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Week 5 2025 who should I start thread **OFFICIALLY UNOFFICIAL** (3 Viewers)

PPR League. Need three of these: cruddy options:

* M. Carter vs TN -- Good matchup. Even if he splits with Demercado he should get touches.

* T. Franklin @PHI -- Apparently, PHI's top corner will probably shadow Sutton. May be opportunuties. Has had 8 targets in 2 or last 3 games.

* D. Waller @CAR -- Snaps will increase. There are targets available now with Hill out. CAR is the worst in the league covering the TE. This is a total no floor/high ceiling play.

* S. Tucker @SEA -- Tough matchup. Who knows what the split will be with R. White. Convensional wisdom is saying White gets at least 60/40.

* J. Mason @CLE -- Terrible matchup and MN's offensive line is an injury mess. Could be tough sledding especially if he doesn't get any receptions. Floor lower than usual.

* I. Pacheco @ JAX -- Really not a consideration, but he's an option.

RIght now I'm leaning T. Franklin, J. Mason, and M. Carter, but damn am I tempted to roll the dice with Waller.

Which 3?

Thanks
I agree with your choices and your dilemma. Mason and Franklin seem like obvious options. The decision is between Waller & Carter.

I know what Schefter reported about Carter so, he is probably the "right" call. But, it feels a little more nebulous and I wonder if the Cards lean on Demercado a little more.

I always viewed a healthy, motivated Darren Waller as a force. I don't think he's physically what he was but, he's a big target with good hands and I could easily see Tua lock in on him.

Tough call but I think I go with

Waller>Carter
You really think Mason is an obvious decision?

He's probably guaranteed volume, but damn, the CLE D plus an injured MN O line is not great. Ceiling seems limited.
I don't see another option that has 15+ opportunities as a lock. It's a bad matchup and, if that is a deterrent for you then Michael Carter should be a consideration. I just have no idea what to expect from him.

One tool I like to use when deciding between two things is a coin toss. No joke. Not to make the decision for me rather, I find when the coin is in the air I know which side I want it to land on. It's a useful tool.
 
WR/TE/flex (pick two)
  • Franklin @ Phi
  • Ayomanor @ AZ
  • Juwan Johnson vs NYG
  • Henry @ Buffalo
Like I said, I hate that I can't start the other RB in this spot. Leaning Juwan as my TE because Henry can't keep scoring every single week, plus Buffalo has been shutting down the position (like they did with Johnson last week). For flex, I feel like it's a total coin flip between Ayomanor and Franklin.
I worry Juwan is returning to what we expect from him. The only reason I'm not entirely convinced is it's a new coaching staff. But, I don't trust him anymore.

Henry is similar but, Maye does seem to look for him in the red zone. And, I imagine the Pats will need to pass to keep pace.

I like Franklin's volume but, he hasn't done a ton with it yet. He gives me a bit of a Keyshon vibe: lots of targets, difficulty finding the end zone. Tough roadie too.

Ayomanor may see more looks of Ridley is out, or limited, this week. He's a fine play, even if it's with somewhat limited upside.

Ayomanor>Henry>Franklin>Juwan
 
Flex (pick one)
  • White @ Sea
  • Jamo @ Cinci
  • Godwin @ Sea
  • Carter vs Tenn
My heart says Jamo is due for his breakout, but my head says White is the safer option
I am a ride-or-die Jamo Blowup Game guy. It's also such a good matchup and the Lions are not shy about running up the score. In non-ppr format I would have no problem going with him.

In PPR, however you have to consider Godwin. He got 10 targets his first game back, the run game is not as good without Irving and, it looks like Evans is out again.

No idea how to predict Carter and you have solid alternatives.

White is probably a decent start but, I like Godwin more. He's closer to Jamo in this question.

Godwin>Jamo>White>Carter
 
flex
  • Higgins vs Det
  • Demercado vs Tenn
This is a family league team I co-manage with my 10 y.o., and he wants Demercado. I certainly can't argue that Higgins is a must start, but I feel like in a situation like this where neither option is ideal, you bet on talent. Or am I still in denial about how dire the Cinci situation is?
Wow... I just don't like anything I've seen from the Bengals. At all.

