Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Running Backs to Start
David Montgomery DET
David Montgomery has been a volatile fantasy option, but Week 5 sets up as a spot to put him back in starting lineups. He’s the RB22 in fantasy points per game, but his role near the goal line is hard to ignore. This season, he is tied for the fifth-most goal-line attempts among running backs and sits seventh in total touchdowns. Montgomery has been extremely efficient after contact, ranking first in yards after contact per attempt, which makes him particularly dangerous against a Bengals defense that has allowed the seventh-most rushing yards per game and six total touchdowns to running backs. Five RBs have already scored 15.4+ PPR points against Cincinnati this year, and Montgomery has every chance to join them.
Fantasy managers know the risk: Montgomery is touchdown-dependent and has posted both ceiling weeks (29.4 points in Week 3) and disastrous floors (1.2 in Week 4). But Cincinnati ranks No. 2 in fantasy points allowed to running backs, and their struggles tackling runners after contact line up perfectly with Montgomery’s strengths. While he’s unlikely to see the same workload as Gibbs, Montgomery doesn’t need it, just red-zone carries and efficiency behind Detroit’s strong offensive line. He profiles as a strong RB2 this week with legitimate touchdown upside. Start him confidently in all formats.
Cam Skattebo NYG
Cam Skattebo continues to establish himself as a reliable fantasy option with both a high floor and ceiling. Since Week 2, he’s been the RB11 in fantasy points per game, logging at least 13 points in every contest. In Week 4, he dominated backfield usage with 27 touches and 75% of the snaps, handling six red-zone carries while Devin Singletary received only one. His advanced metrics back up his effectiveness, eighth in missed tackles forced per attempt and 12th in yards after contact per attempt. Against the Saints’ defense that has given up at least 14.4 PPR points to every starting RB they’ve faced, Skattebo projects for another strong performance.
The Giants’ trust in Skattebo, whether they are leading or playing from behind, makes him a safe play. He has already earned the third-most red-zone carries among all RBs since Week 2, showing the team’s willingness to lean on him in scoring opportunities. With Tyrone Tracy Jr. sidelined and rookie QB Jaxson Dart still settling into the offense, Skattebo’s usage looks secure. Expect him to see 20+ touches again, and given New Orleans’ defensive struggles against the run, he should have no problem producing RB2 numbers. Start him as a locked-in fantasy option for Week 5.
Woody Marks HOU
Woody Marks turned heads in Week 4, seizing control of the Texans’ backfield and finishing as the RB6 on the week with 119 total yards and two touchdowns. He played 58.5% of the snaps and handled 21 touches, including Houston’s only red-zone carry, while also maintaining a strong 43.8% route share. Marks’ ability to produce chunk plays shows up in the metrics, 10th in explosive run rate and 20th in yards after contact per attempt. His Week 5 matchup against Baltimore is as good as it gets, with the Ravens ranking No. 1 in most fantasy points allowed to running backs and surrendering six rushing TDs already. With Baltimore also giving up the fifth-most receiving yards to the position, Marks’ dual-threat skillset puts him in a smash spot.
Marks is no longer just a stash; he’s an every-week starting candidate. He outpaced Nick Chubb in both carries and targets last week, signaling that Houston is ready to feature the rookie in a bigger role. The Ravens’ defensive injuries have turned their once-elite front into one of the league’s most generous run defenses. Seven RBs have scored at least 10 fantasy points against them this year, with three topping 21 points, and Marks’ usage profile suggests he could easily join that group. He belongs in all starting lineups this week as a high-upside RB2 with top-15 potential.
Running Backs to Sit
Chase Brown CIN
Chase Brown has been stuck in a tough situation, and fantasy managers shouldn’t expect a turnaround in Week 5. Without Joe Burrow does not help, but the offensive line has been the biggest problem, ranking dead last in yards before contact per attempt. Brown has had an impressive workload this season, but is not finding the end zone, breaking tackles, and is averaging under 55 total yards per game. His production has been entirely touchdown-dependent, and in this offense, those chances are rare.
Detroit poses another nightmare matchup, ranking seventh in fewest rushing yards allowed per game and limiting opponents to one of the lowest missed tackle rates in the league. They’ve allowed only four RB touchdowns all year, and Cincinnati’s offense simply hasn’t shown the ability to move the ball consistently. Brown’s receiving work hasn’t been enough to salvage his fantasy value either, with most of his targets coming in garbage time. He hasn’t scored since Week 1, and unless he lucks into a short-yardage touchdown, his outlook is bleak. Brown should be firmly on the sit list this week, with no more than desperation flex value.
Jordan Mason MIN
Jordan Mason is set up for disappointment in Week 5 against Cleveland’s defense. The Browns have been suffocating against the run, holding Chase Brown, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and David Montgomery all under 50 rushing yards this season. They’ve allowed just two explosive runs all year, both to Jahmyr Gibbs, and consistently hit runners behind the line of scrimmage. Mason, who managed just 57 rushing yards on 16 carries in Week 4, doesn’t have the dynamic skillset to overcome this matchup. With Zavier Scott expected to handle most passing-down work, Mason is unlikely to see much involvement outside of early downs.
Cleveland ranks No. 2 in fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs, and their defensive front has dominated nearly every opponent. The only back to find consistent success against them was Gibbs, who thrives on speed and receiving usage, traits Mason doesn’t offer. While Mason did record three catches against the Steelers, that’s not enough to elevate him into a reliable role in PPR formats. Unless he scores a touchdown, he’s unlikely to return flex-level value this week. Sit Mason against the Browns and look for a safer option with more upside.
Isiah Pacheco KC
Isiah Pacheco’s 2025 fantasy season has been trending downward, and Week 5 looks like another rough outing. His snap share dipped to 37% in Week 4, and while he salvaged his day with a touchdown, the usage tells a different story. Pacheco has averaged just 9.5 touches and 36.1 yards per game, and his role continues to shrink with Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith cutting into the workload. Week 4 marked his best fantasy showing of the year (12.8 points), but even that was inflated by a touchdown and came in a soft matchup against Baltimore. Against Jacksonville, the sledding will be much tougher.
The Jaguars’ run defense has been one of the most stingy in football, allowing the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game and zero rushing touchdowns to RBs through four weeks. They also rank among the best in limiting explosive plays, giving up just two runs of 10+ yards all season. Kansas City’s backfield rotation is a fantasy headache, with no clear lead back, and Mahomes often leads the team in rushing himself. With reduced snaps, a brutal matchup, and a declining role, Pacheco is simply too risky to trust. He belongs on benches this week and is trending closer to droppable territory in shallow leagues.
