Justin Boone provides a weekly look at undervalued fantasy players to consider starting this week and potential busts you might want to leave on your bench.

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For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult his Week 5 rankings.

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Starts

Justin Fields, QB, Jets

vs. Cowboys

Targeting the quarterback who’s playing the Cowboys should be a priority every week.

The results speak for themselves, with Jordan Love (QB6), Caleb Williams (QB1), Russell Wilson (QB2) and Jalen Hurts (QB8) all posting strong top-10 fantasy performances against Dallas’ generous defense.

Meanwhile, Fields has finished as a top-four fantasy quarterback in the two full games he’s played for the Jets.

With a very healthy 48.5 projected point total, this is a game you’re going to want to be invested in for fantasy.

Other QBs to start:

Jared Goff at Bengals — It’s rare for me to tout Goff as a start in an outdoor game, given his horrendous splits outside of a dome. However, that tells you just how favorable of a matchup the Bengals are this year. Feel free to start Goff as a top-12 option in Week 5.

Dak Prescott at Jets — Even without CeeDee Lamb, Prescott found a way to come through with a monster game against a challenging Packers defense. Things will be even easier this week versus the Jets, who are giving up the eighth-most fantasy points to passers.

Rico Dowdle, RB, Panthers

vs. Dolphins

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Chuba Hubbard played through a calf injury last week, but came out of the game worse off and the team has elected to sit him versus the Dolphins.

That puts Dowdle into the starting role against a Miami defense that’s permitted the third-most rushing yards and the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs this season.

Dowdle also proved himself as a lead back for the Cowboys last year. From Week 4 on, he was the RB20 in fantasy points per game.

Given the matchup this week, I have him as a top-20 RB play for Week 5.

Other RBs to start:

Cam Skattebo at Saints — Skattebo is dominating touches in New York and has reached 90 scrimmage yards in back-to-back games. New Orleans has let James Cook, Christian McCaffrey and Kenneth Walker III all finish inside the top 10 fantasy RBs this season. James Conner and Trey Benson also accomplished the feat if you combine their production from Week 1. I think you can see where this is going. You can start the rookie as a borderline fantasy RB1 this week.

Breece Hall vs. Cowboys — Hall’s best two performances (RB9 in Week 1 and RB19 in Week 4) came in the games where Fields was under center the entire time. Not only does he have Fields in front of him this week, but he gets a Cowboys defense that’s the sixth-easiest matchup for fantasy RBs. Hall hasn’t found the end zone yet this year, which is holding his fantasy numbers down. Get ready for him to break that streak and finish as a top-12 RB in Week 5.

David Montgomery at Bengals — The Lions have encountered two easy run defenses through the first four weeks and Montgomery took advantage both times. He put up 164 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on the banged-up Ravens and 61 yards and a score versus the Bears. Cincinnati represents another soft matchup, since it is allowing the second-most fantasy points to the position. It’s safe to start Monty as an upside RB2.

Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs

at Jaguars

Worthy’s return to the lineup in Week 4 gave the Chiefs a much-needed boost and the offense looked better than it has all season.

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It was also clear that Kansas City always intended for Worthy to be a focal point of the offense with Rashee Rice suspended. Worthy earned eight targets in his first game back, catching five of them for 83 yards. He also added another 38 yards on two carries.

The Jaguars’ pass rush can be problematic, but Jacksonville has been susceptible to some big games from receivers.

Prepare for another busy day for Worthy, enough to make him a fringe WR1 for fantasy.

Other WRs to start:

Nico Collins at Ravens — Baltimore’s defense has been decimated by injuries, turning them into a unit fantasy managers should feel comfortable playing all their fantasy starters against. Collins should be an automatic start every time, but this spot offers even more spike-week potential since the Ravens are the fifth-best matchup for fantasy wideouts.

Quentin Johnston vs. Commanders — Johnston is the fourth-highest scoring fantasy receiver after the first month, which is something I did not expect to be writing in 2025. Washington is another plus-matchup for him. The Commanders give up the eighth-most fantasy points to the position and have been torched the last two weeks by Drake London (8-110-1) and Tre Tucker (8-145-3).

Jakobi Meyers at Colts — Meyers is coming off his quietest game of the season, but you should expect a bounce-back against the Colts. Indy gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to wideouts and has allowed six touchdowns to receivers in the last three games, including letting three different Rams’ WRs post at least 50 yards and a score last week. Meyers is a solid low-end WR2.

Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions

at Bengals

LaPorta hasn’t topped 40 yards since the season opener, but he also hasn’t had a matchup like the Bengals. Cincy is the seventh-easiest opponent for fantasy tight ends.

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With so many mouths to feed in Detroit’s offense, LaPorta has become a more volatile fantasy option in 2025. Thankfully, this is the type of game where everyone should eat. The Lions are 10.5-point favorites and the contest has a projected point total of 49.5.

Get LaPorta in your lineup as a strong fantasy TE1 for Week 5.

Other TEs to start:

Juwan Johnson vs. Giants – Johnson had a down week against his toughest opponent of the season last Sunday. Fortunately, the Giants aren’t nearly as adept at stopping tight ends. As long as Johnson is healthy, he should get back to seeing the kind of target volume that made him a strong fantasy starter in the first three weeks.

