Top 24 Quarterback Rankings For Week 5 | Fantasy Football 2026
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.
19 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Oct 8, 2026
Published
Thu, October 8, 2026
22
Player insights
22
Players mentioned
Topics
Aaron RodgersBo NixBrock PurdyC.J. StroudDak PrescottDeshaun WatsonDrake MayeJacoby BrissettJameis WinstonJared GoffJayden DanielsJoe BurrowJordan LoveJosh Allen
Player analysis
Player insights
Aaron Rodgers
PositiveValue25:12
Aaron Rodgers has shown genuine momentum and faces a Colts defense that surrenders the sixth-most points to the position. He may be ranked too low.
Insight pageBo Nix
NegativeProjection14:55
Bo Nix has struggled this year but faces a weak Chargers defense. He is considered a decent QB2 option, though starting him as a QB1 is risky.
Insight pageBrock Purdy
NegativeProjection6:59
Despite being the QB2 on the season, Brock Purdy is ranked lower for Week 5 due to a brutal matchup against the Seattle defense, though he remains a solid QB1.
Insight pageC.J. Stroud
PositiveProjection20:25
CJ Stroud looked better with Nico Collins last week and is expected to put up a solid performance against the Titans in Week 5.
Insight pageDak Prescott
PositiveProjection4:03
Dak Prescott is a must-start quarterback, though his ceiling could be limited if the Cowboys pull away early against a struggling Tampa Bay team.
Insight pageDeshaun Watson
NegativeProjection20:45
Deshaun Watson has been playing well recently, but there are concerns about game script and overall offensive reliability. He is a Superflex-only option.
Insight pageDrake Maye
PositiveBreakout11:42
After a massive Week 4 performance as the overall QB1, Drake Maye is a viable low-end QB1 or solid Superflex option against the Raiders.
Insight pageJacoby Brissett
PositiveSleeper12:13
Jacoby Brissett is a strong streaming option in the Lions-Cardinals shootout. Due to the game environment, he could potentially throw 50 times.
Insight pageJameis Winston
NegativeSleeper18:28
Jameis Winston is a high-risk, high-reward play against the Commanders, who allow the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Insight pageJared Goff
PositiveBreakout3:28
Jared Goff is in the S-tier for Week 5, currently the QB5 on the season. He faces the Arizona Cardinals in a game with the highest total on the slate, making him a high-confidence start.
Insight pageJayden Daniels
NegativeInjury10:15
Jayden Daniels is a risky low-end QB1 for Week 5. His elbow injury may limit his willingness to run, but the matchup against the Giants is favorable.
Insight pageJoe Burrow
PositiveProjection2:10
Joe Burrow is the QB9 on the season and faces a Miami team actively tanking. While a potential Jamar Chase absence could lower his ranking, he remains a must-start QB1.
Insight pageJordan Love
NegativeProjection15:41
Jordan Love offers a safe floor but a low ceiling, having not scored under 13 or over 20 points. He is recommended as a solid QB2 or Superflex play.
Insight pageJosh Allen
PositiveProjection1:40
Despite scoring less than half his points compared to the first two games, Josh Allen remains the QB1 overall and should be started with utmost confidence in all formats.
Insight pageJustin Herbert
NegativeBust23:34
Justin Herbert is a major disappointment and is likely cuttable in shallower 10-team leagues. He is a desperate start only in Superflex formats.
Insight pageKirk Cousins
PositiveProjection17:41
Kirk Cousins is the QB7 on the year with three straight games over 20 fantasy points. Despite a tough matchup against New England, he is considered undervalued.
Insight pageKyler Murray
NegativeProjection13:36
Kyler Murray's ranking is contingent on Justin Jefferson's health. He has struggled with only one touchdown on the season, but the matchup against the Saints is favorable.
Insight pageMatthew Stafford
PositiveProjection5:35
Matthew Stafford is a rock-solid QB1 against the Bills. He has thrown 162 passes this season and now has his full arsenal of weapons, including Puka Nakua and Devontae Adams, healthy.
