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Welcome to the Week 5 edition of fantasy football starts and sits from The Sporting News.
"The Decider" is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 -- a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:
- There are several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups every week when they're active. Those are the "regular starts."
- For those borderline options with favorable matchups, they are "stronger starts," while the recommended sits are "weaker starts."
- We're also basing our advice on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.
Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Keep scrolling for how to put the best fantasy football lineups on "the field" for your critical fourth game with tips on starts and sits this week.
📋 LINEUP TIPS: Fantasy Week 5 sleepers | Fantasy Week 5 Busts
Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must-start Week 5 QBs
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. NE)
- Drake Maye, Patriots (at BUF)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. DEN)
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at NYJ)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. WAS)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at JAX)
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders (if he returns, at LAC)
- Justin Fields, Jets (vs. DAL)
Strong Week 5 QB starts
9. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. SF): He's got two elite veteran wide receivers lighting up teams and the 49ers' pass defense is much weaker without Nick Bosa.
10. Jared Goff, Lions (at CIN): Goff on the road is becoming less of an issue as he should get multiple scores as part of a rout.
11. Daniel Jones, Colts (vs. LV): Jones rebounds back at home as the Raiders' defense comes in reeling.
12. Bryce Young, Panthers (vs. MIA): He's only an option at home in choice matchups. This is one of those games.
13. Jaxson Dart, Giants (at NO): He will build on his two-TD debut with a few more big plays overall in his first road start in a better matchup.
14. C.J. Stroud, Texans (at BAL): Stroud was feeling it well with his receivers and the Ravens have been very giving on the back end.
DFS QB Week 5 pick
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at NYJ, $6,000 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): Prescott stays hot after lighting up the Packers' tougher defense with the Jets' defense wilting all-around for Aaron Glenn.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker Week 5 QB plays
15. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (at SEA): Mayfield is rather risky against a tough defense on a long road trip.
16. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. TEN), Kyler isn't compiling how he needs to and the volume through air and ground may be limited.
17. Brock Purdy, 49ers (at LAR): He's not fully healthy and his banged-up weapons aren't helping to inspiring against a rising young Rams defense.
18. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. KC): Lawrence has been riding more of the defense and running game in the team's hot start and the Chiefs won't oblige to boost him.
19. Bo Nix, Broncos (at PHI): Not on the road against a decent defense that can get after him.
20. Sam Darnold, Seahawks (vs. TB): Darnold and Mayfield will be embroiled in a disappointing run-oriented grinding matchup.
📈 Click for our full set of fantasy football weekly rankings.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must-start Week 5 RBs
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at CIN)
- Derrick Henry, Ravens (vs. HOU)
- James Cook, Bills (vs. NE)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. LV)
- Saquon Barkley, Eagles (vs. DEN)
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at LAR)
- De'Von Achane, Dolphins (at CAR)
- Omarion Hampton, Chargers (vs. WAS)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. KC)
- Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (at SEA)
- Breece Hall, Jets (vs. DAL)
- Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (at IND)
- Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. MIA)
- Trey Benson, Cardinals (vs. TEN)
- Tony Pollard, Titans (at ARI)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. SF)
- Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (vs. TB)
- Javonte Williams, Cowboys (at NYJ)
Strong Week 5 RB starts
19. Woody Marks, Texans (at BAL): He's the back of choice and the rookie can use his power and speed well against a struggling Ravens defense.
20. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (at BUF): He's getting the high-leverage touches over Rhamondre Stevenson and the Bills have been giving.
21. Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. NYG): He needs to rev up more with Kendre Miller (a deep sleeper) getting more run but the Giants' defense will allow that.
22. Cam Skattebo, Giants (at NO): He will compile well from scrimmage with at least one TD from the other side.
23. David Montgomery, Lions (at CIN): He will find the end zone again and run well after the Bengals have proved they can get pounded.
24. Quinshon Judkins, Browns (vs. MIN): Keep sticking with him as he's their only offense and the rookie can follow Kenneth Gainwell's success from Dublin against the Vikings.
