NFL Fantasy 2022 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 5: Intro

You have lineup questions. We have answers. At least we hope. Start 'Em & Sit 'Em has helped fantasy managers for years make those pressing lineup decisions. And you know what is a good decision? Starting Patrick Mahomes. But that's too obvious, so you won't see that here. Instead here are some of the most-pressing questions. And, if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL fantasy rankings right here.

Week 4 was a good reminder as to why you cannot panic after just three weeks.

Players like Austin Ekeler, Christian McCaffrey and Russell Wilson got off the schneid and had big fantasy days. But those who didn’t, like DJ Moore, Kyle Pitts and Aaron Rodgers, continued to struggle.

At this point in the season, it is getting harder and harder to blame a slow start. Even if these players are not to blame and it’s their offense, fantasy is a game of production. And if a player continues to struggle to produce, it's time to lower that player's value.

There is a saying in fantasy football that goes “start your studs.” But who exactly your studs are can change if a player continues to put up numbers. I was very high on Pitts coming into this season and believe he is the most explosive tight end in the NFL. But if the Falcons are going to have him run just 13 routes like they did this past week, he can not be viewed as a top-five tight end like he was coming into the season. I would still practice patience with Pitts, but he is no longer a must-start. The same can be said about the reigning back-to-back MVP, who looks more like a QB2 for fantasy purposes.

We have also learned a lot about defenses over this first month of the season. For instance, you can start everyone against the Lions defense. That sounds hyperbolic, but they really are in the top-10 in fantasy PPG allowed to every offensive position. The matchups will begin to be factored into the start/sit calls much more moving forward. It will join usage as the two main ingredients to help make these decisions.

Follow Michael Florio on Twitter @MichaelFFlorio.