Fantasy Football Week 5: 5 Benchwarmers Worth Starting

Week 5 of the NFL season is the first week that teams have bye weeks and also the first week you probably won’t have every single one of your players available because of this.

It’s time to dig deep and hit the waiver wire and your bench to come up with some starters if you usually use players from the Ravens, Browns, Cowboys, Dolphins, Rams or Redskins.

There are plenty of guys you probably have stashed on your bench or who are still available in free agency to go get in order to remain competitive.

Let’s take a look at five who should be ready to come off the bench and rock it this week. 

Victor Cruz

This guy is now the big play receiver in the Giants offense.

Hakeem Nicks is still the clear No. 1, but Cruz may have emerged as the No. 2 after Mario Manningham went down with a concussion for a week.

I think it makes more sense to have Cruz on the outside and Manningham in the slot anyway as it plays up to their respective strengths.

Manningham hasn’t been productive as of late, so if you have both of them, definitely start Cruz.

Jordy Nelson

This guy has been on my bench since the beginning of the season because I keep finding myself thinking that he will fall off.

No longer will I make that mistake, as he is the No. 2 option in the prolific Green Bay passing offense.

He has surpassed Donald Driver and has been making plays all season long. It’s time to stop sitting him on the bench and turn him into a starter if you haven’t already.

Isaac Redman

If Rashard Mendenhall can’t go on Sunday against the Titans, Redman will get a majority of snaps in the backfield.

The team's running game and offensive line play have been awful this season but the Steelers are not a team that will abandon their ground attack.

You can count on Redman to get a healthy amount of attempts in Mendenhall’s place so definitely start him if you have him.

Jacoby Jones

With Andre Johnson out this week with a hamstring injury, Matt Schaub is going to need to look elsewhere when throwing his usual high volume of passes.

Jones is a better replacement for Johnson than Kevin Walter and should be able to step up and make plays this Sunday in his place.

I expect the team to look to Owen Daniels first and foremost, but Jones should get a solid number of targets after that.

Jared Cook

After having a monster 80-yard touchdown run and making Usama Young look stupid, Cook might be ready to step up and be an every week TE for the Titans and your fantasy team.

Hasselbeck should have confidence in his young, talented, athletic and strong TE who is making huge strides in his third year as a pro.

Tight end is a particularly deep position this year, but if you have injuries or a guy on bye, give Cook a shot.