We’ve reached the first of the bye weeks as we hit Week 5 of the NFL season, so it’s time to test the depth of your fantasy squad. Between bye weeks and injuries, some high-profile players are not in this week’s rankings, and you may be trying to figure out replacements. To help you make all your lineup decisions, you can find my positional rankings each Monday on DK Network.
As we prepare for Week 5 to kick off with a matchup between the Buccaneers and Falcons on Thursday Night Football, let’s look at some of the biggest risers and fallers in my Week 5 fantasy football rankings.
QB Risers and Fallers
One of the biggest fantasy stories of the first four weeks of the season has been the emergence of Jayden Daniels as a top option at QB. His rushing upside and high efficiency have made him a lock in the top 10 every week this season, and this week I have him all the way up to No. 2 even in a tough home matchup against the Browns.
Jordan Love returned in Week 4 and is back in my top 10 for Week 5 after his strong showing against the Vikings, especially in the second half. He and the Packers are in a great matchup on the road against the Rams, and we’ll see if he can lock himself in as a weekly top-10 must-play with another big performance.
I liked Dak Prescott coming into his Week 4 matchup with the Giants, but even though the Cowboys won, their offense still seems off. Against the stingy Steelers in Pittsburgh, Dak failed to crack my top 10 this week.
Check out my full QB rankings for Week 5.
RB Risers and Fallers
Saquon Barkley on a bye means we have a new No. 1 this week, and I opted to go with Jordan Mason in my top spot barely ahead of resurgent producers Alvin Kamara and Derrick Henry, who both remain fixtures near the top of the rankings.
Kenneth Walker is back near the top of the rankings as well after his big game in his return against the Lions. He’s a great play this week against the Giants.
Here are a few adjustments that I would make to these rankings based on how the week has developed. With all the issues in Miami, I would drop De’Von Achane a few spots closer to No. 10 overall after seeing the Miami offense’s struggles on Monday night. I would also slide Rhamondre Stevenson down a few spots based on coach Jerod Mayo’s comments about him potentially being benched. I would also bump Chuba Hubbard up a few spots since Jonathon Brooks won’t eat into his workload for at least another week.
Check out my full RB rankings for Week 5.
WR Risers and Fallers
The big WR injury to watch heading into Week 5 is the availability of rookie sensation Malik Nabers. I have Nabers in my top 10 if he plays, but if he doesn’t, then Wan’Dale Robinson would definitely jump into my rankings and land around No. 20.
Of course, the other big injury at the position this week was the loss of Rashee Rice (knee), who I had in my top 5 for Week 4 but is obviously out of my rankings this week. Other big fallers this week include Brandon Aiyuk (with Deebo back) and Garrett Wilson.
Trending in the right direction, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Nico Collins both moved into my top five as they continue to post big numbers each week. Jayden Reed is also climbing and is just outside my top 10, especially now that Christian Watson (ankle) has been ruled out for at least this week. The emergence of Daniels as a passer has also lifted Terry McLaurin into the top 20, as the Commanders have been very impressive over the past two weeks.
Check out my full WR rankings for Week 5.
TE Risers and Fallers
Tight end continues to be a tough position to rank every week since the position has been low-scoring and volatile all season long. With injuries around him in the Chiefs’ offense, Travis Kelce moves back into the top spot in my rankings this week. Dalton Kincaid also climbs a few spots due to some players on bye weeks and Khalil Shakir dealing with an injury for the Bills.
Jake Ferguson and Pat Freiermuth are both in my top 10 for their Sunday Night Football matchup, while Colby Parkinson sneaks in as well as a sleeper play. Just outside my top 10 are Tucker Kraft from the Packers and Cade Otton from the Bucs, who can help if you need bye-week relief.
Missing from my rankings this week is Mark Andrews, who my colleague Alex Hunter broke down on Tuesday.
Check out my full TE rankings for Week 5.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
