Analysis

10/3/23

18 min read

2023 NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings

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Below, you’ll find 2023 Week 5 fantasy rankings for points per reception (PPR) and half-PPR leagues. You’ll find 28 ranked quarterbacks, 47 ranked running backs, 59 ranked wide receivers, 21 ranked tight ends and 12 ranked defenses.

Note: There are four teams on a Week 5 bye: Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For a more in-depth explanation behind all the columns in these tables, click HERE.

Join our FREE Discord for help each week with start-sits, trades, and general fantasy advice. We’ll also drop player prop bets and DFS strategy in there throughout the season.

Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings

Top 28 Quarterbacks

Rank Player Average Larky Rank Hill Rank Wheeler Rank Team Opp Team Total xPPR Proj
1 Patrick Mahomes 1 1 1 1 KC MIN 29 20.4 21.6
2 Josh Allen 2.3 3 2 2 BUF JAX 26.75 17.4 23.3
3 Jalen Hurts 2.7 2 3 3 PHI LA 27.25 23.3 20.4
4 Lamar Jackson 4.3 4 4 5 BAL PIT 21.5 17.3 20.4
5 Tua Tagovailoa 4.7 5 5 4 MIA NYG 29.5 18.4 22.2
6 Anthony Richardson 6 6 6 6 IND TEN 22 17.3 17.7
7 Kirk Cousins 7.3 8 7 7 MIN KC 23.5 17.3 16.9
8 Justin Fields 7.7 7 8 8 CHI WAS 18.75 18.2 19.2
9 Jordan Love 9.7 11 9 9 GB LV 23.5 19.3 16.5
10 Joe Burrow 11.3 9 15 10 CIN ARI 23.75 12 18.3
11 Trevor Lawrence 11.7 12 10 13 JAX BUF 21.25 16.9 19.3
12 Matthew Stafford 11.7 10 14 11 LA PHI 22.75 17.6 16.5
13 Sam Howell 12.7 13 13 12 WAS CHI 25.75 15.8 17.8
14 C.J. Stroud 13.3 14 11 15 HOU ATL 20.25 17.9 16.1
15 Jared Goff 15 15 16 14 DET CAR 27 14.4 17.7
16 Daniel Jones 15.3 18 12 16 NYG MIA 20 18.2 16.2
17 Brock Purdy 17 16 17 18 SF DAL 24.25 16.1 14.8
18 Joshua Dobbs 19 19 19 19 ARI CIN 20.75 16.6 15.3
19 Dak Prescott 19.3 17 20 21 DAL SF 20.75 16.9 15.3
20 Russell Wilson 20 25 18 17 DEN NYJ 22.75 17.9 16.9
21 Zach Wilson 21.3 20 22 22 NYJ DEN 20.75 13.1 16
22 Jimmy Garoppolo 21.7 24 21 20 LV GB 21 16.6 15.1
23 Ryan Tannehill 22.7 21 24 23 TEN IND 20.5 14.8 13.6
24 Derek Carr 24.7 22 26 26 NO NE 19 14.9 12.3
25 Mac Jones 25 26 25 24 NE NO 20.5 13.2 14.2
26 Bryce Young 25 27 23 25 CAR DET 18 11.8 12.5
27 Desmond Ridder 26 23 27 28 ATL HOU 21.25 13.7 13.1
28 Kenny Pickett 27.5 28 - 27 PIT BAL 17 13.1 -

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson brings weekly top-three upside whenever he steps in the field. His combination of elite athleticism, robust red zone rushing, and elite arm talent are difficult to overlook in all fantasy formats. Oh yea, and he is currently averaging 1.6 rushing scores per game.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

We all thought the look of the Baltimore offense would change dramatically with Todd Monken now in town. The truth of the matter is this offense is still running 21-personnel at an elevated rate and is still highly reliant on Lamar Jackson to chip in rushing upside. Jackson is averaging just over 10 rush attempts per game and has scored four touchdowns on the ground over the previous two weeks, giving him one of the most stable floors at the quarterback position until further notice.

Justin Fields, Chicago Bears

Aside from the unraveling in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Justin Fields has reached 16.7 fantasy points in his other three games this season. He next will face a mediocre Washington Commanders defense that’s allowed three straight quarterback performances of at least 21 fantasy points. Fields has averaged 31 pass attempts and seven carries per game through four weeks, respectable usage numbers.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Matthew Stafford has topped 300 passing yards in all but one game and may get star wideout Cooper Kupp back for Week 5. Even in a tough matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Los Angeles Rams have a potent pass attack and fantasy managers can start Stafford in all formats.

