The best part about fantasy football is winning. The second best part is the draft. However, the draft has come and gone, and fantasy owners struggle with who to start, who to sit, and who to target as a sleeper each week. Thankfully, four of our writers (Mike Fanelli, Joshua Abbe, Mason Thompson, and MJ Hurley) offer up their takes on who fantasy owners should start, sit, and play as a sleeper this week. Be sure to follow all of them on twitter and reach out with any fantasy football questions you may have. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Quarterbacks
Starts
Drew Brees vs Los Angeles Chargers
Brees faces his former team on Monday night against his successor’s successor. After struggling the first two weeks of the season, Brees has turned it around the last two weeks. He has thrown five touchdowns while completing 78.7 percent of his passes. Meanwhile, the Chargers have given the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. They have given up an average of 22.7 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the Chargers are giving up an average of two passing touchdowns per game. Expect Brees to score at least 20 fantasy points this week. – Mike
Deshaun Watson vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Bill O’Brien was fired a few days ago, so expect the Texans offense to come out firing on Sunday. Watson had his best game of the season last week, throwing for 300 yards and no interceptions for the first time this season. Furthermore, the Jaguars give up eight passing touchdowns this season despite not facing a good quarterback all year. Look for Watson to have his first three-touchdown game of the season. – Joshua
Jared Goff at Washington Football Team
Goff was listed as a start last week and didn’t have a good week. Once again, he has a great matchup against a Washington secondary that isn’t great. Goff has had a connection with Cooper Kupp the last few weeks, and the Los Angeles running game could struggle against Washington’s front seven. Goff is off to a good start this year, and it will continue this week. – Mason
Ben Roethlisberger vs Philadelphia Eagles
During the last full season that Roethlisberger played, he threw for over 5,000 yards and 34 touchdowns. After missing the majority of the 2019 season with an injury, Roethlisberger has come back looking like his old self in 2020. After a bye week due to COVID, Roethlisberger faces the bottom feeding Eagles’ defense. With JuJu Smith-Schuster averaging a touchdown catch a game and head coach Mike Tomlin looking to get him more involved, Roethlisberger is due for a big week. – MJ
Sits
Matt Ryan vs Carolina Panthers
How can anyone trust Ryan right now? After back-to-back games with 23 or more fantasy points, Ryan has failed to score 13 fantasy points in each of his last two games. During that span, he has thrown just one touchdown and failed to throw for 300 yards. Things don’t get better this week for Ryan as the Panthers give up an average of only 15 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Furthermore, the Panthers held Kyler Murray to just 133 passing yards last week. Bench Ryan till he earns back the trust of his fantasy owners. – Mike
Baker Mayfield vs Indianapolis Colts
Given how many points the Browns scored last week, you would think Mayfield had a 30 point fantasy game. However, he scored only 15.2 fantasy points, making it the fourth straight game under 16 fantasy points. Furthermore, the Browns are a run-first team as Mayfield has thrown the ball more than 30 times just once this season. Interestingly enough, that came in the Browns only loss of the season. Meanwhile, the Colts have given up the fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. They are giving up an average of just 9.5 fantasy points per game and have allowed only two passing touchdowns over the last three weeks. Leave Mayfield on the waiver wire where he belongs. – Joshua
Carson Wentz at Pittsburgh Steelers
Wentz had a good game last week, but it won’t continue into this week’s game against the Steelers. He will once again be without his top receivers, and the Steelers defense will be hungry after a week off. Wentz has unfortunately not looked the same this year, and he should remain on your bench this week. – Mason
Joe Burrow at Baltimore Ravens
Burrow has not had a top 10 finish in fantasy so far this season, and against the Ravens defense, that likely will not change. A.J. Green has been a non-factor for the offense, and Baltimore will do everything in their power to keep the ball out of Burrow’s hand and in the hands of their running back core. Unless Burrow throws 61 passes as he did in Week 2, he will not have a good enough week to warrant starting him in a 12 team league. – MJ
Sleepers
Daniel Jones at Dallas Cowboys
