The Primer: Week 5 Edition (2023 Fantasy Football)

Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts

• TEN -2.5, O/U 43
• Titans vs. Colts Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Pace and playcalling notes

• Tennessee is dead last in neutral pace while ranking 11-best in neutral rushing rate.
• The Colts are blazing this year. They are first in neutral pace and no-huddle rate. Indy ranks 20th in neutral passing rate.

Quarterbacks

Ryan Tannehill: Tannehill has been playing surprisingly good football since Week 2. Over the last three weeks, he ranks second in passing grade, first in big-time throw rate, 13th in adjusted completion rate, and eighth in yards per attempt. Sadly, though, he has only been 17th in fantasy points per dropback. The Colts have been an exploitable pass funnel. They have allowed the seventh-highest yards per attempt, tenth-highest passer rating, and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Week 5 Positional Value: Matchup-based streaming option

Anthony Richardson: Richardson’s passing remains a work in progress, although the flashes on film weekly have been eye-popping. He ranks 21st in yards per attempt, 19th in hero throw rate, and 31st in adjusted completion rate. Despite that, he remains a fantasy point-scoring machine. He ranks first in fantasy points per dropback. He is seventh in rushing yards and first in rushing touchdowns. Richardson should have no problems shredding the Tennessee secondary that has given up the sixth-highest yards per attempt and passer rating. The Titans have also surrendered the third-highest CPOE to deep throws and the eighth-most passing yards. Richardson has top-three upside this week. Week 5 Positional Value: High-end QB1

Running Backs

Derrick Henry: Henry’s snap shares have varied widely this season due to gamescript. Look for him to be heavily involved this week with a tight spread from Vegas. Henry has averaged 19.8 touches and 91.8 total yards. Henry is the RB15 in fantasy. Henry doesn’t look to be slowing down at all. He ranks 12th in explosive run rate, 17th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 13th in yards after contact per attempt. Henry faces a difficult matchup this week against the Colts’ run defense. They have held rushers to the eighth-lowest explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt. They are middle of the road in stuff rate (15th), and yards per carry allowed to gap runs (15th), so all hope isn’t lost for Henry (53.4% gap). Week 5 Positional Value: RB1

Tyjae Spears: Spears has played 53% or highest snaps in three of four games, but it hasn’t translated to much volume. He has averaged 7.5 touches and 37.5 total yards. Spears is a must-add in all leagues, but he’s only a stash or desperation flex currently. He ranks third in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt. If anything happened to Henry, Spears has league-winning upside. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit/Must-stash

Zack Moss: Moss’s role for Week 5 remains up in the air, with Taylor’s status still undecided. In either case, Moss is a must-sit. At best, if Taylor is active, Moss works in tandem with Taylor against an elite run defense. No bueno. Tennessee has allowed the lowest explosive run rate and the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs while also having the seventh-highest stuff rate. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit

Jonathan Taylor: The Colts and Taylor reached an agreement on a massive contract extension, and he will suit up for Week 5. I know fantasy GMs are chomping at the bit to play Taylor, but I would seriously consider sitting him this week. There are reports that he will be on a snap count, and we have no clue about his projected workload or his red zone role in his first game back. Last year, Taylor ranked 16th in yards after contact per attempt, 27th in breakaway run rate, and 13th in elusive rating. Tennessee has allowed the lowest explosive run rate and the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs while also having the seventh-highest stuff rate. Week 5 Positional Value: RB3 / Sit if possible

Wide Receivers

DeAndre Hopkins: Last week, while banged up, Hopkins still had a 67.7% route run rate with a 23.1% target share and a 35.9% air yard share. He was second on the team with a 26.3% first-read share. Overall, this season, Hopkins has a 27.5% target share, a 37.0% air yard share, and a 33.8% first-read share. He ranks 28th in receiving grade and 24th in YPRR. Hopkins will run about 69% of his routes against Dallis Flowers (61.1% catch rate and 98.1 passer rating) and Juju Brents (80% catch rate and 134.2 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: Hopkins is a volume WR3 with WR2 upside this week

Treylon Burks: Burks has been ruled out (knee). 

