🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 5 Sits And Starts - Sorensen's Matchup Analysis

Joe Sorensen covers his top sits and starts for fantasy football Week 5, using his matchup-based analysis. This week he focuses on running backs.

Week after week, we never know who is going to blow up the stat sheet for a great game. Chances are he is either on the fantasy waiver wire or on your bench. So, what do you do? Submit a waiver claim and get him, making sure to start him the following week. Result? He was not worth the start.

Without question, this happens every week to almost every owner that has ever played fantasy football. While a strong draft is one of the keys to winning your fantasy season, so is knowing who to pick up from the waiver wire and knowing when to start him. This is the biggest issue with running backs. With many teams using a running back by committee approach, one of them can be productive one week and not see a touch the following.

So, who is worth starting this week?

Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.

*Remember: These columns do not include your every-week starters. For this week, players like Todd Gurley, LeSean McCoy and Lamar Miller are not considered. This article goes deeper than that.

 

Best Start Possible - DeAndre Washington v. SD

It is time to unleash another talented rookie for the second consecutive week. Last week, we got to see Jordan Howard of the Chicago Bears break out in his first start against the Detroit Lions. This week, now that incumbent starter Latavius Murray will likely be inactive on Sunday, Washington is the next man up. With Washington, Murray and Jalen Richards all seeing snaps, the team ranks 7th in rushing. The Chargers, who have a host of injuries themselves, are ranked 7th in rushing defense. This is because the Chargers passing defense is 28th in the league. This is not to say that Washington will repeat Howard’s performance (26 touches for 132 total yards), but I think he is a reasonable starter this week as we deal with more bye weeks.

 

Quality Start - Duke Johnson v. NE

I know. You are thinking why I would suggest starting anyone against the New England Patriots. You just answered your own question. It is because it is the Pats. Tom Brady will more than likely have his team on top early, meaning Duke should see more snaps than usual. The Browns will be forced to abandon the run and Isaiah Crowell early and start throwing the ball around - Johnson’s specialty. In the past two games, both of which were much closer than this is expected to be, Johnson had 15 touches for 81 yards against Miami and 14 for 76 yards against Washington. This could easily be a game that Johnson finishes with 20 touches, including 8-10 catches for those of you in PPR leagues.

 

Worst Possible Start - Whoever Plays RB for MIA v. TEN

This should be an easy decision for anyone that has Arian Foster, Jay Ajayi, Kenyon Drake or even Damian Williams on their roster. This is not a play against the Titans rush defense considering they held Adrian Peterson to 31 yards in the season opener. The Dolphins have become too indecisive in selecting a workhorse back. Being a Dolphins fan, which I unfortunately am, leads me to believe that we have good RBs. Then, we see them on the field and their production, only to be extremely disappointed. While by themselves, a healthy Foster and possible Ajayi have the opportunity to put up solid fantasy numbers, I am taking the Titans’ 20th-ranked rush defense over Miami’s 28th-ranked rushing offense.

 

Not a Good Start - Charles Sims v. CAR

In two games without Doug Martin, Sims has been extremely disappointing. In those games, Sims has 28 carries for 83 yards (2.9 ypc) for one TD. He also has eight catches for 73 yards. Those do not seem like the numbers that a workhorse back should be putting out. Sims has not been good - a disappointment to everyone who jumped on him when they found out Martin was hurt. In what should be his last start before the Muscle Hamster returns, Sims is facing a defense that need to redeem themselves. The Panthers should be looking for a strong outing from their defense after allowing Matt Ryan and Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcon to destroy them last week. If you do not have another choice but to start Sims, good luck.

Next week, we look again at another very confusing position: wide receiver. Even at the top of the rankings, this position is congested and unexpected. It only gets more confusing as we look deeper and find bye-week replacements.

*Have a player or position question you would like me to talk about? Follow me on Twitter @JSorensen119 and let me know.


