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Quarterback
Start of the Week: Justin Fields (v DAL)
Fields showed his monster upside with 31.98 fantasy points last week, and now he enters a primetime matchup versus a Cowboys defense that will likely be without Micah Parsons (ankle) along with Demarcus Lawrence (foot)—which severely saps the power from the Dallas pass rush. Mike Zimmer’s unit hasn’t played up to expectations to begin with by allowing the tenth-most passing yards per attempt in the league (7.5), but the rushing upside is what’s most exciting about Fields, and Lamar Jackson rushed 14 times for 87 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys a couple of weeks ago. Consider Fields a top-three option on Sunday night.
Start: Brock Purdy (v ARI)
For anyone still doubting Purdy as an elite quarterback, he has the second-most passing yards in the league through four weeks despite injuries to key players around him, and he’s averaging an NFL-best 9.3 yards per attempt. Last year, Purdy absolutely dissected Arizona by completing 20-of-21 passes for 283 yards and a score in the first matchup before tossing four touchdowns in the rematch, and the trio of Deebo Samuel Sr., Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings with George Kittle at tight end makes him a top-five option—especially if the Cardinals can keep up to make it a game.
Start: Jordan Love (@ LAR)
Interceptions have been an issue for Love so far this season, but the good news is that he came out of Sunday’s loss healthy, and Green Bay should be able to build on the momentum from the comeback attempt that saw their quarterback throw for nearly 400 yards. The Rams have really struggled on the backend with 9.1 yards per attempt (most in the league) and an 8:1 touchdown-interception ratio allowed to opponents, and Love still has plenty of firepower with Christian Watson (ankle) out. He’s a strong QB1 based on the matchup.
Start: Geno Smith (v NYG)
Smith very quietly leads the NFL in passing yards through four weeks, and the only thing holding him back is the lack of touchdowns (four) and some bad interception luck (four). In general, investors should be encouraged about how Smith and the offense have looked under Ryan Grubb, and the Giants don’t have the options at cornerback to slow down DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett this weekend. The veteran is a top streaming option and makes the QB1 ranks as bye weeks begin.
Sit of the Week: Sam Darnold (v NYJ)
Darnold leading the NFL in touchdown passes (11) and throwing to Justin Jefferson in Kevin O’Connell’s offense could realistically make him a matchup-proof option—and I’m sure he’ll be determined to play well against the franchise that drafted him. That said, the Jets have remained unforgiving with 128.0 passing yards per game and just two touchdown passes allowed so far this season, and I think we could see a run-heavy approach for Minnesota in London to make Darnold a low-end QB2.
Sit: Dak Prescott (@ PIT)
There is some upside for Prescott if the injured Dallas defense has trouble on Sunday night to make it a high-scoring game, but the matchup is difficult on the road, and my primary concern is T.J. Watt living in the backfield with the Cowboys still gelling on the offensive line. The silver lining is that Joey Porter Jr. probably won’t follow CeeDee Lamb into the slot, so I still expect a solid night for Dak—it’s the floor that is a possible concern for Week 5 if Pittsburgh’s pass rush is too much to handle.
Sit: Baker Mayfield (@ ATL)
Mayfield has run hot-and-cold to begin the season with 29.66 fantasy points against the Commanders and 28.88 fantasy points against the Eagles (the two worst passes defenses from a season ago) sandwiching 174.0 passing yards per game and a 2:2 touchdown-interception ratio versus Detroit and Denver, so the matchup is key in determining his value. Last year, Mayfield wasn’t at his best versus Atlanta, and the division rival appears to be better defensively than they were in 2023—making Tampa Bay’s quarterback more of a QB2.
Sit: Aaron Rodgers (@ MIN)
Maybe the craziness of London games will lead to New York breaking through offensively, but I get the sense they will again struggle versus a very aggressive defense after not handling the pressure Denver brought last week—and it’s easy to picture Rodgers again being deflated on the sideline with the Jets facing a 2-3 record. For what it’s worth, the four-time NFL MVP struggled against the Vikings with 177.0 passing yards per game and a 1:1 touchdown-interception ratio in two matchups back in 2022, and his former division rival is even better now with Brian Flores leading the defense. I’d look elsewhere.
Running Back
Start of the Week: De’Von Achane (@ NE)
This worked out last month when Achane was a question mark with an ankle injury that caused some fantasy owners to bench him on a short week, and now the talk of sitting the electric weapon is due to overall struggles for Miami with Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) out. I am confident Achane should remain a top-ten option, though, as the upside is too high to keep out of lineups, and he will start ripping off chunk yards sooner rather than later with just 3.1 yards per carry on the year (compared to 7.8 yards per carry as a rookie).
