What to do with Daniel Jones in Week 5 fantasy football

We knew this was coming. Daniel Jones started his first game as a pro in Week 3 against Tampa Bay and posted a massive 41.6 fantasy points. That, translated to real-life stats, meant completing 23-of-36 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and just two rookie-trademarked fumbles for waiting too much. Truth be told, Tampa Bay’s defense wasn’t that good, and with Washington awaiting the Giants in the Week 4 matchup things should have kept up. Well, let’s say they didn’t that much. Yes, New York torched Washington with Jones at the helm again, but his numbers were rather average this time. Jones completed 23 of 31 passes for 225 yards and one score but also threw two interceptions and his QBR sat at just 78.0. All that for a low-end QB2 fantasy performance of 14.6 points.

After putting on the best debut-game ever for a QB, regression was to be expected. But against Washington in such a lopsided game he should have had a better game. Keep in mind Jones is a rookie with just two games under his belt, so errors are coming his way no matter what. Both Tampa Bay and Washington were easy matchups for him as those defenses ranked out of the top 25 in points allowed to QBs, but things are looking good in the short term with Minnesota and New England facing the Giants next. After replacing Manning, Jones is as sure a starter as they get, whether he scores five touchdowns or throws five pick-sixes in a game. He’s a decent streamable option when the matchup calls for it (the Giants are also getting Golden Tate back this week and Saquon Barkley seems to be cutting his expected recovery time), but not much more than a mid-tier QB2 with barely low-end QB1 upside in favorable games.

Fantasy football analysis, New York Giants QB Daniel Jones

The Vikings are the toughest team New York will face since Jones took the reins of the offense. Minnesota’s offense might be bad, but its defense has been above average through four weeks, ranking ninth in fantasy points allowed to QBs. Only Matt Ryan (in Week 1) has been able to pass for more than 242 yards and finish with 25-plus fantasy points against the Vikings, though he was picked two times. With the O/U sitting at 44 total points and the Giants entering the contest as underdogs, they’ll probably need to throw the ball to catch up with Minny. Even with that, Jones’ struggles against Washington are reason enough to convince me to leave him out of my starting lineup this weekend. At the end of the day, Jones wasn’t probably someone you drafted. You’re debating whether you want to stream his this week over other options. Look at other players this time. Starting Jones is not worth a low production this week nor probably next one with New England coming in Week 6.

Start/Sit recommendation

Sit