We’re a few weeks into the 2025 NFL season, and Caleb Williams, Daniel Jones and Drake Maye all currently rank as top-seven fantasy QBs. If you’re here, there’s a good chance you have a tough lineup decision at the position. To make some of those calls easier, let’s break down my QB start/sit Week 5 fantasy football picks!
Check out my full Week 5 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Jaxson Dart (Giants) at Saints
It didn’t take long for Dart to make an impact, both in fantasy and real life. The rookie took over for Russell Wilson and stunned the previously undefeated Chargers last week, setting the tone for a potential delayed-start ROTY campaign.
Dart was efficient through the air, completing 13 of 20 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. However, the dual-threat QB really flashed potential on the ground, carrying the ball 10 times for 54 yards and another score. Rushing upside is massive for a young QB’s fantasy floor, as the passing attack can often yield volatile results.
Even with Malik Nabers done for the year, Dart projects as a low-end QB1 against a mediocre Saints defense.
Sit ‘Em: Bo Nix (Broncos) at Eagles
Nix is fresh off his best game of the season, in which he racked up 326 passing yards and three total touchdowns.
It’s unfortunate that just when the second-year signal caller gets rolling, he draws the Eagles’ defense. Philly hasn’t been quite as formidable as last year thus far, but they’re still allowing under 15 fantasy points to quarterbacks on a weekly basis.
After a monstrous rookie season, it’s hard to remember that Nix is still a young quarterback in this league, surrounded by a decent amount of inexperienced playmakers. The Broncos still have some work to do to turn the corner offensively. I have a hard time seeing that happen on a road trip to the defending Super Bowl champions.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL WEEK 5 START/SIT PICKS AT EACH POSITION!
Start ‘Em: Drake Maye (Patriots) at Bills
Baby Josh Allen heads to Buffalo to take on the real version in an intriguing AFC East SNF matchup. Allen is putting up MVP-caliber numbers as expected, but Maye quietly isn’t too far behind from a statistical standpoint.
The second-year signal caller looks to have taken the next step. Maye has recorded a 75% completion rate or higher and thrown two-plus touchdowns in each of the last three games. That’s a stat Patriots fans are familiar with, as only Tom Brady (2007) has had a longer such streak within a single season in NFL history.
Where Maye definitely has an edge on the G.O.A.T. is in the rushing department. The UNC product has scored twice on the ground, utilizing his legs consistently over New England’s last three contests. Maye racked up at least 20 fantasy points in each of those matchups and will look to keep that streak rolling in a key divisional contest.
Looking for more QB start/sit Week 5 picks? Stay tuned for more fantasy lineup advice articles later this week! New start/sit quarterback picks drop weekly!
Sit ‘Em: Geno Smith (Raiders) at Colts
Following a stellar Week 3 showing against Washington, it was back down to earth for the veteran quarterback in Vegas last Sunday.
Smith’s fantasy day was somewhat salvaged by a pair of passing touchdowns, but it was still a disappointing outing. The 34-year-old recorded his lowest completion and yardage total of the year with just 14 passes for 117 yards.
Ashton Jeanty finally had his “oh yeah, that’s why he was drafted sixth overall” moment that Raiders fans have been waiting for. While it didn’t translate to a win, Pete Carroll is almost certain to ride the hot hand this week against Indy. Expect a heavy dose of the rookie while Smith serves as an almost complementary piece out of play action, moving the ball when necessary. Barring some weird change in game script or a few broken plays, Geno will likely underwhelm again on Sunday.
Those are my QB start ’em, sit ’em Week 5 fantasy football picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice throughout the remainder of Week 5.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
