Sit T.Y. Hilton in favor of these deeper-league pivots in Week 5

Coming out of the first quarter of the 2020 season, the Indianapolis Colts offense appears to have found its footing. New starting quarterback Philip Rivers has largely avoided the game-sealing mistakes that characterized his final year with the Los Angeles Chargers, opening up opportunities in the passing game for little-known weapons like Mo Alie-Cox and Zach Pascal.

However, despite the promising start, star wideout T.Y. Hilton has battled inconsistencies. With the Colts set to travel to FirstEnergy Stadium for an AFC showdown with the Cleveland Browns and a talented pass defense, fantasy managers face a tough call on whether to start Hilton.

The Sit: Colts WR T.Y. Hilton

Hilton has maxed out at four catches for 53 yards and zero scores over his four outings thus far in 2020. While the touchdown production seems likely to change, the other metrics remain concerning for a veteran wideout regularly drawing the opposing team’s top cornerback. That doesn’t appear likely to change this week, with the Browns expected to throw Denzel Ward at Hilton.

But while the Browns have done a decent job covering up No. 1 wide receivers, they have performed less admirably against tight ends. That could shift the Colts’ game plan toward Alie-Cox, further limited Hilton’s workload.

Note: Roster percentages from ESPN Fantasy Football Leagues on Friday, Oct. 9.

The Starts: Keelan Cole (15.4%), David Moore (2.4%), Randall Cobb (15.8%)

For a player largely on the fantasy periphery, Keelan Cole has quietly had a strong start to the season. He ranks second on the Jacksonville Jaguars in receiving yards (194) and touchdown catches (two) entering Week 5 and could see even more work if the Laviska Shenault Jr. (hamstring) misses Sunday’s game or plays on a snap count. Regardless, the Jaguars’ matchup with a subpar Houston Texans pass defense gives Cole plenty of upside for a mid-week pickup.

The Seattle Seahawks’ receiving corps has an extremely advantageous matchup with the Minnesota Vikings secondary this week. But while most expect big days from Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, David Moore could also deliver a stellar performance. Moore has scored in half of his games this season and has only one true dud of an outing — Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys — on his record this year. With the Vikings focusing the majority of their resources on Lockett and Metcalf, Moore has a good chance for regular one-on-one coverage.

Bill O’Brien garnered considerable criticism for the contract he handed out to Randall Cobb this offseason, but the veteran wideout has shown he can still play. Cobb trails the Texans’ leader in targets by just three entering the week and could take advantage of the Jaguars pass defense, one of the worst units in the league.