Insight pageMichael Penix Jr.
PositiveProjection22:02
Michael Penix Jr. is expected to throw plenty to keep pace with Baltimore. While fantasy production has been low due to the run game, the law of averages suggests improvement.
Insight pageSam Darnold
NegativeProjection16:49
Sam Darnold faces a tough 49ers defense, making him a start only in Superflex formats. He has potential to pop off due to JSN.
Insight pageTrevor Lawrence
PositiveProjection5:02
Trevor Lawrence has been feast or famine, currently the QB16, but he is ranked in the top five for Week 5 as a 'get right' spot against the Eagles.
Insight pageTyson Bagent
NegativeProjection19:40
Tyson Bagent is a backup option for QB2 in Week 5. While the matchup against the Packers is favorable, his ceiling is limited by the team's run-heavy approach.
Insight pageFull transcript
Episode Transcript
0:00Welcome into the lineup fantasy football show. I'm Mitch Anderson.
0:03I'm Justin Mello. And if you have any start set questions, any trade questions or anything we can answer to help you
0:10in your week five matchup and beyond, let us know down below and we're going to answer every single comment.
0:16We're breaking down the top 24 quarterbacks for week five.
0:19And this week we try not to ask this too often, but our analytics show 96% of viewers are not yet subscribed.
0:26If you enjoy the content and tune in regularly, we'd love to have you in the community and it helps us out so much.
0:34So hit that subscribe button. But as always, the lineup is presented by Dabble Fantasy.
0:38Download and sign up for Dabble, then use the promo code LINEUP to get $50 in bonus cash when you play your first $5.
0:46You can also follow us at Lineup Mitch and copy our picks with one click on the Dabble app.
0:52But Mello, let's break down our top 24 here and then finish it out by revealing our top four plays of the week at quarterback.
1:00Number one is the guy who's number one every week, regardless of the matchup.
1:04And that's Josh Allen. This week he happens to be playing the Rams.
1:08He may have scored less than half as many points as he did in his first two games, but he's still the quarterback one overall.
1:16You're still starting him with the utmost confidence and he still should be the top quarterback on just about anyone's rankings.
1:22And Mitch, I'm feeling a little frisky right now.
1:25I'm going to give you a daily double and give you number two as well.
1:30It's Joe Burrow. Let me talk about some Joe Burrow.
1:33It hasn't been sunshine and lollipops for him this year, at least compared to what some people might have been hoping for for the draft capital.
1:41You had to give up, but he's the quarterback nine and Miami is actively trying to obtain the first overall pick.
1:48That's who they're playing this week. If Jamar Chase is still out with a concussion, I might be moving Burrow down a
1:54spot or two in these rankings, but I'm still starting him as my quarterback one regardless.
1:59I really love this spot for him. I'm going to let you get away with doing that daily double.
2:05If you let me get away with something. Okay.
2:08I want to put Jared Goff in our S tier.
2:11You know what? He didn't even have to convince me.
2:14I'm just in on that. I was like, I kind of think there's a world that he's the QB two on this slate.
2:22I'm absolutely putting him in the S tier quarterback five on the season.
2:26Now he's part of the game tied for the highest total, not only on the slate, but on the season thus far
2:32against the Arizona Cardinals golf has been slinging it all year.
2:36He should continue slinging it. This is such a plus matchup.
2:39Start Jared Goff with confidence. What a steal he's been in 2026.
2:43Yeah. I absolutely love Jared Goff this week. Lamb's having this incredible year.
2:47He still has George Pickens. I think the only thing that could slow him down in this spot is just the game script.
2:54The Cowboys could pull away early from Tampa Bay, who's just in shambles right now.
2:59But Dak's still a must start for sure. Yeah.
3:02A thousand percent. Onto our next guy, Trevor Lawrence taking on the Philadelphia Eagles.
