Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 5: QB Josh McCown

A blitz-heavy defense will strike fear into the hearts of most opposing quarterbacks, but not Josh McCown. He’s worth starting in Week 5 fantasy football.

Not every fantasy football owner is lucky enough to own a quarterback like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. These guys are no-brainer starts week in and week out. With Week 5 being slim on quarter selection due to byes, injuries and tough matchups, many fantasy owners are in search of a starting quarterback for Week 5.

For Week 5, many fantasy football owners may want to consider picking up a one-week bridge quarterback. Who better to bridge your fantasy team than the man who’s been bridging NFL teams for the better part of the past 15 years?

Josh McCown could be worth adding and starting for a week if Week 5 has left you short on quarterbacks. The Cleveland Browns present McCown with a good matchup as they’ve allowed the 4th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

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While most of the Jets offensive success has come via the run game, a weak pass defense presents McCown, who’s 2nd in the league in completion percentage, with some opportunity. Especially if the Jets continue to sustain success on the ground, they could do some damage with the play-action.

McCown vs. the Blitz

An interesting stat to support this start is McCown’s success against the blitz. McCown has completed 75 percent of passes, averaging 9.6 yards per attempt with no interceptions. This is a favorable stat for McCown and the Jets, as the Browns are the 4th blitz-heaviest team in the league, at a 37.1 percent rate.

In this game, McCown has the opportunity to score in the mid-teens to low-twenties in terms of fantasy points. While no guarantee, McCown could put up excellent numbers, but should score in the low-teens at the absolute worst; not great, but enough to get you the win if the rest of your team performs well.

START OR SIT?: Fantasy Pros Start or Sit Assistant Tool

The Bottom Line

McCown may not be considered a “must-start,” although he could be good enough in Week 5 if you’re slim on quarterbacks. Fantasy football one-week wonders can win or lose you your match-up. If byes and injuries leave you short quarterbacks in Week 5, McCown should be considered as a one-week rental to start for your fantasy team.