Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice (2023)

Welcome to Week 5, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

• Fitz’s Tiers & Rankings
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
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Week 5 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Trevor Lawrence: Lawrence has been a disappointment thus far. He is the QB23 in fantasy with the sixth-lowest aDOT and the 13th-lowest yards per attempt. He has had his moments with the fifth-best big-time throw rate, but they have been too few. Among 36 qualifying quarterbacks, he is 22nd in fantasy points per dropback, immediately ahead of Sam Howell. Buffalo is a nightmare matchup for quarterbacks. The Bills have held quarterbacks to the second-lowest passer rating, the third-fewest touchdown passes, and the fewest fantasy points per game. Week 5 Positional Value: Benchable Borderline QB1 (look for a streaming option)

Josh Allen: If we wipe Week 1 from our minds, Allen is playing at an MVP level. Since Week 2, he is first in passing grade, fourth in yards per attempt, and third in big-time throw rate. Over the last three games, Allen is second to only Anthony Richardson in fantasy points per dropback. Jacksonville’s pass-defense stats are slightly inflated after facing Desmond Ridder last week. In Weeks 1-3, they allowed the ninth-highest yards per attempt, the 11th-highest passer rating, and the seventh-most passing touchdowns (tied). Jacksonville is 12th in blitz rate this season. If they attempt to blitz Allen this week, he will shred them. Allen ranks sixth in passing grade, first in yards per attempt, and first in adjusted completion rate against the blitz. Week 5 Positional Value: QB1 overall this week

C.J. Stroud: Stroud has been balling out, especially when you zoom in and look at his last two games. In that sample, he ranks ninth in passing grade and third in yards per attempt. He also has the third-lowest turnover-worthy throw rate and fourth-highest fantasy points per dropback. Over the last three weeks, he has finished as the QB13, QB12, and QB10 in fantasy. The Falcons are not a pass defense to fear if you stay away from A.J. Terrell. The Falcons have allowed the ninth-most passing touchdowns while also surrendering the 14th-highest passer rating and the 12th-most fantasy points when targeted 20 or more yards downfield. Week 5 Positional Value: Borderline QB1

Desmond Ridder: I will not start Ridder even in Superflex formats. Among 34 qualifying quarterbacks, he has the ninth-lowest yards per attempt, seventh-lowest passer rating, the lowest highly accurate throw rate, the seventh-lowest adjusted completion rate, and the ninth-fewest fantasy points per dropback. There is a better quarterback streaming option or positional player (Superflex) that you can plug into your lineups. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit

Bryce Young: Young is a must-sit until he shows some signs of fantasy life. Among 32 qualifying quarterbacks, Young has the second-lowest yards per attempt, the fifth-lowest passer rating, and the third-lowest fantasy points per dropback. Better days are likely ahead for the rookie, but it’s been a tough scene so far. Detroit also has been a good pass defense this season. They are holding opposing passers to the 11th-lowest yards per attempt, the 13th-lowest passer rating, and the tenth-lowest adjusted completion rate. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit

Jared Goff: Goff continues to play exceptional football. He’s the QB17 in fantasy points per game only because of Detroit’s insistence on running the ball inside the 20. I’m not saying that goes away. If Detroit evened out to a 50/50 pass/run split inside the 20, Goff would be a top-12 fantasy quarterback. He is fourth in yards per attempt and adjusted completion rate while ranking 12th in highly accurate throw rate and 13th in fantasy points per dropback. Goff faces a stingy Carolina secondary this week. They have given up the ninth-lowest adjusted completion rate and sixth-lowest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Goff does have an avenue to challenge them deep this week, which could lead to a ceiling outcome. Carolina has allowed the 13th-highest yards per attempt and adjusted completion rate to deep balls. Goff has been an ELITE deep ball passer this season. Yes, I know. I am as surprised as you are, but it’s true. He is fifth in deep passing grade, seventh in deep passing yards, and second in deep adjusted completion rate. Week 5 Positional Value: QB2 with QB1 upside

Ryan Tannehill: Tannehill has been playing surprisingly good football since Week 2. Over the last three weeks, he ranks second in passing grade, first in big-time throw rate, 13th in adjusted completion rate, and eighth in yards per attempt. Sadly, though, he has only been 17th in fantasy points per dropback. The Colts have been an exploitable pass funnel. They have allowed the seventh-highest yards per attempt, tenth-highest passer rating, and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Week 5 Positional Value: Matchup-based streaming option

