Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 5: Bench Jalen Hurts, Back Denzel Boston?

A month of fantasy football is already behind us. Week 5 could be now or never to start stacking wins in your league, especially if you’re winless. 

It starts with making the right decision in your lineups. Which players should start, and who should warm the bench? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with Week 5’s edition of Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em. We’ll break down two players for each major position, including QBs, RBs, WRs, and TEs.

Let’s navigate who should start in NFL Week 5’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, featuring player projections via PrizePicks.

Make NFL picks for Week 5 on PrizePicks! 

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 5

Stumbling offenses appear on our Week 5 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em radar, including notable contributors for the Eagles, Dolphins, Titans, and Vikings. Plus, the Browns’ passing game carries a potential favorable matchup vs. the Jets in Week 5.

Several of these players could even be available on your waiver wire, sporting roster rates under 50.0%.

We’ll cover the good and bad for each major position group for full-PPR leagues, including quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.

Here’s who you should start and who should warm the bench for Week 5’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts entered 2026 as one of fantasy football’s best quarterbacks, but he’s struggled over the last few games. Meanwhile, Browns QB Deshaun Watson has suddenly become productive for an improved Cleveland offense. Let’s break down the Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em debate below.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson: Start ‘Em

Game: Browns vs. Jets – Sunday, October 11, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 202.5 Pass Yards, 24.5 Rush Yards, 1.5 Pass TDs (Demon)

The last time we saw Deshaun Watson in a season, he recorded 11.4 fantasy points per game (QB14) over seven games in 2024. Frankly, Watson hasn’t been fantasy relevant since moving to Cleveland, including 15.2 FPPG (QB28) in 2023 and 15.1 FPPG (QB27) in 2022.

So, what’s changed? Second-year TE Harold Fannin Jr. and rookie WRs KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston are suddenly providing juice to this Browns offense. Following 10 points in Week 1, Cleveland has recorded 23.7 PPG over the last three contests. 

Watson’s been a major part of that recent success, sporting 0.195 adjusted EPA per play (10th) and a 50.8% success rate (ninth) since Week 2, per RBSDM. The Browns are now up to 7.4 yards per passing attempt (14th) and a 50.0% dropback success rate (ninth) on the season. 

Improved pass protection with a 54% pass block win rate (seventh), via ESPN, further aids Watson. First-round rookie OT Spencer Fano comes off his best game with 0 pressures allowed against the daunted Steelers pass rush, per Pro Football Focus.

In short, it’s time to buy into this Browns passing game. That directly translates to fantasy football with Watson finishing in the top 15 of weekly rankings in two of his last three games — including 19.7 and 20.3 fantasy point totals in Week 2 and 3.

Week 5 brings a favorable matchup, as the Jets have given up a 0.130 dropback EPA (23rd) and a 51.6% dropback success rate (29th). Further, Cleveland’s improving pass protection helps against New York’s 53% pass rush win rate (13th).

Add Deshaun Watson to your PrizePicks lineup.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts: Sit ‘Em

Game: Eagles vs. Jaguars – Sunday, October 11, 9:30 a.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 195.5 Pass Yards, 26.5 Rush Yards, 0.5 Pass TDs (Goblin), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

The Eagles’ offense is simply a mess right now. In Week 4’s 24-20 loss vs. the Rams, Philadelphia was fortunate to reach this point total thanks to short fields. The unit finished with 172 total yards and 3.0 yards per play. 

Nothing was worse than the passing game, with Jalen Hurts logging 93 passing yards on 27 passing attempts (3.4 yards per attempt). An NFL quarterback had only 10 passing yards in the entire second half. Need I say more? 

That led to an underwhelming 13.5 fantasy points (QB20). That followed only 13.6 fantasy points (QB24) in Week 3. 

Hurts still has a decent run workload, proven by 5.3 carries per game. However, he has just 1 rushing TD over four contests. That’s a dire dropoff compared to at least 8 rushing TDs in his previous five seasons, reaching a double-digit total in four of those campaigns.

Philadelphia’s success rate is down to a 36.7% (30th), and RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring), RB Tank Bigsby (core), WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), and TE Dallas Goedert (knee) are all injured. Week 5’s opponent, the Jaguars, allow 13.3 PPG (second) and -0.023 dropback EPA (sixth).

Make Jalen Hurts picks on PrizePicks now!

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Seahawks RB Emanuel Wilson and Dolphins RB Ollie Gordon II had elevated roles in Week 4 and flourished. For Week 5’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em conundrum for running backs, which halfback could take a step back this week?

Seahawks RB Emanuel Wilson: Start ‘Em

Game: 49ers vs. Seahawks – Sunday, October 11, 4:25 p.m. ET

After Seahawks RB Jadarian Price (chest) was placed on injured reserve, Emanuel Wilson was thrust into a prominent role and responded by racking up 81 rushing yards, 39 receiving yards, 2 TDs, and 27.0 fantasy points (RB6) in Week 4.