Sam Howell, Washington Commanders

Sam Howell has reached 18 fantasy points in all but one game, but he won’t survive the season at his current rate. He’s pacing for 102 sacks taken (76 is the NFL record), but fortunately, he’s a great streamer this week against a Chicago Bears defense with the league’s worst pass rush.

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud has at least 280 passing yards, multiple passing touchdowns, no interceptions and at least 20 fantasy points each of his past three games. He’s a viable fantasy option every week moving forward despite the Houston Texans' patchwork offensive line.

Zach Wilson, New York Jets

Coming off the best game of his career on Sunday Night Football, Zach Wilson should ride that momentum to another solid Week 5 performance. He faces a Denver Broncos team that hasn’t shown up this year on defense.

Joshua Dobbs, Arizona Cardinals

Joshua Dobbs is averaging more than 17 fantasy points per game and has yet to throw an interception. He’s averaged six rush attempts per game, too. He’s a viable streamer most weeks.

Top 47 Running Backs

Rank Player Average Larky Rank Hill Rank Wheeler Rank Team Opp Team Total xPPR Proj
1 Christian McCaffrey 1 1 1 1 SF DAL 24.25 23.5 21.7
2 Bijan Robinson 2 2 2 2 ATL HOU 21.25 15.5 19.4
3 Tony Pollard 3.7 3 4 4 DAL SF 20.75 19.6 16.5
4 Josh Jacobs 3.7 5 3 3 LV GB 21.00 18.8 17
5 David Montgomery 6.7 8 6 6 DET CAR 27.00 18.6 14.7
6 Travis Etienne 7.3 4 7 11 JAX BUF 21.25 13.3 17.5
7 D'Andre Swift 7.7 7 8 8 PHI LA 27.25 14.3 15.3
8 Derrick Henry 7.7 13 5 5 TEN IND 20.50 13.7 16.6
9 De'Von Achane 8.7 10 9 7 MIA NYG 29.50 18.8 14.4
10 Brian Robinson 10 11 10 9 WAS CHI 25.75 13 14.1
11 James Cook 10.7 6 12 14 BUF JAX 26.75 13.1 14.5
12 Joe Mixon 11.7 12 11 12 CIN ARI 23.75 12.7 17.4
13 Breece Hall 12.3 14 13 10 NYJ DEN 20.75 7 12.8
14 Alvin Kamara 12.7 9 14 15 NO NE 19.00 23.9 14.2
15 Kyren Williams 15 15 17 13 LA PHI 22.75 20.3 16.5
16 Isiah Pacheco 17 18 15 18 KC MIN 29.00 13.3 11
17 Raheem Mostert 17.3 17 18 17 MIA NYG 29.50 17.3 14.1
18 Jonathan Taylor 18.3 16 19 20 IND TEN 22.00 - -
19 James Conner 18.7 21 16 19 ARI CIN 20.75 12.7 15.2
20 Rhamondre Stevenson 21.3 20 22 22 NE NO 20.50 12.9 15
21 Alexander Mattison 23 24 21 24 MIN KC 23.50 15.4 11.1
22 Dameon Pierce 24 23 24 25 HOU ATL 20.25 13.2 11.2
23 Gus Edwards 25.3 22 28 26 BAL PIT 21.50 7.2 7.6
24 Miles Sanders 26.3 25 23 31 CAR DET 18.00 14.1 12.1
25 Khalil Herbert 26.7 32 25 23 CHI WAS 18.75 11.7 12.7
26 Jaylen Warren 28.3 27 30 28 PIT BAL 17.00 10.2 12.5
27 AJ Dillon 29.7 19 35 35 GB LV 23.50 8.2 -
28 Jaleel McLaughlin 29.7 29 27 33 DEN NYJ 22.75 4.1 11.2
29 Najee Harris 29.7 31 29 29 PIT BAL 17.00 8.2 11.9
30 Tyler Allgeier 31 35 31 27 ATL HOU 21.25 10.4 11.4
31 Chuba Hubbard 34 40 32 30 CAR DET 18.00 7.5 7.5
32 Tyjae Spears 34.3 33 34 36 TEN IND 20.50 7 7.3
33 Antonio Gibson 34.7 30 40 34 WAS CHI 25.75 5.2 9
34 Samaje Perine 35.3 34 33 39 DEN NYJ 22.75 6.5 9.6
35 Dalvin Cook 35.7 28 41 38 NYJ DEN 20.75 6.7 9.3
36 Roschon Johnson 37.7 36 36 41 CHI WAS 18.75 8.7 9.5
37 Zack Moss 38.3 39 44 32 IND TEN 22.00 16.7 12.6
38 Matt Breida 39 26 46 45 NYG MIA 20.00 6 -
39 Kenneth Gainwell 39.3 44 37 37 PHI LA 27.25 9.8 7.9
40 Jerick McKinnon 40 41 39 40 KC MIN 29.00 4.7 6.7
41 Justice Hill 41.3 37 45 42 BAL PIT 21.50 7.3 9.3
42 Ezekiel Elliott 41.3 38 43 43 NE NO 20.50 6.7 9.2
43 Cam Akers 42.7 46 38 44 MIN KC 23.50 8.5 7.2
44 Devin Singletary 44.3 45 42 46 HOU ATL 20.25 4.9 -
45 Latavius Murray 45.3 42 47 47 BUF JAX 26.75 6.2 -
46 Clyde Edwards-Helaire 48.7 47 49 50 KC MIN 29.00 4.7 7.2
47 Ronnie Rivers 49.3 43 53 52 LA PHI 22.75 4.4 -