Michael Pittman: Pittman has a 27.0% target share, a 27.2% air-yard share, 1.71 YPRR, and a 33.3% first-read share. The Titans’ corners have played in zone coverage on 59-61% of their snaps. Against zone, Pittman’s first-read share jumps to 37.9%. Pittman is tied for second on the team with three deep targets while leading the squad in red zone targets. Pittman will run about 74% of his routes against Kristian Fulton (76.9% catch rate and 143.9 passer rating) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (76.5% catch rate and 117.3 passer rating). Richardson will feed Pittman this week. Week 5 Positional Value: WR2

Josh Downs: Downs has a 17.7% target share, 1.37 YPRR, and an 18.6% first-read share. Downs ranks second to Pittman in red zone looks. Downs has seen his aDOT increase over the last two weeks from 5.3 to 8.4, which helps in a small way to offset some volume concerns. Downs will run about 83% of his routes against Roger McCreary (72% catch rate and 91.4 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR4/5

Alec Pierce: OK, this is a deep league dart or DFS play only. Pierce leads the team in deep targets, and his downfield role could come in handy this week. The Titans have allowed the tenth-highest passer rating and the seventh-most passing touchdowns (tied) to deep passing. Pierce could house a deep target this week. He will run about 90% of his routes against Murphy-Bunting and Fulton. Week 5 Positional Value: Flex dart

Tight Ends

Chigoziem Okonkwo: Oknokwo has done almost nothing this season. He has a 63.8% route run rate, an 11.9% target share, and only 0.86 YPRR. He has not drawn a red zone target and only one deep target. He has another plus matchup incoming this week, but I don’t know if it matters at this point. Indy has allowed the seventh-most receiving yards and the tenth-highest yards per reception to tight ends. If Oknokwo can’t get it done this week, drop him. Week 5 Positional Value: TE2 with matchup-based streaming appeal

CHI vs. WAS | JAC vs. BUF | HOU vs. ATL | CAR vs. DET | TEN vs. IND | NYG vs. MIA | NO vs. NE | BAL vs. PIT | PHI vs. LAR | CIN vs. ARI | NYJ vs. DEN | KC vs. MIN | DAL vs. SF | GB vs. LV

New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins

• MIA -12.5, O/U 47.5
• Giants vs. Dolphins Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Pace and playcalling notes

• The Dolphins are 14th and sixth-best in neutral pace and passing rate.
• New York has the fourth-slowest neutral pace and the tenth-highest neutral rushing rate.

Quarterbacks

Daniel Jones: Well, here we go. Jones looks broken. I’ll own the L here. I had high hopes for Jones to build upon last year’s showing, but it has not happened. Some of the blame can be laid at his feet, but also his offensive line has been a problem. Jones is not playing well, but you don’t need me to tell you that. Much like many Fantasy GMs out there, I have Jones in a number of leagues, so this pain is real for me as well. Jones is a must-sit and droppable at this point, depending on your options. He has the sixth-lowest passing grade and yards per attempt. He is also sixth-worst in turnover-worthy-play rate and pressure-to-sack rate. Jones has the fifth-lowest fantasy points per dropback. Week 5 Positional Value: Droppable

Tua Tagovailoa: Tagovailoa continues to set the league on fire. He is the QB8 in fantasy, ranking first in passing grade, first in yards per attempt, and ninth in adjusted completion rate. He is also sixth in fantasy points per dropback. Tagovailoa should shred the Giants’ man coverage (42-46% of snaps) this week. Tagovailoa ranks second in yards per attempt, first in passing touchdowns, and third in passer rating against man coverage. New York has allowed the 13th-highest yards per attempt and 12th-highest passer rating while also ranking 16th in fantasy points per game given up to quarterbacks. Week 5 Positional Value: QB1

Running Backs

Saquon Barkley: Barkley has been ruled out. 

