SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.
For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 5 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 5 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
Start
Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers
at Falcons
After outlining his process for picking weekly quarterback streamers, Chris Allen - this week's guest on theScore Fantasy Football Podcast - chose Bridgewater as his favorite option for Week 5 and we couldn't agree more.
The Panthers' starter is coming off his best game of the season, passing for 276 yards and two touchdowns with another 32 yards and a score on the ground.
Now he gets a Falcons pass defense that's giving up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, including at least three total touchdowns to the position in every game so far.
Get ready for D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson to go wild in this contest, as Bridgewater finishes as a top-10 fantasy QB for the second straight week.
Boone's projection: 284 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 15 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Gardner Minshew at Texans
- Daniel Jones at Cowboys
- Kirk Cousins at Seahawks
Antonio Gibson, Washington
vs. Rams
Despite Gibson only seeing the field on a little over 40% of Washington's snaps, fantasy managers are surely pleased with his increased usage and production.
The rookie delivered 128 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in last Sunday's tough contest against the Ravens. More importantly, his pass-catching role increased with a season-high five targets.
The 22-year-old has been a top-20 fantasy back in all formats through four games while being eased into a bigger workload and playing alongside an erratic quarterback in Dwayne Haskins. The team's decision to bench Haskins should only work in Gibson's favor since new starter Kyle Allen's conservative checkdown style helped facilitate Christian McCaffrey's monster season in this same system with the Panthers last year.
You can confidently keep Gibson in your starting lineup as a strong RB2 regardless of his opponent moving forward.
Boone's projection: 67 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards, TD
Other RBs to start
- Todd Gurley vs. Panthers
- Devin Singletary at Titans
- Damien Harris vs. Broncos
Darius Slayton, Giants
at Cowboys
Slayton has been quiet since his six-catch, 102-yard, two-touchdown performance in the opener. A big reason for that is bad matchups, with the Giants navigating their way through a gauntlet of troublesome defenses, including the Steelers, Bears, 49ers, and Rams.
But fortunately for Slayton - who ranks 20th in the league in targets - the dark clouds are parting and the sun is about to shine down in the form of the Cowboys' barely-there secondary.
Dallas allows the second-most fantasy points to receivers, with five wideouts posting 100 yards and/or two touchdowns against the squad in four outings.
With offensive coordinator Jason Garrett's motivation to beat his former club, Slayton and the Giants' passing attack are poised for a get-right game.
Boone's projection: 116 receiving yards, TD
Other WRs to start
- Will Fuller vs. Jaguars
- Marquise Brown vs. Bengals
- Justin Jefferson at Seahawks
Hunter Henry, Chargers
at Saints
Henry hasn't received the praise he deserves for a quality opening month since most of the attention at the tight end position is given to the elite options or the breakout candidates.
The 25-year-old is top-10 in receptions, receiving yards, targets, and routes run at his position. He's also one of the many Chargers benefitting from Justin Herbert's impressive play, and there are no signs of slowing down against a Saints defense that's already permitted five touchdowns to tight ends on the year.
Don't hesitate to deploy Henry as a high-end TE1 in this matchup and most weeks for the rest of the season.
Boone's projection: 71 receiving yards, TD
Other TEs to start
- Evan Engram at Cowboys
- Dalton Schultz vs. Giants
- Eric Ebron vs. Eagles
Sit
Joe Burrow, Bengals
at Ravens
For as well as Burrow has played through his first month of NFL action, the rookie has had two good weeks fantasy-wise (QB9 in Week 2, QB12 in Week 3) and two weaker outputs (QB20 in Week 1, QB21 in Week 4). And the Ravens offer his most challenging test yet.
As 13-point favorites, Baltimore should be able to control this game with its rushing attack and an offense that ranks third slowest in neutral situations, according to Football Outsiders.
Aside from Patrick Mahomes, no passer has enjoyed a productive day against the Ravens' defense this season. It's possible Burrow surprises in this divisional matchup, but with so many good streaming options this week, you should look elsewhere for your fantasy starter.
Boone's projection: 267 passing yards, TD, INT, 9 rushing yards, FUM
Other QBs to sit
- Carson Wentz at Steelers
- Ryan Tannehill vs. Bills
- Baker Mayfield vs. Colts
Mark Ingram, Ravens
vs. Bengals
Following up on Burrow, if the Ravens are projected to dominate the Bengals, then Ingram should be in store for a big fantasy day, right?
Not exactly.