James Cook, Buffalo Bills

James Cook has an elite fantasy role. He was getting most of the touches for two weeks but wasn’t allowed to tote the rock near the goal line. In Week 3, Cook received one of three goal-line attempts before receiving both goal-line carries in Week 4. He has the volume, the goal-line role, the pass-catching chops and the Buffalo Bills' high-powered offense. He’s a fantasy RB1 regardless of matchup, assuming this role continues.

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara handled 11 of 13 running back carries and caught 13 of 14 targets in his season debut. The AC joint sprain Derek Carr suffered in Week 3 may still be lingering, and Kamara should continue to benefit significantly in the passing game until Carr’s shoulder fully recovers.

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions

The Lions enter with Week 5 with one of the top adjusted matchups on paper on the ground. Although their offensive line has not set the world on fire while blocking to just 1.28 yards before contact per attempt, David Montgomery has averaged 26.5 carries and one target per game in his two fully healthy contests this season. That level of workload is almost unheard of in today’s game. Throw in the five rushing scores in just under 10 quarters of play and we’re left with a solid range of outcomes for Montgomery against the extreme run-funnel nature of the Panthers defense.

Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals offense has hamstrung Joe Mixon, but his peripherals are as good as it gets at the position. Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals could be a get-right game for him. He’s handled 59 of the team’s 66 (89 percent) running back carries and 13 of 19 (68 percent) running back targets this year. He looks like a solid fantasy buy-low, where we simply hope, pray, cross our fingers and light some candles for this Cincinnati offense to get back on track.

Miami Dolphins Backfield

De’Von Achane has overtaken Raheem Mostert as the RB1 on the team’s depth chart.

Indianapolis Colts Backfield

Barring a setback, Jonathan Taylor will practice Wednesday, likely ending the Zack Moss era. Moss received at least 18 carries each of the past three weeks, and Taylor should step into a sizable role in one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks alongside QB Anthony Richardson. He’s a top-10 fantasy running back for the rest of the season but will have his hands full against a tough Tennessee Titans defensive front in Week 5.

Los Angeles Rams Backfield

Kyren Williams has averaged 16 carries and 5.5 targets per game despite being only 195 pounds. Backup RB Ronnie Rivers saw significant Week 4 involvement, with nine carries and two targets. While Williams handled 25 carries and three targets this past week and is an elite fantasy option every week, fantasy managers can start Rivers as a desperation play for teams ransacked by injuries or bye weeks.

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco had his best game of the year against the New York Jets in Week 4, distancing himself from Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in snaps, carries and routes run. He has a tough matchup on the ground against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5, but the upside each week is massive if he’s handling two-thirds of Kansas City’s backfield touches each week.

New England Patriots Backfield

Through three weeks, Rhamondre Stevenson totaled 82 routes run to Ezekiel Elliott’s 34. In Week 4, the split was just 17-15 in Stevenson’s favor. There’s a chance this was purely for Elliott’s benefit while facing his old team, the Dallas Cowboys. However, if it’s a sign of how the rest of the season will play out, Stevenson managers should be gravely concerned. The majority of his fantasy value comes through his passing game involvement.

