Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 5
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 5.
Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAC) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Fantasy players looking for a streaming option or a potential QB2 in superflex leagues this week should avoid starting Lawrence. The former Clemson star is only the QB25 for the year, averaging 12.3 fantasy points per game. Despite playing in one more game, he has only 2.2 more total fantasy points than Russell Wilson (49 vs. 46.8). Last week, Lawrence had only 174 passing yards, one touchdown, and 11.7 fantasy points. The veteran has scored fewer than 12 fantasy points in every game except the matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Last week, the Chiefs surrendered under 200 passing yards, one touchdown, and only 12.8 fantasy points to the Baltimore Ravens’ quarterbacks. While Lamar Jackson left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury, the superstar had only 10.7 fantasy points before getting hurt. More importantly, Kansas City has allowed only 153.3 passing yards, 0.3 touchdowns, and 9.9 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks since Week 1 despite facing Jackson and Jalen Hurts. Fantasy players have no reason to believe Lawrence will be a top 20 quarterback this week.
Chase Brown (RB – CIN) vs. Detroit Lions
The Bengals’ offense has been a nightmare the past two weeks without Joe Burrow under center. They have averaged 6.5 points per game, totaling 10 or fewer in both contests, including only three last week. Unfortunately, all their star players are risky starts until the offense finds its footing under Jake Browning. Brown has averaged only 30 rushing yards and 8.2 PPR fantasy points per game since Week 1. The former Illinois star has had under 50 rushing yards and 10.2 fantasy points in every contest since Burrow’s injury.
Unfortunately, Brown belongs on fantasy benches until Cincinnati’s offense proves it can produce points without the superstar quarterback. This week, he faces a Lions defense that has mostly shut down opposing rushing attacks. They have surrendered only 18.8 fantasy points per game to running backs, the eighth-fewest in the NFL. More importantly, the one area where running backs have been successful against Detroit is finding the end zone, scoring at least once in every matchup. Yet, I wouldn’t bet on the Bengals scoring much against the Lions on Sunday.
Jordan Mason (RB – MIN) vs. Cleveland Browns
Mason was a fantasy superstar in his first start this season, totaling 16 rushing attempts for 116 yards, two touchdowns, and 23.6 PPR fantasy points in Week 3 against an awful Cincinnati Bengals run defense. While he will continue to have meaningful fantasy value with Aaron Jones on injured reserve, starting Mason comes with risk this week. The veteran running back struggled against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, totaling 57 rushing yards, 3.6 yards per attempt, and 10.2 fantasy points. Unfortunately, Mason has another tough matchup this week in London.
Cleveland’s offense has been a nightmare this season. However, they have one of the top defenses in the league. The Browns have surrendered only 14.6 fantasy points per game to running backs, the second-fewest in the NFL. Last week, Jahmyr Gibbs scored 17.7 fantasy points against Cleveland. However, they have held every other running back to 12.2 or fewer fantasy points over the past three weeks, including only 1.2 to David Montgomery. The Vikings will likely be without multiple starting offensive linemen. Expect Minnesota to have problems running the ball.
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA) vs. Carolina Panthers
While fantasy players should have high hopes for Waddle moving forward after Tyreek Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury, the former Alabama star is a risky start in Week 5. He is the WR29 for the year, averaging 4.3 receptions on 5.8 targets for 46.3 receiving yards, 0.5 touchdowns, and 11.9 PPR fantasy points per game. However, Waddle has had six or fewer targets in every outing. More importantly, he has been touchdown-dependent. Waddle has averaged 16.4 fantasy points per game in the two contests with a touchdown.
By comparison, the former Alabama star has averaged 7.4 fantasy points per game in the two contests without a touchdown, scoring 7.8 or fewer in both outings. Unfortunately, Waddle faces an underrated Panthers pass defense this week. Carolina has held wide receivers to 23.2 fantasy points per game, the second-fewest in the NFL. They’ve allowed under 130 receiving yards to wide receivers in every contest. More importantly, the Panthers have surrendered only 3.5 receptions for 48.5 receiving yards and 10.1 fantasy points per game to opposing No. 1 wide receivers.
Chris Godwin Jr. (WR – TB) vs. Seattle Seahawks
Last week, Godwin made his season debut after missing the first three games recovering from a significant ankle injury he suffered last year. The former Penn State star only had three receptions for 26 receiving yards and 5.6 PPR fantasy points against a talented Philadelphia Eagles defense. However, fantasy players should be encouraged by Godwin tying for the team-high in targets (10) while playing 81% of the snaps, second only to Emeka Egbuka (89%). Yet, the veteran wide receiver belongs on fantasy benches this week because of the matchup.
The Seahawks quietly have had arguably the best defense in the NFL over the first month. They’ve surrendered only 10.3 receptions for 103 receiving yards and 0.5 touchdowns per game to wide receivers, allowing under 125 yards in every contest. More importantly, Seattle has given up only 23.7 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the third-fewest in the league, allowing 18.4 or fewer in half their matchups. Furthermore, don’t be surprised if the Buccaneers are cautious about Godwin’s health and cut back on his snap count against the Seahawks.
Hunter Henry (TE – NE) vs. Buffalo Bills
Henry has had a strong start to the season. The veteran is the TE2 over the first month, averaging 3.8 receptions on six targets for 51 receiving yards, 0.8 touchdowns, and 13.4 PPR fantasy points per game. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in all but one contest. However, Henry needed a touchdown to hit that mark last week, seeing only two targets against the Carolina Panthers. More importantly, his season low in targets came the same week Stefon Diggs had his best fantasy performance coming off the torn ACL.
Fantasy players should look for a better starting option than Henry because of his matchup this week. The Bills have held tight ends to 2.3 receptions for 16.8 receiving yards and 5.4 fantasy points per game, the second-fewest in the NFL. They haven’t allowed opposing tight ends to score more than nine fantasy points in any game. Meanwhile, Henry has always struggled against Buffalo since joining the Patriots, totaling 42 or fewer receiving yards in every matchup against the division rivals. Expect a quiet performance from him on Sunday night.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