Matt Breida: In two starts this season, Breida has played at least 73% of the snaps in each game, averaging 13 touches and 48 total yards. Breida has been barely a blip on the fantasy radar. He ranks 48th in yards per touch and yards created per touch with zero breakaway runs. Miami is a strong enough run defense to shut down Breida, even if he gets all the work. They have held rushers to the 13th-lowest explosive run rate and 11th-lowest yards after contact per attempt, but they also have the lowest stuff rate in the NFL while giving up the second-highest yards before contact per attempt. Week 5 Positional Value: low-end RB3

Week 4

De’Von Achane: This is Achane’s backfield. He played 60% of the snaps last week with 11 touches and 120 total yards as the RB5 for the week. He dominated routes and red zone opportunities last week. This could get murky once Jeff Wilson returns, but for now, it’s the Achane show. Achane has been nothing short of amazing. He leads all running backs in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt. Hat tip to Pat Fitzmaurice. This has been his dude since the NFL Draft process. He loved him way back then, and he was right. He has been electric and looks like the second coming of Warrick Dunn. The Giants have no chance of stopping Achane this week. Their run defense has allowed the fourth-highest explosive run rate and tenth-highest yards after contact per attempt while also sporting the sixth-lowest stuff rate. Week 5 Positional Value: RB1

Raheem Mostert: Mostert has taken a backseat to Achane. He played 43% of the snaps last week with ten touches and 45 total yards. Miami could look to chew up the ground and the clock this week, so while Mostert isn’t the lead back anymore, he has good flex value this week. Mostert doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Among 58 qualifying backs, he ranks fifth in explosive run rate, 15th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 23rd in yards after contact per attempt. Week 5 Positional Value: RB3/strong flex play

Wide Receivers

**No NYG wide receiver is viable in fantasy right now.**

Tyreek Hill: Another week of Hill destroying man coverage is incoming. The Giants have defended the fourth-most pass attempts in man coverage this season while utilizing it on 42-46% of their corner’s snaps. Hill leads the team with a 25% target share, a 51.3% air-yard share, and 4.75 YPRR against man coverage. He also leads the team with a 28.1% first-read share against man coverage. Hill will run about 63% of his routes against Adoree’ Jackson (66.7% catch rate and 112.5 passer rating) and Deonte Banks (58.8% catch rate and 116.1 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: Top-five WR

Jaylen Waddle: This looks like another quiet week for Waddle against New York’s man coverage heavy defensive design. Against man coverage this season, Waddle has a 13.8% target share, an 18.6% air-yard share, and 2.79 YPRR. It’s not that he can’t beat man coverage, as we can see from his impressive YPRR, but the team leans on Hill in these matchups. Waddle is also third on the team in first-read share against man with only a 14.3% mark. Waddle will run about 73% of his routes against Jackson and Banks. Week 5 Positional Value: low-end WR2

Tight Ends

Darren Waller: Waller has been a ghost outside of one game this season. He has a 17.2% target share and a 24.2% air yard share, but he has only produced 1.25 YPRR and seen a 20.0% first read share. Everyone has seen the clip from Week 4 where Jones tosses an egregious pick while Waller is wide open in the back of the end zone. I don’t think Waller is cooked, but he is being held captive by a quarterback who can’t get out of his own way at the moment. Waller remains a TE1 at this juncture, which is more of a reflection of the position than a ringing endorsement for Waller. Miami is 17th in receiving yards allowed to tight ends while permitting the seventh-lowest yards per reception to the position. Week 5 Positional Value: scary low-end TE1

Durham Smythe: Smythe returns to the matchup-based streaming TE2 category this week. He has a 67.3% route run rate, a 10.9% target share, only 1.24 YPRR, and a 12.6% first-read share. While none of the metrics will blow you away, the Giants have been quite bad at defending tight ends. They have allowed the fourth-most receiving yards and the highest yards per reception to the position. Week 5 Positional Value: TE2 Matchup-based streamer

CHI vs. WAS | JAC vs. BUF | HOU vs. ATL | CAR vs. DET | TEN vs. IND | NYG vs. MIA | NO vs. NE | BAL vs. PIT | PHI vs. LAR | CIN vs. ARI | NYJ vs. DEN | KC vs. MIN | DAL vs. SF | GB vs. LV

New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots

• PK, O/U 39
• Saints vs. Patriots Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Pace and playcalling notes

• The Saints continue to humm along at the sixth-highest neutral pace with the ninth-best neutral passing rate.
• This game is the sneaky pace-up and surprising passing volume game of the slate. New England is third and 13th in neutral pace and passing rate.