Following a breakout performance, Wilson could be on borrowed time, as Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet (knee) returned to practice last week, and Joe Mixon was signed on Monday. However, Charbonnet’s timeline is still unknown, while Mixon should at least be limited with a quick turnaround for Sunday’s game.

With that said, Wilson remains a top priority for this week’s waiver wire. He totaled gaudy usage with 21 carries, 4 targets, 3 receptions, and a 60.0% snap share in Week 4. 

The 49ers visiting the Seahawks is one of Week 5’s top matchups, and while San Francisco sits at 4-0, the run defense could be a potential weakness. The Niners have given up 3.7 yards per carry (ninth), but a 25% run stop win rate (30th) and 46.7% rush success rate allowed (31st) suggest regression is ahead.

Seattle has the offensive line to pave the way thanks to a 74% run block win rate (11th). With another solid workload likely ahead on an offense posting 26.3 PPG (11th), Wilson is a start for fantasy football.

Predict More or Less for Emanuel Wilson’s rush yards projection on PrizePicks! 

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Dolphins RB Ollie Gordon II: Sit ‘Em

Game: Bengals vs. Dolphins – Sunday, October 11, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 37.5 Rush Yards, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

After Dolphins RB De’Von Achane suffered a season-ending torn ACL, Ollie Gordon II became the potential lead back for the remainder of the 2026 season. In Week 4, Gordon produced 9 carries for 100 rushing yards, 1 TD, and 18.0 fantasy points (RB16), elevated by a 53-yard rush.

However, Phins RB Jaylen Wright will likely contend for touches. He had only 5 rushing attempts for 7 yards on Sunday. Wright touted a 30.8% snap rate compared to Gordon’s 56.8%. 

That was a huge dip from Gordon’s 83.6% snap rate in Week 3. Plus, his 11 touches does not yield much confidence on an offense with 11.5 PPG (32nd) and a 34.8% success rate (31st).

As a 7.5-point underdog on the spread vs. the Bengals in Week 5, via PrizePicks, another negative game script could be ahead. Further, Cincinnati has allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs, per Pro Football Reference. 

Make Ollie Gordon II picks on PrizePicks now!

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers

Two rookie wide receivers feature in Week 5’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em. Titans WR Carnell Tate comes off a breakout performance, but Browns WR Denzel Boston has been a consistent producer. Which wideout can we trust for fantasy football?

Browns WR Denzel Boston: Start ‘Em

Game: Browns vs. Jets – Sunday, October 11, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 43.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions (Demon), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

As mentioned, Browns QB Deshaun Watson is tracking to be a start this week for fantasy football. That provides an intriguing stack alongside Denzel Boston.

He has true Offensive Rookie of the Year potential, carrying a 4.76x payout (third-shortest) to win the award on PrizePicks. That’s backed by 13 receptions, 284 receiving yards, 21.8 yards per reception, and 2 receiving TDs through four games.

Boston’s been a solid fantasy piece, as seen by 13.9 FPPG. In fact, he’s reached a double-digit fantasy total in three of four games, including 4 catches for 89 receiving yards and 12.9 fantasy points (WR30) in Week 4.

According to PlayerProfiler, the rookie carries an 88.7% snap share (seventh) and a 19.3% target share (43rd). His teammate WR KC Concepcion has a 24.1% target share (24th), but Boston’s work carries a ton of upside thanks to an absurd 45.2% air yards share (seventh) and a 14.1 average depth of target (20th).

Concepcion works under the field, while Boston is the big-play threat. The Jets feature man coverage (28.0%) at the 16th-lowest clip, via FTN Fantasy, and Boston sports 2.95 yards per route run vs. zone coverage compared to 0.27 vs. man.

Pick More or Less for Denzel Boston’s receiving yard projection on PrizePicks.

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Titans WR Carnell Tate: Sit ‘Em

Game: Texans vs. Titans – Sunday, October 11, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 44.5 Receiving Yards, 4.5 Receptions, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

Carnell Tate is another Offensive Rookie of the Year contender. Following Week 4’s 12 targets for 9 catches, 145 receiving yards, and 12.5 fantasy points (WR15), Tate has surpassed Denzel Boston in the OROY race with a 3.84x payout to win the award (second-shortest), via PrizePicks.

In Tate’s first two games, he produced only 5.5 targets, 3.5 receptions, 32.5 receiving yards, and 3.3 FPPG. Week 3 still wasn’t great with 6 catches for 58 yards and 5.8 fantasy points (WR53), but Tate’s workload increased to 9 targets.

Following Week 4’s massive 12 targets, he now carries 10.5 targets per game over his last two. Tate has rarely left the field with an 84.1% snap share (15th) and it's leading to a healthy 25.0% target share (19th). Backed by a 50.0% deep target share (12th), the rookie also boasts a 43.5% air yards share (12th).

