Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season is in the books. Hopefully, your team pulled out the victory. However, the only easy win was last week’s win. So, let’s look at the top streaming quarterback options for Week 5.
All the quarterbacks in this article are rostered in under 50% of ESPN 1QB leagues and under 35% in superflex leagues.
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Fantasy Football Quarterback Streamers & Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 5)
Streaming Targets in 1QB Leagues
Sam Darnold (MIN) vs. New York Jets (43.6% Rostered)
Darnold has played like an MVP candidate this season. He has been outstanding, leading the Vikings to a 4-0 start. The veteran has averaged 3.7 passing touchdowns per game, totaling two or more in every contest. Furthermore, Darnold has been unbelievable despite playing multiple talented defenses, averaging 19.6 fantasy points per game this year. The former USC star has averaged 21.2 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, totaling 19.9 or more in every contest. More importantly, Week 5 is a revenge game for Darnold.
The former No. 3 overall NFL Draft pick takes on the team that drafted him in the first London game of the season. The Jets have shut down opposing quarterbacks over the first four weeks, holding them to only 0.5 passing touchdowns and 8.6 fantasy points per game. However, they have faced Brock Purdy in a blowout loss, Will Levis, Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, and Bo Nix. While the matchup isn’t ideal, Darnold has played well against talented defenses. He is a top-12 quarterback in Week 5.
Justin Fields (PIT) vs. Dallas Cowboys (33.9% Rostered)
Last week, Fields was one of my top streaming options, and he was outstanding. While the Steelers suffered their first loss this season in Week 4, the former Ohio State star had his best fantasy performance of the year. He completed 64.7% of his pass attempts for 312 yards, one touchdown, and 32 fantasy points. More importantly, Fields finally had a significant fantasy performance on the ground, totaling 10 rushing attempts for 55 yards and two touchdowns, scoring 54.7% of his fantasy points with his legs.
While Russell Wilson might return from a calf injury in Week 5, Pittsburgh has no reason to give him the starting role. Fields has provided the offense a boost in the run game, especially with the injuries in the backfield. Meanwhile, Dallas has given up 21.5 or more fantasy points to quarterbacks in two of their past three games. More importantly, the Cowboys will be without DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons for this contest because of injuries. Fields should have no trouble picking apart Dallas’ struggling defense on Sunday night.
Streaming Targets in Superflex Leagues
Trevor Lawrence (JAC) vs. Indianapolis Colts (33.2% Rostered)
Unfortunately, the Jaguars have a 0-4 record, and Lawrence hasn’t played well. However, the former No. 1 overall pick had his best fantasy performance of the season in Week 4. He had two passing touchdowns and 14.8 fantasy points against a solid Houston Texans defense. By comparison, Lawrence had averaged 0.7 touchdowns and 11.3 fantasy points per game over the first three weeks, totaling 13.3 or less in every contest. More importantly, he is starting to click with Brian Thomas Jr. and could get Evan Engram back this week.
Jacksonville faces Indianapolis in a critical AFC South matchup in Week 5. They’ve struggled to slow down opposing quarterbacks despite facing some inexperienced passers. They have surrendered 343.7 passing yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 20.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, giving up at least 17.3 in all but one contest. Last week, Justin Fields had 16.5 fantasy points with his arm, completing 64.7% of his pass attempts for 312 yards and a touchdown against Indianapolis. Don’t be surprised if Lawrence has his best performance this season against the division rivals.
Deshaun Watson (CLE) vs. Washington Commanders (27.1% Rostered)
While there aren’t many quarterbacks in the NFL playing worse than Watson over the first month of the year, the veteran has been a solid QB2 for fantasy players. He has averaged 13.7 fantasy points per game despite having only four passing touchdowns in 2024. Furthermore, Watson has averaged 14.7 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, posting a higher average than some big-name quarterbacks, including Patrick Mahomes (14.1) and Justin Herbert (10.4). However, fantasy players should leave the veteran quarterback on the waiver wire in 1QB leagues.
Yet, Watson’s matchup in Week 5 makes him an appealing QB2 in superflex leagues. The Commanders have arguably the worst pass defense in the NFL. They have surrendered 20.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, giving up 25.4 or more in half of their matchups. Furthermore, quarterbacks have averaged 233.3 passing yards and 2.5 touchdowns against Washington in 2024, totaling at least 289 yards and three touchdowns in two contests. Watson has three consecutive appealing matchups starting this week, making him a solid streaming option for fantasy players.
Streamer to Avoid
Andy Dalton (CAR) vs. Chicago Bears (8.8% Rostered)
Typically, streaming articles provide which players to target off the waiver wire. However, I will give one quarterback that fantasy players should avoid streaming each week.
Anyone with Diontae Johnson, Chuba Hubbard, or Xavier Legette couldn’t be happier to see Dalton under center for the Panthers. Carolina has become a solid fantasy offense since they benched Bryce Young for the veteran quarterback. He was outstanding in his first start in Week 3, ending the week as the QB8, scoring 24.6 fantasy points, as he became the first quarterback with 300 passing yards and three touchdowns in a game this season. Last week, Dalton scored 15.7 fantasy points against the Cincinnati Bengals, his former team.
Unfortunately, the honeymoon period between the veteran and fantasy players is over. Chicago has completely shut down opposing passing attacks this year, surrendering only 194.5 passing yards per game, allowing 168 or more in half of their contests. Quarterbacks haven’t had a passing touchdown against the Bears since Week 2, totaling only two for the season. They have held quarterbacks to only 7.7 fantasy points per game, with C.J. Stroud (14.3) being the only one to total more than 6.7 against this elite defense.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.