Week 5 Fantasy Football QB Ranks and Tiers: Jared Goff QB3, Jacoby Brissett QB9, MORE

Ian Hartitz ranks Aaron Rodgers as QB24; while he has thrown three-plus touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time since 2021, he is not considered a priority start.

Ian Hartitz notes that Nix's efficiency metrics are trending downward, he is running less due to a potential ankle issue, and he currently ranks as the lowest average target depth passer in the league, making a return to QB1 territory unlikely.

Brock Purdy is a top-seven QB with a favorable schedule through Week 10, though Hartitz ranks him lower this week due to a difficult matchup against Mike McDonald's Seahawks defense. Despite his incredible play and moving from a QB12 ADP to QB2 in PPG, Hartitz prefers starting Jared Goff over him this week.

Bryce Young has seen a massive jump in performance, moving from a QB17 ADP to performing as the QB3. Ian Hartitz observes that Young is beginning to live up to the upside that made him a top draft pick, noting he looked impressive on Sunday Night Football.

Ian Hartitz ranks C.J. Stroud as QB12, praising his pocket presence and accuracy despite a lack of supporting cast. Stroud is averaging a career-best 285 passing yards per game and is expected to benefit from a high-volume passing game against the Titans. Stroud has significantly outperformed his preseason ADP of QB27, currently ranking as the QB11.

Ranked as QB30, Cam Ward is coming off a performance where he showed positive signs of his 'backyard football' off-script playmaking ability. However, Hartitz warns that Ward faces a difficult matchup against a 'winless, pissed-off' Texans defense that is expected to dominate the game.

Ian Hartitz notes that Dalton Schultz has been a reliable target for C.J. Stroud for stretches of the season, benefiting from the quarterback's high level of play.

Ian Hartitz ranks Daniel Jones as QB29, describing his play as "absolute crap" and noting he is playing "scared." Evidence includes a poor performance last week with 2.3 adjusted net yards per attempt—the seventh-worst single-game performance of the season—averaging under six yards per attempt and only 5.3 rushing yards per game, a significant decline from his 12.6 average last year.

Ian Hartitz ranks Deshaun Watson as QB18, highlighting his significant rushing production (31.8 yards per game) which trails only Lamar Jackson and Drake Maye. While Hartitz notes Watson's high rate of bad throws, he argues the Browns' offense is trending toward 'more good than bad' due to Watson's mobility and improved EPA per drop-back compared to previous seasons; he is also providing good value as the QB13.

Ian Hartitz expresses uncertainty regarding DeVonta Smith's return from a hamstring injury, which negatively impacts the Eagles' passing game and Jalen Hurts' fantasy value.

Drake Maye has been a disappointment relative to his QB3 ADP, currently ranking as the QB23 in fantasy points per game, though Ian Hartitz notes he is moving in the right direction. Maye is a strong fantasy play due to his rushing archetype, trailing only Lamar Jackson in rushing yards for the position, but he may be under more duress than usual in his upcoming matchup.

Ian Hartitz recommends Jacoby Brissett as a go-to streaming option for Week 5, ranking him as the QB9. Brissett benefits from constant comeback game scripts that drive fantasy points, despite his league-worst 5.4 yards per attempt. Hartitz notes that fantasy production is independent of style points or efficiency.

Ian Hartitz ranks Jalen Hurts as QB15, citing poor passing efficiency, the absence of key weapons like DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, and a lack of confidence in the Eagles' offense. Hurts has significantly underperformed his QB5 ADP, currently ranking as the QB12 in fantasy points per game. Vegas implied team totals suggest the Eagles are among the lowest-scoring offenses in the league, though he does have a top-five favorable schedule through week 10.

Ian Hartitz ranks Jameis Winston as QB19, viewing him as a viable streamer against the Commanders. Hartitz is encouraged by Winston's 250-yard, 3-touchdown performance in his first 'normal' game, but remains cautious about his ability to handle the blitz and his tendency for erratic interceptions. Hartitz also questions Winston's long-term job security as the starter through week 10.

Ian Hartitz ranks Jared Goff as a top-tier QB (QB3/QB4) for Week 5, citing a favorable matchup against a poor Cardinals defense and the Lions' pass-heavy, high-scoring offensive scheme. Goff has been a standout performer, moving from a QB16 ADP to QB4 in PPG, with Hartitz calling him a potential league MVP and preferring him over Brock Purdy in start/sit decisions.

Ian Hartitz ranks Jayden Daniels as QB14, expressing concerns about his health, specifically noting he is playing with a "JJ Watt style" elbow brace and faces high reinjury risk. Hartitz cites poor efficiency metrics dating back to last year and may drop him further if reports indicate he is struggling to stay healthy, though he acknowledges Daniels should have time to throw based on trench pressure metrics.