Yes, Jones has been awful this season, scoring under 10.5 fantasy points in three straight games. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1 and hasn’t thrown for over 200 yards since Week 2. However, if there was ever a week to turn things around, it’s this week. The Cowboys have given up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, giving up an average of 22.8 per game. Furthermore, they have given up 11 passing touchdowns and an average of 26.8 fantasy per game over their last three games. The Cowboys should have no trouble scoring on the Giants, so expect Jones to have plenty of opportunities to chase points against a bad defense. – Mike
Justin Herbert at New Orleans Saints
A few days ago, head coach Anthony Lynn announced that Herbert would be the starter for the rest of the season. Now we can finally put to bed any nonsense about Tyrod Taylor taking back the starting job. Herbert has been impressive in his three starts this season, averaging 20 fantasy points per game. He has accounted for six touchdowns and at least 300 total yards in every game this season. Meanwhile, the Saints have given up a total of 11 passing touchdowns and at least 20 fantasy points to the opposing quarterback in every game this season. – Joshua
Teddy Bridgewater at Atlanta Falcons
Bridgewater finished as the QB4 last week with a phenomenal performance against Arizona. He should continue that success this week against an Atlanta defense that is struggling to field a secondary due to injuries. Bridgewater not only should throw all over the Falcons, but he should also give a solid rushing performance. If you require a spot-start this week, go get Bridgewater off the waiver wire. – Mason
Philip Rivers at Cleveland Browns
Even though the Browns defense has been good enough to win games, they have still allowed an incredible amount of points so far. Lamar Jackson, Dwayne Haskins, Burrow, and Dak Prescott have all had their best games of the season against the Browns defense. After facing the Bears in Week 4, Rivers should have a much easier time against Cleveland. – MJ
Running Backs
Starts
Kenyan Drake at New York Jets
It’s now or never for Drake. Entering the season, many had high expectations for Drake. However, he has regressed in every game this season. He went from scoring 14.5 fantasy points in Week 1 down to only 3.5 last week. His touches on offense are decreasing as well, suggesting the coaching staff is losing faith in him. However, Drake has a great matchup against the Jets this week. They have given up an average of 33 fantasy points per game and five rushing touchdowns over their last three games. If Drake can’t score 17 fantasy points this week, it’s time to put him on the waiver wire. – Mike
Todd Gurley vs Carolina Panthers
Quietly, Gurley has scored 13.5 or more fantasy points in three of his four games this season despite having more than 17 touches once. Furthermore, he is coming off a season-high 19.3 fantasy point game against the Packers. Meanwhile, the Panthers have given up the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs, giving up an average of 36.8 per game. Furthermore, the Panthers have given up seven rushing touchdowns this season. Look for Gurley to have his first 20 point fantasy game of the season tomorrow. – Joshua
James Robinson at Houston Texans
Robinson has been the biggest steal of the season so far. He was either a late-round flier or a pickup off of waivers, and through four weeks, he’s the RB6 on the season. Listed as a start last week, Robinson didn’t perform as well as many would’ve liked, but he has a shot to light up the scoreboard against Houston this week. The Texans could potentially be a mess after firing O’Brien earlier this week. – Mason
Kareem Hunt vs Indianapolis Colts
Yes, the Colts have one of the best defenses in the NFL, but you should start Hunt. Not only is Hunt a dynamic rusher, but he gives the offense a great receiving option out of the backfield. Now with Nick Chubb on injured reserve, Hunt is the new RB1 in Cleveland, and a must start every week. – MJ
Sits
Melvin Gordon at New England Patriots
Last week, Gordon had a season-high 25.8 fantasy point game against an awful Jets defense. He also had a season-high 23 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. However, things are much different this week as Phillip Lindsay will return after missing the last three weeks with a toe injury. Furthermore, the Patriots have given up the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to the running back position. They are giving up an average of only 20.5 fantasy points per game and haven’t given up a rushing touchdown since Week 1. – Mike
Darrell Henderson at Washington Football Team
Who knows what to do with the Rams backfield at this point. Cam Akers should play this week after missing two games with a rib injury. Meanwhile, Malcolm Brown out touched Henderson 14-9 last week. Furthermore, the matchup this week isn’t a favorable one for the Rams backfield. Washington has held opposing running backs under 16 fantasy points in three of their four games this season. Furthermore, running backs are averaging only four yards per carry against Washington. Do not play any Rams running back this week. – Joshua
Myles Gaskin at San Francisco 49ers
