Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 5: George Pickens, Zay Flowers, Dameon Pierce

Should I start George Pickens, Zay Flowers, or Dameon Pierce in Week 5? Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks and recommendations for the 2023 NFL season.

Week 5 is almost upon us, and now that the dust has settled from the first four weeks, start/sit decisions from here on out can make or break your chances of winning your fantasy league.

Today, we're taking a look at a pair of young wide receivers from the AFC North facing off against each other on Sunday. Both George Pickens and Zay Flowers have established themselves as the WR1 on their respective teams (at least until Diontae Johnson returns from injured reserve). Another young player, Dameon Pierce, claimed the throne in the Houston backfield. Under C.J. Stroud, the Texans' offense is ascending and the offensive line is getting healthier.

Should you start Pickens, Flowers, or Pierce in Week 5? Let's dive in.

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Should I Start George Pickens In Week 5?

George Pickens has been the focal point of the Pittsburgh passing game since Diontae Johnson injured his hamstring in Week 1. The second-year wideout is averaging 7.5 targets per game and has tallied 16 receptions for 263 yards and a touchdown. But with more offensive responsibility comes more attention from opposing defenses.

In addition to Johnson, tight end Pat Freiermuth is also on the shelf with a hamstring issue. That's Pittsburgh's top two receivers from 2022. Now, Baltimore can gameplan against the new top receiving option in Pickens. The Ravens have only allowed one wide receiver to score a touchdown this season (Tee Higgins had two in Week 2) and reinforcements appear to be arriving in the form of starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

This matchup is the proud owner of the lowest over/under on the weekend. If Vegas is correct, touchdowns will be a rarity.

If you take away Pickens' 71-yard touchdown in Week 2, the former Georgia Bulldog has been mediocre. His top performance would then be in Week 3 when he snagged four catches for 75 yards. The chances of Pickens having another subpar stat line are high, but he's proved he just needs one play to boom.

Pickens is the WR24 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Zay Flowers In Week 5?

Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers has oscillated between respectable and mediocre PPR fantasy performances. In both home games (Weeks 1 and 3), quarterback Lamar Jackson peppered Flowers with ten targets. In the other two contests, those target numbers have decreased by five or more.

Prior to, D.J. Moore's explosion on Thursday Night Football (which vaulted Washington to the worst fantasy football defense against opposing wide receivers), Pittsburgh sat third in that metric. Do I need to remind you what Nico Collins, Davante Adams, and Brandon Aiyuk did to the Steelers' secondary?

Flowers is not on the same talent level as the receivers listed above, but he does possess the ability to stretch the defense or take a screen pass to the house. Pittsburgh cornerback Patrick Peterson shared that exact sentiment, with one choice word included.

Flowers is the WR23 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

Should I Start Dameon Pierce In Week 5?

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce finally had a rushing total worthy of his draft capital in Week 4. Still, it was far from efficient. It took the second-year runner 24 carries to get to 81 yards (3.38 yards per carry). In his three other contests this season, Pierce's rushing yards did not make it out of the 30s.

If you could name the starting offensive linemen for Houston in each game so far this season, you're probably one of the handful of contestants who stumped the Schwab in the mid-2000s. Houston has placed several starting linemen on injured reserve (Kenyon Green, Kendrick Green, Tytus Howard, and Juice Scruggs) and played without their left tackle Laremy Tunsil for the last three games. Howard is eligible to return and Tunsil is officially listed as questionable.

The woes up front haven't dampened the passing game but running lanes have been closed. Howard and Tunsil could boost Pierce's efficiency in the coming weeks. This week, however, may still be tough sledding. The Atlanta Falcons surrender the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season and have yet to allow a running back to score a touchdown. The lone rushing score given up was to Lions quarterback Jared Goff (his first since the 2020 season).

With the scarcity at the position and four teams taking their bye week, fantasy managers may have no other choice but to start Pierce. He's better off on benches if your roster construction allows for it.

Pierce is the RB22 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.

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