E.J. Manuel, Quarterback, Buffalo Bills
Manuel and the Bills travel to Cleveland for Thursday Night Football in Week 5. The Browns’ defense as of recently has been a force to overcome as their corner Joe Haden handily shut down A.J. Green and Andy Dalton was held to under five fantasy points last week by this improving unit. Manuel continues to play inconsistently and a primetime Thursday night matchup away from home is not the week to trust him as your lead quarterback. If you can play a quarterback with a positive matchup, use him, as Manuel will be a low end QB2 at best in Week 5.
Projected Statistics: 19/35, 240 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions
Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers
I know it is a mind struggle to sit Kaepernick any week, especially coming off of a productive win in St. Louis. However, in Week 5, Kaepernick is at home and faces the Houston Texans who will challenge Kaepernick just the way they made Russell Wilson struggle last week. The hard-hitting Houston defense capped Wilson to only 123 passing yards, one touchdown and less than 10 fantasy points. Kaepernick’s passing completion rate has been less than 50 percent in his last two games and Houston will have a field day with Kaepernick this week limiting his game drastically. If you have another quarterback option with a more favorable matchup, I advise sitting Kaepernick in Week 5.
Projected Statistics: 16/31, 178 yards, once touchdown, two interceptions
Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
If you drafted Blackmon and have been anticipating starting him in Week 5, after serving his four game suspension, it could backfire this week as the lowly struggling Jaguars play in St. Louis. It should be a piece of cake for the St. Louis defense to force turnovers from Blaine Gabbert. Blackmon will see some targets, but keep in mind he’ll be completing for them against Cecil Shorts, who overall, outplayed Blackmon in 2012. Gabbert only completed 17 passes last week, with three interceptions, so I would recommend sitting Blackmon this week to see how he phases in to this terrible offense.
Projected Statistics: Five receptions, 51 yards, zero touchdowns
Mike Wallace, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
Wallace was once again a disappointment in Week 4 catching on three passes for 24 yards. He and Ryan Tannehill have been struggling to connect and when they do, that football seems to slip right through Wallace’s hands. Over the course of the season, Wallace only has one touchdown and fellow receiver, Brian Hartline and tight end Charles Clay are clearly outperforming Wallace on a weekly basis. At home against the Ravens in Week 5 Wallace, who currently ranks 52nd among wide receivers faces a stiff Ravens offense and Lardarius Webb so things won’t be looking up for Wallace this week. I wouldn’t even consider him a flex at this point in time.
Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 22 yards, zero touchdowns
T.Y. Hilton, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts
In Week 5, Hilton and the Colts are home and will battle one of the most elite defenses as they compete with the Seattle Seahawks. Hilton has mostly disillusioned his fantasy owners this season with only one standout performance in Week 2. With the Seahawks giving up the fewest points to opposing wide receivers, Hilton, who has only accumulated a total of 20.80 fantasy points over four weeks should be on everyone’s bench this week. Week 5 against the Seahawks won’t be where you see Hilton score his first touchdown of the season.
Projected Statistics: Five receptions, 40 yards, zero touchdowns
Willis McGahee, Running Back, Cleveland Browns
If you’re thinking that McGahee’s third week as running back from the Browns is the week to take him out for a test drive, think again. The Cleveland Browns are playing the Buffalo Bills whose defense is brutally limiting to running backs. Just last week the Browns only allowed 21 rush yards combined to both Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce. McGahee, even with his experience and veteran talent, is too risky of a play, especially coming off of a short week to take on Thursday Night Football and a rugged defense. Hold on to McGahee until a softer matchup is in his horizon.
Projected Statistics: 6 attempts 19 yards, zero receptions, zero touchdowns
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals
Green-Ellis has been lacking that wow factor all season as many had speculated would be the case with the Bengals’ addition of running back, Giovani Bernard. Just last week Green-Ellis saw six touches to Bernard’s 16. His two touchdown scores came in the first couple of the weeks of the season, and since then Bernard seems to be evolving into the spotlight running back role. In Week 5, the Bengals host the Patriots, who are more than capable of restricting the rushing game. Green-Ellis is not being utilized in the passing game either, further limiting his fantasy value. There won’t be enough open field for Green-Ellis to be productive Week 5, so benching him is highly recommended.
Projected Statistics: 7 attempts, 22 yards, one reception, 13 yards, zero touchdowns
Rashard Mendenhall, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals welcome the well-rested Carolina Panthers, whose defense, just two weeks ago, completely shut out the New York Giants. Prior to that they held Marshawn Lynch to 43 yards. Mendenhall has been a fantasy flop, to say the least. Over the past couple of weeks he has averaged a measly 3.38 yards per carry, scored only one touchdown, and upset his coach by running out of bounds in last week’s game. The Cardinals are already giving fellow running back Andre Ellington more carries and if this shift continues Week 5, Mendenhall is not much of a viable fantasy option against a hungry Panther’s defense.
Projected Statistics: 6 attempts, 19 yards, zero receptions, zero touchdowns
Jacquizz Rodgers, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
Week 5 the Falcons will play the New York Jets. Rodgers has been doing an adequate job, along with running back Jason Snelling, for covering for the injured Steven Jackson. There have been plenty of carries for both players and Rodgers has helped fantasy owners out in most people’s lineups as a flex. Normally, I would suggest to stick with Rodgers in your starting lineup as a flex, but in Week 5 I do not recommend starting him. The New York Jets defense has allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs, showcasing their defense skills by limiting Chris Johnson to 5.10 fantasy points and a mere 21 yards last week. Rodgers will share the carries, so if you have a stronger player this week, let him take a rest.
Projected Statistics: 5 attempts, 16 yards, one reception, 7 yards, zero touchdowns
Brandon Myers, Tight End, New York Giants
Surely by now, fantasy owners who have been playing Myers are beyond frustrated. In Week 5, the Giants play in Philadelphia which should offer a slightly easier matchup for all of the offensive unit this week. Since the Giants offense has been a horrific mess, they’ve been using Myers to block, so he has only three catches over the last two weeks. After laying a big goose egg last week, I would be surprised to see anyone even trusting Myers in their Week 5 lineups, myself included. Until Eli Manning and the Giants figure out how to play football, leave Myers out of your lineup and substitute a tight end with at least some chance of scoring fantasy points into your Week 5 lineup.
Projected Statistics: One reception, 23 yards and zero touchdowns