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Fantasy football lineup advice based on Week 5 matchups. Chris Mangano gives his In-depth matchups analysis, lineups start and sit recommendations, and players he loves or hates.
Welcome to our Week 5 matchups analysis and starts/sits column for fantasy football. We'll be covering every matchup from every Sunday game to help you make the best decisions for your fantasy lineups. We'll also be updating this as injury reports come in so check back often.
This article will cover the early slate of games, beginning at 1 PM ET on Sunday. Click here to see our late game matchups analysis and our MNF matchups analysis (released on Saturdays).
Check back here each week to get advice for your toughest start/sit decisions and take a look at our consensus rankings each week. Find me on Twitter @ChrisMangano for more insight and help to your start/sit questions.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
- Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Matchups Analysis - 1:00 PM ET Games
The early slate has a full load of eight games this week, as there are still only two teams on a bye. Set those lineups in time by analyzing each matchup below to gain the best advantage.
Titans at Bills
Matchups We Love:
Marcus Mariota (QB, TEN)
Mariota looked all the way healthy in Week 4, completing 30 of 43 passes and throwing for 344 yards with two touchdowns. He will carry that momentum into a matchup with the Bills, who average giving up 277 yards and two touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks per game. Mariota is a great streaming option this week.
Dion Lewis (RB, TEN)
On the season, Lewis leads the Titans backfield with 62% of the snaps and 84% of the team's targets but has 11 fewer carries than Derrick Henry. Still, Lewis' involvement in the passing game gives him plenty of value, and he gets a Bills defense that is allowing the eighth-most receptions to backs. They also give up almost 100 yards on the ground so there is plenty of opportunity for Lewis.
Corey Davis (WR, TEN)
Davis had a breakout game in Week 4, hauling in nine of 15 targets for 161 yards and a score. He now has a massive 32% share of the team's targets and gets a Bills defense allowing 15 catches per game to receivers (7th worst). Davis should continue where he left off last week and is a high-upside WR2.
Matchups We Hate:
Jonnu Smith (TE, TEN)
Despite playing three more games, Smith has only one more target than injured tight end Delanie Walker and is barely fantasy relevant. The matchup isn't the worst, but Smith's lack of involvement keeps him from being startable. You should have better options.
Josh Allen (QB, BUF)
Allen hasn't thrown for more than 200 yards in his last two starts, and has one touchdown and two interceptions over that span. Facing a Titans defense that ranks 15th in points allowed to the position, Allen is tough to trust. He is barely on the QB2 radar and should not be started in one quarterback leagues.
LeSean McCoy, Chris Ivory (RB, BUF)
McCoy returned from his one-week absence and was expected to lead the backfield, but he was actually out-carried by Ivory six to five. McCoy did see all six of the running back targets, however. The Titans are one of the stingiest teams against running backs, allowing the fourth-fewest points. Combine that with the Bills ineptitude on offense, and both McCoy and Ivory are hard to trust in starting lineups.
Charles Clay (TE, BUF)
Clay has only eight catches and 87 yards on the season and now must face a Titans defense that ranks third against tight ends, allowing less than five catches and 50 yards per game. There is no format where Clay should be started.
Other Matchups:
Derrick Henry (RB, TEN)
Henry is nothing more than an early-down runner in a timeshare and has seen just 55% of the team's running back carries. He is hardly involved in the passing game, which is crucial in this modern-day NFL. The Bills are holding opposing backs to just 3.9 YPC, but do give up almost 100 yards on the ground. Still, Henry is tough to trust and is completely touchdown-dependent at this point.
Taywan Taylor (WR, TEN)
Taylor is clearly the Titan's number two receiver and was fed nine targets in Week 4, turning them into seven catches and 77 yards. The Bills are friendly to receivers, and Taylor should benefit. He is firmly in the WR3 mix.
Kelvin Benjamin, Zay Jones (WR, BUF)
Since Josh Allen took over at quarterback, Benjamin and Jones are close in targets (14 to 11) but have just 13 combined catches, 195 yards, and one score. The Titans are allowing over 14 catches per game (11th worst), and more than one touchdown per game to receivers - but trusting either as more than a WR4 is tough. Benjamin has the slight edge if you have to choose, which hopefully you don't.
Falcons at Steelers
Matchups We Love:
Matt Ryan (QB, ATL)
Over the last three games, Ryan has 1,065 yards and 10 touchdowns. The red-hot Ryan now gets a Steelers defense giving up over 320 yards and three touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. Ryan is a top-5 QB start in all formats this week.
