As the first set of bye weeks begin, our Week 5 fantasy QB rankings feature a condensed list of 28 signal-callers. Whether you're in need of a streamer to step in for an underperforming quarterback like Joe Burrow, or a bye-week QB like Justin Herbert, we're here to help point you in the right direction.
Week 4 saw some massive performances from Josh Allen, Justin Fields, Anthony Richardson, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts, and a big game from your fantasy QB gives your squad every opportunity to end the week in the win column.
Which QBs are in a position to pop off in Week 5? Let's break down our favorite streamers and sleepers while pinpointing this week's crop of potential bust candidates. We'll also highlight the QBs in the best position for success along with the QBs dealing with nagging injuries, giving you a snapshot into the current QB fantasy landscape.
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Which QB are on bye in Week 5?
Four teams are idle in Week 5: the Chargers, Browns, Seahawks, and Buccaneers. As a result, Justin Herbert, Deshaun Watson, Geno Smith, and Baker Mayfield are omitted from our rankings.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Unfortunately, fantasy owners won't have the option to start a QB against the Chargers next week, as Los Angeles had been yielding the most fantasy points per game to QBs entering Week 4. However, it balances out since the Browns, who entered Week 4 allowing the fewest fantasy points per game versus QBs, are also on a bye. Lamar Jackson did have his way against Cleveland's defense in Week 4, but his dynamic playmaking abilities make him one of the toughest QBs to contain over 60 minutes.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Who are the best fantasy QBs in Week 5?
In Week 5, only one bona fide QB1, Herbert, is on a bye, so the top of our rankings doesn't see much of an adjustment.
Patrick Mahomes (@ Vikings in Week 5), reclaims the top spot in a promising matchup, as the Vikings' defense entered Week 4 allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to QBs. Bryce Young didn't have much success against the Vikings' blitz-heavy defense in Week 4, but we fully expect the reigning MVP to get his.
After throwing for 320 yards and four TDs while adding another score on the ground in an impressive 48-20 win over the Dolphins, Josh Allen (vs. Jaguars) ranks as our overall QB2. Despite the Jaguars feasting off Desmond Ridder, Allen's as close to matchup-proof as it gets, giving him a real chance to end the week as the overall QB1 across the pond.
Jalen Hurts (@ Rams) sits as the overall QB3 after orchestrating a come-from-behind victory over the Commanders to preserve the Eagles' undefeated record. Tua Tagovailoa (vs. Giants) and Lamar Jackson (@ Steelers) cap off our top five. A divisional matchup against the Bills gave Tua trouble, but look for the Dolphins' offense to get back on track against the Giants.
Jackson's starting to find his groove in new offensive coordinator Todd Monken's offenses, and in what could be a similar script as Baltimore's Week 4 matchup against an offense with a subpar QB (Mitch Trubisky), look for another impressive stat line from Jackson.
WEEK 5 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
Who are the best fantasy QB sleepers, waiver pickups in Week 5?
For those in need of a Week 5 QB streamer, youngsters C.J. Stroud (@ Falcons) and Sam Howell (vs. Bears) fit the mold as viable fill-ins/sleepers. While Howell seems to have the better matchup, Stroud's consistency and continual improvement lead to a superior Week 5 ranking.
While bye weeks play a factor, Matthew Stafford (vs. Eagles) secures a spot in our top 10 and is another sleeper to watch for in Week 5. He's owned in just 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, so there's a chance you can grab him off the waiver wire to make a spot start. Going a bit deeper, Jordan Love (@ Raiders) is in line for a formidable fantasy day against a struggling Raiders defense that's had issues generating pressure despite blitzing at a high rate.
WEEK 5 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Who are the biggest potential QB busts in Week 5?
Both Brock Purdy (vs. Cowboys), and Dak Prescott (@ 49ers) see downticks in their respective Week 5 rankings in what could be a defensive-minded Cowboys-49ers showdown.
Sure, Justin Fields (@ Commanders) looked like the QB he was hyped as this offseason, but he won't have the luxury of playing the Broncos every week. He's always a threat for a big day, but a short-week road tilt doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.
Kirk Cousins (@ Chiefs) sees his Week 5 ranking dip after an uneasy performance against the Panthers coupled with a tough test against a much-improved Chiefs stop unit.
Joe Burrow (@ Cardinals) has been nothing but a bust through four weeks, but he's in a spot to post a relatively decent fantasy day against the 1-3 Cardinals. We won't fault you for benching Burrow, but if there's ever a spot for a big breakout, Week 5's the time.
Trevor Lawrence (vs. Bills) has gotten off to a frustrating start and has had a couple of "bust" weeks, but in a projected shootout against Buffalo in London, we think he's more likely to finish the week as a top-10 quarterback than deliver a dud effort.
What are the biggest QB injuries in Week 5?
Last week was the most injury-heavy week of the early season, as numerous QBs popped up on their squad's Week 4 injury reports.
Anthony Richardson (head) and Bryce Young (ankle) returned after one-game absences and looked no worse for the wear, but Jimmy Garoppolo (head) and Deshaun Watson (right shoulder) weren't healthy enough to suit up. Derek Carr (right shoulder) looked like he might be on the wrong side of "questionable" but toughed it out in Week 4.
As for in-game injuries, Kenny Pickett (leg) was the lone QB to leave game action. However, Pickett is on track to return to game action against the Ravens.
We also expect Garoppolo to clear the league's concussion protocol ahead of Las Vegas' Monday night matchup against the Packers. Watson gets a week to heal up with Cleveland on bye, and he'll be back under center in Week 6.
It's also worth noting that Kyler Murray (knee) is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list this week, but it's unlikely Arizona will take him off the PUP for at least another couple of weeks.
We'll be updating these QB rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.
Fantasy QB Rankings Week 5: Who to start, sit at quarterback
These rankings are based on four-point passing TD scoring
Rank Player
1 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ Vikings
2 Josh Allen, Bills vs. Jaguars
3 Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ Rams
4 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins vs. Giants
5 Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ Steelers
6 Anthony Richardson, Colts vs. Titans
7 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars @ Bills
8 Jared Goff, Lions vs. Panthers
9 Matthew Stafford, Rams vs. Eagles
10 Joe Burrow, Bengals @ Cardinals
11 Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. Chiefs
12 C.J. Stroud, Texans @ Falcons
13 Sam Howell, Commanders vs. Bears
14 Jordan Love, Packers @ Raiders
15 Justin Fields, Bears @ Commanders
16 Brock Purdy, 49ers vs. Cowboys
17 Dak Prescott, Cowboys @ 49ers
18 Russell Wilson, Broncos vs. Jets
19 Daniel Jones, Giants @ Dolphins
20 Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders vs. Packers
21 Derek Carr, Saints @ Patriots
22 Josh Dobbs, Cardinals vs. Bengals
23 Ryan Tannehill, Titans @ Colts
24 Mac Jones, Patriots vs. Saints
25 Kenny Pickett, Steelers vs. Ravens
26 Zach Wilson, Jets @ Broncos
27 Bryce Young, Panthers @ Lions
28 Desmond Ridder, Falcons vs. Texans
Week 5 QB fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week
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