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Week 5 in the NFL brings our first round of byes. We’re without star players like Saquon Barkley, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Tony Pollard as the Eagles, Lions, Titans, and Chargers are off. That kind of firepower sitting on the sidelines means we’re going to be digging deep into our benches or searching the waiver wire for some fill-in options.
Let’s look at some of my favorite flex plays I’d recommend starting and sitting this weekend.
Fantasy Football Week 5 Start 'Em Sit 'Em Flex picks
Start These Players
1] Amari Cooper (WR, CLE)
It’s been a tough start to the fantasy season for Cooper owners. Through four games, Cooper has just 16 receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. His Week 4 35-yard performance left a bad taste in the mouth of everyone who started him, but in reality, Cooper had an 80+ yard touchdown called by due to a suspect penalty call. If that score stands, he’s over 100 yards and has three scores on the year. That’s the razor’s edge we balance on for fantasy.
This week, he’ll face a Commanders secondary, which allows the most fantasy points to receivers. Everyone scores on Washington. It wouldn’t shock me if Cleveland and their pass-happy attack find Cooper for a pair of scores. Start Cooper with confidence.
2] D’Andre Swift (RB, CHI)
Last week wasn’t a mirage. What you saw from Swift really happened. It wasn’t long ago (last week) when fans called for Swift’s benching. Those talks have died off after his overall RB 1 performance in Week 4. It won’t be every week that he runs for 90-plus yards and a score while catching seven balls. That’s incredible.
But after getting a massive $24 million contract on day one of free agency, the Bears are going to feed Swift. He’s a talented player, and his matchup is juicy. Carolina has allowed opposing running backs to score touchdowns each week this season.
3] Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, NYG)
Watch the injury report this weekend as Giants rookie Malik Nabers has yet to clear concussion protocol. If Nabers sits, Robinson is a must-start. Even if Nabers gets the OK, I’m on the Robinson bandwagon. This analysis is simple. Who gets targets in New York? At this point, it's just Nabers and Robinson. Through four weeks, Robinson has seen 38 targets (Nabers has 52). The next closest Giant has 15. Follow the targets.
Sit These Players
1] Brock Bowers (TE, LV)
It’s hard to say sitting any tight end with a pulse is a smart move. Bowers is a stud. But if Michael Mayer sits for the Raiders, it means there will be more time for Bowers as an in-line TE. That’s blocking and getting held off the line, not where he excels. While I do like Bowers going forward, especially if Davante Adams gets traded, but not this week. This week’s opponent, Denver, hasn’t allowed over 50 yards to the TE position this season. I’m not feeling Bowers, even for a depleted Raiders offensive unit.
2] Trey Sermon (RB, IND)
Listen, I understand if you are desperate at the running back position, he might be all you have. I don’t want you to sit a legitimate player for someone who is a career backup and in a bad spot. Just because Sermon plays RB for the Colts doesn’t make him Jonathon Taylor 2.0.
His Week 5 opponent, Jacksonville, doesn’t allow much on the ground. Only one back has run for over 60 yards on them. Where backs do their damage versus the Jags is catching balls out of the backfield. Four different backs have caught at least three passes against this defense. Sermon likely won’t get those chances as the Colts rotate in Tyler Goodson for passing downs. For those reasons, I’m out on this week’s waiver wire darling.
3] Jaylen Waddle (WR, MIA)
This is almost too easy. The Dolphins offense is dead without Tua Tagovailoa. I could’ve listed De’Von Achane or Tyreek Hill as I did last week. I want to hammer home the fact that you need to run from this team. I’m sorry if you have these skill players and can’t bench them. Honestly, try your best, though. Waddle is struggling mightily. In two games without Tagovailoa, Waddle has eight catches for 36 yards. Yuck. Find someone, anyone else, for Week 5.