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

T.J. McConnell

Unavailable Versus Celtics
Collin Sexton

Remains Out Monday
Ilya Sorokin

to Miss Tuesday's Game
DK Metcalf

Suspended for Two Games Following Confrontation with Fan
Herbert Jones

Available on Monday Night
Jordan Walsh

Unavailable Against Indiana
Christian Dvorak

Returns to Flyers Lineup
Alex Caruso

Out Against Memphis
Elias Pettersson

Still Out Monday
Brandon Montour

to Miss Four Weeks After Hand Surgery
Lauri Markkanen

Back in Action on Monday
Miles Wood

Available Against Kings
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Ruled Out Against Cavaliers
Zach Werenski

Ruled Out Monday
Jaylen Brown

Cleared to Suit Up Versus Indiana
Leo Carlsson

Won't Play Monday
Chet Holmgren

Sidelined on Monday Evening
LaMelo Ball

Available Versus Cleveland
CFB

Byrum Brown Entering Transfer Portal
Jordan Walsh

Questionable Monday Due to Illness
Ivica Zubac

to Miss Three Weeks
Kevin Love

Resting Against Nuggets
Brandon Clarke

Won't Play On Monday
CFB

Bobby Petrino Joining Bill Belichick as North Carolina's Offensive Coordinator
Peyton Watson

Could Remain on Shelf Monday
Herbert Jones

Listed as Questionable Monday
Klay Thompson

Uncertain to Play Monday
T.J. McConnell

Considered Questionable Monday
Collin Sexton

Likely to Remain Out Monday
Jerami Grant

Tagged as Questionable for Monday
Lauri Markkanen

in Danger of Missing Third Consecutive Game
TreVeyon Henderson

Exits Week 16 Victory with Head Injury
Mikhail Sergachev

Sets Up Two Goals
Fabian Zetterlund

Extends Scoring Streak With Three-Point Effort
Cale Makar

Has Three-Point Performance Against Wild
Tomas Hertl

Notches Three Points Sunday
Connor McDavid

Continues Scoring Tear Against Vegas
Sidney Crosby

Becomes Pittsburgh's All-Time Leading Scorer
Tristan Jarry

to Miss Couple of Weeks
Lamar Jackson

Questionable to Return in Week 16 with Back Injury
Willson Contreras

Shipped to the Red Sox
Patrick Kane

to Miss Fifth Consecutive Game
Tyson Kozak

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Jack Roslovic

Ready to Return Sunday
NJ

Arseni Gritsyuk Back in Devils Lineup Sunday
Timo Meier

Available Sunday
Jack Hughes

Returns From 18-Game Absence Sunday
J.T. Miller

Out Week-to-Week
Quinshon Judkins

Done for the Season with Broken Leg
Gardner Minshew

Likely Tore His ACL on Sunday
Nick Chubb

Officially Active Against Raiders in Week 16
Gardner Minshew

Won't Return in Week 16
Woody Marks

Officially Inactive for Week 16
Quinshon Judkins

Carted Off in Week 16, Ruled Out with Apparent Leg Injury
Tua Tagovailoa

Dolphins Hope to Trade Tua Tagovailoa in the Offseason
Woody Marks

Not Expected to Play in Week 16
Washington Commanders

Commanders to Retain Dan Quinn, Fire Joe Whitt?
New York Giants

Marcus Freeman is a Top Candidate in Giants' Head Coaching Search
Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor Expected to Return as Bengals' Head Coach in 2026
Las Vegas Raiders

Pete Carroll's Future with Las Vegas Raiders in Doubt
Tee Higgins

Active for Week 16 Against Dolphins
Woody Marks

Plans to Play Against Raiders in Week 16
Tee Higgins

Likely to Play at Miami on Sunday
Drake London

Expected to Return in Week 16
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Play, Will Ease Back In
Romeo Doubs

Questionable to Return Against Bears in Week 16
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Tarik Skubal

Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
CFB

Will Muschamp Becoming Next Texas Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Beau Pribula Set to Enter Transfer Portal
Bo Bichette

Willing to Make the Move to Second Base
CFB

Jeremiyah Love Officially Heading to NFL Draft
CFB

Jake Merklinger Leaving Tennessee for Transfer Portal
Mike Trout

Angels Open to Mike Trout Playing Center Field in 2026

RANKINGS

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