Week 5 RB and TE Start Decisions: Rachaad White vs. Bucky Irving and Others | Kyle Pitts vs. Cade Otton and Others

As the Thursday night NFL game closes in, let’s dive into some trending start/sit decisions fantasy football owners are having involving players from the game.

Also be sure to check out my latest QB start decision story.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

RB Start Decision

Tampa Bay’s Rachaad White and Bucky Irving are part of trending decisions with Rico Dowdle, Chase Brown, Kareem Hunt, Travis Etienne, Javonte Williams, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jerome Ford and Devin Singletary, so let’s stack them up against each other.

White and Irving will go up against the Buccaneers' defense that allows 25 fantasy points per week to opposing running backs. It’s a favorable matchup, but with White and Irving splitting the work the past couple weeks, that doesn’t make either very appealing start options. 

White is still preferred over Irving (nearly 35% to 19%) when fantasy owners have both guys. I still prefer White too, but would rather not start either guy in a standard league. The deeper the league, the better I feel about starting either back.

Dowdle has a brutal matchup against the Steelers, who allow just 16 fantasy points to opposing backs. Dowdle looks like the clear lead back in Dallas, but unless he scores a touchdown, I can’t imagine a huge fantasy showing from Dowdle. His workload might be similar to White/Irving even as the No. 1 option.

Brown has a tough test ahead against the Ravens, who also allow just 16 fantasy points per contest to opposing backs. Brown is coming off his best game in week 4, but it was by far the best game he’s produced this season, making him a risky starting option this coming week. That mixed with the tough matchup doesn’t make Brown all that appealing.

Hunt will go up against the Saints in week 5. New Orleans allows 20 fantasy points per game, which makes it a slightly below-average matchup for Hunt. He’s the top back in Kansas City, but it also wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Carson Steele, Samaje Perine and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (if he’s activated) also factor in - that would limit Hunt’s fantasy outlook.

Etienne’s matchup against the Colts is average, as Indy allows 21 fantasy points per week. Etienne hasn’t been the workhorse back he was in the past, and it’s forced him into these start decision stories. He’s also dealing with a shoulder injury, which doesn’t help matters.

Williams has a really favorable matchup against the Raiders in week 5. Las Vegas allows 26 fantasy points per week to opposing backs. That’s a great start for Williams’ fantasy outlook, but because he’s not the featured back every week, that makes him a risky play. He’s got good upside, however.

Stevenson also has a very favorable matchup ahead - he takes on the Dolphins, who allow 28 fantasy points per week. He started well, but has struggled the past two weeks, and fumbling issues might force a change that would put Stevenson in more of a backup role, which obviously hurts his fantasy stock.

Ford has a good matchup ahead against the Commanders, who allow 24 fantasy points per week. Ford has been the lead back the past couple weeks, and with Nick Chubb’s return likely a couple weeks off yet, I view Ford as a great option for this coming week.

Singletary has an average matchup against the Seahawks this week - Seattle allows 21 fantasy points per game. He’s been the clear lead back in New York, but a groin injury is definitely troublesome and could keep him out completely.

Looking at these 10 backs, there’s factors working against most of them, so it makes perfect sense to see fantasy owners undecided when it comes to deciding who to start.

Everything considered, I view Ford as the top back in this bunch. He’s the clear lead back and has a favorable matchup, and he isn’t battling an injury. Start him confidently unless Chubb is surprisingly active.

I’d go with Etienne next. His injury and play so far scare me, but the matchup is good enough to roll with Etienne for another week. This could be the week that finally gets him going.

I’d take a chance on Hunt here. The matchup isn’t great, but I think he’ll get enough touches to score a decent amount of fantasy points, and his touchdown upside is enough to take him over anyone else in this conversation.

I’d take another gamble and go with Williams here. That matchup is just too favorable to shy away from any longer - Denver might lean on the rushing attack, which gives Williams good upside even if he’s splitting the work.

Give me Stevenson next. The report about him losing his starting role is a big concern, but I think the change would have been made already if it was coming this week, so I’m going to start Stevenson and take advantage of his favorable matchup.

If Singletary suits up, this is where I’d rank him. It’s a risk to start him over White or Irving (because they can’t be swapped in by the time Singletary could be ruled out), so use your best judgment if you are in that predicament.

White and Irving are the next two backs in my list. They were both solid fantasy assets in week 4 and definitely could be again this week. That’s tough to trust though, and their lower ceilings are why they get ranked so low in this article.

Give me Brown over Dowdle for the last spot. Brown is in more of a committee, but I like the Bengals’ offense more than the Cowboys, which elevates Brown’s scoring chances. I am trying to avoid the Steelers’ defense at all costs this season.

TE Start Decision

Kyle Pitts and Cade Otton both play on Thursday, and they are part of trending decisions with Tucker Kraft, Colby Parkinson, Cole Kmet, Pat Freiermuth, Zach Ertz and Trey McBride.

Pitts’ clash against the Bucs’ defense is a pretty average one, as Tampa Bay allows eight fantasy points per game. Pitts is part of this decision because he hasn’t consistently contributed this season - or his entire career.

Otton’s matchup with the Falcons is similar, as Atlanta allows eight points per game. Tampa Bay has two receivers out, so behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, there’s a chance Otton could be a solid contributor.

Kraft’s battle with the Rams sets up favorably, as LA allows 12 points per game to TEs. Green Bay will likely be without Christian Watson, but has several other pass catchers and playmakers to turn to. Kraft also hasn’t consistently contributed this season.

The Packers also struggle against tight ends, allowing 12 points per game. That makes Parkinson a solid starting option, but he also hasn’t contributed every single week. 

Kmet’s matchup with the Panthers is another good one, as Carolina allows 12 points to the position per week. Kmet had one big fantasy week and three poor/bad weeks, so there’s risk involved with him too.

Freiermuth’s clash with the Cowboys is tough, as Dallas allows just five points to opposing tight ends. Freiermuth has at least four catches and 27 yards in each game - it’s not great production, but it’s at least a good fantasy floor.

The Browns allow eight points per game, and that’s Ertz’s matchup this week. He has at least three catches and 22 yards in each game - again, not great, but better than nothing.

McBride takes on the 49ers this week. San Fran allows opposing TEs to score six points per game. McBride is still working his way back from a concussion, so you’ll need to monitor his status closely.

This eight-tight end start decision features either inconsistent or underwhelming players. It makes sense why fantasy owners can’t decide between them all. 

If I spent an early pick on McBride, I’d give him another chance to start (if he suits up). The matchup is tough and his injury scares me, but I just couldn’t justify taking those other TEs over him.

I really think you have to value a little production over nothing, and that makes Freiermuth the second option in my book. His matchup is tough, but I’d rather take a couple PPR points than none, so I’d take him over everyone else.

I like Otton next. He should have an expanded role in Thursday’s game, and the matchup is solid enough for him to jump the rest of the tight ends here.

Give me Ertz next. Again, there’s a decent floor with him, and although he isn’t flashy, give me a few points over none.

I’d take Kraft here. He’s coming off a big game, could have an expanded role and has a good matchup. That gives him more upside than the remaining guys.

I’d then take Parkinson. There’s room in the Rams’ offense to excel and the matchup is good, and that’s enough for me.

Give me Kmet over Pitts for the last spot. Kmet has a good enough matchup to expect a few points, even in a crowded offense. I know I mentioned drafting McBride early and that’s why I took him first - Pitts was also a higher pick, but is coming off a catchless game (McBride has accomplished more in one less game) and I just don’t trust Pitts enough to play him.