Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Should you bench Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes in Week 5?

We’ve reached Week 5 of the fantasy football season. With four teams on bye, starting lineups will be more challenging to set.

With that in mind, here’s what to do about some flex options, streaming candidates and other players you could be on the fence about locking into your lineup for Week 5.

Quarterbacks

Start: Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

Cowboys at Steelers / 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday

The former Chicago Bear has hit his stride with his new team in recent weeks. Fields has averaged the second-most points among quarterbacks over his last two games (25.7). The Steelers have put Fields in a position to thrive both as a passer and rusher, and his success should only continue against a Cowboys defense that will be without edge-rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

While we shouldn’t expect another 300-yard passing performance from Fields like he posted last week, his rushing upside is quite promising, especially considering Pittsburgh could be without RBs Jaylen Warren (knee) and Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle). 

Other starts: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals; Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Sit: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs 

Saints at Chiefs / 8:15 p.m. ET Monday 

Although he’s the best player in the NFL, Mahomes hasn’t been an above-average fantasy quarterback dating back to last season. Through four games, the three-time Super Bowl MVP ranks as the QB16 overall, averaging just 15.4 fantasy points per contest.

Mahomes already had a tough matchup ahead against a formidable Saints defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points (41.26) and just two total touchdowns to quarterbacks. But now that Kansas City’s top wideout Rashee Rice is out with a knee injury, Mahomes is an even riskier start in Week 5. 

Other sits: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings; Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Running backs

Start: Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Packers at Rams / 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday

The return of QB Jordan Love didn’t help Jacobs, the RB28, get on track during last week’s loss to Minnesota, having posted just 11.8 PPR points. Nonetheless, Jacobs’ lackluster outing can be attributed to the fact that he carried the ball just nine times because Green Bay was playing from behind for the entire game.

Fortunately for Jacobs and his fantasy managers, the Packers are set to square off against the injury-riddled Rams, who are a three-point home underdog and have had trouble containing running backs. So far this season, Los Angeles has given up the most rushing yards (524), fifth-most touchdowns (five) and sixth-most fantasy points to running backs (95.80). 

Other starts: Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers; Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders

Sit: De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

Dolphins at Patriots / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Achane, much like Dolphins wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, has seen his fantasy production plummet since QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in Week 2. After ranking as the RB2 overall in PPR scoring formats through the first two weeks of the season, the 2023 third-round pick has averaged just
7.4 fantasy points over his last two games.

The Patriots have been a middle-of-the-pack team in terms of limiting opposing running backs, but given the disastrous state of the Dolphins offense, it’d be best to leave Achane on the bench if you have adequate depth. 

Other sits: Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals 

Wide Receivers

Start: Garrett Wilson, New York Jets 

Jets at Vikings (in London) / 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday

Fantasy managers who drafted 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey or Rams WR Puka Nacua are undoubtedly frustrated with their decision. However, considering no one could have predicted their injuries, it’s fair to say that Wilson has been the most disappointing first-round pick this season. 

After all, the Ohio State product is the only player with a top-20 ADP who hasn’t posted at least 15 fantasy points in a single game, as pointed out by NFL Fantasy Football.

Even so, although Wilson has underperformed and the Vikings defense has been stellar, the unit has struggled against opposing wide receivers, allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position (26.9). Wilson is well-positioned not only to make an impact, but also to raise his trade value for fantasy managers who could be looking to move on from the former first-rounder. 

Other starts: Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers; Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants 

Sit: Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders 

Raiders at Broncos / 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday

With star wideout Davante Adams expected to be out with a hamstring strain, fantasy managers might be tempted to start Meyers in Week 5. That could prove to be a costly mistake. Even though Meyers would be the most talented Raiders pass-catcher on the field, he’ll line up across from the NFL’s top cornerback in Patrick Surtain II, who has allowed just eight receptions for 87 yards in coverage this season. 

Other sits: Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings; Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars 

Tight Ends

Start: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars

Colts at Jaguars / 1 p.m. ET Sunday

Engram, who has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury he suffered during pregame warmups in Week 2, appears to be on track to return against Indianapolis after returning to practice on Wednesday.

While Engram only had one catch for five yards in his lone game this season, he proved in 2023 that he’s an important piece of the Jaguars passing attack. Expect the 30-year-old to be heavily relied on as Jacksonville attempts to secure its first win of 2024 facing a Colts defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to the tight end position (8.7). 

Other starts: Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers; Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sit: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints 

Saints at Chiefs / 8:15 p.m. ET Monday 

Kansas City has been the most favorable matchup for opposing tight ends through the first month of the season, allowing the most catches (30) and receiving yards (365) to the position. As a result, fantasy managers streaming the tight end position could be intrigued by Johnson this week, though they should avoid him on the waiver wire.

Despite being more involved in the passing game during last week’s road loss to Atlanta, Johnson only caught two passes for 13 yards. Given his usage, if he doesn’t score a touchdown against the Chiefs, he’ll almost surely finish with fewer than five fantasy points. 

Other sits: Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens; Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders