the Packers, who currently have the seventh-ranked pass defense (185 yards per game), and Packers cornerback Charles Woodson should line up against Santana Moss, who is the Redskins' only viable option at wide receiver.

RB: Cadillac Williams, Bucs (at Bengals)

In the first two weeks of the season, Williams had a total of 49 rushing attempts. In Week 3, Williams had only six carries, which is the same amount that LeGarrette Blount had. Blount will likely get the goal-line work and Williams has been ineffective through three weeks—2.5 yards per carry this season. Against the Bengals' solid run defense, keep the Cadillac in the garage.

RB: Jonathan Stewart, Panthers (vs Bears)

For the foreseeable future, The Daily Show should be on your bench. Before Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 123 yards against the Bears, they allowed only 179 yards on 65 carries through three games (2.8 yards per carry). Stewart has only 28 rushing attempts (or seven per game). With rookie Jimmy Clausen under center and Steve Smith (likely) out with a high ankle sprain, the Bears will load the box to stop the run.

RB: Brandon Jackson, Packers (at Redskins)

In between Week 1 and Week 2, no player was added more than Jackson. As a Grant owner in one league, I used almost all of my FAAB on Jackson. Needless to say, I've been disappointed with the return on my investment. In three games as the starter, Jackson has only 27 rushing attempts for 74 yards. During that same span, John Kuhn has 24 rushing attempts for 106 yards. Like Stewart, I'd keep Jackson on my bench until further notice.

WR: Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars (at Bills)

On the season, Sims-Walker has 12 receptions. Ten of those catches came in Week 2. In his other three games, he was shut out twice and had two receptions in the other. Meanwhile, second-year receiver Mike Thomas leads the team in receptions (17), targets (28) and receiving yards (207).

WR: Lee Evans, Bills (vs. Jaguars)

As noted above with Johnson, Evans leads the receiving corps only in salary. In fact, three receivers (Johnson, Roscoe Parrish and David Nelson) all have more receiving yards than Evans (94 yards). While you may be tempted by the favorable fantasy matchup, it may be wise to keep Evans on your bench, as usual, in Week 5.

WR: Malcom Floyd, Chargers (vs. Raiders)

If you're in a league that starts three wide receivers, I would still consider Floyd a starter. If you're in a two-receiver league, Floyd would be on my bench. This week, Floyd, who is the team's No. 1 option (excluding tight end Antonio Gates), will likely spend Sunday getting to know elite cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha a little better. In four games this year, Floyd has two games with under 50 receiving yards and two games with 95-plus receiving yards. I would expect the 40-something variety against Asomugha.

For more lineup help, check out our Week 5 fantasy football podcast.

Our Week 5 rankings will be released on Friday: Top 25 QBs | Top 40 RBs | Top 50 WRs | Top 20 TEs

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Good luck in your Week 5 matchup and in our free fantasy football for Week 5 (new entries welcome).