Anthony Richardson: Richardson’s passing remains a work in progress, although the flashes on film weekly have been eye-popping. He ranks 21st in yards per attempt, 19th in hero throw rate, and 31st in adjusted completion rate. Despite that, he remains a fantasy point-scoring machine. He ranks first in fantasy points per dropback. He is seventh in rushing yards and first in rushing touchdowns. Richardson should have no problems shredding the Tennessee secondary that has given up the sixth-highest yards per attempt and passer rating. The Titans have also surrendered the third-highest CPOE to deep throws and the eighth-most passing yards. Richardson has top-three upside this week. Week 5 Positional Value: High-end QB1

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Week 5 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

DeAndre Hopkins: Last week, while banged up, Hopkins still had a 67.7% route run rate with a 23.1% target share and a 35.9% air yard share. He was second on the team with a 26.3% first-read share. Overall, this season, Hopkins has a 27.5% target share, a 37.0% air yard share, and a 33.8% first-read share. He ranks 28th in receiving grade and 24th in YPRR. Hopkins will run about 69% of his routes against Dallis Flowers (61.1% catch rate and 98.1 passer rating) and Juju Brents (80% catch rate and 134.2 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: Hopkins is a volume WR3 with WR2 upside this week

Chris Olave: Olave leads the Saints’ wide receivers with a 26.6% target share, a 42.7% air-yard share, and a 33.3% first-read share. Olave ranks tenth in receiving grade and 20th in YPRR. Olave should be fed this week against New England’s man coverage heavy approach. Against man coverage, Olave has goggled up targets this season with a monster 38.5% target share and a 38.1% first-read share. He has 3.57 YPRR against man coverage this year. Olave will run about 52% of his routes against Shaun Wade (69.2% catch rate and 95.7 passer rating) and J.C. Jackson (46.2% catch rate and 72.0 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR2

Michael Thomas: Thomas has a 21% target share and a 22% air-yard share this season with 1.67 YPRR. Against man coverage, he has seen his target share elevated to 26.9% with a 33.3% first-read share (26.9% first-read share overall). The issue is he has problems with man coverage at this point in his career, with only 1.16 YPRR. While Thomas should see a healthy target share in this game, I don’t know that he will do much with it. Thomas will run about 64% of his routes against Wade and Jackson. Week 5 Positional Value: WR4

Zay Flowers: Since Mark Andrews‘ return, Flowers has had a 22.9% target share, a 25.0% air-yard share, and a 27.6% first-read share. He’s seen ten targets in two of those three games. Flowers leads Baltimore in red zone targets (five). The Steelers have defended the fifth-most dropbacks this season in man coverage. Against man coverage, Flowers has a 22.2% target share, 1.84 YPRR, and a 23.5% first-read share (first on the team, Andrews 11.8%). Flowers should lead the way through the air against Pittsburgh this week. He will run about 73% of his routes against Patrick Peterson (63.6% catch rate and 116.7 passer rating) and Levi Wallace (62.5% catch rate and 93.2 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR2

Ja’Marr Chase: Chase leads Cincy with a 27.0% target share and sits behind Tee Higgins with a 34.6% air-yard share. Chase ranks 36th in receiving grade and 39th in YPRR among wideouts. He is tied with Higgins for the team lead in red zone targets. Chase is second on the team in deep targets, but if Higgins is out, he should take over the deep threat role. Arizona’s corners have operated in zone on 64% of their coverage snaps. Against zone, Chase’s target share climbs to 30.5%, his air-yard share bumps up to 41.8%, and his first-read share is a whopping 40.8%. This is an easy Chase goes nuclear spot. Chase will run about 75% of his routes against Kei’Trel Clark (72% catch rate and 101.8 passer rating) and Marco Wilson (80.8% catch rate and 131.6 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR1

Garrett Wilson: Wilson has a 26.6% target share, a 39.5% air-yard share, and a ridiculous 44.1% first-read share. Wilson ranks 33rd in receiving grade and 43rd in YPRR among 96 qualifying wide receivers. Wilson is tied for eighth in red zone targets in the NFL. Wilson will run about 72% of his routes against Pat Surtain ll (63.2% catch rate and 114.1 passer rating) and Damarri Mathis (88% catch rate and 154.2 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR2/3

Jerry Jeudy: Jeudy has yet to play more than 76% of the offensive snaps in any game since his return. Since Week 2, Jeudy has had a 17.3% target share, a 28.6% first read share, and 1.84 YPRR. He has only drawn one red zone target this season. Jeudy will run about 72% of his routes against Michael Carter (50% catch rate and 90.4 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR3