Julio Jones (WR, ATL)
Despite his lack of touchdowns, Jones leads the league in yards with 512 and has a monstrous 32% share of the Falcons targets. The Steelers allow the second-most yards to receivers and give up just under two touchdowns per game. Even if Jones can't find the end zone again, he has plenty of upside as a top-5 WR.
Austin Hooper (TE, ATL)
Hooper isn't targeted as heavily as fantasy owners would like, but he is a red-zone threat and gets a great matchup against a Steelers defense allowing the most catches to tight ends and the second most fantasy points. Hooper is a great streaming option, or a fine start, for those teams that are hurting at the position.
Ben Roethlisberger (QB, ATL)
After throwing for 805 yards and six touchdowns over a two-game span, Roethlisberger was held in check by a tough Ravens defense. He should bounce back this week, however, as the Falcons average allowing almost 300 yards and over two touchdowns per game to opposing passers. Roethlisberger has top-five QB upside in Week 5.
James Conner (RB, PIT)
After a huge Week 1, Conner has slowed down a bit as the Steelers have unleashed the passing game. He is still playing the majority of snaps (86%), has all but four of the running back carries, and all but one target. He should feast against a Falcons defense allowing almost 120 yards on the ground and 5 YPC, and will also be without starting tackle Grady Jarrett. If that's not enough, the Falcons allow over 10 receptions per game to backs, the most in the league. Conner is an easy RB1 start and has top-5 upside.
Antonio Brown, Juju Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT)
It's been a "slow" start for Brown, though it should be noted that he has as many PPR points as he had at this time last year - and is second only to Adam Thielen in targets. This game has all the makings of his first blow-up of 2018, as the Falcons allow the 11th most receptions to receivers and give up almost two touchdowns per game to the position. Brown is a high-end WR1. Speaking of WR1s, it may be time to give Smith-Schuster that consideration as he has only three fewer targets than Brown. In a great spot this week, he is a must-start in all formats.
Matchups We Hate:
None
Other Matchups:
Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman (RB, ATL)
Freeman looks set to return from his knee injury, and should once again take over starter duties with Coleman's role being reduced. The Steelers only allow 4.2 YPC to backs, but are giving up 115 yards on the ground. They do rank quite well in the passing game, however, allowing just three catches per game to opposing running backs. Freeman obviously carries risk in his first game back from injury, but can still be considered an RB2 while Coleman is more of a flex play.
Calvin Ridley (WR, ATL)
Ridley has had a phenomenal last two weeks, to say the least, turning 14 targets into 11 catches, 200 yards, and a ridiculous five touchdowns. Obviously this pace can't last forever, if he doesn't get more involved, but he draws another plus matchup this week against the Steelers. He can be viewed as a high-upside WR3.
Vance McDonald (TE, PIT)
McDonald continues to impress as he has 12 catches, 200 yards, and a score since returning from injury. He has also out-targeted Jesse James 15 to seven over that span. The Falcons are not an ideal matchup, allowing less than five catches and 50 yards per game to the position, but McDonald's role seems secure. He is worth a start in most formats.
Broncos at Jets
Matchups We Love:
None
Matchups We Hate:
Case Keenum (QB, DEN)
Keenum has faced one of the softest quarterback schedules, yet has only one game with over 250 yards and hasn't thrown a touchdown in three straight. Now he faces a Jets defense giving up under 270 yards, and barely over one touchdown, per game to passers. Keenum should be avoided if possible and is barely a QB2.
Demaryius Thomas (WR, DEN)
Thomas leads the Broncos with 31 targets, but only has 12 over the last two games as Courtland Sutton has come on with nine. The Jets are not overly tough against receivers, but they rank second in DVOA against team's number one receivers. Morris Claiborne and Trumaine Johnson are playing well, and with Sutton emerging Thomas is tough to trust as anything more than a WR3.
Bilal Powell, Isaiah Crowell (RB, NYJ)
Powell and Crowell continue to split snaps (52% to 43%) and carries (39 to 42), but Powell does have 16 targets to Crowell's seven. The Broncos are allowing just 3.9 YPC, however, and under 100 yards per game on the ground. They're only giving up 41 yards through the air to backs as well, so neither Powell nor Crowell looks appealing. Neither can be considered more than a flex start with Powell having the edge in PPR.
