5 Start, 5 Sit for Week 5 of the 2023 NFL Season
It’s getting easier to know who is worth playing now. Trends are a little more visible and guys we thought might be lightning in a bottle have turned out to be a fart in a jar. What I have for you this week is a list of players that I think are worthy of your starting rosters, followed by guys that might need to start applying for day jobs.
Start:
C.J. Stroud vs ATL – Start
If the Draft were redone today, I think that Stroud would be the clear #1 overall selection. Through four games, he’s QB10 and is averaging around 19 points per game (with no interceptions). Atlanta is going to provide a tougher matchup than previous weeks, but after a 3-game streak of success I think the Texans will be able to keep things rolling. If you have to fill in for a bye week, or you were unlucky enough to have drafted Daniel Jones as your QB1, go ahead and give Stroud a try this week.
Brian Robinson vs CHI- Start
Sit last week, start this week. Brian Robinson actually did better last week than I expected him to. Against the Bears on Thursday night, I think he could end up as a top 5 scorer. The Bears are the 31st ranked defense against fantasy running backs and Robinson has shown the ability to take advantage of bad defenses (see week 2). At this point in the season I think he should probably be an auto-start most weeks and this week’s performance will cement that choice for me.
Romeo Doubs vs LV – Start
Doubs has been the most consistent receiver in the league this year, scoring just over 18 points in three of the first four weeks. Even with the return of Christian Watson, Doubs earned 13 targets, catching 9 for 95 yards. This week against a lackluster Raiders offense, I think Doubs continues to be consistent and earns himself another top 20 receiver finish.
Jonnu Smith vs HOU – Start
In a shocking turn of events, the Falcons continue to misuse their first-round picks. Jonnu Smith has emerged as the leading pass catcher in Atlanta…somehow. Jonnu leads his team in receiving yards, is second in catches, and third in targets. The only thing he doesn’t have is touchdowns. This week against a lighter Texans defense, he could end up getting his first of the season. I’m sure fantasy managers would prefer he not continue to perform well, but based on how the Falcons have been running their offense, he might be here to stay.
Joshua Dobbs vs CIN – Start
For an actual shock, look no further than Josh Dobbs. I don’t think anybody expected him to play as well as he has so far. Against two of the toughest defenses in the league (Dallas and San Francisco), he put up 454 yards on 45 attempts, 3 touchdowns, no interceptions, and an additional 103 rushing yards. These numbers are fantastic considering how well other QBs have done against those two teams. This week Dobbs has a middling Bengals defense and game script might put him in a position to keep his foot on the pedal. If you have to fill in for an injury, bye week, or New York quarterback, Dobbs is your guy.
Sit:
Joe Burrow vs ARI – Sit
As much as it pains me, I have to keep Burrow on the bench this week. He has yet to have a performance fit for a starting quarterback. The Bengals as a whole have not been playing great football, so really I’m pretty low on the whole team. Until we see that Burrow can play like he was last year, I’m leaving him out of my lineup where I can. Allegedly, his calf is now fully healed, but the difference between a week would have to be significant for his play to improve enough to consider him a lock this week.
Miles Sanders vs DET – Sit
Sanders really should be a solid weekly play, but below average run scheme and worse blocking has kept him below 50 yards in three of his four games. He has been decently active in the pass game, but has not been able to make much happen with his efforts. The game script against Detroit likely is going to lead to more passing situations which I think will keep Sanders’ usage pretty low. I’d find another option at running back if you have one.
Jameson Williams vs CAR – Sit
After missing the first four weeks due to a suspension, Jameson Williams is finally back with the Lions. However, I don’t think he’s worthy of a starting spot for you just yet. He has only just now been allowed back into the facilities and likely isn’t going to be too heavily involved this early on. No doubt he has explosive potential, but I think it’s going to take a few weeks for him to get up to speed with the offense. Don’t take the bait this week and wait for him to really take off around week 7.
Kyle Pitts vs HOU – Sit
I discussed his teammate earlier, but it is now time to talk about Kyle Pitts. Year after year people expect Kyle to be a top 3 player at tight end and year after year he disappoints. It’s not his fault but being on the Falcons eliminates most of the potential he has for being fantasy relevant. Through 4 weeks, he only has 11 catches on 21 targets for 121 yards. In comparison, Puka Nacua had almost those exact stats in week 2 alone. The serious lack of volume makes him almost worthless, and he really shouldn’t be on your team. It’s unfortunate, but you should stay away this year.
Trevor Lawrence vs BUF – Sit
Another disappointment this season has been Trevor Lawrence. In his last 10 games (including playoffs), he has thrown 0 or 1 touchdown in 7 of them and hasn’t thrown for over 300 yards. For a guy that was considered to be generational talent, he has not been living up to that level. This week he plays the Buffalo Bills in London with Von Miller back from injury. The return of Von Miller makes the Bills’ defense considerably more scary and I think Trevor is going to be running for his life. He’s proving to be a very inconsistent quarterback and I don’t see him playing very well against Buffalo this weekend.
If you want more offensive start/sit advice, follow me on X @TFFGRobbie. If you need IDP start/sit advice, give @ThePPRShow a follow as well.