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr:Carr practiced on a limited basis all week and has been listed as questionable. I expect him to play again this week. Last week, Carr had the ninth-lowest passing grade, the lowest yards per attempt (3.4), and the 12th-lowest time to throw. I don’t expect Carr to have much more success this week against New England. The Patriots have held quarterbacks to the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game with the ninth-lowest yards per attempt. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-Sit

Mac Jones: Jones has been dreadful this season. Among 36 qualifying quarterbacks, he has the eighth-lowest passing grade, ninth-lowest yards per attempt, and the eighth-lowest adjusted completion rate. New Orleans won’t be allowing him to improve on those numbers this week. The Saints have fielded one of the best pass defenses in the NFL this season. They have held passers to the fifth-lowest yards per attempt, the fourth-lowest passer rating, and the second-lowest adjusted completion rate. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit QB2

Running Backs

Alvin Kamara: New Orleans wasted no time thrusting Kamara back into a workhorse role in Week 4. He played 75% of the snaps with 24 touches and 84 total yards, finishing as the RB9 for the week. With Carr looking to get rid of the ball quickly, Kamara had an unfathomable 37.8% target share as he caught 13 balls. While his 1.1 YPRR is nothing to write home about, his 2.91 yards after contact per attempt is a solid showing. Kamara’s looking at a long day at the office in Week 5 against New England. The Patriots have the third-best stuff rate and allowed the fifth-lowest yards after contact per attempt. They have also held rushers to the 14th-lowest yards per carry on zone runs (Kamara 100% zone). Even through the air, they have bottled-up backs with the eighth-lowest yards per reception permitted. Week 5 Positional Value: low-end RB1/high-end RB2

Rhamondre Stevenson: Stevenson has been a huge disappointment this season. He has played at least 64% of the snaps weekly while averaging 18 touches and 62.8 total yards. Among 58 qualifying backs, he ranks 42nd in missed tackles forced per attempt and 55th in yards after contact per attempt. He has not recorded an explosive run this season. This is a huge departure for a player who was electric last year and a tackle-breaking savant. The Saints are a middle-of-the-road defense. They are 16th in explosive run rate, 17th in stuff rate, and 16th in yards after contact per attempt. Gap runs have gashed New Orleans, so there’s hope for Stevenson this week to begin to turn things around. They have allowed the ninth-highest yards per carry to gap runs (Stevenson 58% gap). Week 5 Positional Value: RB2

Ezekiel Elliott: Last week, it was announced that Elliott was to see starter reps. Apparently, Coach Bill and I have different opinions on what “starter reps” means. Elliott’s role didn’t change. He played 40% of the snaps with eight touches and 22 total yards. Among 58 qualifying backs, Elliott ranks 55th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 48th in yards after contact per attempt. He hasn’t managed an explosive run this season. Elliott is droppable. Week 5 Positional Value: Droppable

Wide Receivers

Chris Olave: Olave leads the Saints’ wide receivers with a 26.6% target share, a 42.7% air-yard share, and a 33.3% first-read share. Olave ranks tenth in receiving grade and 20th in YPRR. Olave should be fed this week against New England’s man coverage heavy approach. Against man coverage, Olave has goggled up targets this season with a monster 38.5% target share and a 38.1% first-read share. He has 3.57 YPRR against man coverage this year. Olave will run about 52% of his routes against Shaun Wade (69.2% catch rate and 95.7 passer rating) and J.C. Jackson (46.2% catch rate and 72.0 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR2

Michael Thomas: Thomas has a 21% target share and a 22% air-yard share this season with 1.67 YPRR. Against man coverage, he has seen his target share elevated to 26.9% with a 33.3% first-read share (26.9% first-read share overall). The issue is he has problems with man coverage at this point in his career, with only 1.16 YPRR. While Thomas should see a healthy target share in this game, I don’t know that he will do much with it. Thomas will run about 64% of his routes against Wade and Jackson. Week 5 Positional Value: WR4

Rashid Shaheed: This isn’t the matchup to consider rolling out Shaheed as a flex option. Against man coverage, he has a 15.4% target share and a 29.6% air-yard share, but his YPRR is a dreadful 0.39. Shaheed’s bread and butter is cooking zone coverage and getting deep. New England has allowed the sixth-lowest passer rating and ranks 18th in adjusted completion rate against deep passing. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit

DeVante Parker: Parker was the only wide receiver on the team to eclipse a 55% route run rate last week, so don’t even bother with considering any other wide receiver from this passing attack in fantasy. Parker isn’t worth starting this week, either, though. He has a 14.9% target share and a 15.9% first-read share while producing only 1.15 YPRR. Parker will run about 88% of his routes against Marshon Lattimore (55.6% catch rate and 55.8 passer rating) and Isaac Yiadom (52.9% catch rate and 76.1 passer rating). No, thank you. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit

Tight Ends

NO TEs: This is a banged-up unit that could be led by Jimmy Graham this week. It doesn’t matter who gets the start this week. You’re sitting them against the New England Patriots. New England has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points and the ninth-lowest receiving yards to tight ends.

Hunter Henry: Both the Patriots and Saints are brutal matchups for tight ends. Henry has been productive this season with a 14.8% target share, a 68.6% route run rate, 1.52 YPRR, and an 18.2% first-read share. He is the TE8 in fantasy, but I would bench him this week if you have better streaming options. New Orleans has given up the second-fewest receiving yards, the fourth-lowest yards per reception, and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit

CHI vs. WAS | JAC vs. BUF | HOU vs. ATL | CAR vs. DET | TEN vs. IND | NYG vs. MIA | NO vs. NE | BAL vs. PIT | PHI vs. LAR | CIN vs. ARI | NYJ vs. DEN | KC vs. MIN | DAL vs. SF | GB vs. LV

Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

• BAL -4, O/U 38
• Ravens vs. Steelers Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Pace and playcalling notes

• Over the last two weeks, Baltimore has picked up the pace (13th in neutral pace) while remaining run-centric (third-highest neutral rushing rate).
• The pace of this game should be healthy, but you can forget about the passing volume. Over the last two weeks, Pittsburgh has been 16th in neutral pace with the second-highest neutral rushing rate.

Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson: Jackson has buoyed two fantastic games with two lackluster performances. Over the last three weeks, he has been eighth in passing grade, 12th in yards per attempt, fifth-best in highly accurate throw rate, and third in fantasy points per dropback. Jackson is the QB6 in fantasy points per game. Jackson will face pressure in this game. Pittsburgh has the sixth-best pressure rate. Among 34 qualifying quarterbacks, Jackson ranks 11th in yards per attempt, sixth in highly accurate throw rate, and 12th in fantasy points per dropback against pressure. The Steel Curtain has some holes in it this year. Pittsburgh has allowed the eighth-highest yards per attempt, the fourth-most passing touchdowns, and the 13th-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Week 5 Positional Value: Elite QB1

Kenny Pickett: Pickett is dealing with a bruised knee. He has stated that he will play this week. Pickett is a must-sit. Any hopes of a second-year leap have been erased at this point. Among 34 qualifying quarterbacks, he has the tenth-lowest yards per attempt, the sixth-lowest passer rating, and the sixth-lowest fantasy points per dropback. There’s not much to be hopeful about here. Baltimore’s defense will crush him this week. The Ravens have given up the third-fewest fantasy points per game, the lowest yards per attempt, and the third-lowest passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. Sit Pickett. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit QB2

Running Backs

Gus Edwards: Last week, Edwards took over as the team’s lead back with 69% of the snaps, 17 touches, and 49 total yards. Edwards has been pretty good with volume this season. Among 58 qualifying backs, he ranks 13th in explosive run rate, 23rd in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 24th in yards after contact per attempt. Pittsburgh can be run on this season. The wheels on the bus will go round and round up and down the field this week. Pittsburgh has allowed the fifth-highest missed tackles allowed rate and the second-highest yards after contact per attempt. The Steelers have given up the 11th-highest yards per carry to gap runs (Edwards 63.6% gap). Week 5 Positional Value: RB3 with RB2 upside

Weeks 3-4

Najee Harris: Haris and Warren have settled into their roles. Over the last two weeks, Harris has been the early down thumper, playing 49-50% of the snaps, averaging 17 touches and 84 total yards. Harris has been running well, although the box scores don’t show it. Among 58 qualifying backs, he ranks second in explosive run rate, 13th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and tenth in yards after contact per attempt. Yes, Harris has been top-15 in the rushing metrics I care about. Crazy, I know. Harris could have his best game to date of the season in Week 5. Yes, that bar is low, but hear me out. Baltimore’s run defense has not kept up with their stellar pass defense. They have given up the 11th-highest explosive run rate and missed tackles allowed per attempt. The Ravens are surrendering the 11th-highest yards per carry to zone runs (Harris 55.1% zone). Week 5 Positional Value: RB2

Jaylen Warren: Since Week 3, Warren has averaged 47% of the snaps, 12.5 touches, and 53.5 total yards. Sadly, Warren has developed a case of “spinning top syndrome.” He’s breaking tackles at an elite rate, but he’s not scooting for extra yards once free. He ranks sixth-best in missed tackles forced per attempt, but he’s also 32nd in explosive run rate and 44th in yards after contact per attempt (out of 58 qualifying running backs). Warren should enjoy the same plus matchup on early downs (56% zone) as Harris. His pass-game role will be stifled this week, though. Baltimore has kept backs in check with the 13th-fewest receiving yards and the 12th-lowest yards per reception. Week 5 Positional Value: RB3/flex play

Wide Receivers

Zay Flowers: Since Mark Andrews‘ return, Flowers has had a 22.9% target share, a 25.0% air-yard share, and a 27.6% first-read share. He’s seen ten targets in two of those three games. Flowers leads Baltimore in red zone targets (five). The Steelers have defended the fifth-most dropbacks this season in man coverage. Against man coverage, Flowers has a 22.2% target share, 1.84 YPRR, and a 23.5% first-read share (first on the team, Andrews 11.8%). Flowers should lead the way through the air against Pittsburgh this week. He will run about 73% of his routes against Patrick Peterson (63.6% catch rate and 116.7 passer rating) and Levi Wallace (62.5% catch rate and 93.2 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR2

Odell Beckham Jr.:Beckham Jr. practiced on a limited basis all week and has been listed as questionable (ankle). Beckham has a 12.7% target share, a 19.6% air-yard share, and only 1.38 YPRR this season. He has seen a 14.6% first-read share. This looks like another week of Jackson feeding Flowers and possibly Andrews. Beckham Jr. will run about 95% of his routes against Patrick Peterson (63.6% catch rate and 116.7 passer rating) and Levi Wallace (62.5% catch rate and 93.2 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR4/5

George Pickens: Since Week 2 without Diontae Johnson, Pickens has had a 25.6% target share, a 40% air-yard share, and a 35.3% first read share. He has responded with WR11, WR38, and WR65 finishes. That’s not exactly what you were hoping for with Pickens seeing a strong volume infusion. He ranks 53rd in receiving grade and 32nd in YPRR. He is second on the team in red zone targets. Pickens will run about 88% of his routes against Brandon Stephens (72.7% catch rate and 78.6 passer rating) and Ronald Darby (48% catch rate and 75.9 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR3

Calvin Austin: Since Week 2, Austin has a 16.3% target share, a 37.1% air-yard share, and a 23.5% first-read share. He has only churned out 1.39 YPRR and has zero red zone targets. Sit Austin this week in a tough matchup. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit

Tight Ends

Mark Andrews: Since his return, Andrews has had a 21.5% target share, a 19.5% air-yard share, and a 20.7% first-read share. Against man coverage, his target share falls to 18.5% (second on the team), and his first-read share dips to 11.8% (fourth on the team). The Steelers have shut down some talented tight ends this season. The trio of George Kittle, David Njoku, and Dalton Schultz averaged 4.3 targets, 3.3 receptions, and 36.3 receiving yards against Pittsburgh. Only Schultz scored a touchdown. Andrews has surpassed 85 receiving yards in two of his last three meetings with this defense, but he has never scored a touchdown in his career against Pittsburgh. The range of outcomes for Andrews is wide this week. Week 5 Positional Value: TE1

PIT TEs: Pat Freiermuth will miss this game (hamstring). I don’t want any part of any Steelers’ tight end this week. The Ravens have allowed the fourth-fewest receiving yards and the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends.

CHI vs. WAS | JAC vs. BUF | HOU vs. ATL | CAR vs. DET | TEN vs. IND | NYG vs. MIA | NO vs. NE | BAL vs. PIT | PHI vs. LAR | CIN vs. ARI | NYJ vs. DEN | KC vs. MIN | DAL vs. SF | GB vs. LV