Demercado>Higgins
 
Need a TE in NON-PPR redraft league:

Hockenson overseas vs Browns
Fannin Jr overseas with rookie QB vs Vikings
Mason Taylor vs Cowboys
Oh man... I mean...

I don't like the Browns/Vikings game at all and Taylor has shown signs of life and faces a pretty soft Dallas defense.

Taylor>Hock>Fannin
 
I don't normally do this, but I'm perplexed due to losing
Irving and Pearsall this week. Need 1 for my flex: ppr
Keon Coleman v New England
Nick Chubb @ Baltimore
Troy Franklin @ Philadelphia
Rico Dowdle. V Miami

Thanks
With Chuba out 100% Dowdle IMO. Solid matchup and I think he will see pretty much the full workload.

Chubb is an interesting option against the terrible Ravens defense. But, obviously Marks is a concern.

Franklin is fine for volume but the production has been so-so and it's a tough roadie.

Not much interest in Coleman unless you want to speculate on a big game

Dowdle>Chubb>Franklin>Coleman
 
2-2 but not feeling great....CeeDee and J Warren hurt

Standard Scoring + PPR

Flex:
Jalen Tolbert
Kendre Miller

Luke Mccaffery, Rashid Shaheed, Malik Washington, Isiah Bond all available...any of them worth adding? Plug n play over the two listed above?

Thank You
 
Standard Scoring + PPR

QB: Fields or Herbert

RB x2: Henry, Judkins, Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne

Flex x2: Quentin Jonhson, Courtland Sutton or RB not picked above?

Thank You
 
1QB 4pt passing TD

Caleb on a bye and Purdy is broken. Need a super gross start from:

Jake Browning v DET

Cooper Rush v HOU
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking.

Browning won't continue to be as bad as he has been... I think. And he has better WRs than Rush.

But, I wonder if guys like Zay and Andrews may be better targets for a lesser QB with their ability in the short areas over the middle of the field...

Total coin toss but, ultimately I like Baltimore's matchup more.

Rush>Browning
 
Standard league, mostly TD dependent. Need to fill final flex spot.

Sean Tucker @ SEA
Pacheco @ JAX
Bill Croskey @ LAC
Michael Carter v TEN

Thanks bros
I think I go with Carter based on the matchup. All of them are in for an unpredictable workload but, I think Carter is in line for the most work if things break they way we think (according to Schefter).

Maybe Tucker... but, I'm inclined to think White takes the lead initially.

Pacheco has a very tough matchup and JCM is getting limited opportunities.

Carter>Tucker>JCM>Pacheco
 
Can’t believe I’m needing to make this decision at a Flex spot in the FBG Bowl league…

Wan’Dale Robinson NYG vs. NO
AJ Brown PHI vs. DEN

I always “start my studs” for the most part, but AJ has been so mediocre and has a very tough matchup, and the NYG matchup is so juicy with Dart adding a spark and the obvious opportunity with Nabers out.

Help me obiwan…

(Right now, I’m starting Robinson fwiw)
I totally get where you're coming from but, I couldn't do it.

AJ been carping and I think he gets fed.

But these are the gut check moments that define seasons. You feel Wan'Dale, you should start Wan'Dale

But, me

AJ>Wan'Dale
 
Start 2 in .5 ppr with moronic bonuses

Mason "@" Cle
Dowdle vs Mia
Jamar Chase vs Det
Definitely Dowdle IMO. I like his workload and opponent.

Tough call between the other two but... I still lean to the talent and the idea that Cincinnati is going to have to throw a lot at some point.

Mason will see 15 touches, nothing wrong with going with that but, it is a brutal matchup.

Dowdle>Chase>Mason
 
12 Team PPR.

* Simple Question: Is. I. Pacheco dropable?

