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Fantasy Football 2017: Week 5 sits, starts, pickups and drops

By Colton Wesley

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants rushes for a 14-yard touchdown while evading defensive end Will Clarke #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter of an NFL football game on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants rushes for a 14-yard touchdown while evading defensive end Will Clarke #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter of an NFL football game on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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Running Backs

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 1: Theo Riddick #25 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball in the second half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 1: Theo Riddick #25 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball in the second half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Start: Theo Riddick (vs. Carolina Panthers, 26% start percentage)

Riddick has been quiet in 2017 with Ameer Abdullah‘s emergence, but a matchup with the Panthers, who give up the most receptions to running backs in the league while being an otherwise fine unit against the run, gives Riddick a good chance to get additional reps and rank up points in PPR.

Sit: Ameer Abdullah (vs. Carolina Panthers, 50.1% start percentage)

Here’s the other side of the coin. The Panthers’ run defense is strong and the Lions are yet to prove that running the football is going to be a consistent part of their offense. Until they do, Abdullah is a week-to-week matchup play, and this matchup isn’t very good for him.

Pickup: Andre Ellington (at Philadelphia Eagles, on a roster in 43.8% of leagues)

Without David Johnson, the Cardinals are still figuring out their running back situation, and Ellington has been getting a ton of reps and targets. Especially if he continues to get more carries, he’s likely to grab his first touchdown on Sunday against a poor Eagles’ secondary while also getting a few bonus points in PPR.

Drop: No one.

There isn’t anyone on a roster in 50% or more of leagues that should be dropped yet, but pay attention to Jacquizz Rodgers‘ role in the next few weeks. If he keeps losing reps to Charles Sims, there’s no point in keeping a number-three running back with some upside on your bench in a standard league.

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