Fantasy football: Start-em, sit-em players for Week 5

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NASHVILLE, TN- SEPTEMBER 10: Wide receiver Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders catches a pass against the Tennessee Titans in the second half at Nissan Stadium on September 10, 2017 In Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Sit-em: Amari Cooper (OAK) vs. Baltimore

One of the best receivers from last season, Amari Cooper, has fallen off a cliff to start 2017. Fantasy football owners of Cooper have to be absolutely baffled by the lack of production from this former fantasy stud. Unfortunately, the road only gets tougher from here on out for Cooper and the Raiders.

As if Cooper wasn’t having enough of a struggle, he is now without his starting quarterback Derek Carr (back). The Raiders and Cooper now have to rely on E.J. Manuel to run the offense in Oakland.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have much faith in that going to well while Carr recovers.

Cooper went from being nearly matchup resistant last season to being a non-factor in almost every game to begin the 2017 season. He has a total of three catches for 15 yards in the past two weeks combined! How does that happen?

There is absolutely no scenario where I’d start Cooper this week. Even when Carr is back and healthy, I still might be on a wait-and-see approach from here on out with Cooper. He has the talent to bounce back and still put together a good year, but the beginning has been hard to watch for Raider fans and fantasy football owners everywhere.

Other options: Alshon Jeffery (PHI) vs. Arizona and Sammy Watkins (LAR) vs. Seattle