I keep hoping he emerges, but you've got K. Hunt not going away and I actually picked up B. Smith for upside later in the year.

I'm thin at RB due to being forced into an early WR (J. Chase), TE (T. McBride), QB (L. Jackson) start.

Current RBs:

* T. Pollard, J. Mason, I. Pacheco, M. Carter (S. Tucker, B. Corum, B. Smith).

With Jackson hurt, I could pick up M. Stafford (@BALT next week), a D for next week, or another upside RB or WR.

I just can't envision starting him.

Keep or drop?

Thanks
The problem is you are not deep at RB at all. Do you envision some kind of Jerick McKinnon 2022 breakout from Smith? Without injury, when do you see that happening? Will it be too late?

Maybe, if Sean Tucker hits this weekend but, even then that's probably only a few week bridge play.

Corum has less leeway with fumbles than Kyren and, it's not even close. IMO barring injury, he's not an emergency start at any point.

I am at least confident Pacheco will see 10 touches every week on an offense that can put up points. I am not sure why Smith is more of a lottery ticket than Pacheco.

That being said, you do need a QB and, if you're comfortable with your rotation, drop Pacheco. I might drop Smith, personally because it will take two injuries to get him more than what either Pacheco/Hunt get. Ditto Tucker, I think but we'll find out tomorrow. Corum only needs one injury to be truly relevant.

But it's close enough to go with what you feel.
 
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PPR League. Need a flex.

* T. Franklin @PHI - PHI secondary strong, but they don't seem to be total lockdown like last year. Key question is how does Bo Nix do in hostile territory here.

* D. Waller @CAR -- Obviously wouldn't expect last week. Snaps should increase. CAR lousy against TEs. If he's used like J. Smith last year Waller could produce.

Which?

THanks
I feel like I answered this one already.

I kinda like Waller in this matchup and, without Tyreek.

Franklin gets nice volume and is a decent option because of it but, he hasn't done much with it yet.

If Waller is healthy and locked in he can still be a relevant player IMO.

Waller>Franklin
 
PPR: Need two WR & One Flex:

Worthy @ JAX
Pittman vs LV
Wan Dale Robinson @ NO
McConkey vs Wash
Charbs vs Tampa
Christian Kirk vs Balt
Harvey @ Philly

Thanks
I think Worthy after last week, no? Jacksonville is tough to run on and the Chiefs aren't very good running anyway.

After that, I like Pittman for matchup and opportunity. Obviously you need to monitor his injury news but, he's in a good situation.

Kirk may have some potential in this matchup but he went from eight to three targets and, I imagine the Texans are going to try and run all day against Baltimore.

Wan'Dale has a nice matchup too but, I don't know what to expect from the Giants offense other than they are going to feed Skattebo as much as they can.

Charbs is hoping for a TD. Can't predict that.

Don't love Harvey in a game that will likely be tight.

McConkey is the #3 for the Chargers. He could pop this week, or not but, that's what you have to hope for.

Worthy>Pittman>Charbs>Kirk>Wan'Dale>McConkey>Harvey
 
PPR: Need two WR & 1 Flex:

Ferguson @ Jets
Diggs @ Buff
Jeudy vs Minn
Worthy @ JAX
Pittman vs LV
Deebo @ LAC

Thanks
For me Worthy & Deebo seem pretty obvious.

After that it comes down to Pittman and Ferguson for me. I don't consider Jeudy and Diggs options here.

I love the volume Ferguson is seeing, especially in PPR. It's only dink and dunk stuff but catches are gold in full PPR.

But Pittman gets nice volume too and seems to be finding the end zone with regularity and has a nice home matchup. Don't love his hamstring issue and it bears monitoring.

Tough call and it probably depends on your risk tolerance with injuries. For me

Pittman>Ferguson
 
3 RB's Henry, Walker III, & Dowdle. PPR need (2) of these guys.

Henry-With Lamar out unless the game gets away from BAL I think they will lean on Henry. When Rush came in and Henry was out in the flat Henry was never looked at then he exited the game. I know Rush wanted to make something happen down field but Henry was wide open. Still believe Henry will get his 15.1 PPR.