Jeff Heuerman (TE, NYJ)
With Jake Butt suffering an ACL injury during practice, Heuerman became the defacto starting tight end and saw seven targets in Week 4, tied for most on the team. Unfortunately, the Jets are one of the stingiest defenses versus tight ends, allowing less than three catches and 35 yards per game. Heuerman is an extremely risky start in Week 5.
Other Matchups:
Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman (RB, DEN)
In Week 4, Lindsay led the Broncos backfield with 40% of snaps, while Freeman lagged behind even Devontae Booker with just 27% of snaps played. Despite essentially missing Week 3 after being ejected, Lindsay still has more carries and targets than Freeman. The Jets allow just 3.8 YPC but are giving up over 100 yards per game on the ground. Still, this is a timeshare. Lindsay is the preferred option and is a borderline RB2, while Freeman is more of a flex.
Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton (WR, DEN)
Over the last two games, Sanders has lead the team with 14 targets, while Sutton has been third with nine targets and seems to be emerging. The Jets allow over 15 catches per game to receivers (5th worst), and do a good job against team's number one receiver but struggle elsewhere. This is good news for Sanders and Sutton. Sanders is a WR2 with upside, while Sutton is pushing for WR3 status.
Sam Darnold (QB, NYJ)
In two tough matchups against the Browns and Jaguars, Darnold hasn't thrown for over 170 yards in a game and has one touchdown over that span versus two interceptions. The Broncos will be a welcome sight as they allow almost 300 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. Still, Darnold is tough to trust and can't be considered more than a QB2.
Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson (WR, NYJ)
Enunwa's volume has slowed down the last two weeks as he has just 14 targets, after seeing 21 the first two games. Still, he leads the team over that stretch. Anderson, meanwhile, has only 16 targets on the season but 10 of them have come in the last two games. The Broncos don't allow a lot of yards to receivers, but they are giving up the 11th most catches. Enunwa is on that fringe WR3/WR2 radar, while Anderson is a boom/bust WR4.
Jaguars at Chiefs
Matchups We Love:
Blake Bortles (QB, JAX)
Bortles has thrown for over 300 yards and at least two touchdowns in two of his last three games, and gets a Chiefs defense giving up 343 yards and two touchdowns per game. Dating back to last year, Bortles averages 34 attempts, 287 yards and almost two touchdowns in games that Leonard Fournette has missed. He doesn't offer the safest floor, but he has a massive ceiling in this one.
Dede Westbrook (WR, JAX)
Westbrook leads all Jaguars with 28 targets, and gets a Chiefs defense allowing the seventh most receptions to receivers. With Bortles in line for a big game, Westbrook seems to be the most likely beneficiary.
T.J. Yeldon (RB, JAX)
In the two games Leonard Fournette did not start this season, Yeldon has averaged 16 carries and three receptions and is scoring 20.45 PPR points. Against a Chiefs defense ranked dead last in YPC (5.7) and allowing over 120 yards on the ground, not to mention almost 100 yards to backs through the air, Yeldon has real RB1 upside in Week 5. If you have him, start him.
Matchups We Hate:
Kareem Hunt (RB, KC)
Hunt finally got involved in the passing game in Week 4, catching three passes on four targets. He also got plenty of work around the goal-line, both things that should help his value. It will be tough sledding this week, however, against a Jaguars defense allowing the fifth-fewest points to backs and barely over 100 combined yards rushing and receiving. You likely can't bench Hunt, but you should temper expectations.
Tyreek Hill (WR, KC)
It's unlikely Hill will be shadowed by Jalen Ramsey as the Chiefs move him around the formation enough, but he's still in a tough spot against a Jaguars secondary allowing just 10 catches a game and barely over 100 yards to receivers. Hill is always one play away, and he can't be benched, but he is in a spot to potentially disappoint in Week 5.
Travis Kelce (TE, KC)
After a slow Week 1, Kelce has been unstoppable with at least 100 yards or a touchdown in every game since. He'll need to work for it against a Jaguars unit that is giving up less than four catches and 35 yards per game to the position. Only one tight end has found the end zone against them as well. You can't bench Kelce in today's landscape, but you should temper expectations.
Other Matchups:
Keelan Cole, Donte Moncrief (WR, JAX)
Cole and Moncrief are tied for second on the Jaguars with 23 targets, though Cole has done much more with his. Cole has a 17/225/1 line while Moncrief has a 12/173/2 line. Moncrief does have a touchdown in back-to-back games and is seeing plenty of opportunities though. Both are in a good spot here, though Cole is the safest of the two and can be viewed as an upside WR3. Moncrief carries lots of risks but plenty of upside as well, and should be viewed as a boom/bust WR4.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, JAX)
Seferian-Jenkins has been seeing a decent opportunity with 19 targets and is always a red-zone threat. He gets a great matchup against a Chiefs defense allowing almost 100 yards per game to tight ends. They have only allowed one touchdown, however, but Seferian-Jenkins always has a chance to score due to his size and presence in the end zone. He is a decent streaming option if you're really desperate.
