Week 5 Rankings | All Positions & All Games! | 2026 Fantasy Football Advice

Aaron Jones should be started against the Saints; Saints defense is ranked number six in terms of rush attempts versus expected and cannot stop the run; the Falcons' rushing attack dominated the Saints on Monday night, and the Vikings have a strong rushing attack.

Ranked QB9 with 17-point projection; solid streaming option this week. Currently projecting for too much passing yards and may drop to QB12-13 range. Colts defense is weak and Steelers should be efficient on offense at home as favorites.

Tight end expected to see significant volume increase against Bengals matchup; grades out 10-22 and projects for increased targets after having very little involvement previously; Parker Washington dropped to one catch as volume funneled to Strange, exemplifying how Bengals defense creates tight end opportunities. Was a spot start candidate last week vs. Bengals but faces polar opposite matchup this week vs. Eagles' strong TE defense, making him not recommended for Week 5 start.

Brian Thomas Jr. not trusted for Week 5 start due to insufficient usage in Jaguars offense despite being a talented WR.

Must-start tight end despite poor Patriots matchup. The Patriots will scheme to take away Bowers as the primary target, and the source expects worse production than normal; six receptions is a much more likely outcome than ten. Cannot rule out a big game (10 for 100 and a score), but downside risk is elevated. Still must play him regardless due to weak tight end landscape.

Running back ranked 21 with strong volume-based appeal, but TD upside is capped by committee usage; Buccaneers are using Shawn Tucker at the goal line and Kenneth Gainwell in the receiving game, limiting Irving to early-down work with limited receptions. Recent trend of Tucker at goal line hurts Irving's touchdown projection despite solid early-down volume.

Cannot be played this week against the Titans; the source explicitly states 'Can never play Cam Ward' in the context of this matchup, citing poor secondary matchup and backup running back concerns.

High-end rookie wide receiver with 25%+ target share who is the primary playable option in the Titans matchup. Tate is a very talented player who had not been hitting because Cam Ward had no time, but when Ward finally got time in the last game, they connected for over 100 receiving yards. Tate is ranked at wide receiver 2 and the source says you can absolutely play him and we can go to him basically moving forward.

Recommended to play if Chase and Higgins are out. The source highlights strong receiving projection and very stable floor. Projected for 20 touches if both receivers are out, with plenty of usage on the ground and through the air. Play him regardless of injury status.

Not trusted for Week 5 start due to insufficient usage in Jaguars offense.

Colston Loveland is highlighted as a viable start with usage in the Bears offense; target share has been up and he was the most targeted player on the team last week, though he's been relatively inefficient; the source expects a big day coming soon and rates him as viable to start, though not a must-play.

Dallas Goedert identified as best Eagles play in Week 5 but with significant caveats: returning from injury and facing Jaguars' historically strong tight end defense; source lacks confidence despite being the best available option.

Must-start quarterback for Week 5. The source explicitly recommends 'play Drake May, play Henderson, play Romeo Dos,' positioning May as a core starter in the Patriots-Raiders matchup.

Tight end with insufficient usage and red zone role loss. The source states 'Hunter Henry just isn't getting that much usage. And you also have Ridon back. Um, Patriots like using Ridon in the red zone, especially when they're inside like the 5 10 yard line. If Henry's not getting any of that and he's barely getting used to between 20s, like he's just not that good of a play at tight end.' Not recommended.

Tight end with extremely high target volume; the source states 'This is a great spot for Isaiah Likely who got a million targets last week' and calls him 'a must start this weekend.' Basically every target on the Giants offense goes to either Malik Neighbors or Isaiah Likely, and with a great matchup against the Commanders defense, Likely is one of the two best plays on the Giants.

Concussion injury status unclear for Week 5; the source projects him out but notes he could be cleared on Friday and play Sunday. Unlike hamstring injuries, concussions carry no reinjury risk once cleared. Usually players miss a week with a concussion, but the timeline remains fluid. Play him if healthy.

Jakobi Meyers assessed as fine play with moderate floor and inconsistent ceiling; much better in full PPR format; projects for either 3 catches for 30 yards or 6 catches for 70 yards and a score; not a high-end touchdown producer but reliable floor play.