Carolina Panthers Backfield

Miles Sanders was on the injury report all last week and then ceded most of the backfield snaps, carries and routes run to backup RB Chuba Hubbard in Week 4. This is a situation I’ll be monitoring all week, but neither looks like a strong start against a surprisingly tough Detroit Lions run defense.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

Chicago Bears Backfield

Khalil Herbert took on a sneaky bell-cow role in Week 4, with 18 carries for 103 yards. He added four catches on five targets for 19 more yards and a touchdown and ran far more routes than any other Bears running back. Time will tell if that was a blip on the radar or the new norm, but Roschon Johnson enthusiasts need to hope he’s far more involved in their Week 5 tilt against the Commanders.

Pittsburgh Steelers Backfield

Jaylen Warren is ranked ahead of Najee Harris for the first time this season. Through four weeks, my expected fantasy points model (xPPR) has Warren’s usage as two fantasy points per game more favorable than Harris’. While Harris has twice as many carries (12-6) per game, Warren has averaged 5.5 targets per game, while Harris is down at just 2.0. With the Pittsburgh Steelers' subpar offensive line, we shouldn’t expect rushing efficiency, and Warren has the preferred fantasy role right now as the team’s pass-catcher. The one caveat here is that Mitchell Trubisky will be starting instead of Kenny Pickett, who suffered a knee injury, which adds an additional wrinkle to this equation.

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

James Conner comes into Week 5 as fantasy’s RB16, averaging 17 touches a game. Conner managed 172 total yards with a score the past two weeks against the Cowboys and 49ers defenses and now gets a Bengals defense surrendering an average of 157 yards rushing.

