Fantasy Football WR PPR Rankings Week 5: Who to start, best sleepers at wide receiver

Nick Musial

Fantasy Football WR PPR Rankings Week 5: Who to start, best sleepers at wide receiver image

As the 2023 fantasy football season continues to unfold, we're here to help you navigate the ever-fluid landscape that is the wide receiver position. Get ready for Week 5 with our fantasy WR PPR rankings—a valuable asset to propel you toward victory and elevate your place in your league's early-season standings.

The bye-weeks are here, injuries are piling up, and a few receivers who haven't played yet this year are expected to return. What more could you ask for?

Whether you're in need of a dependable bye-week streamer, an injury replacement, or aiming to spot this week's crop of potential sleepers, our Week 5 WR PPR rankings have got you covered. 

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Which WRs are on bye in Week 5?

The first set of bye weeks sees the Chargers, Browns, Seahawks, and Buccaneers idle in Week 5. As a result, fantasy owners will be without the services of Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer, Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, and Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, among others. 

WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS: 
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Perhaps just as important, fantasy owners won't be able to exploit the Chargers' and Seahawks' putrid pass defenses with their sleeper receivers this week.

WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS: 
QBs | RBs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy WRs Week 5?

Despite a disappointing fantasy effort in a 48-20 loss to the Bills, Tyreek Hill assumes the top spot in our rankings, drawing a favorable matchup against a Giants' bunch who's trotting out two rookie cornerbacks. 

There's always a case to be made for Justin Jefferson (vs. Chiefs in Week 5) in the top spot, but if there's a secondary that's capable of holding him in check, it's Kansas City's. Stefon Diggs (vs. Jaguars) also makes a case for the top spot, but we give the slight edge to Hill and Jefferson.

Davante Adams (vs. Packers) should have Jimmy Garoppolo back at QB, boosting his chances of balling out against his former squad. A.J. Brown (@ Rams) feasted for a second consecutive game, and his high target share over the past two weeks makes him one of the best fantasy WRs for Week 5.

CeeDee Lamb (@49ers) draws a tough matchup against the 49ers but is still a bona fide WR1 in PPR formats. 

Week 5 could also result in the season debut of Cooper Kupp (@ Eagles). Puka Nacua's ranking dips with the Rams' WR1 back on the field, but both wideouts profile as must-starts. 

WEEK 5 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em

Who are the best fantasy WR sleepers, waiver pickups Week 5?

Although there aren't any "must-adds" on the waiver wire front this week, fantasy owners should consider picking up Michael Wilson (vs. Bengals), Tyler Boyd (@ Cardinals), Terrace Marshall (@ Lions), Josh Reynolds (vs. Panthers), Braxton Berrios (vs. Giants), and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (@ Colts). 

In Week 4, Reynolds saw (six) targets, which was the second-most among Lions' pass-catchers in Week 4. He profiles as a formidable bye-week streamer given his consistent volume, which likely won't be affected this week even with Jameson Williams (vs. Panthers) expected back from suspension.

Wilson consistently logs a high snap share and just caught two TDs in Week 4, so he's in play against an underwhelming Bengals' defense. Similarly, Marshall has seen at least eight targets the past two weeks, and with the Panthers' routinely into negative game scripts, don't expect his target numbers to decrease anytime soon.

Westbrook-Ikhine saw an uptick in usage with Treylon Burks (knee) missing time, and if Burks sits out another game, Westbrook-Ikhine looks like a deep-league flex play against the Colts.

WEEK 5 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

Who are the biggest potential WR busts Week 5?

Unless you don't have a better replacement option, we'd steer clear of Broncos WRs not named Jerry Jeudy (and even possibly him), so, you probably shouldn't start Courtland Sutton or Marvin Mims (vs. Jets).

While his Week 4 dud doesn't help, we'd also avoid Tank Dell (vs. Falcons), as the Falcons have been surprisingly solid against WRs this year. Jordan Addison (vs. Chiefs), Drake London (vs. Texans), Christian Kirk (vs. Bills), Michael Thomas and Rashid Shaheed (@ Patriots), and Kendrick Bourne (vs. Saints) are also facing defenses that entered Week 4 in the bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to WRs. Depending on the size of your league, all are benchable. You could even make a case for benching Deebo Samuel (vs. Cowboys), who didn't get a target last week, in shallow leagues.

What are the biggest WR injuries Week 5?

In Week 5, Mike Evans (hamstring), Tee Higgins (rib), and Alec Pierce (head) were the fantasy-relevant WRs to exit their respective games early. Each wideout wasn't healthy enough to return to game action, and as a result, we've left Higgins and Pierce out of our initial Week 5 rankings. Evans is on bye, but he's not a sure thing to return in Week 6.

Ahead of Week 4, the notable WRs who didn't suit up were Zay Jones (knee), Treylon Burks (knee), Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle), Jonathan Mingo (head), Rashod Bateman (hamstring). We left Burks and Bateman out of our Week 5 WR rankings but added in Jones, Beckham Jr., and Mingo. 

