Fantasy Football Mailbag - Week 5

October 5, 2019

Kev Mahserejian answers reader questions from the fantasy football mailbag with his weekly Q&A session. In Week 5, he will provide lineup advice to answer pressing start/sit questions for tough matchups.

This article's content may vary week-to-week, but generally, it will be answering questions fielded from either the @RotoBallerNFL twitter account or my personal one (@RotoSurgeon). This week, the focus is on start/sit questions, and there were plenty. Every week, many of us struggle with which quarterback to start, or who to flex, and I am here to help.

The questions selected will combat difficult decisions that might be specific to Week 5 starters. We have seen plenty of early risers and fallers who may not make the cut in our lineup as we stumble through the season. The hype and shine wear off some places and beginning to glisten elsewhere. However, sometimes, it is just best to not rock the boat (particularly if things are going well).

If you need any questions answered in the coming weeks, feel free to follow and ask either account and we will make sure to respond promptly.

Week 5 Sit/Start Questions

It feels gross typing this but Michel is the answer. He is in line for a good chunk of work against an awful Skins' defense in a game that New England could win by 40. Michel's production thus far has been solely reliant on him finding the endzone. This week could finally be the time in which Belichick just stuffs him with carries and he succeeds. Washington's run defense is atrocious and the Patriots will have a field day against them.

Wayne Gallman was great last week against the same Washington defense but now gets a brutal Vikings front that is fully healthy and has only allowed one touchdown and one team to rush for over 100 yards in a game. Gallman should have more work in passing situations but even then the overall effort should be mediocre.

Verdict: Sony Michel

The Bears FINALLY gave David Montgomery the ball more than 20 times last week. Although not much production came of it, the positive takeaway was that the volume was there, particularly with Mike Davis inactive. Going forward, as long as this volume sustains, Montgomery is an every-week must start, even in PPR leagues. He is not targeted too much but sees his fair share of passes and will be utilized as the goalline back in a halfway decent offense. Gordon is great and should be in line for a good week.

I want him in my lineups if I could fit him in, just not over Montgomery whose ceiling is higher against a wretched Oakland defense. RBs are also safer than WRs and with the potential game-script issues against Washington. New England could be up so much that passing downfield becomes an unnecessary luxury.

Verdict: David Montgomery

Mixon is in prime position to have his second good game of the year. Playing at home against a weak Arizona front is the ideal opportunity to carve out some yardage and maybe punch one in. The Bengals offense was a disaster last week, but we all know how deceiving Primetime Andy Dalton is. They will look to right the ship in Cincinnati with less pressure and an easier defense.

Gordon is still just returning from his holdout and may see limited touches. If the Chargers go up by a good amount against the Broncos, they may not even ride him to kill the clock. Gordon also will be subbed out plenty for Ekeler in passing downs. He's a risky play in a good matchup. Mixon is the undoubted bell-cow this week and deserves the nod for fantasy.

Verdict: Joe Mixon

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Diggs is clearly frustrated with his role in the offense and how much the Vikes are passing as a whole. This week, against the New York Football Giants, is a great bounceback for Cousins and co. to pad Diggs' and Thielen's stats. The Giants have arguably the worst secondary in football and can't really rush the QB well enough to disrupt passes.

There is going to be plenty of yardage and potential scores to go around. Samuel is a fine flex, but I would not start him over Diggs if Diggs is active. The matchup against Jacksonville isn't as daunting without Jalen Ramsey though.

Verdict: Stefon Diggs (if active)

More Start/Sit Advice