Fantasy Football Week 5 Expert Picks: Jayden Daniels, Marvin Harrison Jr., and More
The experts at FantasySP answer five questions in advance of the Sunday/Monday games in Week 5.
A month into the season, we have seen many of the usual tropes: great teams dominating, several defenses sticking out among the worst, random big performances, and more. It's still hard to know what's real after just four games, but we're over 20% of the way through the season, so there's not much time to wait around and decide.
We have to keep taking in new information and comparing it to what we know already to make our most-informed decisions, knowing that the hours of preparation are no better than a dart throw in the end. It's a tough existence, that of a fantasy owner.
Luckily, the experts here at FantasySP are here to help. Morgan Rode and Daniel Hepner answered five fantasy football questions in anticipation of Week 5 of the NFL season.
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Which quarterback is set up to disappoint fantasy owners this week and should be left on the bench?
Morgan: I think Jalen Hurts will still score plenty of points, but I do see him underwhelming in a tough battle against the Broncos in Week 5. Hurts has been up and down all season, so in a tougher matchup, he'll need to post good rushing numbers to succeed, and I think Denver limits him, leaving Hurts outside the upper echelon of fantasy QBs.
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Daniel: I'll stick with the theme of a good player with a really tough matchup and say that Jayden Daniels might struggle against the Chargers. Daniels missed the past two games with injury, so there's a little risk involved with playing him, and Los Angeles has allowed the third-fewest yards per pass attempt. Daniels finds multiple ways to score fantasy points, but this has the makings of a tough outing.
Do you have a favorite streaming running back who might not be a starter every week but belongs in lineups this week?
Morgan: Tony Pollard is set up for a nice week against the Cardinals. He started in 68% of leagues last week, and I think the Titans will lean on him more to try and get their offense moving a bit. He'll rack up plenty of fantasy points on volume alone.
Daniel: Woody Marks has burst onto the scene the past few weeks, and he is set up for another good game in Week 5. Baltimore has allowed the 10th-most yards per rush attempt and the most fantasy points to running backs, and their defense is ravaged by injuries. Marks is still splitting carries with Nick Chubb, but he is a flex player this week.
Give us a wide receiver with a matchup that has him looking like a must-start player.
Morgan: I'm going to stick with the Cardinals/Titans game and say Marvin Harrison Jr. goes off this week. He showed some nice things late in his Week 4 game, and I think it'll carry over and lead to a monster Week 5 showing in a favorable matchup against the Titans.
Daniel: Wan'Dale Robinson is likely to see the most targets in the Giants' passing game now that Malik Nabers is out, and that makes him an appealing fantasy player, though he's still dependent on matchups. The matchup falls in his favor this week, as the Saints have allowed the sixth-most yards per pass attempt and 12th-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Robinson will get chances to touch the ball.
How about a tight end who belongs on the bench in Week 5?
Morgan: I hate to say it, but I think Hunter Henry is benchable this week. He has posted pretty solid numbers this season and has been one of the top fantasy TEs, but a tough matchup against the Bills is one to try and avoid, if possible.
Daniel: Henry is my top answer for this question this week also. I'll point out one other guy, though, and go with Mark Andrews. Andrews is a player that fantasy owners aren't looking to bench often, but he has only one truly good game this season, and he has a tough matchup against Houston, who has allowed the sixth-fewest yards per pass attempt and seventh-fewest fantasy points to tight ends.
Who will be the fantasy MVP of Week 5?
Morgan: I'll say Jahmyr Gibbs for Week 5. He has a favorable matchup against the Bengals, and as long as that contest doesn't instantly become a blowout, I see Gibbs starring and putting up a monster fantasy total.
Daniel: I'm looking at Justin Fields as a possible top-five fantasy QB this week with a tremendous matchup against the Cowboys, who have allowed the most yards per pass attempt and the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Dallas is also susceptible to the QB run game, as Jalen Hurts beat them for 62 yards and two touchdowns in the opener. Fields is likely to do damage with both his arm and legs and could challenge for the top spot.