DFS RB Week 5 Picks
- Trey Benson, Cardinals (vs. NO, $5,700 on DraftKings, $6,800 on FanDuel): Benson should have a great impact with downhill running in a positive game script smashing the Titans from ahead.
- Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. MIA, $5,800 on DraftKings, $6,400 on FanDuel): Hubbard like Young is better at home and the Dolphins will give up a good combined yardage day and a TD to him.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker RB Week 5 plays
25. J.K. Dobbins, Broncos (at PHI): The Eagles' run defense will keep him in check to a modest game at best.
26. Jordan Mason, Vikings (vs. CLE): The Browns proved how tough they were in slowing down the Lions last week.
27. Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. DET): Jake Browning has burned Brown as much as the wide receivers and it's not the easiert to run on Detroit's front.
28. Nick Chubb, Texans (at BAL): Marks is the man with Chubb being more TD dependent in this matchup.
29. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (vs. TB): You can't extend the power running game play facing Vita Vea.
30. Isiah Pacheco and 31. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs (at JAX): The Jaguars have contained backs or the most part so you're just banking on a TD either way.
32. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (at LAC): This is a call to avoid this committee mess against the Chargers' defense.
👮 PROTECT YOUR BACKFIELD: RB handcuff rankings and depth charts
Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must-start Week 5 WRs
- Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. SF)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at CIN)
- Nico Collins, Texans (at BAL)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. DAL)
- Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. TB)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. CLE)
- Davante Adams, Rams (vs. SF)
- George Pickens, Cowboys (at NYJ)
- Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (at SEA)
- Deebo Samuel, Commanders (at LAC)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. DET)
- Quentin Johnston, Chargers (vs. WAS)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. WAS)
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. HOU)
- Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (vs. MIA)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at PHI)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. NYG)
- Xavier Worthy, Chiefs (at JAX)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (vs. TEN)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. DEN)
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (vs. KC)
- Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (at IND)
Strong WR Week 5 starts
23. Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. DET): Here's one last shot in a home game (where the offense as a whole needs to be better) or he will get parked for a while until a QB change.
24. Ricky Pearsall, 49ers (at LAR): He should play on a short week and be their top option wth everyone else banged up for Purdy.
25. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. LV): He'll find the end zone down the middle in the big slot along with like 6 catches.
26. Jameson Williams, Lions (at CIN): The running game will set up a home-run scoring play for him off Goff play-action.
27. Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at WAS): He's been the third option all of a sudden after being the clear No. 1 out of last season so one more disappointment and he's headed to a matchup-based play.
28. Stefon Diggs, Patriots (at BUF): He'll come through in a revenge game because that's exactly where his mind-set will go.
29. Keon Coleman and 30. Khalil Shakir, Bills (vs. NE): You can take a shot on either as the Patriots' cornerback coverage is a mess outside or inside.
DFS WR Week 5 picks
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. DAL, $6,100 on DraftKings, $7,800 on FanDuel): Wilson has looked great in three of four games with either Jets QB as the only go-to guy on the team and he can rip the Cowboys' cornerbacks at home.
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (vs. TEN, $5,400 on DraftKings, $6,600 on FanDuel): Here's going Ohio State stars again to believer Harrison will build on his outstanding second half in Seattle and lead the team well vs. the Titans.
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. NYG, $5,500 on DraftKings, $6,100 on FanDuel): One more Buckeye is worth putting in the lineup given Olave is a target hog for Spencer Rattler and can manage the Giants' coverage.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker Week 5 WR plays
31. DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. DEN): A.J. Brown feels a little shaky because of Patrick Surtain II so you can't force this.
32. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at CAR): Ignore the target bump with the Tyreek Hill knee injury. Waddle will be contained by the Panthers' good cornerback play at home.
33. Jerry Jeudy, Browns (vs. MIN): The Browns' offense won't suddenly showing enough passing punch to play him against the swarming Vikings.
34. Jordan Addison, Vikings (at CLE): He was meh returning with Carson Wentz so no.
35. Elic Ayomanor, Titans (at ARI): He's a lesser rookie wideout so disappeartnng will happen and the Cardinals have the defense to render him futile.
36. Jauan Jennings, 49ers (vs. LAR):. If he plays, one can't expect him to turn back the clock to some big work he's done before on the Rams.
37. Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants (at NO): Is it him? Is it Darius Slayton? Is it another wide receiver or tight end? Don't force yourself into answering those qeustions.
38. Troy Franklin, Broncos (at PHI): He's got the natural chemistry with Nix going well back to work but it will be very inconsistent.
🧰 NEW - FANTASY TOOLS: NFL Player Stats | NFL Transactions | NFL Depth Charts | Fantasy Injury Reports
Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must-start Week 5 TEs
- Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. LV)
- Brock Bowers, Raiders (at IND)
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs. TEN)
- Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at NYJ)
- Hunter Henry, Patriots (at BUF)
- Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. NE)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (at CIN)
Stronger Week 5 TE starts
8. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at TB): Goedert is denting the end zone well all of a sudden as Jalen Hurts can trust him more near the goal line in between the wideouts when the run is limited.
9. Juwan Johnson, Saints (vs. NYG): He has a good chance to get 50 yards and a score on this defense at home.
10. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. CLE): He was slow last week until finishing with below-average production but here's to Carson Wentz getting him more involved earlier.
11. Jake Tonges, 49ers (vs. LA): If you still need a George Kittle ill-in streamer, you can do a lot worse than just opening or his best receiving fill-in.
12. Zach Ertz, Commanders (at LAC): Ertz should score for whoever's quarterback given it's just him and Samuel in key roles.
13. Darren Waller, Dolphins (at CAR): He won't score twice again, but once with a little more intermediate production is within racch.
DFS TE Week 5 pick
- Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. LV, $4,700 on DraftKings, $6,100 on FanDuel): Warren has been terrific as a Offensive Rookie Of The Year candidate with his consistent mismatch-creating running and receiver. Get him in there as this nice price.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker TE Week 5 starts
14. Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. HOU): He would be hard to trust if Lamar Jackson can't go with his hamstring and the Texans tend to cover the position well.
15. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at JAX): Can you really keep doing this with his one TD and lacking other production?'
16. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (vs. KC): Now he's got annoying situational competition with Hunter Long.
17. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (vs. MIN): Displacing David Njoku in the pecking order has been OK but that's about it.
18. Mason Taylor, Jets (vs. DAL) . He cools down against the Cowboys' coverage as Wilson and Hall are the starts o the show.
19. Evan Engram, Broncos (at PHI): He's being phased out for the younger wideouts.
📰 TOP NEWS: Lamar Jackson fantasy injury outlook
Fantasy Football Week 5: Defense/special teams best starts
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. CLE)
- Detroit Lions (at CIN)
- Arizona Cardinals (vs. TEN)
- Cleveland Browns (vs. MIN)
- Indianapolis Colts (vs. LV)
- Carolina Panthers (vs. MIA)
- Houston Texans (at BAL)
- Los Angeles Rams (vs. SF)
- Buffalo Bills (vs. NE)
- Philadelphia Eagles (vs. DEN)
- Kansas City Chiefs (at JAX)
- Seattle Seahawks (vs. TB)
- Baltimore Ravens (vs. HOU)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. KC)
DFS Week 5 D/ST pick
- Carolina Panthers (vs. MIA, $2,500 on DraftKings, $3,400 on FanDuel): The Panthers pitched a 30-0 shutout against the Falcons in their previous home game and Ejiro Evero's group will rebound away from New England for some key plays on Tua Tagovailoa. .
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MORE FANTASY WEEK 5 TIPS:
- Week 4 Usage Report: Targets, Touches, Snaps
- FANTASY ROSTER CUTS: Week 5 QB Drops | Week 5 RB Drops | Week 5 WR Drops