Frankly, Tate is the only downfield threat on this Titans offense. While this holds potential going forward, Week 5 could be a sit due to a difficult matchup vs. the Texans. 

Houston boasts one of football’s best cover players in CB Derek Stingley Jr., and he’s likely to trail Tate considering the Texans’ 36.9% man coverage rate (10th-highest). That could be even more of the case with Tate lining up out wide on 71.4% of his snaps.

Stingley has given up only 2.8 catches per game in coverage through four contests. Houston was just shredded for 324 passing yards in a 34-30 loss vs. the Cowboys, and Stingley still gave up only 38 yards in coverage.

Titans QB Cam Ward may also lack time in the pocket to award Tate with deep targets, as Tennessee carries a 48% pass block win rate (21st). Meanwhile, the Texans sport a 9.03% sack rate (third-highest) on defense.

Add Carnell Tate to your PrizePicks lineup for Week 5.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends

This week’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em for tight ends is headlined by two veterans. 

The Vikings have been one of the league’s worst offenses, but TE T.J. Hockenson has still found a route to value. Meanwhile, the Patriots come off their best game of the season, adding intrigue to TE Hunter Henry.

Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson: Start ‘Em

Game: Vikings vs. Saints – Sunday, October 11, 1:00 p.m. ET

The Vikings’ offense is simply terrible exposure for fantasy football right now, proven by 4.4 yards per play (32nd) and a 34.4% success rate (32nd). 

Minnesota QB Kyler Murray has two full starts under his belt this season, and he’s produced -0.176 adjusted EPA per play (31st) and a 31.8% success rate (33rd) over the last two weeks. Of course, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson’s absence with an ankle injury is a big blow to this offense.

After Jefferson totaled 7.5 targets per game in his only two full appearances of 2026, increased roles have been up for grabs. T.J. Hockenson took advantage of that in Week 4, amassing 13 targets, 13 catches, 119 receiving yards, and 24.9 fantasy points (TE1).

The Saints defense could be the best remedy for any offense, with New Orleans conceding 32.0 PPG (32nd), 5.8 yards per play (26th), and a 52.5% success rate (32nd). Over four games, the Saints have given up 14.3 FPPG to tight ends (eighth-most).

Jefferson’s status for Week 5 is still unknown, and if he’s out, that’s more targets open for Hockenson. Regardless, Minnesota’s tight end could be a start vs. the Saints. Following Sunday’s 13 targets, Hockenson becomes a must-start if Jefferson is out again.

Make T.J. Hockenson picks on PrizePicks now!

Patriots TE Hunter Henry: Sit ‘Em

Game: Raiders vs. Patriots – Sunday, October 11, 1:00 p.m. ET

The Bills defense has given up a 49.0% success rate (28th) and 0.114 EPA per play (29th). The Patriots used that to rebound in Week 4, producing 405 total yards in a 29-26 win in Buffalo.

Turnovers still remain a major concern with 2.5 per game (31st), but QB Drake Maye’s season-high 269 passing yards was a plus for fantasy football. 

Last season, Hunter Henry flourished as TE9 in fantasy football. After Patriots WR A.J. Brown headed for injury reserve following Week 1, Henry seemed bound for another big role. However, that hasn’t been the case.

Henry has 3.8 targets, 3.0 receptions, 33.3 receiving yards, and 6.3 FPPG thus far. He improved in Week 4’s win over the Bills, generating 5 receptions for 62 receiving yards and 11.2 fantasy points (TE16).

His 5 targets weren’t out of the ordinary, though, and he has only 1 red zone target with 0 TDs on the season. Henry benefited from facing a bad defense, but the Raiders allow only 21.0 PPG (11th) with -0.119 EPA per play (second) and a 42.4% success rate (11th).

Las Vegas forces a league-high 2.3 takeaways per game, causing alarm for New England’s turnover woes.  

Henry has seen two defenses in the top 10 of EPA per play allowed — the Seahawks (fourth) and Jaguars (seventh) — and he combined for 2.5 targets, 2.0 receptions, 15.5 receiving yards, and 3.6 FPPG over those matchups. 

Add Hunter Henry to your PrizePicks lineup for NFL Week 5.

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Turn Your Fantasy Football Takes to NFL Picks on PrizePicks

The Browns’ passing game is drawing attention for fantasy football in Week 5, featuring Deshaun Watson and Denzel Boston. Further, Emanuel Wilson and T.J. Hockenson could keep benefiting with increased roles due to injuries, while Jalen Hurts and Carnell Tate could be sits due to tough matchups.

You can turn your fantasy football knowledge into picks on PrizePicks! Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on NFL game winners, spreads, and over/unders — now available in 36 states. 

As we head into the NFL season, stay locked in Playbook for weekly NFL start/sit advice, waiver wire analysis, and game picks.