Undrafted rookie free agent QB starting for Buccaneers with fantasy grade 18 due to rushing upside; projects for 44.5 rushing yards and 0.2 rushing touchdowns. Not the best streaming option but could reach 11 points if he runs for 50 yards and a score; however, carries a 10% interception rate on the season and Dallas defense has zero interceptions, creating some downside risk.

Ranked as RB1 this week with strong projection and matchup analysis. Projected for 19 carries, 3.5 receptions, over 100 total yards, and 0.9 touchdowns; playing against mediocre Colts defense at home as favorite. Will be a great spot while Rico Dowel is out with a dislocated toe; likely to scale back slightly from RB3 to RB1 range.

Running back expected to get more involvement this week but in a hot-hand situation with Olly Gordon. The source believes if Wright performs well he'll get more touches, but if both backs are mixed in and Gordon continues looking better, Wright won't get the carries. Adds risk and the source does not recommend playing.

Recommended to play even if Chase and Higgins are out. The source projects 240 passing yards and 1.8 passing touchdowns (would be 260–270 yards with both superstars healthy). The Bengals are projected to score three touchdowns this week, so Burrow maintains solid volume and touchdown upside despite receiver injuries.

Highlighted as having positive dynasty value; randomly scoring touchdowns and having inconsistent but promising usage. The source drafted him in the fourth round of a dynasty league. However, not recommended for start-sit leagues due to unpredictability.

Projected at 10.7 half-PPR points, ranked WR22; doesn't have great touchdown upside but should see around 4-5 receptions for 50-65 yards. Steelers historically struggle against slot receivers, which benefits Downs when he lines up in the slot; however, not a must-play if close to other options.

Jawan Johnson is a backup wide receiver to avoid; the source would not go to backup wide receivers on the Saints against the Vikings defense.

Listed as a low-end flex play option; benefits from Steelers' historical weakness against slot receivers. However, not a must-play if close to other options; Colts passing attack has underperformed this season.

Part of Patriots tight end rotation with minimal usage; the source groups him with other backup tight ends, stating these players will mix in for two or three receptions each and are not worth trusting.

Backup running back the Patriots don't trust. The source questions both Corey Ker and Lan Larson, stating 'I just I don't think they're going to use them very much,' indicating both backup RBs are low-confidence plays with minimal expected usage.

Luther Burden is highlighted as a viable start with usage in the Bears offense; the source projects him as a flex-to-WR2 play with upside if he scores a touchdown, noting he'll have around 4-5 receptions and okay yardage; he becomes more valuable if the Packers score and force Chicago to be aggressive.

Wide receiver ranked 24th, projected to struggle against the Bengals defense which historically shuts down outside receivers. The source is uncomfortable with the projection and considering dropping the ranking further below industry consensus.

Target share is way lower than expected this season; Roman Wilson's production is taking away from his opportunities. Not recommended to play.

Collins dominates target share when healthy and must be played when available; his target concentration is so high that other Texans receivers (Schultz, Hutchinson, Booty, Null, Wayne) are all rotating and not viable options. The Titans' weak pass defense amplifies Collins' appeal in Week 5.

Hitting on big plays and touchdowns but unreliable week-to-week; his production is taking away from Michael Pittman Jr.'s target share. Not recommended to play.

Wide receiver ranked 23rd for Week 5 with upside after strong recent performance. The source notes he had a great week last week and emphasizes he's the clear top receiver with AJ Brown and Matt Collins out, stating 'they're going to use him in the red zone. They're going to use him as that top wide receiver.' Must-start recommendation.

Pollard is the only viable running back option for the Titans in a difficult matchup against the Texans. The Titans are projected for just 16.25 points and don't have running backs the source fully trusts, but Pollard remains the only option in the backfield with touchdown dependency high given the low implied total.

Tucker Craft should be in starting lineups; identified as a big-play threat for the Packers tight end position with an easier matchup against the Bears; expected to receive pass attempts in the second half as the Packers trail; the source projects a pretty good day for him.

Will Shipley projected as low-end flex play with approximately 14 carries for 43 rushing yards; expected to receive most Eagles RB touches but unlikely to score rushing TD; will mix in couple receptions for estimated 8-9 half-PPR points with no real ceiling.

Marks has outperformed his ADP thus far despite splitting carries with Dave Montgomery; the Texans' offensive line struggles limit both backs' efficiency, but Marks was never drafted as a high-end player, so his ADP outperformance is a positive relative to expectations.