Thursday Night Football was another yawner. With that said, there were some entertaining and illuminating moments. Justin Fields looked like the Justin Fields we all hoped for when he came out of Ohio State, slinging it around the field and hooking up with D.J. Moore for eight receptions, 230 receiving yards, and three touchdown passes. Yes, it came against the hapless Washington Commanders, but it was an encouraging outing nonetheless. IDP storylines to monitor include T.J. Edwards continuing to show out as an LB1, the Bears mini sack party in the Commanders backfield, Montez Sweat continuing to prove fantasy managers wrong, and Darrick Forrest finally having the DB2 showing fantasy managers were waiting for. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

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IDP Start em, Sit em – Week 5

Start em

Terrel Bernard (LB – BUF)
The LB8 overall through four weeks of action, everyone should be starting Bernard by now. That is not why he made this column; anyone can look at his production and see that he is worth a start in three linebacker leagues and most, if not all, of two linebacker leagues. However, Bernard has been excellent enough to work his way past Matt Milano and into the LB1 conversation. Treat Bernard as a top-15 option for Week 5’s plus matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday morning. Bernard is a must-start until further notice.

Jalen Thompson (S – ARI)
The Andre Chachere experiment failed, so the Cardinals have smartly reverted back to starting Jalen Thompson at safety. This immediately moves him back into the DB2 conversation regardless of matchup, and if his performance last year is any indication, he will go back to being one of the most consistent options at the position. Plug Thompson into lineups as a DB2 option for a plus Week 5 matchup against the struggling Cincinnati Bengals.

Nik Bonitto (DE/LB – DEN)
Bonitto has been tapped as the new starter on the edge for the Denver Broncos. Randy Gregory‘s release opens up more playing time for a player Sean Payton said was playing better to begin with, making Bonitto worth a look as a DL3 option, at least until Frank Clark and/or Baron Browning return to the lineup. Bonitto has a dream matchup against Zach Wilson and the Jets in Week 5 and will be looking to make his case to stay a starter even when Clark and Browning return. Tap Bonitto as a DL3 with DL2 upside for Week 5.

Elandon Roberts (LB – PIT)
Elandon was excellent in Week 4 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played a healthy 58 percent of the snaps, recording five solos, five assists, and one tackle for loss. Despite playing under 50 percent of the snaps in every other game, Elandon has still managed to record five or more solos in two games this season. Week 4 saw him play a season-high in snaps and snap share and presents an opportunity to start him as an LB3/LB4 option just in time for the byes. Treat him as such for a tasty Week 5 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Camryn Bynum (S – MIN)
Bynum has been elite this season. He showed flashes in 2022, but no one could have envisioned that he’d settle in as a DB1, ever, forget right off the bat in the 2023 season. Bynum had nine solos, three assists, and one forced fumble in Week 4, putting a nice cap on a stellar first quarter of the year. Bynum has recorded five or more solos in each game this season and is currently the DB5 overall. Bynum deserves starting consideration even in single DB leagues. Fire him up with confidence as a DB1 as long as he is cooking.

Sit em

Rodney Thomas (S – IND)
Rodney Thomas has been a major disappointment to start the season. A popular DB2 sleeper candidate based on the strength of his late-season surge in 2022, Thomas has failed to deliver on his potential. Instead of being discussed in the DB2 conversation, the discourse now revolves around whether or not he even deserves a spot on fantasy rosters. While this, of course, depends on a number of correlative factors, the fact is Thomas is barely playing above waiver wire fodder level right now. Keep Thomas glued to fantasy benches where roster sizes allow. In other instances, evaluate your long-term replacement options.

Keanu Neal (S – PIT)
Neal has been a disappointment thus far this season. He has managed more than two solos just twice all year and is in danger of seeing his role shrink going forward. He has played a relevant enough 63 percent of the snaps over the last three weeks but has not managed to do much with the playing time in terms of counting stats. His name equity keeps him as an intriguing stash, but at this point of the season, especially with byes here, no one would fault you for moving on altogether. Keep him stashed where possible, but out of starting lineups for Week 5.

Russ Yeast (S – LAR)
Yeast is a Sean McVay favorite, so much so that he is keeping veteran safety John Johnson on the bench. However, he does not quite produce like the elder statesman. Week 4 was the high watermark of Yeast’s fantasy season, and all he managed to post was a modest four solos, one assist, and one pass defended. He should become an IDP force at some point, given his role, but it is likely going to take some patience before we start to see him scratch the surface of his true potential. Keep him stashed where feasible, but look elsewhere for your Week 5 DB3.

Willie Gay (LB – KC)
You may have been tempted to start Gay with Nick Bolton sidelined. I know I was and did, but the results have been disappointing. Gay simply hasn’t got it going this season and is in danger of permanently ceding starter duties to Drue Tranquill when Bolton returns. Bolton returned to limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, giving him a chance to play this weekend. Gay needs to be benched until he picks up his play and his post Bolton role becomes more clear. There are not many circumstances where you should be starting Bolton right now, even in 20-team leagues. Look elsewhere for your Week 5 LB3.

Shaquille Leonard (LB – IND)
Shaq hasn’t quite been the same player since the injuries and the name change, and can no longer be trusted as anything more than an LB4. He has failed to eclipse three solos in any game this season and has yet to regain the explosive sideline-to-sideline ability that made him a perennial All-Pro. There is a chance that it will return at some point this season, but there is no guarantee. With that being said, Leonard is still worth a stash in leagues with deeper benches as a bye-week filler option. Leonard is also on the injury report with a groin injury, putting his status in doubt for Week 5. It hurts to say, but Shaquille Leonard needs to be glued to fantasy benches until further notice.

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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.