The bulk of the Week 5 NFL slate is finally here, meaning it's time for fantasy managers to make tough, last-minute start 'em, sit 'em decisions. Chris Olave, Gabe Davis, and Miles Sanders are all names on fantasy owners' radars.
Olave has a tough matchup in New England, Davis is over the pond for the early game against Jacksonville, and Sanders faces a stout Lions run defense on the road.
Should you start Olave, Davis, and Sanders in Week 5? Let's dive in.
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Should I Start Chris Olave For Fantasy Football?
When first looking at these three options, the most attractive and obvious start might be Olave. He is a second-year pro who was highly touted in the preseason and followed it up with a terrific start to 2023. In his first three games, he was clearly the best offensive weapon for the Saints, racking up 306 yards while averaging seven receptions and 10 targets per game.
However, in Week 4 the speedy receiver out of Ohio State struggled mightily. He came crashing down to earth, registering only one catch for four yards! What happened?
His reception and yardage total were both career lows, which while disappointing, doesn't mean the end of the world. His quarterback, Derek Carr, was nursing a shoulder injury which certainly played a part in his unproductive afternoon. Also, star running back Alvin Kamara made his season debut in the game, which took away some targets from number 12.
Consider Week 4 a hiccup for the young star, and expect him to rebound this week even with a tough matchup. Start Olave with confidence in Week 5.
Should I Start Gabe Davis For Fantasy Football?
Perhaps the most common saying in the world of fantasy football is "Boom or Bust". The man who may have inspired this popular expression just might be Davis. One week he might wow you with four touchdowns, the next, he could just as easily throw up a goose egg on the stat sheet.
Are you a risk taker? If so, Davis is your man. If not, his high ceiling probably isn't worth how painful his floor could feel.
With that said, 2023 has been somewhat of an outlier for Gabe, as he has been more consistent than in years past, at least in terms of finding the endzone. In three of four contests to date, Davis has scored a touchdown. However, his yardage and reception numbers have been fairly low, averaging 55 yards and just three catches per contest.
This week, the Bills WR2 has a difficult matchup against a good Jaguars secondary. If you are weak at the receiver position, start Davis as a WR3 or flex, otherwise, the boom or bust King should find himself on your bench.
Should I Start Miles Sanders For Fantasy Football?
Can fantasy football be boring? Only if you are a Miles Sanders owner. He is perhaps the least exciting player in the game, however, he has been very consistent in terms of production over the course of his career. While he doesn't bring flash, he more often than not, produces for managers.
However, the 26-year-old is statistically having the worst year of his career through four games. He is barely producing, and some of that could be related to a groin injury he's been dealing with the past few weeks. Some is likely due to his presence on a very underwhelming Carolina Panthers offense that has struggled mightily to move up and down the field in 2023.
Sanders is a big name, but he is not a home run hitter. He won't win you any weekly matchups, and he certainly won't be the reason you bring home a fantasy championship. This week he is facing a very solid Lions rush defense that is clicking on all cylinders. Find a better option this weekend, and tell Miles to go grab himself a seat on your bench.
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