Walker III-Like everything about Walker but the matchup. 14.6 PPR projected.

Dowdle-Just picked him up & want to play him as it may be the only week on my active roster. Matchup looks great for him. 14.5 PPR projected.

?
I definitely understand wanting to go with Dowdle and, I'm pretty high on him this week. And Henry hasn't done much other than fumble a lot over the last three games. KWIII has been seeing volume and producing.

But

KWIII>Henry>Dowdle
 
PPR: which one

Juwan Johnson vs NYG
Brenton Strange vs KC


Thanks
I'm going with Strange probably. Juwan is trending down every week and may be the player he's always been. He may have more upside but, also downside. Good matchup though.

Strange seems to be getting consistent volume and I like that. Tough matchup but not prohibitive IMO.

Strany>Juwan
 
Standard Scoring + PPR

QB: Fields or Herbert

RB x2: Henry, Judkins, Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne

Flex x2: Quentin Jonhson, Courtland Sutton or RB not picked above?

Thank You
QB: I think they're so close. Both are top 5 or 6 options this week. Cop out, but 6 points per passing TD=go Herbert, 4 points per passing TD=Go Fields.

RB: Henry and Etienne. I realize Henry loses touches when the Ravens fall behind. But I think they'll try to lean on the run as much as possible early with Lamar out. ETN has been hot, KC gives up the 10th most FPPG to RB.

Flex: Johnston, Williams
 
2-2 but not feeling great....CeeDee and J Warren hurt

Standard Scoring + PPR

Flex:
Jalen Tolbert
Kendre Miller

Luke Mccaffery, Rashid Shaheed, Malik Washington, Isiah Bond all available...any of them worth adding? Plug n play over the two listed above?

Thank You
I don't love it.

I think you go Shaheed.
 
2-2 but not feeling great....CeeDee and J Warren hurt

Standard Scoring + PPR

Flex:
Jalen Tolbert
Kendre Miller

Luke Mccaffery, Rashid Shaheed, Malik Washington, Isiah Bond all available...any of them worth adding? Plug n play over the two listed above?

Thank You
Matchups, please bruh.

I don't even know who Tolbert plays for. Seriously. Not going to look it up either.

I like Kendre's matchup and his production has been solid. On the hope that he's going to see a few more series going forward (and I don't know who Tolbert plays for).

Alol your options are total spec plays. Even without McLaurin, McCaffrey is seeing only 36% of their snaps. Shaheed doubles him up on that and more than that on opportunity volume. I don't have much opinion on Washington, I haven't seen much to get excited about yet.

Kendre>Shahid>Tolbert
 
3 RB's Henry, Walker III, & Dowdle. PPR need (2) of these guys.

Henry-With Lamar out unless the game gets away from BAL I think they will lean on Henry. When Rush came in and Henry was out in the flat Henry was never looked at then he exited the game. I know Rush wanted to make something happen down field but Henry was wide open. Still believe Henry will get his 15.1 PPR.

Walker III-Like everything about Walker but the matchup. 14.6 PPR projected.

Dowdle-Just picked him up & want to play him as it may be the only week on my active roster. Matchup looks great for him. 14.5 PPR projected.

?
Henry and Walker.
 
PPR League. Need a flex.

* T. Franklin @PHI - PHI secondary strong, but they don't seem to be total lockdown like last year. Key question is how does Bo Nix do in hostile territory here.

* D. Waller @CAR -- Obviously wouldn't expect last week. Snaps should increase. CAR lousy against TEs. If he's used like J. Smith last year Waller could produce.

Which?

THanks
I think Franklin. At least 6 targets in 3/4 games. I think Philly is the better team and Denver plays from behind, meaning more looks for Franklin.
 