3:06He's actually cooled off a lot since week one quarterback 16 right now on the year should hopefully be a decent get right spot for the passing game.
3:15It's been very feast or famine. Four touchdowns in week one, zero in week two, three in week three, and then one last week.
3:22Hopefully it's an odd numbered week thing. And he's right back on track.
3:26But I feel confident with Trevor Lawrence in our top five.
3:30He's like a micro version of Dak Prescott for the alternating weeks instead of years.
3:35Number six, Matt Stafford versus the Bills. He has thrown the ball a whopping 162 times this season already.
3:40I believe that was most in the NFL until Tyler Shuck on Monday night passed him.
3:45We are set for a potential shootout against the Bills.
3:49So I do love this spot. Puka Nakua and Devontae Adams both healthy, which has been a problem.
3:54Or at least was earlier this year. Stafford has his full arsenal and is a rock solid quarterback one.
4:00Yeah, I feel like we're giving way too much credit, honestly, to this Detroit Arizona game for the 53 and a half
4:07point total when this Buffalo LA game has the same one.
4:10So you might be going into your Monday night football matchup needing a miracle and it's about as good of an environment as possible to get one.
4:19Definitely. On to another guy in the A tier, Brock Purdy and Melo.
4:23It just feels so wrong putting fantasy football's quarterback to this low.
4:27But Seattle is a brutal matchup. I would still feel very confident in my personal MVP pick Brock Purdy in week five here against Seattle.
4:34He's a solid quarterback one. It just might lack the ceiling we've seen from him through the first four weeks.
4:41Yeah, but almost any other team in the NFL party is going to be higher than this.
4:46It's just a matter of Seattle being a really good defense and another quarterback playing a good defense.
4:52Tyler Shuck we have as our quarterback. A Monday night was not his best showing of the season.
4:57And I don't envision it getting a ton better against this Minnesota defense, but the past happy Saints and Shuck have been reliable from a fantasy football perspective.
5:06Shuck has been better than what you had to pay to get him for in via draft capital this season.
5:12So I still view him as a low end quarterback one despite a difficult matchup.
5:17Yeah, 100%. On to week nine. Oh my God.
5:20Jalen hurts. Melo. I have backed myself into a wall here of somehow being the last of the remaining Jalen hurts fantasy defenders.
5:27And I want to clarify fantasy football defender, not NFL defender of Jalen hurts.
5:31But this matchup should actually be a decent spot that will keep him throwing their four and a half point dogs plug him in.
5:39And I think we should see Jalen hurts get somewhat back on track here as a quarterback one.
5:44I think it is just panic in the streets the way it always is with Philadelphia, how it is with Jalen hurts
5:51because the football has been so ugly, but he is the quarterback 11 on the year.
5:56You just need to get right game here against Jacksonville.
5:59And I don't think that's out of the question.
6:02Yeah, the Lane Johnson thing definitely hurts, but yeah, no pun intended, but I mean, I still feel like you kind of
6:09have to start Jalen hurts as a low end quarterback one.
6:12So I'm still trending in that direction as well.
6:15At number 10 that we have, I think one of the most difficult quarterbacks to rank in week five, and that's Jaden Daniels commanders playing the Giants.
6:24We're projecting him to be back in the lineup.
6:26That's not a guarantee yet. Although it certainly seems like things are trending in that direction.
6:31If he does play, he might be less willing to run the ball than normal because of the elbow injury.
6:38So that does hurt his fantasy outlook. But with that said, it's a favorable matchup for an extremely talented quarterback.
6:44So I think he's worth the risk as a low end quarterback one, but it is certainly a risk.
6:50Yeah, I think unless you've got an abundance of riches and you've got one of these first nine guys, like you just kind of have to start him.
6:58Like if you've got Jaden Daniels, he's probably your best option.
7:02Let's move on to a guy though that just rose from the dead this past weekend.
7:07Mello's Drake may back. Drake may so back. He's so he might be so back.
