Fantasy Football Boom Starts & Bust Sits (Week 5)

We learned a lot in the first four weeks of the season, so we can use that to inform our lineup decisions. The best way to do so is to focus on the matchup, consider the game script and compare your thoughts with FantasyPros’ expert consensus rankings (ECR).

You’ll find three fantasy football booms to start and three busts to bench for Week 5. We need to balance what we’ve learned in the first four weeks while not overreacting as we head into the fifth week of the season. With that in mind, let’s make those lineup decisions easier for you in Week 5.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Start/Sit Advice

Fantasy Football Boom Starts

Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)

Garrett Wilson is quietly having a fantastic season, catching 27 of his 38 targets for 311 yards and three touchdowns. The fourth-year wideout has eclipsed 80 yards in three out of four games. Despite dealing with erratic quarterback play in a run-heavy offense, Wilson is quickly establishing himself as a top-12 wideout in fantasy football.

Up next is a projected shootout against the Cowboys, facing a defense that has been shredded all year. We’ve seen Romeo Doubs, Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers have huge games against this group. Don’t be surprised if Wilson has a spike week in this spot.

Jakobi Meyers (WR – LV)

Jakobi Meyers continues to be one of the most underrated wideouts in the NFL. Through four games, the former Patriot has caught 21 of his 33 targets for 258 yards. The veteran has 60+ receiving yards in three out of four games this season.

What I like about this spot against the Colts is that not only is it one of the highest totals of the slate, which means that it’s a projected high-scoring affair, but this defense also gets gashed in the slot. That should give Meyers plenty of opportunities to make an impact in this one.

Chris Olave (WR – NO)

Chris Olave gets a home matchup against a Giants defense that has given up big games to Quentin Johnston, CeeDee Lamb and Deebo Samuel. This is a high-volume target-earner who should benefit from this indoor game environment.

It also helps that with the Giants’ pass rush potentially causing issues for Spencer Rattler, we could see him forced to get rid of the ball quickly, which bodes well for Olave, since he’s the main target in the underneath passing game.

Fantasy Football Bust Sits

Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN)

Ja’Marr Chase is struggling without Joe Burrow, putting up a combined 10 catches for 73 yards in his last two games with Jake Browning. It doesn’t get any easier this week, as the Lions have a much-improved defense now that they’re healthy. We just saw them shut down the Browns and slow down the Ravens.

While it’s always tough to bench a player you took first overall, you have to temper your expectations here. I’m currently below FantasyPros ECR on Chase, ranking him at WR17.

Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN)

Courtland Sutton has been as consistent as any wide receiver in football, but now he has to deal with an elite Eagles defense in a likely low-scoring game environment.

With that in mind, it feels like this will be a floor week for the dependable veteran. That doesn’t mean you need to bench him, but you should keep your expectations in check.

Deebo Samuel (WR – WSH)

Deebo Samuel has proven to be a rock-solid pickup by the Commanders this offseason, as he’s put up 204 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding 46 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The veteran has also been helpful in the return game.

With that said, even with Terry McLaurin injured and Jayden Daniels back in the lineup, I’m worried about Deebo against a tough Chargers defense. It also doesn’t help that the former 49er is dealing with a heel injury.