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
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