7:12He was the quarterback one overall in week four.
7:14Now, while I don't expect that again, I do expect we see things land somewhere between what we saw weeks one through three.
7:22And that massive performance in week four, taking on the Las Vegas Raiders.
7:26I expect Drake may to play as a low end quarterback one, a guy you can slot in if necessary or really solid super flex.
7:33Yeah, couldn't agree more. Another guy you definitely can start this week is Jacoby Brissett in that shootout.
7:39We talked about earlier with the Lions. I just want quarterbacks and shootouts, and I don't know if there could ever be
7:46a game that screams shootout more than Cardinals Lions.
7:49Brissett might legitimately throw the ball 50 times to keep up with Jared Goff and company.
7:54And while nobody's mistaking Jacoby Brissett for his former teammate Tom Brady, just based off volume alone, he could be a really nice streaming option in this contest.
8:02I think there's going to be so many people that lose their matchups to like a Jacoby Brissett explosion game and nothing
8:09will be more infuriating in the world. Also funny though.
8:12Also very funny and exactly why we play fantasy football for the chaos.
8:16Onto the C tier. Let's talk about Kyler Murray at number 13.
8:20I'm at somewhat of a loss on what to do with Kyler.
8:24This ranking obviously bakes in a healthy Justin Jefferson.
8:27If he isn't good to go for Sunday, I'm probably dropping Kyler down.
8:31I don't know, like four or five spots here.
8:34Honestly, Kyler has one touchdown on the season. That has been a huge issue.
8:38Obviously, the time he's spent healthy with Justin Jefferson has not been a big overlap in the Venn diagram.
8:44So hopefully you can put together a solid start here against the Saints defense that just allowed 45 points to the Falcons on Monday Night Football.
8:52Yeah, it's a great spot, but I agree with you.
8:55It's tough to know what to do with him.
8:58It's not been pretty for Minnesota offensively. Similarly, Denver with Bo Nix, who we have at 14.
9:03Luckily, they're playing that Murphy's Law team, the Los Angeles Chargers.
9:07Nix has really struggled to get the offense going for most of this year.
9:11But you know how Cat Williams said a Chrysler 300 looks like a Phantom until a Phantom pulls up?
9:17It's kind of like that, except it's a pile of mud looks like crap until a legitimate pile of crap pulls up.
9:24The Chargers are the crap here in this analogy.
9:27So Nix could get right in LA and be a decent quarterback two option, although I'm a little reluctant to start him as a quarterback one.
9:35Yeah, I do kind of feel like this is just going to be like some offensive explosion game for Denver.
9:41But on to number 15. Let's talk about Jordan Love, because of course, Melo, somehow every one of these episodes, you get
9:48to talk about Parker Washington when we do wide receivers.
9:51And I get stuck talking about Jordan Love when we talk quarterbacks.
9:55Quarterback 14 on the year, incredibly safe floor, pretty low ceiling.
9:58He hasn't gone under 13 points and he hasn't broken 20.
10:02So if you need a solid quarterback two or super flex to get you through the week, I think Jordan Love's your guy.
10:09Yeah, I think that's well said. And Sam Darnold is our quarterback 16.
10:13Somewhat similar. He's playing the 49ers, though, which is a tough matchup.
10:16The Niners defense has been effective against opposing quarterbacks from a fantasy football perspective.
10:21But the quarterback opposite the Emerald City route artist is always worth a start in super flex format.
10:26So that's where I'm starting in two quarterbacks, super flex, not in one KB, though.
10:31Yeah, that's exactly where I'm at with Darnold. I think there's always the chance that he pops off because of JSN.
10:38On to number 17. Let's talk about Captain Kirk to finish out our C tier.
10:42I mean, we talk about Derrick Henry being an ageless wonder.
10:46Look at what Clint Kubiak is doing with Kirk Cousins.
10:49He has been unbelievable. Quarterback seven on the year with three straight games over 20 fantasy points.