Courtland Sutton: With Jeudy back in the lineup, Sutton has had a 23.5% target share, a 30.3% air yard share, 2.00 YPRR, and a 24.5% first-read share. Sutton leads the team during this stretch with five end-zone targets. Sutton will run about 75% of his routes against the duo of Sauce Gardner (77.8% catch rate and 116.0 passer rating) and D.J. Reed (73.7% catch rate and 90.7 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR3

Marvin Mims: Mims remains only an upside stash. Since Week 2, he has only a 26.8% route run rate despite 7.77 YPRR and a 30% TPRR. I don’t know why Payton refuses to thrust his talented rookie into a full-time role, but it hasn’t happened yet. For now we continue to watch and wait. Mims has produced beautifully with every opportunity that he has earned. Week 5 Positional Value: Stash-only

Jordan Addison: Addison’s route run rate has bounced all over the place over the last three games from 66.7% (Week 4) to 76.4% (Week 3). Minnesota loves K.J. Osborn. I don’t know why the Vikings refuse to bump Addison up to an 80% route run rate, but it hasn’t happened. Addison has a 12.1% target share, a 21.2% air-yard share, and 1.57 YPRR. Addison has only four deep targets, and two red zone looks this season as the WR45 in fantasy. Addison will run about 77% of his routes against L’Jarius Sneed (56.5% catch rate and 72.6 passer rating) and Joshua Williams (37.5% catch rate and 48.4 passer rating). Week 5 Positional Value: WR5

Week 5 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Aaron Jones: Jones only played 35% of the snaps last week, with six touches and 14 total yards. We also need to remember that the score was 27-3 by halftime, so the blowout nature of that game could have also factored into his playing time. I expect his workload to get ramped up this week. We have seen so little of Jones this season that it’s easy to toss his efficiency metrics in the trash. If healthy, Jones should have a banner day against Las Vegas. The Raiders have given up the 12th-highest explosive run rate, 11th-highest missed tackle rate per attempt, and sixth-highest yards after contact per attempt. Week 5 Positional Value: RB2 with RB1 upside

A.J. Dillon: Dillon has averaged 11.8 touches and 35.8 total yards with no weekly finish higher than RB33. Dillon is droppable at this point, with Jones’ health on the rise. Week 5 Positional Value: Droppable

Josh Jacobs: Jacobs is the RB17 in fantasy points per game, averaging 20 touches and 84.8 total yards. Jacobs is pulling off a fantastic Leonard Fournette impression this year as he volumes his way to decency in fantasy. Jacobs is sixth in snap share, fifth in opportunity share, and second in weighted opportunity. He also ranks ninth in red zone touches. Jacobs has been woefully inefficient. Among 58 qualifying backs, he ranks 45th in explosive run rate and 38th in missed tackles forced per attempt. Green Bay should allow for a good day for Jacobs. The Packers have the seventh-lowest stuff rate, the tenth-highest missed tackles allowed per attempt, and the 13th-highest yards per carry given up to gap runs (Jacobs 67% gap). Week 5 Positional Value: low-end RB1

James Cook: Cook is the RB17 in fantasy, averaging 16.8 touches and 102.8 total yards. Last week, he played a season-low 40% of the snaps while losing routes to Latavius Murray. I’m chalking this up as a one-week variance. This feels very matchup and game-plan-specific as the Bills ran the ball 26 times (counting Allen’s rushing attempts) while throwing on 25 times. Cook is not a 230 lb bruiser. If you’re looking to drop the early down hammer on a team, you’re going to work in Latavius Murray and Damien Harris to help shoulder the load, which the Bills did while lessening the route running on Cook’s plate. Entering Week 4, Cook ranked 15th in route run rate and tenth in routes run among running backs. I highly doubt his receiving role will be cut into by Murray moving forward. Among 58 qualifying running backs, Cook ranks 21st in explosive run rate and 20th in yards after contact per attempt. Cook faces an uphill climb this week against a tough run defense, but there is a silver lining. Jacksonville has given up the tenth-lowest explosive run rate, the fourth-lowest missed tackle per attempt rate, and the fifth-best stuff rate. All of that sounds hideous, but Jacksonville has also given up the third-highest yards per carry to gap runs (5.49). A whopping 69% of Cook’s runs have been on gap plays. Jacksonville has also clamped down on backs in the passing game. While they have allowed the eighth-most receptions, they have held backs to the tenth-lowest yards per reception. Week 5 Positional Value: low-end RB1/high-end RB2

Dameon Pierce: Pierce’s snap share has trended up in each of the last three weeks, but this could sadly only be related to positive game script. In Week 2, he played 45% of the snaps, but in Weeks 3-4, he played 54 and 59% of the snaps. His route run rates have not seen the same jump. Sadly, they have been trending in the wrong direction. His route run rate in Week 2 was 31.5%, and last week he declined to 24.2%. Playing Pierce and his value at the moment is directly tied to how you project the game script for Houston. With a tight spread this week, he should be hovering around the 50% snap mark while owning the early downs. Among 58 qualifying backs, Pierce ranks 18th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 38th in yards after contact per attempt. He faces a tough and improving Falcons’ run defense. Atlanta has allowed the 14th-lowest explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt while having the 12th-best stuff rate. Week 5 Positional Value: RB2/3

Bijan Robinson: Robinson is the RB10 in fantasy despite only scoring once this season. Let that sink in for a second. Where would he be if he had one, two, or three more touchdowns on his resume? While the touchdowns have been lacking, the usage has been amazing. He has played at least 72% of the snaps in each of the last three weeks. He is averaging 18.1 touches and 113 total yards. His pass-game role makes him matchup-proof. Among 41 qualifying running backs, he ranks third in routes, second in targets, third in receiving yards, and 11th in YPRR. Robinson also ranks eighth in explosive run rate and tenth in missed tackles forced per attempt. Robinson should smash the Texans’ run defense. Houston has allowed the seventh-highest explosive run rate and the 11th-highest yards after contact per attempt while also logging the fourth-lowest stuff rate. Week 5 Positional Value: Matchup proof RB1

Tyler Allgeier: Allgeier has seen his role dwindle, but this is a good matchup on the ground where he has some flex viability. Over the last two weeks, Allgeier has averaged 28% of the snaps with 8.5 touches and 20.5 total yards. While I don’t think he gets back to the 15.5 rushing attempts he averaged in Weeks 1-2, I do think he could see 10-12 opportunities in this game against a Swiss cheese run defense. Among 58 qualifying backs, he ranks 15th in yards after contact per attempt and 34th in missed tackles forced per attempt. Week 5 Positional Value: RB3/ viable flex play

David Montgomery: Montgomery has been Jamaal Williams plus this season. He has played 70% or higher snaps in two of his three games played. He is averaging 24 touches and 96.3 total yards as the RB7 in fantasy. Among 58 qualifying running backs, Montgomery ranks 11th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 28th in yards after contact per attempt. Carolina has been a pushover run defense. They have allowed the tenth-highest explosive run rate, the sixth-highest touchdown rate, and the fifth-highest yards after contact per attempt. Montgomery should feast in Week 5. Week 5 Positional Value: RB2 with RB1 upside

Jahmyr Gibbs: In Montgomery’s three games played, Gibbs has played 27-48% of the snaps, averaging 11.6 touches and 55.6 total yards. Gibbs has been efficient with his touches overall. The biggest problem is his zero touchdowns. Among 58 qualifying running backs, Gibbs ranks seventh in explosive run rate, fifth in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 25th in yards after contact per attempt. Gibbs was supposed to make his money in the passing game this season, but that’s where his biggest struggles have occurred. Among 40 qualifying running backs, he is seventh in targets, but he is 17th in receiving yards and 15th in YPRR. Volume has not been a problem for Gibbs. It has been pass game inefficiency and the lack of touchdowns. In a plus matchup, Gibbs is a strong flex play. Week 5 Positional Value: RB3 with upside

Derrick Henry: Henry’s snap shares have varied widely this season due to gamescript. Look for him to be heavily involved this week with a tight spread from Vegas. Henry has averaged 19.8 touches and 91.8 total yards. Henry is the RB15 in fantasy. Henry doesn’t look to be slowing down at all. He ranks 12th in explosive run rate, 17th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 13th in yards after contact per attempt. Henry faces a difficult matchup this week against the Colts’ run defense. They have held rushers to the eighth-lowest explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt. They are middle of the road in stuff rate (15th), and yards per carry allowed to gap runs (15th), so all hope isn’t lost for Henry (53.4% gap). Week 5 Positional Value: RB1

Tyjae Spears: Spears has played 53% or highest snaps in three of four games, but it hasn’t translated to much volume. He has averaged 7.5 touches and 37.5 total yards. Spears is a must-add in all leagues, but he’s only a stash or desperation flex currently. He ranks third in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt. If anything happened to Henry, Spears has league-winning upside. Week 5 Positional Value: Must-sit/Must-stash

