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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Wide Receivers to Start
Chris Olave NO
Chris Olave has been one of the most heavily utilized receivers in football this season, ranking second in total targets behind only Puka Nacua. He owns a 28.2% target share and has logged double-digit targets in three of his four games, which makes him an automatic fantasy football start regardless of quarterback limitations. The Giants’ defense has been a gift to opposing wideouts, allowing the second-most fantasy points per game and the fourth-most yards on deep passes. That plays directly into Olave’s strengths, as he ranks top 20 in deep targets and ninth in red zone opportunities. Even though Week 4 was a dud with just 20 yards on six targets, he still found the end zone for the first time this year, showing that his floor remains steady with his workload.
This week, Olave is set up to rebound in a big way against a secondary that has already allowed six different receivers to score 15+ PPR points. The Giants have also allowed the most receptions in the NFL to wide receivers, which further cements Olave’s chances at a WR2 or even WR1 finish in Week 5. The Saints will need him to exploit mismatches on the outside, and he has the talent to deliver splash plays in this matchup. Fantasy managers should lock him into lineups with confidence as a high-upside starter.
Xavier Worthy KC
Xavier Worthy’s return to the field in Week 4 changed the Chiefs’ offense. He commanded eight targets, turned them into 83 yards, and added two carries for 38 yards, proving the Chiefs will find creative ways to get the ball in his hands. Worthy ran a route on 62.5% of snaps and carried a 21.6% target share, which is strong usage for his first game back from injury. More importantly, Patrick Mahomes clearly trusts him, and the duo built on their 2024 success right away. Against Jacksonville in Week 5, he faces a defense that has surrendered the 12th-most yards to wide receivers.
Jacksonville has already given up three games of 14.6+ PPR points to receivers, and Mahomes is going to continue leaning on Worthy while Rashee Rice remains sidelined. Worthy’s ability to stretch the field and pick up chunk gains makes him a high-upside WR2 for fantasy football this week. Kansas City’s offense looked noticeably sharper with him back in the lineup, and that momentum should carry into Week 5. Fantasy managers should start Worthy with confidence, as his explosive playmaking gives him top-15 upside at the position.
Tetairoa McMillan CAR
Tetairoa McMillan has been one of the more underrated fantasy football wideouts so far, finishing inside the top 36 at the position in three of his first four games. He’s seen at least eight targets in every outing, owns a 22% target share, and leads the Panthers in air-yard share at 39.5%. Despite not finding the end zone yet, his three red zone targets over the past three games suggest his 1st career touchdown is on the way. This week, he draws the Dolphins’ defense has struggled to contain perimeter receivers, giving up the ninth-most PPR points per target in those matchups.
Other top receivers like Michael Pittman and Garrett Wilson have taken advantage of Miami’s secondary for 20+ PPR games on just eight targets. With his steady usage and the potential for his first touchdown, McMillan enters Week 5 with his highest breakout potential yet. McMillan profiles as more of a low-end WR1 and a High-end WR2 this week. Fantasy managers looking for a high-volume starter should roll him out again in Week 5.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Zay Flowers BAL
Zay Flowers has been efficient to start the year, sitting at WR16 in fantasy football points per game, but his Week 5 matchup against Houston presents major problems. He hasn’t seen a single red zone target this season and will be without Lamar Jackson this week. The Texans have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per target to perimeter receivers and will likely assign Derek Stingley Jr. in shadow coverage. Stingley has already shut down a plethora of talented receivers this season, holding them all under 60 yards with no touchdowns. Without Lamar Jackson in the lineup, Flowers’ efficiency is expected to take a hit, making him more volume-dependent than usual.
Although Flowers has a strong 27.5% target share and has topped 70 yards in three of four games, this is a brutal spot for him. Houston has been disciplined against explosive plays and will key in on Flowers as the Ravens’ primary weapon. His low average depth of target (61st among WRs) further reduces his big-play potential in this matchup. Given his expected points per game (12.8) aligns closer to a WR27 profile than his current WR16 standing, fantasy managers should consider sitting Flowers in Week 5 unless desperate. He profiles as a low-ceiling WR3 in this tough matchup.
Brian Thomas Jr. JAC
Brian Thomas Jr. remains a frustrating fantasy football option, currently ranked as the WR46 in points per game; he’s only cracked the top 36 once all season. His highest outing came last week at just 10.6 PPR points, which is a step in the right direction but still frustrating considering where we drafted him. The encouraging part is that Thomas caught 5/7 passes, which is much higher than his 37.5% catch rate this year. Now, he faces Kansas City, who rank top 10 in fewest yards and fantasy points allowed to perimeter receivers, right where Thomas plays 71% of his snaps.
The Chiefs have also gone three straight weeks without allowing a wideout to score a touchdown, shutting down elite groups like the Eagles and Ravens. Thomas still hasn’t found the end zone in 2025, and it’s unlikely he breaks that streak against such a disciplined secondary. While he is getting targets, the lack of efficiency and tough coverage make him a poor Week 5 start. In deeper formats, you might have to plug him in, but in standard 10- or 12-team leagues, he should remain on your bench. Thomas will likely be another bust candidate in Week 5, making him a solid buy-low heading into Week 6.
Jerry Jeudy CLE
Jerry Jeudy has been one of the biggest fantasy football disappointments this season, currently averaging 7.8 PPG. He hasn’t scored a touchdown, despite ranking 5th in deep targets, and it does not look much more encouraging with Dillon Gabriel, taking over at quarterback. He’s posted fewer than 12 PPR points in all four contests this season. Now, he draws a brutal Week 5 matchup against Minnesota, which has allowed the fewest fantasy points and fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Outside of one long touchdown to DK Metcalf last week, the Vikings have clamped opposing receivers all season. Even with Cedric Tillman sidelined, Jeudy’s role doesn’t project to expand meaningfully given Cleveland’s quarterback uncertainty. He’s combined for just four catches on 14 targets across the past two weeks, which makes him an easy sit in Week 5. At this point, Jeudy should only be considered in deep leagues as a WR4/5 flier, but he has no business in standard starting lineups this week.