Can’t believe I’m needing to make this decision at a Flex spot in the FBG Bowl league…

Wan’Dale Robinson NYG vs. NO
AJ Brown PHI vs. DEN

I always “start my studs” for the most part, but AJ has been so mediocre and has a very tough matchup, and the NYG matchup is so juicy with Dart adding a spark and the obvious opportunity with Nabers out.

Help me obiwan…

(Right now, I’m starting Robinson fwiw)
No website is going to rank Robinson over Brown. And it's probably the "right" advice to play Brown. But man, I can't imagine starting him and feeling good. He's been a dud in 3/4 games, and now he gets Surtain.

Without Nabers, Wandale should lead the Giants in targets.

All that said, Brown is the better talent, catching balls from a better QB and on a better offense. I'd probably still start Brown. But I can't fault you for pulling the trigger on starting Robinson.
 
Can’t believe I’m needing to make this decision at a Flex spot in the FBG Bowl league…

Wan’Dale Robinson NYG vs. NO
AJ Brown PHI vs. DEN

I always “start my studs” for the most part, but AJ has been so mediocre and has a very tough matchup, and the NYG matchup is so juicy with Dart adding a spark and the obvious opportunity with Nabers out.

Help me obiwan…

(Right now, I’m starting Robinson fwiw)
No website is going to rank Robinson over Brown. And it's probably the "right" advice to play Brown. But man, I can't imagine starting him and feeling good. He's been a dud in 3/4 games, and now he gets Surtain.

Without Nabers, Wandale should lead the Giants in targets.

All that said, Brown is the better talent, catching balls from a better QB and on a better offense. I'd probably still start Brown. But I can't fault you for pulling the trigger on starting Robinson.
Switched back to AJB for now.
Thanks @jm192 and @Chaka
 
PPR (0.5 ppr for RB)

Sean Tucker over Marquise Brown, right?
I think it's probably Brown over Tucker.

I think Brown is definitely the higher floor play. Tucker can certainly hit the home run on any play. But I'm not sure he sees more than a handful of opportunities. Tucker definitely the ceiling play, but the floor may be non-existent.
 
AJ Brown vs Denver and Surtain OR Dowdle vs Miami?

I lean Dowdle. Miami gives up the 7th most FPPG to RB. I don't see Miami blowing them out to where Carolina can't run the ball. And Dowdle was a really solid back last year.

Brown's usage hasn't been what you want and he has such a tough matchup.
 
PPR (0.5 ppr for RB)

Sean Tucker over Marquise Brown, right?
So, it's full PPR for WR/TE and 0.5 for RBs?

I just got a sleeper alert saying to expect White to handle the vast majority of the work today. Not sure how much weight to put into that but it does confirm my own bias that believes the same thing. The Jaguars are very tough against the run. Fewest attempts against, 4th in yardage given up, 2nd in rush TDs & 9th in yards per attempt yielded (3.9). They're 28th in pass attempts against, 24th in yards against and 19th in TDs against (7).

The Chiefs already struggle to run the ball and, maybe I'm overthinking (wishcasting?) but it seems like a good day to bet on Chiefs pass catchers.

M.Brown>S.Tucker
 
AJ Brown vs Denver and Surtain OR Dowdle vs Miami?

I lean Dowdle. Miami gives up the 7th most FPPG to RB. I don't see Miami blowing them out to where Carolina can't run the ball. And Dowdle was a really solid back last year.

Brown's usage hasn't been what you want and he has such a tough matchup.
I totally understand going Dowdle. I have been recommending him a lot in here because I think he steps in and takes close to the full workload from Chuba. It's also a great matchup as you point out.

AJ pulled this sulking routine in 2023 too and his numbers tanked in the second half of the season. First half of 2023 he was on pace for 1,900-11, second half it was 950-2. It was crazy.

I think we all want to believe that, with all the carping this week, AJ gets fed a big bite. And I do want to believe that but, is that wishcasting? IDK

Everything is pointing to the Dowdle>AJ IMO but, man it's tough to bench AJ. I guess the question is how will you feel if AJ blows up on your bench or if Dowdle does?