Like Robinson, Gaskin has been a pleasant surprise this year. He is currently the RB34 and offers a safe floor but not a high upside in Miami’s offense. Miami should be trailing early in the game against the 49ers, so Gaskin won’t be getting his usual touch share. There are better options this week. – Mason
Mark Ingram vs Cincinnati Bengals
Ingram, at this point, is at best, the goal line back for the Ravens. Ingram has only had one game in 2020 with 10 carries and has no games with 100 yards rushing. Jackson, J.K. Dobbins, and Gus Edwards have been taking too many snaps away from the veteran running back, and unfortunately, there is no reason to see that changing in Week 5. – MJ
Sleepers
Tony Pollard vs New York Giants
Pollard played on a season-high 27 percent of the snaps last week. Part of that was Ezekiel Elliott‘s struggles holding onto the ball, as he has three fumbles this season. While the touches were limited, Pollard did average eight yards per touch last week and did score his first touchdown of the season. Whether it’s because Zeke fumbles the ball again or in garbage time, Pollard should see enough snaps to warrant a start in deeper leagues for teams hit hard by the injury bug. – Mike
Chase Edmonds at New York Jets
Last week Edmonds had a season-high five receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown. He scored 15 fantasy points compared to just 3.5 for Drake last week. Edmonds’ role in the backfield is growing, and this week he has a great matchup. Opposing running backs are averaging 25 attempts for 114.3 yards per game against the Jets. Even if Drake has a bounce-back game, look for Edmonds to score double-digit fantasy points tomorrow. – Joshua
Damien Harris vs Denver Broncos
Harris was finally brought up off of injured reserve last week against the Chiefs and showed why fantasy analysts were so high on him during the offseason. He has 17 carries for 100 yards and will look to continue his success against the depleted Broncos defense this week. New England’s offensive line has been great this year and will have another plus matchup this week. – Mason
Brian Hill at Carolina Panthers
Hill has been getting some important carries as the third-down back in Atlanta. Although Gurley is the clear RB1 and goal line back, Hill provides a pass-catching option that Dan Quinn and Ryan have enjoyed. Hill had 12 touches last week, and with running backs dropping every week, Hill isn’t a bad option on an injury-riddled team. – MJ
Wide Receivers
Starts
T.Y. Hilton at Cleveland Browns
Much like with Drake, it’s now or never for Hilton. Coming off a disappointing 2019 season, many hoped Hilton would rebound in 2020 with the upgrade at quarterback. However, Hilton has struggled, averaging just 7.3 fantasy points per game, while failing to score double-digits in any contest this season. If Hilton is going to turn things around this season, it will be this week. The Browns have given up the second-most fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position, giving up an average of 51.7 per game. Furthermore, they have given up at least 40 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in every game this season. If Hilton can’t score 18 fantasy points this week, it’s time to put him on the waiver wire. – Mike
Julian Edelman vs Denver Broncos
Assuming this game happens, Edelman should have a nice day this week. Despite the last minute change at quarterback last week, Edelman saw six targets. Furthermore, Edelman is averaging 7.5 targets per game this season. Meanwhile, the Broncos have given up fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season, giving up over 44 per game. Furthermore, they have given up at least 36 fantasy points to wide receivers in every game this season. Play Edelman with confidence this week. – Joshua
Adam Thielen at Seattle Seahawks
By now, receivers and tight ends need be started every week against Seattle’s defense. Thielen has been out shadowed by Justin Jefferson recently but should have a great game on Sunday night. Seattle’s defense is pitiful, and both Thielen and Jefferson should perform well. The Seahawks have given up the most points to the receiver position this year. Start Thielen with confidence. – Mason
Will Fuller vs Jacksonville Jaguars
When healthy, Fuller has been one of the most consistent receivers in the NFL so far and is clearly the WR1 in Houston. With O’Brien gone, the hope is that Watson can flourish even more in the Texans offense. Fuller should have a favorable matchup against the young and inexperienced Jaguars secondary, and Watson will be on a mission to salvage the season for Houston. – MJ
Sits
Jarvis Landry vs Indianapolis Colts
Landry had a season-high 15.3 fantasy points last week. However, fantasy owners shouldn’t play him this week. Last week he scored 5.5 of his 15.3 fantasy points on the trick play touchdown pass to Odell Beckham Jr. Furthermore, they faced the Cowboys last week and now takes on a good Colts defense this week. So far this season, the Colts have given up the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers, giving up 31.5 per game. Furthermore, they have given up less than 22 fantasy points to wide receivers in two of their last three games and have given up only two touchdowns over the last three weeks. It might be time to drop Landry. – Mike
