Fantasy football start/sit: Jets' Bilal Powell cleared for takeoff
Every week, our friends at Bruno Boys Fantasy Football take a look at every NFL game on the slate and offer up their recommendations of players to start or sit, based on that week's matchups.
(Disclaimer: Some picks may not agree with -- or may run counter to -- the rankings and other opinions expressed elsewhere on this site. As always, fantasy owners are encouraged to absorb as much information as possible to make an informed decision for their teams.)
Fantasy rankings: How the players stack up at each position in Week 5
Start
Patriots WR Chris Hogan. The sure-handed possession receiver has four touchdowns over the last three games and has developed into Tom Brady’s favorite red-zone target. Expect another big game against the 31st-ranked Tampa Bay pass defense.
Jets RB Bilal Powell. Powell finally had the week everyone has been awaiting, torching the Jacksonville Jaguars for 190 total yards and a touchdown in Week 4. Next is a cupcake matchup against a Cleveland Browns team that has trouble defending running backs who can catch the football.
Lions RB Theo Riddick. The pass-catching specialist out of the backfield has the same number of receptions (14) as rushing attempts. The Panthers have surrendered 35 receptions to opposing running backs over four games.
Colts QB Jacoby Brissett. After a breakout Week 3 (273 total yards, three TDs), Brissett came back to earth against the Seattle Seahawks. The dual-threat quarterback has a chance for a big game against the 49ers’ bend-but-don’t-break 22nd-ranked passing defense. There is risk, but potential high-end reward.
Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi. The workhorse has 62 yards on 23 carries since Week 2, and the Dolphins have totaled six points in those two games. Look for him to get on track against a Titans defense allowing 31.5 points per game.
Bengals K Randy Bullock. Both teams have top-tier defenses, and this game could be a kick-fest. Bullock has gone 5-for-6 in field goal attempts and should see an uptick in opportunity in Week 5. Bills opponents have made nine fields in four games.
Chargers RB Melvin Gordon. Gordon, after getting 22 yards on 10 carries in Week 4, has failed to top 80 rushing yards in any game and has fewer than 25 yards in two of them. Facing a Giants run defense that gives up 4.6 yards per carry is just what Gordon needs.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben hasn’t had a smooth start, but he still has six touchdown passes through four games. The Jaguars passing defense is No. 1 in the league, but it’s aided by shoddy quarterback play. Roethlisberger is due for a big game, and he’s better at home.
Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood. He has made the most of increased playing time after Darren Sproles’ injury. He had 34 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards and a TD in Week 4. The Cards are tough against the run but allow more than five receptions per game to opposing running backs.
Seahawks RB Eddie Lacy. He took advantage of a Chris Carson injury to run for 52 yards on 11 carries in a Week 4 victory. With Carson expected to miss significant time, Lacy should see double-figure touches moving forward.
Ravens QB Joe Flacco. He has more interceptions (six) than touchdown passes (four). But Flacco has a chance to make things right in Week 5. The Raiders have yet to intercept a pass and have allowed 15 plays of more than 20 yards.
Packers WR Randall Cobb. Despite fighting injuries and missing one game, Cobb has had a promising start. He’s averaging more than six receptions and 63 yards per game. Cobb should see even more opportunity against the Cowboys’ 19th-ranked passing defense.
Texans RB Lamar Miller. He’s back. Just when everyone started to write Miller off, the running back went for 131 total yards and two touchdowns in Week 4. Look for Miller to flirt with 100 total yards against a Chiefs defense that gives up more than 4 yards per carry.
Vikings RB Latavius Murray. After starting RB Dalvin Cook tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 4, Murray assumes the job as the lead back for Minnesota. He had 12 rushing touchdowns a season ago.
Sit
Buccaneers RB Doug Martin. Fresh off a suspension, this isn’t the week to trust Martin. The Buccaneers are on a short week, and no one knows what Martin’s role will be out of the gate.
Browns WR Kenny Britt. The matchup is irrelevant when your quarterback struggles with accuracy. Britt’s inconsistency this season can be traced to DeShone Kizer’s erratic quarterback play.
Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart. He’s averaging 3.9 yards per carry but has no touchdowns. You can’t expect anything out of the ordinary this week against the Lions and their top-10 defense against the run.
49ers QB Brian Hoyer. Hoyer isn’t a viable bye-week replacement. Other than flashes of relevancy in Week 3, Hoyer has been inaccurate.
Titans RB DeMarco Murray. He has had three lackluster performances in four games and is averaging 12 touches a game. Until Murray shows signs of consistency, you can’t rely on him.
Bills QB Tyrod Taylor. He has five touchdowns against one turnover. But the Bengals have held three of four opposing quarterbacks to fewer than 130 yards passing. Even if Taylor tops that, it won’t be by much.
Giants WR Brandon Marshall. He has 14 receptions over his last two games but is failing to separate from defenders and has 112 total yards. The Chargers rank sixth in the NFL against the pass.
Jaguars WR Allen Hurns. While the wideout has been a reliable target for Blake Bortles, no team is better at defending wide receivers than the Steelers. Hurns will have his work cut out for him.
Cardinals RB Chris Johnson. Johnson continues to see most of the carries but does nothing with the opportunity. He has 93 yards on 36 carries, and the Eagles give up just 70.8 rushing yards per game.
Rams QB Jared Goff. Goff has defied odds with his hot start. He has seven touchdown passes against one interception through four games. Expect a reality check against the Seahawks’ fourth-ranked pass defense.
Raiders WR Amari Cooper. Plagued by a case of the drops, Cooper has three receptions for 15 yards over the last two games. Also hurting his cause, QB Derek Carr (back) will miss the game.
Cowboys TE Jason Witten. After a strong start, he has totaled two receptions for 12 yards since Week 2. Green Bay has held opposing tight ends to three receptions for 26.5 yards per game this season.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce. Kelce has lacked consistency week to week. He struggled in Week 1 and Week 3 but was strong in Weeks 2 and 4. The uncertainty from week to week leaves a lot to be desired.
Bears RBs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. This game has recipe for disaster written all over it. The Vikings rank fourth in the NFL (71.2 yards per game) against the run and will be feasting on the Bears.