Start: Rhamondre Stevenson (v MIA)
Another factor helping Achane is that Dolphins-Patriots is unlikely to be a lopsided game one way or another, so that also boosts Stevenson with New England coming off back-to-back losses of 17+ points. Of course, fumbling issues with Stevenson putting the ball on the ground in all four games to begin the season makes this somewhat risky (Jared Mayo even said he might not start), but I doubt the Pats go away from a guy they just gave a four-year extension to. I’d play Stevenson as a top-20 option with Antonio Gibson also getting a boost as a FLEX.
Start: Trey Sermon (@ JAX)
Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is expected to miss a game after going down last week, so Sermon could be primed for the lead role as a very talented backup on a team that wants to run the ball. For his career, Sermon has impressed in two games with more than 10 carries—rushing 19 times for 89 yards (4.7 YPC) as a rookie with the 49ers and turning 17 carries into 88 yards (5.2 YPC) versus a tough Pittsburgh defense last year. If he gets that kind of workload, Sermon should pay dividends as an RB2.
Start: Jaleel McLaughlin (v LV)
The Broncos have used a three-man committee this year, but Tyler Badie (back) going down last week might lead to them centering the rushing attack on just Javonte Williams and McLaughlin. If so, the exciting change-of-pace runner would see an increased floor and ceiling, and the Raiders have surprisingly struggled versus the run with 137.5 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry allowed through four weeks to make McLaughlin the perfect bye week fill-in.
Sit of the Week: Zamir White (@ DEN)
Struggles for White continued last week with a lost fumble, and he’s now averaging 3.1 yards per carry on the season, has yet to find the end zone, and sees limited work in the passing game. A matchup versus a Denver defense that flies around and just contained Breece Hall (10 carries for four yards) isn’t expected to get him on track, especially with Alexander Mattison getting the more valuable touches in short-yardage situations and through the air. White is just a bench stash until things improve.
Sit: Zack Moss (v BAL)
It was good to see Cincinnati ride the running game last week after failing to do so in the loss to Washington in Week 3, as Moss and Chase Brown combined for 36 touches in a 34-24 victory. Unfortunately, the success could be halted with the Ravens easily having the league’s best run defense through four weeks in terms of both rushing yards per game (57.8) and yards per carry (3.0) allowed—so Moss should be viewed as a touchdown-dependent FLEX as he splits carries with Brown.
Sit: Austin Ekeler (v CLE)
Ekeler (concussion) is set to return this week, but Brian Robinson Jr. is the obvious lead back for Washington, and Jeremy McNichols going off last week with 68 yards and two scores on the ground could cut into Ekeler’s workload. Also, the Browns have underperformed thus far defensively and should come to play facing the prospects of a 1-4 start. Basically, I’d rather start guys like Braelon Allen, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Antonio Gibson among backup runners this week.
Sit: Cowboys RBs (@ PIT)
Pittsburgh has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs (13.8), and opponents hadn’t really done anything against them on the ground before Jonathan Taylor churned his way to 108 total yards last week. I don’t think anyone will expect Dallas to have the same kind of patience to play through the running game, so Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott are both options to avoid if possible, and you’re probably hoping for a touchdown.
Wide Receiver
Start of the Week: Zay Flowers (@ CIN)
Flowers has been a disappointment to begin the season with 37 or fewer receiving yards in three-of-four games, but Cincinnati has really struggled to cover with Rashee Rice (5/75/1), Terry McLaurin (4/100/1), Diontae Johnson (7/83/1), and Xavier Legette (6/66/1) all having big games against them—including as downfield threats. I doubt the AFC North showdown will be a blowout despite domination for Baltimore against top opponents over the past two weeks, so hopefully Flowers is more involved and can have his upside unlocked as a WR2.
Start: Brandon Aiyuk (v ARI)
Aiyuk is another wideout that hasn’t performed up to expectations to begin 2024, but the October matchup last year versus Arizona saw him catch all six of his targets for 148 yards—and it’s only a matter of time before he breaks out in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. While the Cardinals want to limit big plays for opposing passing attacks under Jonathan Gannon, it hasn’t worked out with the second-most passing yards per attempt allowed (8.5), and a month of game action after missing training camp could have the rust knocked off for Aiyuk.
Start: Brian Thomas Jr. (v IND)
Not only did Thomas produce in September with a 17/275/2 line, 16.2 yards per reception, and 10.6 yards per target, but he did it against a challenging schedule (@ MIA, v CLE, @ BUF, @ HOU)—so the arrow is pointing way up for the rookie. After seeing George Pickens catch seven-of-11 targets for 113 yards against the Colts last week, I’d anticipate Thomas will have big game as a featured part of the passing attack. He’s a top-24 play at wide receiver.
