By MIKE HERNDON

Who to be excited about and who to fade in Week 5:

QB:

Starts:

Kirk Cousins, Vikings: Last week, Cousins was 7-for-7 on his first drive and only 14-of-31 through the rest of the game as Minnesota lost 14-7 to Cleveland. But this week, he faces an injury-depleted Lions defense in a perfect get-back spot.

Ryan Tannehill, Titans: Start your quarterbacks against the Jaguars. Even with one of their top receivers sidelined.

Sits:

Baker Mayfield, Browns: He’s playing through a shoulder injury that, although it’s too his non-throwing shoulder, can affect his motion. And he’s facing a defense that just held Derek Carr under 200 yards.

Matt Ryan, Falcons: The Jets would seem to be a prime spot, but their defense is improving and Matty Ice will be without Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage. Cordarrelle Patterson won’t be flying under the defense’s radar this week.

RBs:

Starts:

Damien Williams, Bears: The next man up in Chicago put up useful numbers after David Montgomery went down with an injury, posting 55 yards and a touchdown on only eight carries. He seems ready to step into a full workload, though Khalil Herbert may also be worked in.

Mike Davis, Falcons: Everyone in the stadium is going to expect the ball to go to Cordarrelle Patterson on Sunday, even with that stadium in London. With Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage out, Patterson should see most of his touches at receiver, opening up more volume in the backfield for Davis.

Sits:

Jamaal Williams, Lions: Detroit is already without starting left tackle Taylor Decker and center Frank Ragnow. Now, it’s other tackle, first-round rookie Penei Sewell, is questionable as well. While DeAndre Swift might get enough receiving work to stay afloat, this doesn’t bode well for the Lions’ early-down back.

Melvin Gordon/Javonte Williams, Broncos: The Steelers’ defense may be on the field a lot, but it’s been fairly salty against the run. And with Teddy Bridgewater and Courtland Sutton questionable and Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler already out, there’s no one scary enough in the passing game to keep them out of the box.

WRs:

Starts:

A.J. Brown, Titans: Brown is back from a hamstring injury, and while there’s always the danger of re-aggravating it, a matchup with the Jaguars with Julio Jones out is too juicy to pass up.

Corey Davis, Jets: New York’s No. 1 target, lined up against the Falcons a week after dropping 111 and a score on Tennessee? Yes, please.

Adam Thielen, Vikings: He was quiet last week, but all the Vikings should eat against this Lions defense.

Sits:

Chase Claypool/JuJu Smith Schuster, Steelers: The yards will be tough to come by against the Broncos, especially with the ghost of Big Ben at quarterback. Diontae Johnson could still turn in a serviceable line on volume, but I’d avoid the rest of this passing game.

Starts:

Kyle Pitts, Falcons: If ever there’s a week to bust out, this is it. While I see a down week for his quarterback, all it’d take is a touchdown for Pitts to return value.

Mike Gesicki, Dolphins: Will Fuller is out, DeVante Parker is questionable and the Dolphins are going to have to throw against a pass-funnel defense. Somebody’s got to be catching the ball.

Sits:

As this as tight end is, if you’ve got one that’s putting up points, you’re starting him regardless of matchup.

Categories: Fantasy Football