Baltimore is deploying a nearly even three-way split in its backfield between Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, and Gus Edwards. The timeshare has turned all three backs into frustrating flex plays, leaving Ingram with single-digit touch counts in the two most recent outings.
In last week's win over Washington, Ingram played the fewest snaps (14) of that trio and only salvaged his day with a score. Another big dose of Edwards is likely against Cincy with the Ravens coming in as heavy favorites.
Ingram can't be relied upon as anything more than a touchdown-dependent option until something changes, so hopefully you have another back to turn to in Week 5.
Boone's projection: 39 rushing yards
Other RBs to sit
- Darrell Henderson at Washington
- Myles Gaskin at 49ers
- Le'Veon Bell vs. Cardinals
T.Y. Hilton, Colts
at Browns
Hilton is the WR74 on the year - a stunning result for a player with five 1,000-yard seasons on his resume.
It's safe to wonder whether Hilton is on the decline as he approaches his 31st birthday in November. We'll let our friend JJ Zachariason break the news to you.
Hilton's WR ranks over his last nine games: 58, 64, 58, 61, 38, 50, 87, 56, 76
— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) October 6, 2020
So Hilton has finished outside of the top-36 fantasy receivers in nine straight games, making it hard to trust him in your lineup.
The Colts' desire to lean on their rushing attack only makes matters worse, and it's at the point where even in a good matchup - the Browns are giving up the third-most fantasy points to wideouts - Hilton is still someone you should keep on your bench until we see him reverse that trend.
Boone's projection: 48 receiving yards
Other WRs to sit
- Julian Edelman vs. Broncos
- Jarvis Landry vs. Colts
- A.J. Green at Ravens
Austin Hooper, Browns
vs. Colts
Recommending tight ends to sit can be difficult since it's a one-off position (12 starters in most leagues) and the bar for quality options tends to be pretty clear.
But with that being said, I'm not buying Hooper's uptick in targets in Week 4, leading to a 5-34-1 stat line.
The Browns' offense will continue to focus on their rushing attack and the limited pass attempts will be shared among Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Kareem Hunt, Hooper, and some mix of Harrison Bryant and David Njoku (who's returned to practice this week).
Hooper had three unusable weeks in fantasy before he found the end zone against Dallas - a feat he likely won't accomplish versus a Colts squad that hasn't allowed a single touchdown to the position on the year and has limited each tight end to 33 yards or less.
Find yourself a streamer and send Hooper to the waiver wire.
Boone's projection: 31 receiving yards
Other TEs to sit
- Kyle Rudolph/Irv Smith Jr. at Seahawks
- Chris Herndon vs. Cardinals
- Jack Doyle at Browns
Stash
Jordan Wilkins, Colts
Wilkins (1% rostered) is the immediate backup behind Colts' rookie starting rusher Jonathan Taylor. If Taylor were sidelined at any point, Nyheim Hines would still serve as a pass-catching specialist, but Wilkins would inherit the bulk of the early-down work.
The Colts have quietly given Wilkins at least nine touches in each of the last three games to try and keep Taylor healthy, and he's totaled 116 yards from scrimmage during that stretch. Playing behind the best offensive line in football, Wilkins is a high-upside stash available in almost every fantasy league.
Olamide Zaccheaus, Falcons
Julio Jones will likely be out for Week 5 and maybe longer after aggravating his hamstring injury in Week 4. With their franchise receiver out of the lineup, the Falcons turned to Zaccheaus (3% rostered) to fill his role - next to Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage. Zaccheaus had eight catches on nine targets for 86 yards in the loss while on the field for over 75% of the team's snaps and should have a similar opportunity in any game Jones is absent.
Quit
A.J. Green, Bengals
If you've been listening to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, you've probably already made a move to get Green (73% rostered) off your team. The 32-year-old is a fading star struggling to gain separation or win contested catches. His defenders make excuses, but Green's targets are declining and his production has hit an embarrassing low, with just one reception for three yards last week. Attempt to trade him as part of a package before you drop him since his name value might still carry some weight.
Baker Mayfield, Browns
Mayfield (41% rostered) isn't being asked to throw a high volume of passes in Kevin Stefanski's run-heavy system, as predicted before the season, which limits the signal-caller's fantasy upside. The former first-overall pick has been held under 220 passing yards in all four of his outings and doesn't provide any upside with his legs. Unless you're in a two-quarterback or Superflex league, you're better off streaming the position than wasting a roster spot on a low-ceiling option like Mayfield.
