By MIKE HERNDON
Bye weeks are here, with the Browns, Bucs, Chargers and Seahawks off this week. Over the next several weeks, the depth of fantasy benches will become more important.
Here are the start/sit recommendations for Week 5, including a couple potential bye-week fillers:
Quarterback:
Start:
Sam Howell, Commanders: It’s been an up-and-down year so far for Howell in his first year as a starter. But he threw for 290 yards in last week’s loss to Philadelphia and gets the Bears’ porous defense at home this week.
Anthony Richardson, Colts: While Houston’s C.J. Stroud has been this year’s biggest pleasant surprise at quarterback, Richardson was the rookie that many expected to be potentially startable in fantasy and he hasn’t disappointed thus far. He showed no ill effects after returning from a concussion last week, and this week gets to face the Titans beatable secondary.
Sit:
Dak Prescott, Cowboys: Prescott hasn’t been pushing the ball downfield as much this season and has broken 16 fantasy points just once in four games. It won’t get any easier against the 49ers’ stout defense this week.
Daniel Jones, Giants: Yes, he’ll probably have to throw a lot this week as the Giants try to keep up with Miami. Until I see him have more than a nanosecond to spy a receiver and throw, I’ll leave him on the bench.
RB:
Start:
Breece Hall, Jets: It’s been a roller coaster for managers who have Hall on their rosters – 127 yards the first week, a total of 27 in the next two games. But Zach Wilson looked downright competent last week, Dalvin Cook looks cooked and Robert Saleh said this week that he’s removing the restrictions we didn’t know they had on Hall’s workload. Oh, and the Jets are playing Denver’s turnstile defense this week.
Gus Edwards, Ravens: Remember when Dameon Pierce wasn’t startable for the first couple weeks of the season? Then he faced the Steelers defense and now he’s “back on track.” Edwards has been fairly pedestrian in the lead back role after J.K. Dobbins was lost for the year, but this week is his turn.
Sit:
Miles Sanders, Panthers: Sanders was limited all last week with a groin injury, then was held to 19 yards on 13 carries by the Vikings. Guess what? He’s limited again this week with a groin injury.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots: He’s yet to clear 59 yards rushing in any one game as the entire Patriots offense has struggled, and now he’s turned up with a thigh injury. He’s still likely to play, but the Saints’ defense does not seem like a get-right spot.
WR:
Start:
Puka Nacua, Rams: Cooper Kupp returned to practice this week, but may not get a full snap share the first week out of the gate. Meanwhile, Nacua has been the feel-good story of the year and gets a surprisingly beatable Eagle secondary this week.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders: Remember I told you Washington was playing the Bears this week?
Sit:
Chris Olave, Saints: Derek Carr’s shoulder clearly isn’t right and the Saints are facing an embarrassed Patriots team. Even with Christian Gonzalez and Matthew Judon out, they’ll be a tough assignment.
Jameson Williams, Lions: We’re all excited to finally see what the speedy Williams can do in the Lions’ offense. But Dan Campbell himself said the former Alabama standout would be brought along slowly after his return from suspension. Don’t expect too much in the first week.
TE:
With even elite options producing spotty results, play whoever you’ve got that’s getting targets. Except maybe New York’s Darren Waller. I wouldn’t trust any Giant not named Saquon (and I’m not even wild about starting him).
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