Patrick Mahomes (QB, KC)
Mahomes is having quite the start with at least 300 yards in each of the last three games. He "only" threw for one touchdown in Week 4 after having 10 in the first three games, but he made up for it by running in a score. He will face his toughest test this week, however, against the number one ranked defense versus quarterbacks. On the year the Jaguars are allowing just 183 yards and less than one touchdown to opposing passers. You can't bench Mahomes even in this matchup, but you should temper expectations.
Packers at Lions
Matchups We Love:
None
Matchups We Hate:
Jamaal Williams (RB, GB)
In Week 4 Williams only played 38% of the snaps and could only turn 11 carries into 27 yards. It seems like it will be harder and harder for him to stay on the field with Aaron Jones back and playing well. The Lions are horrible against running backs, which could salvage some value for him, but with his current usage he can't be started.
Davante Adams (WR, GB)
Not only is Adams in a tough spot against Lions cornerback Darius Slay, but he didn't practice on Thursday with a calf injury. The Lions secondary is allowing less than eight catches per game to receivers and just 105 yards. Even if Adams plays he will be at less than 100% and is a risk to not finish the game. At this point, you should be looking at other options if you can.
LeGarrette Blount (RB, DET)
Blount is barely clinging to fantasy relevance as he played only 14 snaps in Week 4 and had just seven carries. The Packers run defense is nothing to be scared of, but that kind of usage is. Blount should not be started in any format.
Other Matchups:
Aaron Rodgers (QB, GB)
Rodgers has yet to throw for 300 yards in a game, and has only thrown for two or more touchdowns twice. Now he could be without his three starting receivers as Davante Adams, Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison all look doubtful to play. Even if one or all of them do, the Lions are allowing less than 200 yards and two touchdowns per game to quarterbacks, so this is not a smash spot. Rodgers is tough to bench and is still a QB1, but he may have limited upside in this one.
Aaron Jones, Ty Montgomery (RB, GB)
In his two games back from suspension, Jones has looked like the Packers best runner but has yet to get more than 11 carries or play more than 38% of the snaps. He should start to see more work and more snaps, however, and gets a great matchup against a Lions defense allowing 5.3 YPC and over 150 yards on the ground. Jones is a risky start but has plenty of upside as an RB3. Montgomery, meanwhile, has seven catches over the last two games and could see even more work in a game where the Packers could be missing key receivers. The Lions are allowing just over five catches and 50 yards through the air to backs, but Montgomery should be heavily involved. He is a PPR flex start.
Jimmy Graham (TE, GB)
Graham has 13 targets over the last two games, and should be heavily involved with the Packers starting receivers in real doubt of playing. The Lions have not been kind to tight ends this year, but Graham is looking at a real boost in opportunity in Week 5. Especially if Davante Adams misses this game, Graham has top-5 upside in Week 5.
Matthew Stafford (QB, DET)
After a dismal Week 1, Stafford has been his usual solid self, throwing for over 300 yards in two of his last three with at least two touchdowns in each. The Packers are not a soft matchup, however, allowing under 250 yards and less than two touchdowns a game to quarterbacks. Still, Stafford has to be considered a weekly QB1 albeit with more limited upside this week.
Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick (RB, DET)
Despite looking good thus far, Johnson has not seen more opportunity and played just 37% of snaps in Week 4. After his 16 carries, 101 yard Week 3, Johnson saw only nine carries in Week 4. The Packers are not a scary run defense allowing 4.5 YPC and just over 100 yards on the ground, and if Johnson were guaranteed a bigger workload he would be a high-end RB2 start. But as it is, he can't be considered more than a fringe RB2. Riddick, meanwhile, continues to lead the Lions in snaps and garner most of the third-down work. Riddick has at least three catches in every game and always has low-end PPR flex value.
Golden Tate, Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones (WR, DET)
The Lions are a rare team that can support three receivers, with Tate, Golladay and Jones each having at least 29 targets. The Packers are only allowing 11.5 catches and 136 yards to receivers, but are giving up over a touchdown per game. Tate is the safest start of the bunch and is in the WR1 discussion, while Jones and Golladay are upside WR2 starts.
