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Chris Godwin or Jaylen Waddle: Who should I start in fantasy football? (Week 5, 2025 season)

Updated: Oct 7

Start/Sit Decisions

NOTE: This content is for a previous week of fantasy football. But don't fear!


When you're facing a tough start/sit decision on your fantasy football team, you may end up having to choose between Chris Godwin or Jaylen Waddle. Which player would Basement Brewed Fantasy Football recommend you start? Let's go through the details to find out.


Have a start/sit dilemma that needs answering? Each week during the 2025 NFL season, we'll be going LIVE on YouTube to discuss your start/sit questions. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit that notification bell so you don't miss out!




Game Scripts


The Buccaneers are entering week 5 as 3.5 point road underdogs with an implied point total of just 20.5 points, tied for the 8th lowest among all 28 teams playing this week. The unfavorable spread suggests a mildly negative game script that could tip a bit pass heavy if the Buccaneers fall behind the Seahawks — potentially at the expense of rushing volume — while the low implied point total suggests touchdown opportunities and fantasy football fireworks may be limited.


With a solid over/under — 45.5 points, tied for the 7th highest among all 14 games on the week 5 slate — and both teams sporting top 14 implied point totals of 22 points or more, Dolphins at Panthers offers some lowkey shootout appeal with plenty of upside for touchdowns and fantasy football fireworks. The Dolphins in particular are entering week 5 as 1.5 point road favorites with an above-average implied point total of 23.5 points, tied for the 10th most among all 28 teams playing this week.




Positional Matchups


After 4 games, the Seahawks present a terrifying matchup for WRs, limiting them to the 9th fewest catches, 2nd fewest yards, 6th fewest touchdowns, 3rd fewest PPR points per game and 4th fewest PPR points per catch (2.31).


After 4 games, the Panthers present a tough matchup for WRs, holding them to the 2nd fewest catches, fewest yards, 6th fewest touchdowns, 2nd fewest PPR points per game and 15th fewest PPR points per catch (2.73).




Chris Godwin: Bottom Line


High end WR3/flex with volume-driven WR2 upside. Expect ~10–14 PPR points on ~7–10 targets (4–6 catches, ~45–65 yards); negative script can pad looks, but Seattle’s clampy WR defense plus a low team total suppress touchdown odds.




Jaylen Waddle: Bottom Line


Volume-boosted WR 2. Expect ~14–18 PPR points on ~8–11 targets (~5–8 catches, ~70–100 yards); Hill’s absence should push Waddle to alpha usage, though Carolina’s stingy WR defense can cap efficiency and TD odds.




Should you start Chris Godwin or Jaylen Waddle?


I feel more confident that the volume for Jaylen Waddle will be there. Both players are in not ideal matchups, with both the Seahawks and Panthers being tough on opposing wide receivers, but with Waddle stepping into the WR1 role for the Dolphins + Chris Godwin still potentially not 100% and the presence of Emeka Egbuka, he feels like the correct choice.




Week Winners + Discord = Winning your league in 2025


Portions of this article come directly from our Week Winner tool (formerly Heat Map), designed to help you make more confident decisions on your way to a championship. And our private Discord server features a specific Start/Sit channel where any questions you have can get answered in real time - plus our community of hardcore fantasy football players talking DFS, sports betting, dynasty, best ball, and more. From draft to trophy, we have you covered with every decision along the way.


Sign up to Basement Brewed Fantasy Football today and start making smarter lineup decisions that can dominate through the 2025 NFL season.

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