Start: Romeo Doubs (@ LAR)
Jayden Reed is deservedly drawing plenty of praise and Dontayvion Wicks (5/75/2) is should continue to shine with Christian Watson out, but Doubs continues to run as the No. 1 wideout in terms of snaps (86% last week) and has seen 15 targets in two games with Jordan Love healthy. The production—particularly in scoring territory—will soon be there, and the Rams are a tremendous matchup. Get Doubs in lineups as a low-end WR2/FLEX option.
Others: Michael Pittman Jr. (@ JAX), JuJu Smith-Schuster (v NO)
Sit of the Week: Diontae Johnson (@ CHI)
Johnson’s numbers with Andy Dalton under center have been excellent (lines of 8/122/1 and 7/83/1), but Chicago’s stingy secondary could cool him off with modest production allowed to wide receivers through four games (41 receptions and one touchdown)—so I have a difficult time getting on board with the borderline WR1/WR2 ranking that many have for Carolina’s top weapon. He remains a solid play, but the next two games (v ATL, @ WAS) should be more favorable for Johnson if you’re banking on anything close to the production from the past two weeks.
Sit: Terry McLaurin (v CLE)
Cleveland isn’t playing at the level they did in 2023, but they have still mostly limited opposing wideouts other than Malik Nabers (8/78/2) through four weeks—while McLaurin has been used in more of an underneath role than expected with just 10.1 yards per reception. If not for connecting on the game-sealing 27-yard touchdown against the Bengals in Week 3, we might be having a very different conversation about McLaurin’s outlook moving forward, and he’s our overall WR28 based on the matchup.
Sit: Jaylen Waddle (@ NE)
Waddle is one of my favorite buy-low targets because it sounds like Tua Tagovailoa will return in Week 8, but the Miami passing attack simply isn’t in a good spot without the starter—making the speedster a volatile FLEX that’s dependent on a chunk play and/or score. As stated last week, the steadiness for Waddle that is typically there gets erased without Tua in the lineup, and a matchup versus New England isn’t enough to feel confident about him at this point.
Sit: Jordan Addison (v NYJ)
The return to the lineup for Addison couldn’t have gone much better with a highly efficient three receptions (on four targets) for 72 yards and a touchdown last week, and he also turned his lone carry into a seven-yard score. Again, maybe the Jets won’t be able to slow down the combination of Kevin O’Connell and Sam Darnold, but the floor at least needs to be lowered for Addison in a potential low-scoring game across the pond.
Others: Tank Dell (v BUF), Curtis Samuel (@ HOU)
Tight End
Start: of the Week: David Njoku (@ WAS)
Njoku (ankle) has been out since going down in the opener, but Cleveland desperately needs him back, and it sounds like there is a decent chance he suits up in Washington. Assuming that’s the case, Njoku can immediately be started as a top-five option based on how bad tight end has been, as he was the offensive focal point down the stretch in 2023, and the Commanders allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to the position is misleading due to the easy schedule.
Start: Kyle Pitts (v TB)
This might end up being false hope more than anything else, and Atlanta’s new coaching staff sounding a lot like the previous one regarding Pitts’ role following a zero-catch effort certainly raised alarm bells. I’m going to bank on the talent for at least one more week, though, and Pitts has put up quality numbers in all four career matchups against the Bucs with lines of 5/73, 4/48, 3/47, and 3/57/1.
Start: Colby Parkinson (v GB)
I mentioned Parkinson being a factor in scoring territory last week, but he was targeted on an interception in the end zone that was overturned after review. Still, the opportunity was at least encouraging, and Parkinson saw seven targets against Chicago and has weekly involvement in Sean McVay’s offense. With the Packers allowing 13.6 fantasy points per game to the tight ends of the Titans and Vikings over the past two weeks, I like Parkinson to exceed expectations this weekend.
Sit of the Week: Dalton Schultz (v BUF)
Schultz has seen five targets in each of the past two games and went for a season-high 34 yards last week, but the production has remained very limited—which could remain the case with Stefon Diggs perhaps being fed versus his former team. Either way, the Texans could have Tank Dell (ribs) back on Sunday, and they have played more through the wide receivers this season to put Schultz firmly in the mid-to-low-end TE2 ranks.
Sit: Hunter Henry (v MIA)
Outside of a 109-yard performance in Week 2, Henry has been limited to 39 scoreless yards in the other three games—and he’s yet to find the end zone for a New England offense that has struggled mightily since a decent start. Touchdown potential has always been part of the appeal for Henry, but the chances are decreased if the Patriots can’t move the ball, so you’re better off targeting an option in a better offense.
Sit: Jonnu Smith (@ NE)
Smith is another tight end that showed well in Week 2 (six receptions for 53 yards), but Tua Tagovailoa going down derailed things for him—and now the entire Miami offense is seeking answers until their quarterback returns. Especially with De’Von Achane being used more as a wide receiver, Smith isn’t a recommended option alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.