Ian Hartitz identifies the absence of Pat Bryant as a positive factor for Jaylen Waddle's potential target volume moving forward.

Ian Hartitz ranks Joe Burrow as the QB5 for Week 5, noting he would move him to QB2 if Ja'Marr Chase is active. Burrow is averaging a career-high 293 passing yards per game. Hartitz notes that Tee Higgins' adductor/groin injury is a key factor; if Higgins is out, Hartitz would drop Burrow's ranking to around QB10.

Ian Hartitz ranks Jordan Love as QB17, citing career-low completion rates and yards per attempt. However, he notes that poor rushing efficiency has forced the Packers into high-volume passing situations, ranking 8th in plays per minute and 2nd in drop-back rate over expected, which has kept Love fantasy-relevant.

Ian Hartitz ranks Justin Herbert as QB26 and is fading him due to a brutal upcoming schedule (Broncos, Chiefs, Rams, Texans, Ravens) and significant offensive line injuries (Slater, Alt). Herbert has been a bust relative to his QB8 ADP, currently ranking as the QB25 in fantasy points per game, failing to reach 230 passing yards or multiple touchdowns in games, and showing concerning health trends while playing through rib issues.

Ian Hartitz ranks Kirk Cousins as QB13, admitting he was initially too low on the quarterback. Cousins is currently "absolutely crushing it" with 19.7 fantasy points per game (10th highest) and is providing strong value as the current QB9. Hartitz praises his recent performance, including his off-script playmaking ability, despite a tough upcoming schedule.

Ian Hartitz ranks Kyler Murray as QB20, expressing concern over his limited rushing usage, noting that he has effectively only had five rushing attempts across his first two starts, which diminishes his fantasy floor. Hartitz emphasizes that Murray needs to run more to be a viable fantasy asset, though he notes that a favorable upcoming schedule stretch against the Saints, Colts, Lions, Bills, and Packers could provide an opportunity for a turnaround if his usage changes.

Ian Hartitz is hesitant to trust the Chargers' offense due to potential injury concerns for Ladd McConkey combined with significant offensive line issues involving Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Hartitz explicitly states he is out on the Chargers' passing game if these players are unavailable.

Ian Hartitz advises against relying on Lamar Jackson for Week 5 due to an injury that has shifted his status from day-to-day to having only an 'outside chance' to play. Hartitz notes that missing multiple games is a possibility, despite Jackson's strong performance prior to the injury.

Ian Hartitz ranks Malik Willis as QB28, noting he is 35th in fantasy points per game and criticizing the lack of designed rushing usage, which was his primary fantasy appeal. Willis is currently on pace for only 81 carries this year, failing to meet preseason expectations that high-volume rushing quarterbacks don't bust.

Ian Hartitz ranks Matthew Stafford as the QB6 for Week 5, highlighting a streak of three consecutive 300-plus passing yard games and improved mobility. Stafford also benefits from a favorable upcoming schedule from Week 5 through Week 10, ranking second in opponent fantasy points allowed.

Ian Hartitz ranks Michael Penix Jr. as his QB23, finding it difficult to get excited about his fantasy outlook due to the low volume in the Falcons' offense (25 and 20 attempts in the last two weeks) and a lack of reliable receiving options outside of Drake London.

Ian Hartitz ranks Sam Darnold as QB16, expressing cautious optimism for Week 5. His fantasy ceiling depends on game script; while the Seahawks are 27th in drop-back rate over expected, this week's matchup features one of the highest game totals of the week, providing optimism for a potential shootout.

Tee Higgins is dealing with an adductor/groin injury. His availability is a critical factor for Joe Burrow's fantasy outlook; Hartitz notes that if Higgins is out, he would downgrade Burrow's ranking to around QB10.

Ian Hartitz ranks Trevor Lawrence as QB8, noting that while his passing efficiency is excellent, his fantasy ceiling is capped by a low 51% dropback rate due to game scripts where the Jaguars build leads and run the ball. Hartitz also notes a lack of rushing production compared to his previous nine-touchdown season, though he identifies Lawrence as a quarterback who should have time to throw this week based on trench pressure metrics.

Ian Hartitz ranks Tyler Huntley as a QB1 for the week against the Vikings, noting he is the starter if Lamar Jackson is out. While Huntley has struggled in the first half (QB15 in PPG), he is a high-end producer in the second half and overtime (QB3 in PPG). However, Hartitz warns that his 'Cinderella story' upside may be fading, especially if he suffers a lower-body injury.

Ian Hartitz expects the Bears to rely on the run game against the Packers, suggesting Tyson Bagent will not need to keep his foot on the gas through the air, which limits his fantasy upside.