With much trepidation

Dowdle>AJ

But, I'm already flip flopping in my gut.
 
.5 PPR

Rico Dowdle vs Dolphins
Darius Slayton @ Saints
I think you have to go with Dowdle here. I am much more confident in his workload than Slayton's at this point.

I am pretty sure he steps into the full Chuba workload and, that's a nice amount of work.

Dowdle>Slayton
 
Can’t believe I’m needing to make this decision at a Flex spot in the FBG Bowl league…

Wan’Dale Robinson NYG vs. NO
AJ Brown PHI vs. DEN

I always “start my studs” for the most part, but AJ has been so mediocre and has a very tough matchup, and the NYG matchup is so juicy with Dart adding a spark and the obvious opportunity with Nabers out.

Help me obiwan…

(Right now, I’m starting Robinson fwiw)
No website is going to rank Robinson over Brown. And it's probably the "right" advice to play Brown. But man, I can't imagine starting him and feeling good. He's been a dud in 3/4 games, and now he gets Surtain.

Without Nabers, Wandale should lead the Giants in targets.

All that said, Brown is the better talent, catching balls from a better QB and on a better offense. I'd probably still start Brown. But I can't fault you for pulling the trigger on starting Robinson.
I think it's a floor versus ceiling decision.
 
I got 99 Problems and TE's are at least a couple of them.

0.5 PPR:
Juwan Johnson vs NYG. (Moreau and Taysom Hill back)
OR
Kincaid vs NE

PPR:
Chig vs AZ
Tremble vs MIA

0.5 PPR:
Kelce vs Jax
Ertz vs LAC
Waller vs Carolina
 
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0.5 PPR

Bench 1:
Henry v Houston
R White v Seattle
ETN v KC
Pittman v LV
Waddle v Carolina
MHJ vs TEN
BTJ vs KC

I currently have BTJ on the bench
 
I got 99 Problems and TE's are at least a couple of them.

0.5 PPR:
Juwan Johnson vs NYG. (Moreau and Taysom Hill back)
OR
Kincaid vs NE

PPR:
Chig vs AZ
Tremble vs MIA

0.5 PPR:
Kelce vs Jax
Ertz vs LAC
Waller vs Carolina
I worry a little that Johnson's share has declined every week. Throw in Hill & Moreau and a lesser QB and I think I would go with Kincaid.

Kincaid>Juwan
========================

I was seriously considering Tremble this week (opted to pick up Shultz). It's a low volume, likely low reward proposition but I like Tremble's opportunity and matchup better.

Tremble>Chig
==============================

If this were my decision, I think I would go with Waller. Good matchup, good opportunity and, I believe that if he's healthy and locked in he can still be a strong TE. That being said, the Jags are a pass funnel defense so, there is nothing wrong with Kelce here. I think Ertz's combo of lowish volume and tough matchup puts him at the bottom for me.

Waller>Kelce>Ertz
 
PPR league. Add/Drop question:

From reporting this morning, it sounds like B. Irvings injuries may be more significant than thought. Has a foot and shoulder injury. Out a couple weeks maybe more.

* Question: Pick up S. Tucker and drop one of RJ Harvey or Z. Charbs?

Need RB help bad.

THanks!
 
0.5 PPR

Bench 1:
Henry v Houston
R White v Seattle
ETN v KC
Pittman v LV
Waddle v Carolina
MHJ vs TEN
BTJ vs KC

I currently have BTJ on the bench
I might come to the same conclusion but, I am not sure about Rachaad White vs Seattle. I believe he will get plenty of opportunity, and that is reason enough to start him but, Seattle has a very strong run defense. I could make the same argument about the Chiefs which, puts ETN into consideration as well.

My only hesitation with benching BTJ is, it only takes one broken coverage for him to be relevant. ETN and White could break long runs off too, of course but, I just think BTJ has a lot more potential to do that than either ETN or White.

Nothing wrong with benching either of those three. For me, in order of who I would start

BTJ>White>ETN
 

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