10:54That is absolutely bonkers. Tougher matchup with New England.
10:57But we said that last week about Kansas City.
11:00We still saw Kirk Cousins crush. He was a top five quarterback in fantasy.
11:04Feels like this is somehow still too low for Kirk Cousins.
11:08And Mello, I'm going to hit you with a daily double.
11:11And I'm going to jump into my guy, Jameis Winston, right here.
11:15He's going to open up our D tier. Jameis could be in for a follow-up big game after his QBA performance last week.
11:22Starting to get in the rhythm. Now he gets the Washington Commanders who allow the second highest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this year.
11:30There's always a risk with Jameis. You don't know what you're going to get.
11:34But on the opposite side of that risk is all the upside you get starting Jameis Winston in your lineup.
11:40Yeah, high risk, high reward. Never know truly what to get out of a backup quarterback.
11:45Which is the perfect transition to number 19, Tyson, Bagent.
11:48They're playing the Packers. I'm not a huge Bajant guy personally.
11:52And I kind of think Ben Johnson is just going to run the ball 45 times again like he did last week.
11:59But this is a good matchup for the backup quarterback.
12:02And you know Ben Johnson loves embarrassing the Packers whenever he gets the chance to do so.
12:07So there are worse options for a quarterback too in week five.
12:11Yeah, that's such a good way of putting it.
12:14I have my hesitations just on the ceiling obviously from Tyson Bajant.
12:17But you never know what Ben Johnson is going to pull off against the Packers.
12:22He like truly hates them. Like actually. It's hilarious.
12:25But on to number 20, CJ Stroud. Stroud looked so much better with Nico Collins last week against Dallas.
12:31Quarterback five on the week, but he's still searching for their first win.
12:35I think Houston gets it here. I think Stroud puts together a solid performance against their fellow 0-4 division rival, Tennessee Titans.
12:42What a stinker of a game. Literally. Next game.
12:45Going into the year, people would have thought might have been 2-0-4 teams.
12:49But it's the Browns and the Jets and it's Deshaun Watson who's led his team to 3-1.
12:54I'm not rooting for the guy by any means.
12:57But there is no denying that he has been good the past few weeks.
13:01I'm still not sold on him or this offense as a whole just yet though.
13:06And the game script could be an issue if the Browns get off to an early lead.
13:11So there's more reliable options. But in 2QB or Superflex, you could do a lot worse.
13:16Yeah, I'm just personally shocked that a Jets-Browns game has even the slightest bit of intrigue for us here in week five.
13:23But I'll take it. At number 22, let's talk about Michael Penix to wrap up our D tier.
13:29All right, Melo, take your pick. 2007 Tom Brady or 2026 Michael Penix Jr.?
13:33I'll go Penix by a hair. By a hair.
13:36This guy comes back and the worst, most anemic offense in the NFL now has 80 points through two weeks.
13:42We should see Penix throwing plenty here to keep pace with Baltimore, even if it is likely Snoop Huntley at the helm.
13:49I just, I know it hasn't exactly turned into fantasy production just yet because Michael, sorry, not Michael Penix.
13:55Because Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson have been doing so much on the ground.
13:59But when you're scoring this many points, I have a feeling the law of averages is going to go back in Michael Penix's favor sooner than later.
14:08All right. You want to talk about someone who's not playing well?
14:11Yeah, let's do the F tier. The F tier.
14:14Justin Herbert belongs in the F tier. Cue the sad music.
14:18This is really depressing that I have to talk about Justin Herbert as our quarterback 23.
14:23I don't even know who to blame. I mean, Herbert obviously deserves a lot of blame.
14:27And I think the coaching staff probably does too.
14:30But regardless, it's just been a nightmare situation. He, I think, is probably cuttable at this point in one quarterback leagues, especially
14:37ones that are a bit shallower, shallower rosters. Maybe only 10 team versus 12 team.
14:42Like, you can probably cut Justin Herbert. But if you're in super flex, the options are slim.
