X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Fantasy Football Landmines to Avoid for Week 5 - DJ Moore, Courtland Sutton, Rico Dowdle, more

Courtland Sutton - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL DFS Picks - icon rotoballer

Danny Boily looks at fantasy football landmines, busts, avoids for Week 5 of 2024. Consider benching these players due to tough Week 5 fantasy matchups.

In Week 5 of the fantasy football season, bye weeks have started, the stakes get higher, and every lineup decision can make or break your week. If you’ve been riding the early season roller coaster, you know that managing a team is about more than just starting your stars -- it’s about avoiding potential landmines. 

These landmines are players you’d generally feel good about starting. Still, this week, some are poised to underperform thanks to brutal matchups, poor recent form (individually or from teammate anchors), or just some good old-fashioned dysfunction. 

Below, we’ll highlight five key players -- one from each offensive position, plus a flex -- who should be avoided if you have other options. These players may be fantasy regulars, but their Week 5 projections are dicey. Let’s break down why these guys might not meet expectations.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Joe Burrow, QB, vs. Baltimore Ravens 

It’s been a bumpy start for Joe Burrow, who has been struggling to find his groove despite putting up 978 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and only one interception so far this season. His 17.2 fantasy points per game aren’t terrible, but they don’t tell the whole story of his recent form. 

He’s clearly out of sync, and things aren’t about to get easier in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens defense has been exceptional this season, allowing only nine total touchdowns all year and giving up just 315.3 yards on average. Against the pass, they’ve limited opponents to just 257.5 passing yards per game. 

Need more proof of their dominance? In Week 4, they completely stifled MVP front-runner Josh Allen, holding him to 180 yards passing with zero touchdowns, while the Bills only managed to put up 10 points.

Burrow isn’t playing like the elite quarterback we expected coming into the season, and the Ravens’ fierce defense will likely expose those struggles even more. If you’ve got a safer option, it’s time to let Burrow take a seat this week.

 

Rico Dowdle, RB, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 

Rico Dowdle has pleasantly surprised those who drafted him or picked him up off waivers. As a depth player, he has put up 134 rushing yards on the season and added a decent role as a pass-catcher with nine receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown while averaging nine fantasy points per game. While those numbers don’t scream RB1, he is now officially the lead back. 

However, his Week 5 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers should make fantasy managers hit the brakes. The Steelers are a nightmare for opposing running backs, boasting the NFL’s third-ranked rushing defense.

They’ve allowed just 86.8 rushing yards per game and only surrendered one rushing touchdown all season. Dowdle, who’s only seeing a 44.5% snap share, is still sharing the backfield and isn’t getting enough volume to make a meaningful impact against such a formidable defense.

Even if you’re desperate, this is not the week to gamble on Dowdle. His production has been serviceable, but the matchup is too tough to expect anything beyond a handful of points. Find a more favorable option for your RB2 or flex spot.

 

DJ Moore, WR, vs. Carolina Panthers 

DJ Moore has been a disappointing wide receiver option for fantasy managers, hauling in only 22 receptions on 34 targets for 189 yards and a touchdown this season. Averaging 11.9 fantasy points per game, Moore’s been only a flex-level option, especially in PPR leagues. 

Week 5 could be another significant stumbling block for Moore due to one major problem: quarterback play. The Bears offense has been, frankly, a disaster. Caleb Williams, who was supposed to be a savior for Chicago, has struggled mightily. Through four games, Williams has completed just 61.7% of his passes for 787 total yards, tossing only three touchdowns while throwing four interceptions.

That kind of inefficiency won’t cut it in a matchup against the Panthers, whose defense is better than advertised. They may have had issues early in the season, but they have started to compete on both sides of the ball since Andy Dalton has taken over at quarterback. 

Moore is seeing a 21.7% target share, which should inspire some confidence, but with Williams struggling to deliver the ball consistently, Moore’s Week 5 prospects are shaky. This isn’t the week to gamble on the “revenge game” narrative against his old team. Consider other WR options if you have them.

 

Hunter Henry, TE, vs. Miami Dolphins 

Hunter Henry has shown upside as a fantasy tight end, especially during a huge Week 2, where he posted 109 receiving yards on eight receptions. With 14 receptions for 148 yards on 21 targets on the season, the rest of the weeks have been disappointing. 

He’s averaged a modest 7.2 fantasy points per game, but what’s even more glaringly absent from his stat sheet? Touchdowns. Henry has yet to find the end zone this year, which is a big problem when dealing with a low-upside, touchdown-dependent tight end.

Making matters worse, his Week 5 matchup against the Miami Dolphins presents a challenging scenario. The Dolphins have allowed just three passing touchdowns all season and are giving up a paltry 162.5 passing yards per game. Miami’s defense is designed to take away short and intermediate routes, which is where Henry does most of his damage. 

Unless New England suddenly transforms into an offensive juggernaut -- which seems unlikely -- Henry is going to have a tough time breaking free. Henry isn't your guy this week if you require a tight end with a touchdown upside. Look elsewhere in Week 5 unless you’re desperate.