Top 59 Wide Receivers

Rank Player Average Larky Rank Hill Rank Wheeler Rank Team Opp Team Total xPPR Proj
1 Tyreek Hill 1 1 1 1 MIA NYG 29.50 18.6 25.8
2 Justin Jefferson 2 2 2 2 MIN KC 23.50 18.6 22.4
3 Stefon Diggs 3.3 3 3 4 BUF JAX 26.75 15.6 21.9
4 Ja'Marr Chase 4.3 4 4 5 CIN ARI 23.75 14.4 16
5 A.J. Brown 5.3 5 5 6 PHI LA 27.25 17.8 18.6
6 Davante Adams 5.3 7 6 3 LV GB 21.00 20 16.2
7 Jaylen Waddle 8.3 9 8 8 MIA NYG 29.50 9.1 14.3
8 CeeDee Lamb 8.3 11 7 7 DAL SF 20.75 12.5 17.3
9 Cooper Kupp 9.7 6 10 13 LA PHI 22.75 - -
10 DeVonta Smith 10 8 13 9 PHI LA 27.25 12.3 14.1
11 Chris Olave 11.7 10 9 16 NO NE 19.00 15.7 14.3
12 Brandon Aiyuk 12.7 16 12 10 SF DAL 24.25 13.7 15.6
13 Puka Nacua 13 14 11 14 LA PHI 22.75 19.1 18.2
14 Michael Pittman 13.3 15 14 11 IND TEN 22.00 14.9 14.4
15 Garrett Wilson 16 19 17 12 NYJ DEN 20.75 14.3 13.8
16 Terry McLaurin 16.3 17 15 17 WAS CHI 25.75 9.8 15.4
17 Calvin Ridley 18 12 21 21 JAX BUF 21.25 11.8 12.6
18 Deebo Samuel 18.3 21 19 15 SF DAL 24.25 13.8 13.6
19 Nico Collins 18.7 13 20 23 HOU ATL 20.25 12.9 14.3
20 DJ Moore 18.7 22 16 18 CHI WAS 18.75 10.6 13.3
21 DeAndre Hopkins 21 18 26 19 TEN IND 20.50 13.2 15.3
22 Christian Watson 22.7 20 28 20 GB LV 23.50 7.7 12
23 Zay Flowers 23 27 18 24 BAL PIT 21.50 11.7 12.9
24 Marquise Brown 23.3 25 23 22 ARI CIN 20.75 12.9 14.4
25 Jakobi Meyers 25.3 23 25 28 LV GB 21.00 16.2 13.1
26 Christian Kirk 26 31 22 25 JAX BUF 21.25 11.8 13.4
27 George Pickens 28.3 29 24 32 PIT BAL 17.00 11.8 12.9
28 Adam Thielen 28.7 32 27 27 CAR DET 18.00 13.3 10.9
29 Gabe Davis 29.3 33 29 26 BUF JAX 26.75 9.9 11.7
30 Jordan Addison 29.7 24 32 33 MIN KC 23.50 9.3 9.2
31 Romeo Doubs 31.3 34 31 29 GB LV 23.50 15.1 10.2
32 Jerry Jeudy 32 26 36 34 DEN NYJ 22.75 9.3 12.8
33 Tank Dell 32.3 37 30 30 HOU ATL 20.25 10.2 10.2
34 Jahan Dotson 33.7 30 34 37 WAS CHI 25.75 9.9 12.5
35 Tutu Atwell 35 39 35 31 LA PHI 22.75 14 13.3
36 Courtland Sutton 35.3 38 33 35 DEN NYJ 22.75 12.9 15.1
37 Tyler Boyd 37.3 35 41 36 CIN ARI 23.75 9.8 12.1
38 Michael Thomas 37.7 36 38 39 NO NE 19.00 13 7.1
39 Josh Reynolds 38.3 28 44 43 DET CAR 27.00 9.1 8.5
40 Drake London 40.7 47 37 38 ATL HOU 21.25 10.1 8.3
41 Rashee Rice 41.3 42 42 40 KC MIN 29.00 8 -
42 Jayden Reed 42.3 46 39 42 GB LV 23.50 11.7 8.4
43 Zay Jones 43.5 40 47 JAX BUF 21.25 12.9 7.8
44 Josh Downs 45.7 45 46 46 IND TEN 22.00 9.7 9
45 Michael Wilson 46 50 40 48 ARI CIN 20.75 7 9.3
46 Wan'Dale Robinson 47.7 48 54 41 NYG MIA 20.00 8 7.8
47 Robert Woods 48.3 43 47 55 TEN IND 20.50 12.4 11.7
48 Rashid Shaheed 48.7 51 43 52 NO NE 19.00 9.9 7.9
49 Odell Beckham Jr. 49 49 - - BAL PIT 21.50 5.4 -
50 Jameson Williams 49.3 41 57 50 DET CAR 27.00 - 5.5
51 Curtis Samuel 50 52 45 53 WAS CHI 25.75 10.9 6.6
52 Marvin Mims 50 56 50 44 DEN NYJ 22.75 - -
53 Brandin Cooks 51 53 49 51 DAL SF 20.75 7.5 -
54 Kendrick Bourne 51 44 52 57 NE NO 20.50 10.6 12.3
55 DJ Chark 53.3 55 51 54 CAR DET 18.00 7.4 -
56 K.J. Osborn 56 57 53 58 MIN KC 23.50 8.3 7.2
57 Darnell Mooney 57.7 54 59 60 CHI WAS 18.75 5.1 6.7
58 Michael Gallup 57.7 59 55 59 DAL SF 20.75 6.5 -
59 Rashod Bateman 58 58 BAL PIT 21.50 4.2 6.7

Cincinnati Bengals Receivers

Tee Higgins should be on the shelf for a few games due to a broken rib, and Tyler Boyd will need to step up in his place. Boyd has been targeted on 18 percent of his routes and averaged a paltry 0.85 yards per route run. Boyd is no longer the rock-solid receiver he once was, and the Bengals should heavily feature Ja’Marr Chase in Higgins’ absence.

Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Through four games, Nico Collins is averaging eight targets, 5.5 receptions, 107 yards and 20.7 PPR fantasy points per game. My expected fantasy points model has him at 12.9 PPR fantasy points per game based on usage, but he’s scored more than 50 percent above that to this point. Fortunately, that’s still the 26th-best mark among receivers this year, and given Stroud’s hot start, coupled with Collins’ size and speed, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him continue outperforming his peripherals.

Green Bay Packers Wide Receivers

Christian Watson only played about half the snaps in his Week 4 debut, but the quarterback targeted him on an encouraging 21 percent of his routes. Romeo Doubs played ahead of Jayden Reed, and at least for the short-term, is the preferred WR2 from this passing game. Monday night’s matchup against a porous Las Vegas Raiders secondary puts all three on the fantasy radar now that bye weeks have begun.

Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars

After the terrifying Week 1 showing where he was barely involved, Christian Kirk has had a nice turnaround to his season. He’s led the team in targets in two of the past three weeks, with Calvin Ridley and Evan Engram leading in this category in the other two games this year.

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers

Adam Thielen has a target share of at least 25 percent in the past three games. He’s a fantasy WR3 type based on volume — rather than the hard-to-watch Carolina Panthers offense — as fantasy managers navigate bye weeks.

Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

The speedster makes his much-anticipated season debut in Week 5 after the league reduced his gambling suspension by two games. Jameson Williams should take over Josh Reynolds’ field-stretching role, one that’s led Reynolds to 11.4 fantasy points per game in PPR formats. Williams has game-breaking speed, and while the floor should be shaky early on, he can win your fantasy week with a couple of big plays. Think of him as an upside flex play for Week 5.

Tank Dell, Houston Texans

Tank Dell ranks top 18 in most receiving metrics this season and has proven to be capable against man coverage, producing the sixth best marks in fantasy points per route run against man coverage this season. That’s important because the Falcons have run man coverages at top-10 rates through the season’s first four weeks.

Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts

Michael Pittman holds a solid 28.7 percent target market share, ranks eighth in total targets with 39, has been in a route on 100 percent of the team’s pass plays this season, and faces off against the most pass-funnel defense in the league in the Tennessee Titans in Week 5. A modest 7.3 aDOT keeps Pittman out of the truly elite, but he should return borderline WR1 numbers in this spot.

Kansas City Chiefs Receivers

Rookie Rashee Rice may have overtaken Skyy Moore in the pecking order, as he’s run the same number of routes over the past two weeks. Rice has 12 targets in that span, compared to just eight for Moore. Additionally, 42 percent of those targets have come in the red zone for the big-bodied Rice. The changing of the guard should continue on the road in Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Atlanta Falcons Receivers

QB Desmond Ridder has taken at least four sacks in all but one game this year. Our Ryan Reynolds watches every snap of every game, and he says the film backs the putrid numbers. Ridder has been the worst starting quarterback through four weeks, and unless the team switches to Taylor Heinicke as the signal-caller, Atlanta Falcons pass-catchers should remain on your fantasy bench.

Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

We shouldn’t get too excited about Michael Wilson yet. While he caught all seven targets for 76 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4, he was still out-targeted by Marquise Brown and Zach Ertz. Additionally, Dobbs dropped back 47 times last week after never topping 33 in the prior three games. This continues to project as a slightly lower-volume pass attack, and while there’s optimism for Wilson for the rest of the season, he’s still a poor option for Week 5.

Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

The Steelers have given up an average of 140 yards to their opponent’s top receiver. Zay Flowers has surpassed double-digit fantasy points in 3 of 4 games and is poised to be the next to take advantage of a vulnerable Pittsburgh secondary.

Top 21 Tight Ends

Rank Player Average Larky Rank Hill Rank Wheeler Rank Team Opp Team Total xPPR Proj
1 Travis Kelce 1 1 1 1 KC MIN 29.00 14.5 18
2 T.J. Hockenson 2 2 2 2 MIN KC 23.50 11.3 12.4
3 Mark Andrews 3 3 3 3 BAL PIT 21.50 10.4 13.9
4 Sam LaPorta 4 4 4 4 DET CAR 27.00 9.4 11.5
5 Darren Waller 6 7 6 5 NYG MIA 20.00 8.6 7.9
6 Evan Engram 6.3 5 7 7 JAX BUF 21.25 9.2 9.9
7 George Kittle 7 10 5 6 SF DAL 24.25 6.9 10
8 Dallas Goedert 8.3 6 8 11 PHI LA 27.25 7.1 6.9
9 Jake Ferguson 8.7 9 9 8 DAL SF 20.75 10.4 7.8
10 Zach Ertz 11 8 11 14 ARI CIN 20.75 11.2 9.4
11 Tyler Higbee 11.3 15 10 9 LA PHI 22.75 9.7 7.9
12 Dalton Kincaid 12.7 12 13 13 BUF JAX 26.75 6.4 8.5
13 Hunter Henry 12.7 11 12 15 NE NO 20.50 9.2 9.3
14 Cole Kmet 13.7 13 16 12 CHI WAS 18.75 10.6 11.3
15 Luke Musgrave 14 17 15 10 GB LV 23.50 7.2 8
16 Logan Thomas 15.3 16 14 16 WAS CHI 25.75 8.1 -
17 Kyle Pitts 19.3 18 17 23 ATL HOU 21.25 9.4 7.7
18 Dalton Schultz 18 19 18 17 HOU ATL 20.25 8.1 -
19 Tyler Conklin 18 14 19 21 NYJ DEN 20.75 6.6 6.7
20 Hayden Hurst 21.3 21 25 18 CAR DET 18.00 6.4 -
21 Durham Smythe 23.7 20 24 27 MIA NYG 29.50 6.1 8.4

Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

Jake Ferguson has averaged more than six targets per game (2.5 in the red zone), and my expected fantasy points model has his usage as the sixth-best at the position this season. He’s an every-week top-12 option, regardless of matchup, as he’s in the Dalton Schultz role for this offense.

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

While all the Week 4 attention (rightfully) is going to Puka Nacua, Tyler Higbee quietly led the team in targets (11) this past week, catching five passes for 64 yards. He’s averaged 8.9 PPR points per game, but my expected fantasy points model has him pegged at 9.6 through usage. He’s a solid Week 4 fantasy option for teams reeling from bye weeks.

Tyler Conklin, New York Jets

Tyler Conklin has three straight games with at least five targets and is a viable streamer against the tasty Broncos secondary.

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

In Week 4, Dalton Kincaid ran more routes (23-14) than Dawson Knox and out targeted the veteran tight end 4-1, reaching double-digit fantasy points for the third time in his first four games. Kincaid’s start to his career has been overshadowed by Sam LaPorta’s brilliance, but Kincaid is taking over the receiving tight end role and his breakout game is coming.

Top 12 Defenses

Rank Name Opp Opp Total
1 Lions CAR 18
2 Dolphins NYG 20
3 Ravens PIT 17
4 Eagles LA 22.75
5 Jets DEN 22.75
6 Bills JAX 21.25
7 49ers DAL 20.75
8 Cowboys SF 24.25
9 Commanders CHI 18.75
10 Titans IND 22
11 Chiefs MIN 23.5
12 Texans ATL 21.25

Detroit Lions 

Detroit’s defense has been very good in three of four games. The Lions next will host one of the worst offenses in the league, giving them a massive fantasy upside.

 Miami Dolphins 

After Monday night’s debacle, expect the Giants to deploy more quick release throws to mitigate Miami’s pass rush. While a more conservative game plan will reduce sack and turnover opportunities, New York likely will play most of this contest in a negative game script.

 Baltimore Ravens

This is primarily a bet against Pittsburgh’s struggling offense, which is now led by Mitch Trubisky.

 Philadelphia Eagles

Matthew Stafford did an excellent job against the 49ers’ premium front in Week 2, but the Eagles will have a trench advantage in this contest.

Indianapolis Colts

The Titans have allowed a ridiculous 31 percent pressure rate this season and the Colts have generated pressure at a solid 28 percent clip, making this spot ripe for sacks to pile up if the Colts can force the Titans into negative game script.

 Buffalo Bills 

This game against the Jaguars will be played in London, which gives the matchup an extra layer of variance. If this contest was in Buffalo, the Bills’ defense would be fourth on this list. Next week, Buffalo hosts the Giants on Sunday Night Football.

 San Francisco 49ers

Expect the matchup between the 49ers and Cowboys to be close and low scoring in nature. Both defenses are playable, but the floor for each is lower than normal in this matchup.

 Tennessee Titans

The Titans’ front four could again have a major impact.

 Houston Texans

Houston’s defense has been rock solid through the first four games. That said, this is primarily a bet against Desmond Ridder.

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Josh Larky

Josh Larky is the Director of Fantasy and Gambling at The 33rd Team.  He joins us with a unique blend of educational and professional experience.

Matthew Hill

Writing and providing draft and in-season rankings since 2014, Matthew Hill was chosen FantasyPro's “Most Accurate Expert” for 2018. In addition to his 2018 first place in-season accuracy finish, Matthew’s draft rankings are among the industry's most accurate, finishing in the top 12 for 2019 to 2021.

Kev Wheeler

Kev Wheeler is a former high school baseball and football coach who has been a fantasy football addict for more than 25 years. As a coach, Wheeler's teams accomplished five county and two regional championships. Wheeler has translated his on-field success to the fantasy football arena.

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