14:47You might be forced to start him against this Denver defense.
14:51I would not love doing that, though. No, I, I know who to blame, Mello.
14:55And it's me for falling for it again. I feel like I'm in an abusive relationship with the Chargers every year.
15:02And you and everyone, everyone, we all delude ourselves every year.
15:05I'm guilty of it, too. I hate it. It's the fell for it again award, but it's me with the Los Angeles Chargers.
15:12On to number 24. Let's talk about Aaron Rodgers, who I can't believe I'm saying is I'm kind of excited to talk about him taking on Indy.
15:21Sneaky, the quarterback three last week, the quarterback eight in week three.
15:25Rodgers has like some genuine momentum. Now he gets the Colts surrendering the sixth most points of the position.
15:30You like might have Aaron Rodgers too low. I just, I can't in good conscience put Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers offense much higher than this.
15:39Just feels too gross. Yeah, it feels too gross.
15:42But Mello, let's jump into our top four plays of the week at quarterback, a.k.a.
15:46our week five Mount Passmore presented by Dabble, where we predict who will pass for more yards than projected in week five.
15:53Give me your first guy on the Mount Passmore.
15:56We talked about him earlier. Jacoby Bursette. Yeah, you took my guy again.
16:00The Lions secondary is putrid, and that might be putting it mildly.
16:04Like that might be worse than putrid. The Cardinals are going to have a classic Cardinals game like we saw so much
16:11last year, where Jacoby Bursette has to throw the ball 45 times, and the yards are just going to absolutely rack up.
16:18I love the over for Jacoby Bursette. I'm having a hard time seeing him miss it two weeks in a row, so
16:24I'm fully with you on Jacoby Bursette. Let's get stinky.
16:28Jalen Hurts, over 195 and a half. Hold your tomatoes and let me make my case.
16:33I know Hurts has been horrendous. Last week, 10 passing yards in the second half.
16:37But Philly is going to need to be throwing here in a negative game script.
16:42Jacksonville's defense has been really, really solid on paper, but they've actually allowed the second most passing yards in the NFL.
16:48I don't think it's going to look great to start, but I think you're going to get a ton of garbage time
16:55out of Jalen Hurts, and I think he's going to get over this 200-yard mark.
17:00That is stinky, but I like the pick. And I'm going to be stinkier than you know.
17:05Oh. I haven't showered in weeks, Mitch. Because I'm talking about Cam Ward here.
17:10Cam Ward, over 185 and a half yards. The Texans' pass defense has been way worse than people realize this year.
17:16In fact, they've been horrible. They have been one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL.
17:21Cam Ward could benefit from a pass-heavy attack in this must-win NFC South showdown.
17:26The Texans are going to be throwing a lot.
17:29We could see more points in this game than I think a lot of people are anticipating.
17:34And 185 and a half yards is not very high.
17:37I think Cam Ward hits this. Yeah, I actually really like this line a lot.
17:42I almost took Carnell Tate for our Mount Catchmore in next episode, but I'm glad we got Cam Ward in because I
17:49think Houston's a defense to attack right now. Let's hit our last guy, though, and let's talk Tyler Shuck.
17:55I get it. It's the Minnesota defense that has been living in quarterbacks' nightmares every week.
18:00But Shuck hasn't passed for less than $250 all season.
18:03My guess is he keeps it up here. I think this is a very modest line that he should have no issue hitting.
18:10But those are our four favorite plays of the week at quarterback.
18:14If you want to play alongside us, sign up for Dabble using the promo code LINEUP down in the description.
18:20You can get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 and copy any of our picks with one click when you
18:27follow us at LINEUP Mitch on the Dabble app.
18:29But Melo, before we get out of here, did we miss anything?
18:33We got it all. All right, we'll catch you guys tomorrow for a Tight Ends episode, plus a very special episode with
18:40Snoop from Smash X Step talking through our top 50 wide receivers in Dynasty.
18:44We'll catch you guys then.
