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Fantasy Football: Top 10 Sit 'Em Picks for Week 5

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:55 p.m. ET

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Don’t let invaluable players sabotage your weekly fantasy football lineup. Be sure to sit these 10 players heading into Week 5.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Hello, Week 5! A quarter of the season is gone and we welcome back quarterback Tom Brady this week and last week we welcomed fantasy football MVP of Week 4, running back Le’Veon Bell.

Week 4 was interesting. We still saw heartbreaking busts (Matthew Stafford) but, we were lucky enough to not suffer any major fantasy football injuries; unless you had Trevor Siemian in a QB2 position.

This week, the NFL offers some tough matchups and as always, the fantasy values of many players increase and decrease. We also have some bye week teams that will need to be filled; Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks.

Between injuries and this week’s bye teams, that’s a lot of missing talent! Be wise and use your fillers to their best potential. You already know what happens when you start the wrong player! So, check out these top 10 players to sit heading into Week 5, that don’t offer the most fantasy football value.

Sep 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) rushes the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

10. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

If you took a chance and started DeAngelo Williams in Week 4, you’re probably not going to make that mistake again. With Le’Veon Bell returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Williams is nothing more than a handcuff for the rest of the season.

Last week, Williams earned a little under seven fantasy football points on four touches. He also had a touchdown but, that isn’t expected to happen every week.

With Bell being used as the main running back in some pass plays, Williams’ fantasy value decreases immensely. Keep Williams on the bench for just in case purposes.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) makes a touchdown catch in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Brent Grimes (24) in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

9. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Julio Jones took over Week 4 for the Atlanta Falcons. The good news is, you now know not to start Mohamed Sanu in Week 5.

After only receiving three targets, Sanu completed two for only 23 yards. He didn’t even earn five fantasy points in Week 4.

This week, the Falcons take on the Denver Broncos which, doesn’t add any hopeful outcome for Sanu. The Broncos offer opponents less than 210 yards per game.

After taking a backseat role in Week 4 and considering this week’s matchup, Sanu is a must sit in Week 5. Don’t make the same mistake twice!

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) runs the ball as Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) goes for the tackle during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

8. Isaiah Crowell, RB, Cleveland Browns

Isaiah Crowell is coming off one of his best fantasy football week’s this season; he also dominated in Week 2 with 40 points. In his Week 4 outing, Crowell earned over 30 fantasy points.

Last week, Crowell had 15 carries for over 100 yards and a touchdown. So far this season, Crowell has rushed for over 380 yards and three touchdowns; he’s looking great for owners.

However, this week’s game is unpredictable; the Cleveland Browns take on the New England Patriots. This week, Brady returns and the entire moral and dynamic of the team will change.

The Patriots are coming off of a divisional game loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 and are looking to make a joke out of the Browns. The Patriots are 13th against the position.

If your lineup allows you the option, sit Crowell. It could be a rough week for the Browns.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants tight end Larry Donnell (84) catches a touchdown pass against Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens (59) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

7. Larry Donnell, TE, New York Giants

The New York Giants have a talented offensive line, and if there are too many capable receivers, someone will lose targets. This is the case for Larry Donnell.

Donnell has only completed eight targets for 50 yards so far this season. He hasn’t earned double-digit fantasy football points in any of his matchups.

Last week, Donnell left the game with a concussion after being laid out on a blitz. His status is questionable and will be monitored week-to-week.

Even if he plays, he’s not a valuable fantasy player and should stay on your bench in Week 5.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) attempts a pass in the game against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

6. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins

No matter how good of a matchup it looks like on paper, I have lost all trust in Ryan Tannehill; I am sure you all agree! He’s too inconsistent of a quarterback to take a gamble on.

In Weeks 2 and 3, Tannehill had almost 80 fantasy football points combined. Then last week he earned no more than 17 points.

Tannehill completed a lousy 15-of-25 passes for 189 yards. He also had a touchdown, interception, and fumble.

This week he takes on the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have only allowed opponents to score four touchdowns this season. This is not the week to rely on Tannehill to bring your team to victory.

Oct 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) dodges a tackle by Los Angeles Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines (33) during the first hal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

5. John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals

John Brown had his breakout game last week against the Los Angeles Rams. Not only was it the first time he earned double-digit points all season but, he tallied over 30.

Last week, Brown completed 10-of-16 targets for over 140 yards. Brown has been Carson Palmer‘s most targeted receiver in the last two weeks.

However, Palmer did suffer a concussion in Week 4’s game and is going through the NFL protocol. Palmer won’t be playing this week as he’s officially been ruled “out”.

The Cardinals have a Thursday Night Football game and with the early week, it’ll be a tough transition for quarterback Drew Stanton. Brown will lose fantasy value with Stanton under center.

If you can afford to sit Brown in Week 5 do it! Once Palmer is feeling 100 percent, Brown will become a high fantasy value again.

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata (44) rushes against the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

4. Matt Asiata, RB, Minnesota Vikings

With Adrian Peterson out, we didn’t know what to expect from Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon. Well, it’s clear after last week’s performance, McKinnon is the main workhorse on the Minnesota Vikings.

Last week, Asiata earned less than 10 fantasy football points. He only rushed six times for six yards. It was the one touchdown that saved him from being a complete fail.

This week the Vikings take on the Houston Texans who have allowed over 120 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season. These odds are great for a running back.

But, if Asiata it out snapped by McKinnon, it’s better odds for him. I wouldn’t suggest starting Asiata unless it’s an RB2/RB3 position.

Sep 25, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) drops to pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Bills beat the Cardinals 31-18. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

3. Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Carson hasn’t been a fantasy football bust but, like I said earlier, he’s dealing with a concussion. Although the Arizona Cardinals showed some optimism in the beginning of the week, Palmer is still not practicing.

Now, Palmer doesn’t need to be a participant in practice to be able to suit up Thursday night. On Tuesday, Palmer was still going through tests and remains in concussion protocol.

It’s not likely Palmer will be cleared by Thursday’s game. However, if he is, it could be game-time decision.

Palmer has an ideal matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Palmer should be tracked and if no decision has been made by Thursday morning, definitely sit him in Week 5.

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants running back Orleans Darkwa (26) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph (98) and defensive end Brian Robison (96) during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

2. Orleans Darkwa, RB, New York Giants

Orleans Darkwa has been a hot fantasy trend the past two weeks. However, there are a few things that depend on his performance; Rashad Jennings and his weekly matchup.

Jennings is still listed as questionable after missing two weeks due to a thumb injury. However, the New York Giants are hopeful for a Jennings return in Week 5.

This week, the Giants take on the Green Bay Packers. They are allowing on average, 42 rushing yards per game.

Look to sit Darkwa or any Giants’ running back at that in Week 5 against the league’s best rushing defense.

Oct 2, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) New York Jets strong safety Calvin Pryor (25) New York Jets free safety Marcus Gilchrist (21) huddle during pregame with the rest of the secondary at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

1. New York Jets D/ST

Has anyone seen the New York Jets? Once a hot fantasy football pick, the Jets D/ST has definitely taken a turn for the worse this season.

Last week, the Jets took on the Seattle Seahawks. The Jets had everything going for them; Russell Wilson playing with an injury, home field advantage and a win in Week 2 that was haunting them since the end of last season.

All they had to do was show up, and what did they do? They blew it! If your league is generous, you were lucky if you earned nine fantasy football points.

This week the Jets take on the Pittsburgh Steelers; mic drop. Don’t start the Jets, Big Ben doesn’t go down!

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