Week 5 fantasy football WR start-sit: Marvin Harrison Jr., George Pickens, Mike Evans, Wan’Dale Robinson
· Yahoo Sports
Houston has allowed a league-high 37.1 fantasy points per game to wide receivers in half-point-per-reception scoring, which makes Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson a Week 5 fantasy football start ’em pick. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is a sit ’em pick against Tampa Bay on Thursday night.
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The Texans and Detroit Lions (35.9) have given up the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers (FP/G to WR) through four games. Seattle has allowed just 17.3 points per game to the position, the second-fewest in the NFL, and Tampa Bay ranks fourth-fewest at 19.7.
Robinson is my WR41 for Week 5, and Pickens is WR17. Robinson faces a defense that just changed play-callers after allowing 830 receiving yards to wideouts, while Pickens draws a Buccaneers defense that has held three straight opponents under 300 total yards.
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Week 5 WR start ’em: Wan’Dale Robinson, Titans
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a game against the New York Giants | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)- Week 5: vs. Houston, 37.1 FP/G to WRs (32nd)
- Week 4: at Baltimore, 3 catches for 19 yards and 1 touchdown
Robinson caught three of five targets for 19 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 24-18 loss to the Ravens. He has now scored in back-to-back games after catching seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown against his former team, the Giants, in Week 3.
The 5-foot-8 slot receiver has 16 catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 23 targets this season. His average depth of target stood at 5.1 yards entering Week 4, so his fantasy value depends on catch volume, and Houston has allowed 60 receptions to wide receivers, second-most in the league.
The Texans gave up 17 catches for 189 yards to CeeDee Lamb in Sunday’s 34-30 loss to Dallas. The 0-4 Texans responded Wednesday when head coach DeMeco Ryans took over defensive play-calling from coordinator Matt Burke.
“If our guys are saying communication is not right, then ultimately it falls on me,” Ryans said. “So it’s on me to get it fixed.”
Carnell Tate out-targeted Robinson 12-5 in Baltimore, but a defense allowing 15 catches per game to wideouts leaves room for both Titans receivers. The Kentucky product’s touchdowns in consecutive weeks and his short-area role make him a flex play in point-per-reception leagues with WR3 upside from his WR41 ranking.
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Week 5 WR start ’em: Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) is lifted in the air by his teammates | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)- Week 5: vs. Detroit, 35.9 FP/G to WRs (31st)
- Week 4: at NY Giants, 1 catch for 12 yards and 1 touchdown
Harrison scored his first touchdown of the season on Arizona’s opening drive Sunday, a 12-yard catch from Jacoby Brissett. It was his only reception on four targets in the 36-24 loss to the Giants.
The former Ohio State star has five catches for 85 yards on 13 targets through four games. Michael Wilson drew 13 targets Sunday, and Trey McBride drew 12, so Harrison needs efficiency more than volume.
Detroit entered Week 4 ranked last in points allowed and passing yards allowed, and Tetairoa McMillan then caught 14 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns in Carolina’s 32-26 win Sunday night. Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin also left that game with a hamstring injury.
Detroit’s offense pushes opponents into shootouts, too. Jared Goff threw for 412 yards against Carolina, and Brissett has already attempted 52 passes in a game this season. Harrison works as Arizona’s downfield target against a defense that has allowed 829 receiving yards to wideouts, third-most in the NFL, which supports a calculated flex start at WR44.
Also consider starting: Carnell Tate, Titans vs. Texans (WR20 vs. 32nd defense); Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars vs. Eagles (WR38 vs. 23rd defense)
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Week 5 WR sit ’em: Mike Evans, 49ers
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (5) during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images- Week 5: at Seattle, 17.3 FP/G to WRs (2nd)
- Week 4: vs. Denver, 5 catches for 76 yards
Evans caught five of eight targets for 76 yards in Sunday’s 24-14 win over the Broncos, leading San Francisco in targets and receiving yards. He played through a rib injury that kept him out of practice last Wednesday and Thursday and made him a game-time decision.
“It’s my job,” Evans said before the game. He has played through a rib injury before and said, “It was brutal to play through.”
The 33-year-old has 17 catches for 213 yards and two touchdowns on 24 targets this season. Seattle has allowed 36 catches, 395 receiving yards and two touchdowns to wideouts, and the defending Super Bowl champions held Justin Herbert to a career-low 36 first-half passing yards in Sunday’s 30-23 win. Arizona’s Brissett managed 95 passing yards against Seattle in Week 2.
Brock Purdy completed 13 of 14 passes thrown 0 to 9 yards downfield against Denver but just two of six between 10 and 19 yards. George Kittle has at least 70 receiving yards in three straight games, and Deebo Samuel Sr. has scored in two straight. Evans needs downfield volume to clear his WR25 ranking against this secondary, so a comparable receiver with a softer matchup is the better play.
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Week 5 WR sit ’em: George Pickens, Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys’ George Pickens reacts REUTERS/Sergio Moraes Credit: REUTERS (Reuters)- Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay, 19.7 FP/G to WRs (4th)
- Week 4: at Houston, 2 catches for 75 yards
Pickens caught two of three targets for 75 yards in Sunday’s win over Houston. Lamb drew 21 targets in the same game and caught 17 of them for 189 yards and the winning touchdown.
Lamb has 37 catches for 498 yards and four touchdowns on 46 targets through four games. Pickens has 18 catches for 225 yards on 28 targets, and the Georgia product is still looking for his first touchdown.
Tampa Bay has allowed the second-fewest catches (35) and receiving yards (423) to wide receivers. The Buccaneers have held three straight opponents under 300 total yards, including 283 by Green Bay in Sunday’s 17-14 loss, and the Packers converted just two of 10 third downs.
All-Pro defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. will miss two to four weeks with a fractured rib, which gives Pickens some upside. Still, he hasn’t topped 82 receiving yards in a game this season, and with Lamb commanding targets on a short week, he needs a long touchdown to return WR2 value at WR17.
Also consider benching: Deebo Samuel Sr., 49ers at Seahawks (WR28 vs. 2nd defense); Matthew Golden, Packers vs. Bears (WR18 vs. 5th defense)
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