Week 4 is now behind us and we are down to three undefeated teams, Gardner Minshew is taking the NFL world by storm, and left us thinking, “Saquon Barkley who?”. We will discuss who to start, sit, and pick up off the wire for week 5. All point totals done in the basic ESPN PPR format.

Must Start:

Jacoby Brissett- Quarterback- Indianapolis Colts: Brissett has looked very solid in relief of Andrew Luck this season through four weeks. Brissett is currently ranked as the 9th best fantasy QB and has a very good matchup against the Chiefs this week. Most likely a shootout will occur which will allow for Brissett to have massive passing numbers. Oh, and T.Y. will be returning to help boost the attack for Brissett.

Joe Mixon- Running Back- Cincinnati Bengals: Mixon is currently ranked as RB33 and has had a very rough year, but this week could be his week. The Bengals take on a Cardinal team that has just allowed back-to-back 100 yard rushers. Chris Carson was able to total 18.5 fantasy points without a TD. Mixon will have the potential to match these numbers and has a great chance to even add a TD to his day as well. The Bengals will most likely rely heavily on their run game as the Cardinals run defense is horrendous.

Devonta Freeman- Running Back- Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons face a Texans team who just allowed 33.9 fantasy points to Christian McCaffery. Yes, McCaffery is a much better RB then Freeman, but the promise for Freeman to see lots of volume in the passing game is there. The Texans allowed ten catches to McCaffery who averages 6.25 catches per game and have to face Freeman now who averages 4.25 catches per game. Freeman’s rushing numbers have been shaky at best this year but seems to have a very favorable matchup this week against the Texans.

Do Not Start:

Philip Rivers- Quarterback- Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers WR core is battling injuries right now and the Chargers face a Bronco team that is very hard to pass against. They currently rank fifth in the league in least amount of passing yards allowed per game and have held Aaron Rodgers and Gardner Minshew II in back-to-back weeks to sub 17 games (Rodgers 13.3 and Minshew 16.9). You are much better off replacing Rivers this week in a very unfavorable matchup.

D.J. Chark- Wide Receiver- Jacksonville Jaguars: The top 10 ranked fantasy wideout has an extremely rough matchup this week against the Carolina Panther secondary. Not a single WR, except for Chris Godwin (26.1 fantasy points), has had a successful week against this Panther pass defense. Last week they held Deandre Hopkins to 7.1 fantasy points and the Panthers only allow a total of 33.1 fantasy points per game (8th lowest) to opposing wideouts. 

Chris Thompson- Running Back- Washington Redskins: Thompson has been a bright spot in this Redskins offense. Thompson is practically just a wide receiver for the Redskins and has four catches or more in every game this season. He also has not totaled below double digit fantasy points this season and is currently ranked as a top 25 fantasy RB. This week the Redskins play a Patriot team who has not allowed a single TD to RBs all year. The Patriots have only allowed a league low of 12.3 fantasy points per game as well. Thompson, who splits work with Adrian Peterson, will not have anything going for him this Sunday as he faces one of, if not, the best defense in the NFL.

Waiver Wire Pickups:

Jacoby Brissett- Quarterback- Indianapolis Colts: Also a start for this week, Brissett has been lights out this year. He’s a top 10 fantasy QB and has broken the 20 point barrier in 50% of his games so far. He has a fantastic connection with star WR T.Y. Hilton and also great ability to add points with his legs. He’s only owned in 40% of ESPN leagues. 

Ronald Jones- Running Back- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Even though Peyton Barber is still technically the starter in Tampa Bay, Jones is going to take his job soon. Jones has gone north of 70 yards in three games this year and found paydirt in week 4. Add and stash Jones now when you can as he has great potential to be a bell cow later in the season. He is only owned in 49% of ESPN leagues.

Darrel Williams- Running Back- Kansas City Chiefs: Even though the backfield can be crowded with Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy, Darrel Williams is getting work. Damien Williams is the start but with Damien out for the foreseeable future, Darrell Williams be the replacement. He showed out as the replacement last week as well with 13 fantasy points. He is only owned in 42% of ESPN leagues.