Jamison Crowder vs Arizona Cardinals
Without Sam Darnold playing, Crowder’s fantasy value takes a massive hit this week. Unlike Darnold, Joe Flacco isn’t afraid to throw the ball downfield. With Flacco throwing elsewhere, Crowder won’t see enough targets to make up for his low aDOT. Furthermore, the Cardinals have given up the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. The Jets are a mess right now, and fantasy owners should stay away from this team if possible. – Joshua
Jerry Jeudy at New England Patriots
Jeudy had the best game of his short career last week against the Jets. Well, the Patriots aren’t the Jets, and therefore he won’t have the same type of game this week. Even if Drew Lock is back, Jeudy should remain on your bench. – Mason
Brandon Aiyuk vs Miami Dolphins
One of the biggest questions for San Francisco this weekend will be how they use Aiyuk now that Jimmy Garoppolo is back under center. Fantasy owners have been adding Aiyuk consistently the last two weeks after back to back games with rushing touchdowns. Now that Jerick McKinnon and Raheem Mostert will be dominating the backfield, Aiyuk will likely return to seeing little action as a receiver. – MJ
Sleepers
Curtis Samuel at Atlanta Falcons
While Samuel is averaging only 8.1 fantasy points per game this season, he has been consistent week-to-week. Samuel has scored between 7.8 and 9.3 fantasy points in three of his four games this season despite not getting into the end zone. However, he has at least five touches in every game this season, thanks to his role in the running game. Meanwhile, before last week, the Falcons had given up an average of 47.6 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. For those of you in deeper leagues, Samuel is a nice FLEX option, especially if he gets in the end zone. – Mike
Darius Slayton at Dallas Cowboys
After his big 28.2 fantasy point game in Week 1, Slayton has scored a total of 20.4 fantasy points over the last three games. Furthermore, Slayton has failed to pull in more than three balls in any game since Week 1 despite seeing an average of over seven targets per game this season. However, Slayton has a great matchup this week. The Cowboys have given up the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Furthermore, they have given up at least 52 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in three straight games. With Sterling Shepard out again this week, look for Slayton to have a monster game. – Joshua
Deebo Samuel vs Miami Dolphins
Samuel played in less than 35 percent of the snaps last week against Philadelphia coming back from his injury. Samuel should have a solid game against Miami’s defense. If you held onto him as he was on injured reserve, you finally will get a return out of drafting Samuel. – Mason
Justin Jefferson at Seattle Seahawks
Jefferson has been the highest-graded rookie receiver through four weeks, and he deserves that title. Although Jefferson has a rough matchup against Shaquill Griffin and the Seahawks, Seattle has yet to truly shut down an offense. Kirk Cousins has started to trust the rookie receiver, and there should be no question about starting Jefferson in a flex spot if needed. – MJ
Tight Ends
Starts
Tyler Higbee at Washington Football Team
Higbee is the ultimate boom or bust tight end. He has scored a total of 48.4 fantasy points this season but scored 59 percent of them in his Week 2 game. Over the other three weeks, he has scored a total of 20 fantasy points. Meanwhile, Washington has given up the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, giving up 18.7 per game. Furthermore, they have given up five touchdowns to tight ends this season. Expect Higbee to score at least once, if not twice, tomorrow. – Mike
Hunter Henry at New Orleans Saints
Last week Henry scored just 5.9 fantasy points against the Buccaneers. However, it marked the first game this season that Henry didn’t see at least seven targets. Because of the drop in targets (he had only four), Henry had his first game this season with less than 10 fantasy points. The good news is, Henry has a great matchup this week. The Saints have given up the second-most fantasy points per game to the tight end position this season, giving up an average of 24.3 per game. Furthermore, the Saints have allowed opposing tight ends to score five touchdowns this season. Look for Henry to score at least 14 fantasy points Monday night and get his first touchdown of the season. – Joshua
Evan Engram at Dallas Cowboys
Engram has been awful so far this year as he is currently the TE29. If he doesn’t have a good game this week, fantasy owners should find a trade partner or even drop him. He should have a good chance at finally posting fantasy production against a Dallas defense that can’t stop a nosebleed this year. The Cowboys have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to the tight end position, so if Engram doesn’t have a good game, it’s time to ship him elsewhere. – Mason
Austin Hooper vs Indianapolis Colts
Hooper finally grabbed a touchdown in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys. David Njoku has been activated off of IR, but the Browns will ease Njoku into playing time after coming off of injury. The Colts have allowed consistent goal line touches to tight ends that have resulted in decent scoring performances from Jimmy Graham and others. With the Browns looking to make up for the loss of Chubb, Hooper may be a good option at tight end this weekend. – MJ
Sits
Zach Ertz at Pittsburgh Steelers
For those of you who drafted Ertz, you can’t be happy with his production so far as he is the TE16 on the year. While you probably can’t bench him, temper your expectations this week. The Steelers have given up an average of just 10.5 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Furthermore, they have given up less than nine fantasy points in two of their three games this season and have given up only one touchdown to the position. With limited weapons at wide receiver, expect the Steelers to double Ertz all game long, forcing Wentz to beat them with someone other than Ertz. – Mike
Dalton Schultz vs New York Giants
Schultz has done a good job replacing Blake Jarwin, averaging 15.9 fantasy points per game as the starter this season. However, in the one game where he didn’t find the end zone, Schultz scored only 8.8 fantasy points. Now this week, Schultz faces a Giants defense that has given up an average of just 8.8 fantasy points per game to the position. Furthermore, they haven’t given up a touchdown to a tight end this season. – Joshua
Jared Cook vs Los Angeles Chargers
Cook has had a solid start to the season but will have tough sledding against the Chargers defense. Los Angeles has been stout against the pass this season. Meanwhile, Brees has struggled to throw downfield, opening up another target heavy game for Alvin Kamara at Cook’s expense. – Mason
Mike Gesicki at San Francisco 49ers
After looking like the number one offensive weapon in the first two weeks, Gesicki has disappeared from the Dolphins offense. Totaling two catches for 30 yards over the last two weeks, there is no reason to start Gesicki while Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starting quarterback. With the 49ers getting healthy, it is unlikely that Gesicki will break out in Week 5. – MJ
Sleepers
Drew Sample at Baltimore Ravens
Sample has been inconsistent this season. He has scored under two fantasy points in half his games this season, averaging just one target per game in those contests. However, when Sample gets more than one target, he has been productive. In the two games this season, where he saw more than one target, Sample is averaging five catches on seven targets and 9.6 fantasy points per game. The good news is Sample has a good matchup this week. Before last week, the Ravens were giving up an average of 18.8 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. If you are streaming the position or need a last-minute replacement, Sample needs to be on your target. – Mike
Eric Ebron vs Philadelphia Eagles
After the Steelers’ unexpected Week 4 bye, Ebron looks to pick up his play where he left off. In Week 3, Ebron scored a season-high 16.2 fantasy points as he caught five of his seven targets for 52 yards and his first touchdown of the season. This week he faces an Eagles defense that has given up the third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season, giving up an average of 20.8 per game. Furthermore, tight ends have scored at least 13 fantasy points and a touchdown in three of four games against the Eagles. If you need a bye week filler for Robert Tonyan or T.J. Hockenson, Ebron should be your top target. – Joshua
Kyle Rudolph at Seattle Seahawks
Again, the Seahawks’ defense is awful. While Rudolph usually isn’t a fantasy asset, he has a great chance to score this week against Seattle. While they haven’t allowed a touchdown to a tight end yet this year, this week could be where that comes to an end. Rudolph is the ultimate sleeper candidate this week. – Mason
Donald Parham at New Orleans Saints
The first former XFL player to score a touchdown in the NFL, Parham was able to convert his one reception last week into one touchdown. Herbert may fall into a shootout with veteran Brees, and Parham has been a favorite of the rookie quarterback. If Keenan Allen gets the number one receiver shut down treatment from Sean Payton and the Saints, Parham could be in line for another set of critical goal line looks. – MJ
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow Mike Fanelli on Twitter @Mike_NFL2
Follow Joshua Abbe on Twitter @jabbe05
Follow Mason Thompson on Twitter @Thompson22Mason
Follow MJ Hurley on Twitter @Mjhurley47
Main Image Credit:
Embed from Getty Images
