Fantasy Football Start/Sit Week 5: Should You Bench Jalen Hurts?

Four weeks of the fantasy football season are in the books, and we now have enough information to put more weight behind usage trends.

Of course, injuries and changing roles can still complicate things, and the first bye weeks of the season add another wrinkle to Week 5 lineup decisions.

That makes identifying players with favorable matchups, rising workloads and dependable opportunities even more important.

Injury information may change after this article is published. You can stay up to date with this week’s injury news via our NFL player news page.

All betting references refer to the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All statistics via NFL Next Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise stated.

Week 5 Fantasy Football Start/Sit

Players to Start in Week 5

Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions

Jared Goff has been one of fantasy football's most productive quarterbacks through the first month, and there's little reason to expect that to change in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Goff is averaging 21.5 fantasy points per game, the fourth-best mark among quarterbacks. He's also averaging a hefty 40.3 pass attempts per contest as the Detroit Lions have leaned heavily on their passing attack.

That's encouraging heading into a matchup with an Arizona defense that has struggled in coverage and hasn't consistently generated pressure. Goff's volume should give him a solid floor while Detroit's collection of playmakers gives him plenty of touchdown upside.

He's firmly in the QB1 conversation for Week 5.

Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears

Kyle Monangai made a compelling case for a larger role in the Chicago Bears‘ backfield last week.

With D'Andre Swift losing playing time after a fumble, Monangai erupted for 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries against the New York Jets. He also caught his lone target for four yards.

We shouldn't expect another 30-carry workload against the Green Bay Packers, especially with Swift still in the picture. However, Monangai has likely earned more opportunities after such an impressive showing.

Even something in the neighborhood of 12 to 15 touches would put him in a good spot to return FLEX value. Coming off a game in which he consistently created yards after contact, Monangai is worth getting into lineups as an RB2/FLEX option this week.

Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Michael Wilson‘s early-season usage is becoming impossible to ignore.

Wilson has seen 44 targets through four games, including a whopping 30 over the past two weeks. He followed an 11-catch, 89-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 3 with 7 receptions for 95 yards on 13 targets against the New York Giants last week.

For the season, Wilson owns a 29.2% target share while averaging 11.0 targets per game. That kind of volume gives him a strong fantasy floor regardless of matchup.

Week 5's matchup is particularly appealing. Detroit's defense has had problems preventing opponents from moving the ball, and Arizona's passing game could be forced into another high-volume outing if the Lions score at the other end.

Wilson has graduated from fringe FLEX territory. He's a strong WR2 for Week 5.

Isaiah Likely, TE, New York Giants

The season-ending injury to Jaxson Dart created some uncertainty around Isaiah Likely‘s fantasy value, but Week 4 offered plenty of encouragement.

Likely caught 7 of a season-high 12 targets for 66 yards against Arizona, leading the Giants in both catches and targets. He has now accumulated 27 targets across Jameis Winston‘s three appearances, giving him a valuable role in an offense that lacks established receiving options behind Malik Nabers.

That volume is especially appealing at tight end, where consistent targets can be difficult to find.

The Washington Commanders are next, and Likely should once again have a chance to operate as one of New York's primary pass-game weapons. He's a solid TE1 play this week.

Players to Sit in Week 5

Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Benching Jalen Hurts isn't something fantasy managers are accustomed to doing, but the Philadelphia Eagles‘ offense is in a difficult spot entering Week 5.

Hurts has failed to reach 14 fantasy points in each of his last two games. More importantly, injuries have stripped away several of the surrounding pieces that normally support his fantasy ceiling, with Philadelphia dealing with major issues at wide receiver and running back.

The Eagles now travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have done a solid job limiting opposing quarterbacks through the first month of the season.

Hurts' rushing ability always leaves open the possibility of a useful fantasy day, so this recommendation — which is obviously for only one-QB formats — depends heavily on your alternatives. But if you roster another strong QB option, this is one of the rare weeks when leaving Hurts on the bench is defensible.

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

Volume hasn't completely disappeared for Tony Pollard, but the results haven't been good enough to make him an appealing Week 5 starter.

Pollard has handled 54 carries for 221 rushing yards and one touchdown through four games, an average of just 4.1 yards per carry. He's averaging 13.5 carries and only 2.8 targets per game, limiting his margin for error if he doesn't score a touchdown.

That's a concern against the Houston Texans.

Pollard's workload should keep him involved, but the combination of the Tennessee Titans‘ offensive struggles and a relatively modest receiving role makes him more touchdown-dependent than we'd like.

He's better viewed as a low-end FLEX than a locked-in fantasy starter for Week 5.

Denzel Boston, WR, Cleveland Browns

Denzel Boston has been one of 2026's most impressive rookie receivers, but his early fantasy production might be a little difficult to sustain.

Boston is averaging 13.8 PPR points per game, yet he's seeing only 5.5 targets and 3.3 receptions per contest. He's averaging a huge 21.8 yards per catch, meaning a significant portion of his production has come from explosive plays rather than overwhelming volume.

That doesn't make his start to the season any less impressive, but it does introduce volatility.

Boston travels to face the New York Jets in Week 5, and with only an 18.8% target share through four games, there isn't enough guaranteed volume to consider him a must-start receiver.

He's a high-upside bench option in my eyes unless your lineup is thin at receiver.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills

Dalton Kincaid opened the season looking like he could finally deliver the fantasy breakout managers have been waiting for.

The last two games have been much quieter.

After recording 225 receiving yards over his first two contests, Kincaid has combined for only three catches over the past two weeks. He bottomed out against the New England Patriots last Sunday, catching 1 of just 2 targets for 7 yards.

The overall season numbers still look good -- Kincaid is averaging 67.5 receiving yards per game -- but he's seeing only 4.8 targets per contest. That's a relatively thin workload for a player managers are counting on as an every-week TE1.

The Buffalo Bills‘ face the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, and given Kincaid's recent lack of involvement, I'd prefer to see his target volume rebound before putting him back into fantasy lineups.

Fantasy football buy low receivers to target.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit FAQ

Who should I start in fantasy football this week?

The best starts are typically players with strong recent usage, favorable matchups and a reliable path to touches or targets. Matchup-specific factors and changes in workload should also be considered before setting your lineup.

Who should I sit in fantasy football this week?

Players can be worth sitting when they face difficult matchups, have seen their role decrease or carry significant risk due to injuries or inconsistent usage. Even proven players can be matchup-based sits in a given week.

How do you decide who to start or sit in fantasy football?

Start/sit decisions should account for a player's expected volume, recent production, matchup, offensive role and game environment. Comparing those factors against your other lineup options can help determine which player offers the best combination of floor and upside.

Should I start a player with a difficult matchup?

It depends. A difficult matchup can lower a player's expected production, but high-volume players can still deliver strong fantasy performances regardless of the matchup. The player's role and expected opportunity should usually carry more weight than matchup alone. Another huge factor is whether or not you have quality alternatives on your roster.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.