Midseason Start/Sit Adjustments

Learn which players to start or sit in Week 5 with our midseason fantasy football adjustments. Featuring Woody Marks, Darren Waller, and Jaxson Dart — discover breakout trends, trap plays, and expert strategy insights.

We’ve crossed the quarter-pole of the NFL season, and the fantasy football landscape is shifting. Early assumptions are being proven wrong, injuries are reshaping depth charts, and breakout players are forcing us to re-evaluate our fantasy lineups. Winning your week means adapting to these midseason adjustments, identifying which trends are real, and having the guts to make the right start/sit decisions.

Let’s break down the key Week 5 fantasy football start/sit picks, focusing on the changing offensive identities across the league.

Start ‘Em

Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans

The Texans’ backfield is no longer a committee; it’s Woody Marks’ kingdom. The rookie’s snap share has exploded from 11% in Week 1 to 58.5% in Week 4, culminating in a 21-touch, two-touchdown breakout. He’s not just getting volume; he’s efficient, ranking 10th in explosive run rate. The matchup is a gift from the fantasy gods. The Baltimore Ravens are allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game and are particularly vulnerable to gap runs, which Marks uses on 58.6% of his carries. With Joe Mixon sidelined and Nick Chubb fading, Marks is a bell-cow back in the making.

• Expected Fantasy Output: Ceiling: RB1 (20+ points), Floor: RB2 (12-14 points). He’s a must-start.

Darren Waller, TE, Miami Dolphins

Waller’s Week 4 debut, 3 receptions for 27 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 snaps, was a masterclass in efficiency. The narrative has completely flipped. Now, with Tyreek Hill lost for the season, the Dolphins’ passing offense must reinvent itself, and Waller is poised for a massive target share increase. The matchup against the Carolina Panthers is ideal, as they have allowed the second-most receiving yards to tight ends. Waller’s route share will skyrocket, making him a top-tier option at a volatile position.

• Expected Fantasy Output: Ceiling: TE1 (18+ points), Floor: TE2 (8 points). His touchdown dependency decreases with increased volume.

Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants

The Giants’ offense has found a new identity with Dart under center: gritty, mobile, and unpredictable. In his first start, Dart finished as the QB10, not with his arm (111 passing yards), but with his legs (54 rushing yards and a TD). This rushing floor is a fantasy goldmine. The New Orleans Saints present a perfect get-right spot for a mobile QB, having allowed multiple passing touchdowns in every game and the fifth-most fantasy points to the position. Even without Malik Nabers, Dart’s dual-threat ability makes him a high-floor streamer.

• Expected Fantasy Output: Ceiling: QB1 (22+ points), Floor: QB2 (15 points). His legs provide a safe baseline.

Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Ignore the Week 4 blip. Allen’s volume remains elite (35 targets, 9th in NFL), and the Week 5 matchup is a prescription for a bounce-back. The Chargers are a pass-heavy offense, and they face a Washington Commanders secondary that ranks 25th in pass DVOA. Cornerback Mike Sainristil, who Allen will frequently match up against, ranks 92nd out of 103 qualifying CBs. Allen’s high target share and premium matchup make him a locked-in WR2 with WR1 upside.

• Expected Fantasy Output: Ceiling: WR1 (22+ points), Floor: WR2 (14 points). Expect 8+ targets as a near certainty.

Sit ‘Em

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

The once-automatic TE1 is now a volatile fantasy asset. Andrews has been held under 30 receiving yards in three of four games this season. The return of Isaiah Likely has cut into his route share (57.5% in Week 4), and now the offense is in flux with Lamar Jackson injured. Facing a Houston Texans defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest receiving yards to tight ends, this is a week to avoid the headache. The floor is simply too low.

• Expected Fantasy Output: Ceiling: Low-end TE1 (12 points), Floor: Bust (2-4 points). Too many red flags to trust.

Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos

Nix is the definition of a matchup-dependent quarterback. In two favorable matchups, he’s averaged 23.0 points; in two tough ones, he’s averaged 10.1. Week 5 is a tough one. The Philadelphia Eagles offense controls the clock, limiting opposing possessions, and their defense has held high-powered quarterbacks below their season averages. Nix’s underlying metrics (26th in yards per attempt, 32nd in CPOE) suggest he can’t overcome a poor game script.

• Expected Fantasy Output: Ceiling: QB2 (16 points), Floor: QB3 (8 points). A low-ceiling, risky play.

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Pacheco’s role is evaporating. His snap share cratered to 37% in Week 4, and he’s averaging a paltry 9.5 touches and 36.1 total yards per game. The Chiefs’ backfield is a three-headed monster with Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith, making Pacheco an unreliable flex. The matchup is a nightmare, as the Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game and zero rushing touchdowns to running backs. He’s become droppable in shallow leagues.

• Expected Fantasy Output: Ceiling: Flex (10 points), Floor: Bust (3 points). Touchdown-or-bust in a terrible matchup.

Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans

While the rookie has shown flashes, the overall offensive environment in Tennessee is holding him back. Quarterback Cam Ward has one of the lowest accuracy rates in the league, and Ayomanor is averaging just 37.8 receiving yards per game. The Arizona Cardinals frequently deploy two-high safety looks (55.6% rate), a coverage that has suppressed Ayomanor’s production. Unless he scores a touchdown, his floor is non-existent.

• Expected Fantasy Output: Ceiling: WR3 (14 points), Floor: WR5 (4 points). A volatile, TD-dependent bench stash.

Gut Call Start

Tommy Tremble, TE, Carolina Panthers

This is the kind of under-the-radar move that wins weeks. With starting tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders sidelined for multiple weeks, Tremble stepped into the primary role and delivered a season-high 75% snap share, leading the team with eight targets in Week 4. He turned that into 5 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. That volume is not a fluke; it’s a product of the Panthers’ offensive scheme when their TE1 is available. While the return of Xavier Legette may siphon some targets, Tremble’s role in the red zone and his high snap share give him genuine TE1 upside in a soft matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

• Expected Fantasy Output: Ceiling: TE1 (15+ points), Floor: Low-end TE2 (6 points). He’s a high-value streaming option for those needing a tight end.

The NFL is a week-to-week league, and fantasy football success depends on adaptability. Your ability to recognize shifting backfields, emerging target hogs, and unfavorable matchups is what separates contenders from the pack. Don’t fall in love with preseason draft capital or big names. Manage your fantasy team based on the evidence of the last four weeks, and you’ll be well-positioned for a midseason surge.

👉 “Follow @CerberusFantasySports on Instagram & Twitter for live Start/Sit updates every Sunday morning.”

FAQ

Q1: How often should I adjust my fantasy lineup midseason?
A: Weekly. Matchups, injuries, and snap shares evolve fast — midseason success depends on consistent adaptation.

Q2: Is Woody Marks a must-start every week now?
A: Yes. His role and snap share make him a top-15 RB moving forward, even in tough matchups.

Q3: Can Darren Waller be trusted rest of season?
A: Absolutely. With Tyreek Hill out, Waller becomes a top-5 tight end in target share.

Q4: Should I drop Isiah Pacheco after Week 5?
A: In shallow leagues, yes. His usage trend and committee role make him expendable.

Q5: Who’s the best Week 5 sleeper?
A: Tommy Tremble. With a full-time role and red-zone usage, he’s a top streaming TE for this week.