Ravens at Browns
Matchups We Love:
None
Matchups We Hate:
Maxx Williams, Nick Boyle (TE, BAL)
Williams and Boyle are tied with six targets over the last two games, and both may be hurt by the possible return of rookie Hayden Hurst. The Browns are an okay matchup for tight ends, but good luck picking the right one. It's best to avoid this situation if possible.
Baker Mayfield (QB, CLE)
Mayfield's first NFL start was a mixed bag. He threw for almost 300 yards and two touchdowns, but also was intercepted twice and lost a fumble against a soft Oakland defense. Now he must face a stout Ravens defense who is allowing just 207 yards and one touchdown per game. Better days are ahead for Mayfield, but he is a tough start this week.
Carlos Hyde (RB, CLE)
Hyde has handled 22 or more carries in three of four games and leads the league in attempts inside the five with nine. Always a threat to score, he'll need it against a Ravens run defense that is allowing just 3.9 YPC and only 82 yards a game while giving up the third fewest points to the position. Hyde's volume keeps him in the RB2 discussion, but it's hard to see him having a big game this week.
David Njoku (TE, CLE)
Njoku saw seven targets in Baker Mayfield's first start, third most on the team. Unfortunately, the Ravens are one of the best against tight ends, giving up just five catches and 50 yards a game while not allowing a touchdown on the season. Njoku likely can't be benched, but expectations should be tempered.
Other Matchups:
Joe Flacco (QB, BAL)
Flacco has at least two touchdowns in three of four games so far, and over 360 yards in two of them, and gets a Browns defense that just gave up 437 yards and four touchdowns to Derek Carr. They did hold Ben Roethlisberger to just one touchdown and three interceptions in Week 1, and Drew Brees to under 250 yards, so this is not a sure thing. Still, with the way Flacco is playing he should be a solid QB2 or better.
Alex Collins, Javorius Allen (RB, BAL)
Collins only played 47% of snaps in Week 4 after a costly fumble at the one-yard line. Allen played 43%. As of this writing, Collins has been unable to practice this week which could really open the door for Allen. The Browns are allowing 116 yards on the ground and five catches per game. If Collins is out, Allen is a solid RB2 start. If both play, they are each an upside flex start.
John Brown, Michael Crabtree (WR, BAL)
Brown only has a 17% target share but has a ridiculous 662 air yards third most in the league. Crabtree meanwhile leads the Ravens with 35 targets but only has 19 catches and 192 yards. The Browns are fairly generous to receivers, allowing 15 catches and almost 200 yards per game. Brown's weekly ceiling is huge, but he comes with risk. Crabtree is safer but does not have the upside of Brown.
Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway (WR, CLE)
In Baker Mayfield's first start, Landry led the team with 10 targets while Callaway was second with nine. Neither did a lot, catching a combined seven passes for 84 yards. The Ravens are middle-of-the-pack against receivers, and both Landry and Callaway should have their chances. Landry can still be viewed as a WR1 while Callaway is an upside WR4.
Giants at Panthers
Matchups We Love:
Saquon Barkley (RB, NYG)
Barkley has played 80% of the Giants snaps and has at least 16 touches in every game. The Panthers run defense is allowing 4.9 YPC and 110 yards on the ground. Barkley should see plenty of opportunities and remains a weekly RB1.
Christian McCaffrey (RB, CAR)
McCaffrey is playing a ridiculous 93% of the Panthers snaps and has 68 total touches. The Giants, meanwhile, allow 4.8 YPC and 126 yards on the ground and an additional six catches a game to backs. McCaffrey is in a great spot coming out of the bye and is an easy RB1.
Matchups We Hate:
Devin Funchess (WR, CAR)
Funchess is second on the Panthers with 21 targets and has 14 catches, 185 yards, and a score. He draws a tough test against a Giants secondary that is giving up just 10 catches to receivers and is allowing the fourth-fewest points to the position. He can't be considered more than a WR3 this week.
Ian Thomas (TE, CAR)
Since taking over for Greg Olsen, Thomas has just seven targets and five catches in two games. Now he faces a Giants defense giving up just three catches a game to tight ends. Thomas should not be started in any format.
Other Matchups:
Eli Manning (QB, NYG)
Manning completely underwhelmed in a smash spot in Week 4 against the Saints, throwing for just 255 yards and one touchdown. Now he'll face a Panthers defense allowing just 264 yards and just over one touchdown per game to quarterbacks. Manning has a low ceiling and is nothing more than a QB2 start.
Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard (WR, NYG)
Beckham has 44 targets and 30 catches through the first four weeks but has yet to find the end zone. Shepard is a distant second with 28 targets but has caught 23 of them. The Panthers are not a great matchup, but aren't a scary one either, allowing over 13 catches and 176 yards to receivers. Beckham remains a weekly WR1 while Shepard is a WR3.
Rhett Ellison (TE, NYG)
With Evan Engram out, Ellison only turned five targets into three catches for 39 yards. He gets a good matchup versus a Panthers defense that allows six catches and over 60 yards to tight ends, and has allowed a touchdown in three of four games. Ellison comes with plenty of risks, and even in a good matchup can't be considered more than a low-end TE2.
Cam Newton (QB, CAR)
Newton only has one game with more than 161 passing yards but has rushed for at least 36 in all three and has three rushing touchdowns. The Giants only allow 237 yards and one touchdown per game to quarterbacks, but Newton does enough with his legs to make up for it. He may not have massive upside in this one, but he remains a QB1.
Dolphins at Bengals
Matchups We Love:
Joe Mixon (RB, CIN)
Mixon has had 22 touches in each of his first two starts this year and has played 63% of snaps. He received seven targets in Week 1 but then ceded passing down work to Giovani Bernard in Week 2. Bernard injured his knee on his last carry in Week 4 and looks doubtful to play which would leave Mixon with a huge workload. The Dolphins are giving up over 100 yards on the ground and almost eight receptions to receivers. With Bernard out, Mixon should easily see over 20 touches and is a locked-in RB1.
Matchups We Hate:
A.J. Green (WR, CIN)
Green has had a strong start to 2018 with 20 catches, 297 yards, and five touchdowns. He draws a very tough matchup in Week 5, however, as Dolphins corner Xavien Howard has shut down every player he has faced. On the year Howard has done the following to opposing receivers: Brandin Cooks 1/38/0, Julio Jones 6/72/0 and Amari Cooper 2/17/0. Green can't be benched, but owners should temper expectations.
Tyler Kroft, C.J. Uzomah (TE, CIN)
With Tyler Eifert's season once again over, Kroft should once again see more work. Last year Kroft only had 42 catches but added seven touchdowns. It's important to note that Uzomah has played more snaps and has more targets than Kroft thus far, so it is not a guarantee that Kroft is the player to own here. Regardless, the Dolphins allow the seventh fewest points to tight ends and owners should take a wait and see approach if possible.
Kenyan Drake, Frank Gore (RB, MIA)
Drake has eight carries and three receptions over the last two games, while Gore has 17 carries and two receptions over that span. It's troubling for Drake owners and makes him impossible to trust. Despite the Bengals being a good matchup, you can't play either back unless you are absolutely desperate.
Mike Gesicki (TE, MIA)
Gesicki has only seven targets and five catches in three games, and despite getting a good matchup against a Bengals defense that ranks 25th versus the position, he can't be started in almost any format.
Other Matchups:
Ryan Tannehill (QB, MIA)
After a solid start to the season, Tannehill was shut down by the Patriots and threw just 100 yards with an interception. The Bengals secondary presents a great matchup, allowing over 300 yards and two touchdowns to quarterbacks. Still, Tannehill is hard to trust as anything more than a QB2 even in a great spot.
Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson (WR, MIA)
Stills and Wilson are tied for the team lead in targets, but that is only 19 apiece. Both have been fantasy viable thanks to touchdowns and big plays, but when that doesn't happen they can kill your week. The Bengals are allowing over 15 catches and close to 200 yards to receivers, so this may be a week that one or both can hit a big one. Stills is the safer bet and offers tons of upside as a WR3, while Wilson can't be considered more than a WR4.
Andy Dalton (QB, CIN)
Dalton has thrown for over 300 yards in back-to-back games and has five touchdowns over that span. The Dolphins defense is allowing almost 300 yards but just one touchdown per game. Still, the Bengals offense is clicking and Dalton is rolling. He can be viewed as a fringe QB1 in Week 5.
Tyler Boyd (WR, CIN)
Boyd leads the team in targets, catches, and yards, and draws the better matchup as he won't have to face Xavien Howard. The Dolphins aren't a great matchup for receivers, allowing just 11 catches per game and less than one touchdown. Still, Boyd has emerged as an every week start and can be considered a fringe WR3/2 start.