Davante Adams (shoulder), Deebo Samuel (vs. Cowboys), and Cooper Kupp (hamstring) are the biggest injuries to watch. Adams toughed it out after being slammed on his shoulder early in Week 4, but he's definitely a question mark for next Monday night against Green Bay. Similarly, Samuel should be monitored after he failed to practice -- and record a catch -- last week. Early reports suggest Kupp will return when first eligible in Week 5, but the Rams likely won't take any unnecessary chances with their star wide receiver. 

As usual, we'll update these WR PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.

Fantasy WR PPR Rankings Week 5: Who to start, sit at wide receiver

Rankings based on PPR scoring formats

Rank    Player
1    Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Giants
2    Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. Chiefs
3    Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. Jaguars
4    Davante Adams, Raiders vs. Packers
5    A.J. Brown, Eagles @ Rams
6    CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ 49ers
7    Cooper Kupp, Rams @ Eagles
8    Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals @ Cardinals
9    Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers vs. Cowboys
10    DeVonta Smith, Eagles @ Rams
11    Puka Nacua, Rams vs. Eagles
12    Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins vs. Giants
13    Calvin Ridley, Jaguars vs. Bills
14    Michael Pittman Jr., Colts vs. Titans
15    Nico Collins, Texans @ Falcons
16    Chris Olave, Saints @ Patriots
17    Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Bears
18    DJ Moore, Bears @ Commanders
19    Marquise Brown, Cardinals vs. Bengals
20    DeAndre Hopkins, Titans @ Colts
21    Garrett Wilson, Jets @ Broncos
22    Deebo Samuel, 49ers vs. Cowboys
23    Jakobi Meyers, Raiders vs. Packers
24    Gabe Davis, Bills vs. Jaguars
25    Zay Flowers, Ravens @ Steelers
26    Jerry Jeudy, Broncos vs. Jets
27    Christian Kirk, Jaguars vs. Bills
28    George Pickens, Steelers vs. Ravens
29    Christian Watson, Packers @ Raiders
30    Drake London, Falcons vs. Texans
31    Michael Thomas, Saints @ Patriots
32    Jordan Addison, Vikings vs. Chiefs
33    Courtland Sutton, Broncos vs. Jets
34    Adam Thielen, Panthers @ Lions
35    Josh Reynolds, Lions vs. Panthers
36    Jahan Dotson, Commanders vs. Bears
37    Romeo Doubs, Packers @ Raiders
38    Skyy Moore, Chiefs @ Vikings
39    Tank Dell, Texans @ Falcons
40    Tutu Atwell, Rams vs. Eagles
41    Kadarius Toney, Chiefs @ Vikings
42    Kendrick Bourne, Patriots vs. Saints
43    Jayden Reed, Packers @ Raiders
44    K.J. Osborn, Vikings vs. Chiefs
45    Brandin Cooks, Cowboys @ 49ers
46    Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans @ Colts
47    Curtis Samuel, Commanders vs. Bears
48    Michael Gallup, Cowboys @ 49ers
49    Tyler Boyd, Bengals @ Cardinals
50    DJ Chark, Panthers @ Lions
51    Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers @ Lions
52    Michael Wilson, Cardinals vs. Bengals
53    Kalif Raymond, Lions vs. Panthers
54    Rashid Shaheed, Saints @ Patriots
55    Jameson Williams, Lions vs. Panthers
56    Isaiah Hodgins, Giants @ Dolphins
57    Josh Downs, Colts vs. Titans
58    Darnell Mooney, Bears @ Commanders
59    Robert Woods, Texans @ Falcons
60    Zay Jones, Jaguars vs. Bills
61    Braxton Berrios, Dolphins vs. Giants
62    Mack Hollins, Falcons vs. Texans
63    Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs @ Vikings
64    Marvin Mims Jr., Broncos vs. Jets
65    Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants @ Dolphins
66    Rondale Moore, Cardinals vs. Bengals
67    Allen Lazard, Jets @ Broncos
68    Darius Slayton, Giants @ Dolphins
69    Van Jefferson, Rams vs. Eagles
70    JuJu Smith-Schuster, Patriots vs. Saints
71    Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens @ Steelers
72    Rashee Rice, Chiefs @ Vikings
73    Allen Robinson II, Steelers vs. Ravens
74    Rashod Bateman, Ravens @ Browns
75    Jonathan Mingo, Panthers @ Lions
76    DeVante Parker, Patriots vs. Saints
77    Calvin Austin III, Steelers vs. Ravens
78    Brandon Johnson, Broncos vs. Jets

Week 5 WR PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week

We're proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings every week. To see Draft Sharks' Week 5 3D floor-to-ceiling projections for wide receivers -- plus get access to all of Draft Sharks' industry-leading tools -- become a Draft Sharks' member today at the link below!

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Nick Musial

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Nick Musial is a Content Producer at The Sporting News. He recently joined the team after studying sport management and journalism at the University of Kansas. Nick’s an avid sports bettor who’s always looking for value.