De’Von Achane: This is Achane’s backfield. He played 60% of the snaps last week with 11 touches and 120 total yards as the RB5 for the week. He dominated routes and red zone opportunities last week. This could get murky once Jeff Wilson returns, but for now, it’s the Achane show. Achane has been nothing short of amazing. He leads all running backs in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt. Hat tip to Pat Fitzmaurice. This has been his dude since the NFL Draft process. He loved him way back then, and he was right. He has been electric and looks like the second coming of Warrick Dunn. The Giants have no chance of stopping Achane this week. Their run defense has allowed the fourth-highest explosive run rate and tenth-highest yards after contact per attempt while also sporting the sixth-lowest stuff rate. Week 5 Positional Value: RB1

Raheem Mostert: Mostert has taken a backseat to Achane. He played 43% of the snaps last week with ten touches and 45 total yards. Miami could look to chew up the ground and the clock this week, so while Mostert isn’t the lead back anymore, he has good flex value this week. Mostert doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Among 58 qualifying backs, he ranks fifth in explosive run rate, 15th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 23rd in yards after contact per attempt. Week 5 Positional Value: RB3/strong flex play

Week 5 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Darren Waller: Waller has been a ghost outside of one game this season. He has a 17.2% target share and a 24.2% air yard share, but he has only produced 1.25 YPRR and seen a 20.0% first read share. Everyone has seen the clip from Week 4 where Jones tosses an egregious pick while Waller is wide open in the back of the end zone. I don’t think Waller is cooked, but he is being held captive by a quarterback who can’t get out of his own way at the moment. Waller remains a TE1 at this juncture, which is more of a reflection of the position than a ringing endorsement for Waller. Miami is 17th in receiving yards allowed to tight ends while permitting the seventh-lowest yards per reception to the position. Week 5 Positional Value: scary low-end TE1

Durham Smythe: Smythe returns to the matchup-based streaming TE2 category this week. He has a 67.3% route run rate, a 10.9% target share, only 1.24 YPRR, and a 12.6% first-read share. While none of the metrics will blow you away, the Giants have been quite bad at defending tight ends. They have allowed the fourth-most receiving yards and the highest yards per reception to the position. Week 5 Positional Value: TE2 Matchup-based streamer

Dallas Goedert: Goedert’s barely had a pulse in fantasy this season. Among 37 qualifying tight ends, he is 14th in target share, 31st in YPRR, and 35th in YAC per reception. The fall-off in his YAC skills has been the most disturbing fact this season. Among the same sample of tight ends, he ranks 33rd in fantasy points per route run. This could be the breakout game to get Goedert rolling. With the Rams’ corners playing exceptional football, targets, and production have been funneled to tight ends playing the Rams. Los Angeles has allowed the 11th-most receiving yards, the third-highest yards per reception, and the tenth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Week 5 Positional Value: TE1

Tyler Higbee: Higbee also finds his way to the TE1 radar this week. Among 37 qualifying tight ends, he ranks 15th in target share, 16th in YPRR, 20th in YAC per reception, and 27th in fantasy points per route run. None of these stats will jump off the page as a reason compelling you to play Higbee until you look at the matchup. Philly is bleeding out production to the position. The Eagles have allowed the sixth-most receiving yards, the third-most fantasy points, and the ninth-highest yards per reception to tight ends. Week 5 Positional Value: TE1

Zach Ertz: Ertz is the TE11 in fantasy with a 24.4% target share and a 23.3% air-yard share. He ranks second in targets, seventh in route participation, and fourth in red zone targets among tight ends. He has the fourth-most reception among tight ends. Ertz should put up solid numbers this week. Cincy has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards, the sixth-most fantasy points, and the 11th-highest yards per reception to tight ends. Week 5 Positional Value: TE1

Jake Ferguson: Ferguson is walking a tightrope. He is the TE8 in fantasy with an 18.5% target share (eighth-best) and 30.5% TPRR (second-best). These metrics are insane, considering that he is also 31st in routes run and 32nd in route participation. Ferguson also leads all tight ends with 11 red zone targets. His playing time is mediocre, but when he’s on the field, his usage is elite. I’ll make the bet that Ferguson’s high-wire act gets crushed this week against a 49ers’ defense that has limited tight ends to the sixth-fewest receiving yards and the fifth-lowest yards per reception. Week 5 Positional Value: TE2

Evan Engram: With Ridley taking a backseat after Week 1, Engram has enjoyed a 21.1% target share, 1.87 YPRR, and a 23.3% first-read share. Since Week 2, Engram ranks fifth, 11th, and second in those statistical categories among 47 qualifying tight ends. This is a terrible matchup for Engram. Buffalo has been a shutdown unit against tight ends for a few seasons, and 2023 is no exception. They have allowed the seventh-lowest receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and the second-fewest fantasy points to the position. Week 5 Positional Value: low-end TE1

Week 5 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 5 Kicker Start/Sit Grades