Zach Ertz at Chargers – Ertz was a top-10 fantasy tight end in the two games with Jayden Daniels starting and was held outside the top-20 TEs in the two games he missed. Even in a tough matchup, I’m willing to go back to Ertz now that Daniels is under center again.

Sits

Bo Nix, QB, Broncos

at Eagles

Nix’s sophomore campaign has gotten off to a rocky start, with him taking advantage of his easier matchups while struggling against tougher opponents.

Unfortunately for him, the degree of difficulty will ramp up on the road in Philadelphia.

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Until we see Nix find his rhythm like he did as a rookie, you’ll want to avoid starting him whenever he faces a challenging defense like the Eagles.

Other QBs to sit:

Trevor Lawrence vs. Chiefs – Lawrence only has one game inside the top 20 fantasy QBs this year. I don’t see that changing against a Chiefs defense that hasn’t allowed any quarterback to throw for more than 160 passing yards in the last three games and has only given up one passing TD during that span.

Tua Tagovailoa at Panthers – Tua’s outlook takes a hit after Tyreek Hill’s season-ending injury. This is also a surprisingly difficult spot against a Panthers defense that’s held opposing QBs to the fourth-fewest fantasy points on the year.

Chase Brown, RB, Bengals

vs. Lions

Brown’s struggles this season aren’t his fault. The Bengals lost their superstar quarterback Joe Burrow to a likely season-ending injury and Cincy’s offensive line has been one of the worst units across the league.

To make matters worse, Burrow’s injury occurred right before the toughest part of the schedule. So it’s not surprising that Jake Browning and company have stumbled against the Vikings and Broncos.

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Brown will be in for another uphill battle versus the Lions run defense, which has been the ninth-hardest matchup for fantasy backs.

If your options are limited and you need to consider using Brown, just know his only chance to reach double-digit fantasy points will be if he sneaks into the end zone, which is something he hasn’t done since Burrow got hurt. I recommend sitting Brown until further notice.

Other RBs to sit:

Jordan Mason vs. Browns — The fact Mason is giving up passing-down work to Zavier Scott isn’t ideal. Neither are the mounting injuries on Minnesota’s offensive line. But the biggest reason to consider sitting him this week is the Browns’ stout run defense, which is the fourth-hardest matchup for fantasy backs.

Tony Pollard at Cardinals — With the Titans offense struggling, Pollard hasn’t produced any big fantasy performances in 2025. He’s also at risk of losing some touches to Tyjae Spears, who is back practicing and might return this week. It all boils down to Pollard being a boring RB3 fantasy option.

Rhamondre Stevenson/TreVeyon Henderson at Bills — The Patriots backfield is a frustrating three-man committee at the moment and a road date with the Bills isn’t a matchup to target.

A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles

vs. Broncos

Brown is another player I don’t blame for his poor fantasy performances this season.

His depressed stat lines aren’t a sign of declining talent; it’s simply based on the Eagles not throwing the ball as much.

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When Brown was called upon in Week 3, he delivered six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. However, he’s been held under 30 yards in his other three outings, which coincides with Jalen Hurts only attempting 24 passes or less in those contests.

The problem for Brown is that the Eagles are winning with this style of football, so they aren’t motivated to throw more.

With Pat Surtain II and the Broncos on tap in Week 5, this isn’t the game to expect a big week from Brown. Treat him like a boom-or-bust fantasy WR3 when you’re making lineup decisions this week.

Other WRs to sit:

Tee Higgins vs. Lions — Higgins continues to struggle without Burrow. The Lions have only allowed one wideout to top 70 yards against them this season, so expect Higgins to be a volatile touchdown-or-bust WR3/flex play.

Chris Godwin Jr. at Seahawks — Godwin was extremely inefficient in his first game back from a serious ankle injury, turning 10 targets into just three catches for 26 yards. Things won’t get any easier against the Seahawks, who are the second-stingiest defense against wideouts.

Jerry Jeudy vs. Vikings — In addition to being part of a game that has a 35.5 projected point total (by far the lowest on the week), Jeudy also has to contend with a Vikings defense giving up the fewest fantasy points to WRs this year.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Vikings

vs. Browns

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Aside from his Week 3 performance, where he found the end zone, Hockenson is averaging just 3.5 fantasy points per game on the season.

Instability at quarterback is partially to blame, but with Jordan Addison back, it’s safe to wonder how often Hockenson will pop on the stat sheet given the current state of the Vikings offense.

Minnesota has already ruled out three offensive linemen this week, including center Ryan Kelly, right tackle Brian O’Neill and guard Donovan Jackson.

That’s a serious problem in a game against the Browns front and makes Hockenson a risky TE2 for fantasy.

Other TEs to sit:

David Njoku vs. Vikings — Harold Fannin Jr. outsnapped Njoku for the first time in Week 4. The rookie has also tied or earned more targets than his veteran teammate in three of their four outings this season. With the Vikings being the toughest matchup so far for Browns tight ends, this isn’t the game to hope for Njoku to get going. He’s closer to a drop candidate than he is to being in your starting lineup.

Chig Okonkwo at Cardinals — Okonkwo is fresh off his worst stat line of the season and the Titans are talking about giving rookie Gunnar Helm more opportunities. I’d look elsewhere for a fantasy starter this week.