 

Courtland Sutton, Flex, vs. Las Vegas Raiders 

Through four weeks, Courtland Sutton has racked up 36 targets, which he’s turned into 15 receptions for 192 yards and a touchdown. He’s also getting a healthy 25.4% target share and has been the go-to red-zone option, with six end-zone targets on the year. 

While those numbers might suggest he’s startable, Sutton’s Week 5 outlook is dimmed by his quarterback, Bo Nix. Nix has shown rookie struggles and has limited upside as a passer. In Week 4, he threw for just 60 yards against the Jets, which brings his season totals to a concerning 660 passing yards, a 60.1 completion percentage, and a woeful four interceptions to three touchdowns. 

The Raiders, while not elite defensively, have allowed only 206.8 passing yards per game and could easily stifle a Broncos passing attack that’s looked out of sync. Sutton is getting the volume you want from a flex player, but with Nix under center, his ceiling is severely limited. He’s a risky play this week, and if you’ve got a more consistent option, it’s worth benching Sutton until the Broncos figure things out.

 

Final Thoughts 

Week 5 is packed with potential fantasy traps, and knowing when to avoid certain players is just as important as finding the next breakout star. Joe Burrow, Rico Dowdle, DJ Moore, Hunter Henry, and Courtland Sutton all face challenges this week that could limit their production, and it’s better to play it safe than sorry. 

Don’t let these landmines blow up your chances for a win -- make the tough call, sit them, and find alternatives with better matchups. In fantasy football, sometimes it’s not about who you start, but who you don’t.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Quentin Johnston

Scores Twice in Brazil
Justin Herbert

Spectacular in Win Over Chiefs
Marquise Brown

Sees Absurd Target Share Friday
Bobby Witt Jr.

Exits Early on Friday
Xavier Worthy

Injures Shoulder Early in Brazil, Questionable to Return
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Placed on Injured List With Quad Strain
Tyler Glasnow

Scratched on Friday With Back Tightness
Jayden Reed

Questionable to Play in Season Opener
Christian McCaffrey

Listed as Questionable for Season Opener With Calf Issue
Tyreek Hill

Cleared for Week 1
Rasmus Hojgaard

Finishes Tied For Second at Omega European Masters
Tyrrell Hatton

Finishes Tied for 32nd at LIV Indianapolis
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Fifth at Omega European Masters
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied For Second in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Xander Schauffele

Finishes 42nd in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Tyler Glasnow

Scratched From Friday's Start for Undisclosed Reasons
Christian Kirk

Ruled Out for Week 1
Shohei Ohtani

Returning to the Mound on Friday
Kyle Finnegan

Lands on Injured List With Adductor Strain
Aaron Judge

Returns to Right Field on Friday
De'Von Achane

Without Injury Designation Heading Into Week 1
Christian McCaffrey

Seen Working on Side Field During Friday's Practice
Malik Nabers

Cleared to Play on Sunday
Willson Contreras

' Suspension Reduced, to Start Serving it on Friday
Kodai Senga

Mets Send Kodai Senga to Triple-A to Get Right
Chris Godwin

Officially Ruled Out for Week 1
Malik Nabers

' Reps Limited Friday Due to "Tight" Back
Caio Borralho

Set For A Title Eliminator Bout
Nassourdine Imavov

Looks To Earn A Title Shot
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set For UFC Paris Co-Main Event
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Paul Craig

In Dire Need Of Victory
Mason Jones

Set for Main-Card Bout
Bolaji Oki

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Rhys McKee

Set To Open Up UFC Paris Main Card
Axel Sola

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Saquon Barkley

Scores Touchdown in Low-Yardage Outing
Jalen Hurts

Rushes for Two Touchdowns on Thursday
Javonte Williams

Salvages Inefficient Outing With Two Touchdowns
CeeDee Lamb

110-Yard Game Marred by Four Drops
Will Shipley

Questionable to Return on Thursday Night
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Expected to Return on Friday
Micah Parsons

Expected to Play in Week 1
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Exits With Knee Contusions
Christian McCaffrey

Listed as Limited With Calf Injury
Justin Jefferson

Not on Week 1 Injury Report
Will Smith

Unlikely to Play This Weekend
Shohei Ohtani

to Pitch on Monday
Jon Rahm

Looks to Prove His Importance on European Ryder Cup Team
Tommy Fleetwood

Among Leaders of European Ryder Cup Team
Brandon Sproat

to Start for Mets on Sunday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
E.J. Liddell

Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Mike Trout

Plans to Return on Thursday
Will Smith

X-Rays Negative on Will Smith's Hand
Will Smith

Exits With Hand Contusion
Jackson Chourio

in Lineup Wednesday Despite Hamstring Cramps
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
Christian Yelich

Dealing With Soreness in Lower Back
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Kyle Finnegan

Dealing With Groin Issue
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch "Sometime This Weekend"
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP