X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Fantasy Football Week 5 Busts? Players Who May Disappoint: Kyler Murray, James Conner, Ezekiel Elliott, D.K. Metcalf, D.J. Moore

Ezekiel Elliott - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Who should I start or sit for fantasy football Week 5 of the 2022 season? Tommy Adamopoulos identifies potential fantasy football busts and duds to avoid.

Welcome to Week 5 RotoBallers! The season is starting to ramp up, and it is crucial to make the optimal lineup decisions on a weekly basis. As injuries and bye weeks will start to pile up, it is important to start getting some wins under your belt to be in the playoff mix all season long.

Heading into the fifth week of action, we are pretty much at the stage where fantasy managers can start to get a real grasp on how good or bad their team is for the 2022 campaign.

Here are some players I think will be in for a tough game in Week 5 and could disappoint their fantasy managers. However, there could be some managers out there who aren't in any position to bench these players. It is important to remember that none of these guys are "must-sits," but fantasy managers need to temper expectations.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

 Should I Bench Kyler Murray In Week 5?

Murray and the Cardinals' offense haven't gotten off to the greatest of starts this season, but the fantasy production has been solid for the dual-threat quarterback. Murray ranks as the QB6 through four weeks despite the Arizona offense looking out of sync, while also being without his stud wideout DeAndre Hopkins.

In Week 5, Murray will take on an Eagles defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards and the fewest yards per attempt this season. With Marquise Brown potentially seeing a lot of lockdown cornerback Darius Slay in this matchup, Murray’s No. 1 option in the passing game being taken away doesn't bode well for his outlook in this one.

Considering his production this season, he is by no means a must-bench in this one. However, fantasy managers should lower their expectations. We saw the Cardinals' offense struggle in Week 3 against the Rams, with Murray putting up just 13.4 fantasy points in that game.

 

 Should I Bench James Conner In Week 5?

Sticking with the theme of tough matchups, Conner is for a matchup from hell in Week 5. The Eagles have allowed the ninth-fewest rushing yards this season, which doesn't bode well for a guy who averages 3.2 yards per carry. Conner has been extremely inefficient this season, meaning a potential negative game script that results in a lack of volume could be detrimental to his fantasy value in Week 5.

He has been extremely touchdown-dependent and hasn't necessarily gotten the touchdown luck that he did last season. That has resulted in him being the RB28 in PPR formats through the first month of the season.

It is tough to consider having to bench one of your early-round picks this early into the season, but there isn't much about this matchup that is appealing to the fantasy outlook for Conner. He’s more of an RB3 option this week rather than the high-end RB2 he was being drafted as.

There’s always the possibility he punches one in close to the goal line, but it is getting harder to rely on this considering he's found the end zone just one time in four games this season.

 

 Should I Bench Ezekiel Elliott In Week 5?

Elliott will go against the Rams defense who have allowed the seventh-fewest rushing yards this season and just 3.9 yards per carry. Elliott averages 3.8 yards per carry this season and has run for more than 55 yards on just one occasion this season. Not to mention, he has only caught five passes all season, so you can't rely on a role in the passing game to heighten his floor against a tough run defense.

Despite the Cowboys' offense being pretty solid without Dak Prescott, this hasn't helped Zeke turn in much touchdown production. He's found the end zone just one time this year, which is a huge factor in his RB36 ranking through four games.

Tony Pollard has played a significant role in the offense this season, and it looks like a player with his skillset will likely find more success in a matchup of this nature. Fantasy managers should consider sitting Elliott in Week 5.

 

 Should I Bench D.K. Metcalf In Week 5?

I wasn't high on Metcalf last week either, but he turned in an excellent performance for 149 receiving yards. This week, he’ll be going up against the stingy Saints secondary led by premier cornerback Marshon Lattimore. In their meeting last season, Metcalf caught just two passes, albeit for 96 yards. One big play inflated his numbers tremendously, but it is hard to rely on that on a weekly basis.

This season, the Saints have given up the ninth-fewest passing yards and have allowed just three passing touchdowns. Sure, Geno Smith has looked surprisingly impressive so far. However, this matchup still makes me uneasy about Metcalf’s outlook. When he went up against two great pass defenses (DEN, SF) in the first two weeks of the season, Metcalf caught 11 passes for just 71 yards.

The speedy wideout isn't a must-bench this week considering he's the No. 1 option in the passing game, but fantasy managers should treat him as a low-floor option.

 

 Should I Bench D.J. Moore In Week 5?

It’s becoming a common theme to have Moore on this list, but there may be some fantasy managers out there who want to keep betting on his talent and inserting him into their lineups. Baker Mayfield has been abysmal so far this season, and it isn't going to get any easier for the duo as they take on what looks to be the best defense in the league in Week 5.

The 49ers have allowed the second-fewest passing yards this season, as well as the fewest passing touchdowns with just two. Moore turned 11 targets into just 50 yards last week, in what was the most volume he has seen all year. He turned it into his most production of the season, but that isn't saying much.

The talent of Moore and his draft price makes it hard to bench him this early in the season, but there just doesn't seem to be any sort of ceiling for him in this matchup from hell in Week 5. Fantasy managers can bench him in favor of some less talented receivers with better matchups this week.

 

 Should I Bench Pat Freiermuth In Week 5?

Freiermuth is a stud and has been a great option at a shallow tight end position so far this season. However, his matchup with the Bills is a reason for concern this week. The Bills' defense has allowed an average of just three receptions for 25.5 yards to tight ends this season, and are coming off a week where they held Mark Andrews to just two catches for 15 yards.

With rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett under center, Freiermuth could be relied on as a safety blanket against a tough defense, so he is by no means a must-bench option when you consider how limited the pool of startable tight ends is. Fantasy managers should beware of how tough the Bills' defense has been this season, even with a ton of injuries piling up on that side of the ball.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Randy Arozarena

Resting For First Time This Year
Jonas Siegenthaler

To Play Limited Minutes In Game 3
MLB

Red Sox-Guardians Game Postponed On Friday
Luke Hughes

Remains Out On Friday
MLB

Tigers-Orioles Postponed On Friday
Patrik Laine

A Game-Time Decision Friday
NFL

Several Teams Trying To Trade Up Early In Round 2

Bhayshul Tuten Could Be A Third-Round Pick
Yainer Diaz

Out On Friday Against Royals
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Hopes To Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Salvador Perez

Sitting Out For First Time This Season
Cleveland Browns

Browns Fielding Calls For First Pick In Round 2
Jaylen Brown

Questionable For Game 3 On Friday
Brendan Donovan

Back In Action On Friday
Jimmy Butler III

Could Miss Game 3 On Saturday
Coby Mayo

Getting On A Roll At Triple-A
George Pickens

Steelers Receiving Calls About George Pickens
Moises Ballesteros

Riding An 11-Game Hit Streak
Victor Mesa Jr.

Starting Rehab Assignment On Saturday
Ryan Weathers

To Begin Rehab Assignment On Sunday
Colby Thomas

Heating Up At Triple-A
Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys Don't Feel Forced To Draft A Running Back
Emmanuel Rodriguez

Has Quiet Start To 2025
Jeff McNeil

Hitting Eighth In Season Debut
Brandon Sproat

Coughs Up Six Earned Runs In Latest Start
Eury Pérez

Eury Perez To Start Rehab Assignment On Saturday
Bailey Falter

Good To Go To Start On Sunday Against Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw

Has Successful Second Rehab Outing
Tyler Glasnow

Will Start On Sunday Against Pirates
Francisco Alvarez

Reinstated From Injured List, Starting On Friday
Merrill Kelly

To Make His Next Start On Saturday
Will Levis

Could Be Traded Soon
Bryce Young

Wanted Panthers To Take Tetairoa McMillan
Travis Hunter

Jaguars Plan To Start Travis Hunter In The Receiver Room
Detroit Lions

Lions Pick Up Aidan Hutchinson's Fifth-Year Option
Jameson Williams

Lions Exercise Jameson Williams' Fifth-Year Option
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Cade Cunningham

Collects Double-Double In Loss
Jalen Brunson

Drops 30 Points In Game 3
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads All Scorers In Game 3 Victory
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Nicolas Dalby

An Underdog At UFC Kansas City
Randy Brown

A Favorite At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Set To Open Up UFC Kansas City Main Card
Ikram Aliskerov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Lightning In Game 2
Cam Fowler

Finishes Thursday's Win With Five Points
Robert Thomas

Posts Four Assists In Game 3 Win
Pavel Buchnevich

Celebrates Hat Trick During Four-Point Performance
Dylan DeMelo

Battling An Illness
Marcus Johansson

Exits Early Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Hurt In Game 2
Jameson Williams

Lions Didn't Entertain Trade Offers For Jameson Williams
Qadir Ismail

Raiders Sign Qadir Ismail
New York Giants

Giants Plan To Exercise Kayvon Thibodeaux's Fifth-Year Option
Russell Wilson

Will Be Giants Starting Quarterback
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs Close Out The First Round With Josh Simmons
Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Trade Up One Spot In First Round To Select Jihaad Campbell
Buffalo Bills

Bills Address Secondary And Take Maxwell Hairston With 30th Overall Pick
NFL

Eagles, Chiefs Swap First-Round Picks
Washington Commanders

Josh Conerly Jr. Goes At No. 29 Overall To Commanders
Jaxson Dart

Giants Trade Up For Jaxson Dart At No. 25
Detroit Lions

Tyleik Williams Taken By Lions At No. 28 Overall
Jrue Holiday

Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Jayson Tatum

Likely Out Again On Friday
Isaiah Stewart

Remains Out For Game 3
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Looks To Bounce Back In Game 2
Rasmus Ristolainen

To Miss Training Camp
Jonas Siegenthaler

Returns To Practice
Aliaksei Protas

Traveling With Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi

Still Out On Thursday
Max Pacioretty

Set To Join Maple Leafs Lineup For Game 3
Linus Ullmark

Attempts To Overcome Playoff Struggles Thursday
Anthony Cirelli

A Game-Time Call Thursday
Logan Thompson

Comes Up Big In Game 2
Connor McMichael

Strikes Twice In Wednesday's Win
Tyler Herro

Scores Game-High 33 Points In Wednesday's Loss
Donovan Mitchell

Fires In 30 Points In Game 2 Win
Paolo Banchero

Notches 32 Points In Game 2 Loss
Jaylen Brown

Posts 36-Point Double-Double Wednesday
Jalen Green

Erupts For 38 Points In Game 2 Victory
Brandin Podziemski

Limited To 14 Minutes Wednesday
Jimmy Butler III

Set For MRI Thursday
Brandin Podziemski

Upgraded To Available
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Michael Porter Jr.

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Davion Mitchell

Moves Into Starting Lineup Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Picks Up Questionable Tag
Al Horford

Starts Game 2
Michael Porter Jr.

Practices On Wednesday
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF