Week 5 fantasy football: recommended starters and bench players
Analyst Justin Boone outlines which NFL players to start and which to bench for Week 5 fantasy lineups, highlighting matchups and recent performances.
Justin Boone’s Week 5 fantasy guide advises managers to start Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford against the Bills, noting the high-scoring Monday Night Football matchup and Buffalo’s tendency to allow passing yards. He also recommends starting Drake Maye, Jared Goff and other quarterbacks with favorable dome or defensive matchups.
Running back Jaylen Warren of the Steelers is suggested as a starter versus the Colts, benefiting from Rico Dowdle’s injury and a relatively easy opponent. Additional backs highlighted include Bhayshul Tuten, Emanuel Wilson and Braelon Allen, each projected to see increased workload against vulnerable defenses.
Wide receiver Jameson Williams (Lions) is endorsed after a 102-yard performance, and other receivers such as DK Metcalf, Romeo Doubs and Dohnte Meyers are listed as viable starts based on injuries to teammates and favorable defensive trends.
Tight end Mike Gesicki (Bengals) is recommended for his recent touchdown production and the Dolphins’ permissive defense, with Juwan Johnson and Tyler Higbee offered as alternative streaming options.
Boone advises benching several players, including Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who faces a strong Jaguars defense amid multiple Philadelphia injuries, and quarterback Justin Herbert against the Broncos. Running back Alvin Kamara is flagged as a high-risk option versus the Vikings, while other backs such as Omarion Hampton, Tony Pollard and J.K. Dobbins are also suggested to sit.
Wideouts Devaughn Vele, Courtland Sutton and Wan'Dale Robinson are recommended to be left out of lineups due to tough upcoming matchups, and tight end T.J. Hockenson is labeled a low-floor streamer pending the status of Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson.