With so many favorable matchups and overachieving wide receivers to choose from, how do you put them in order? If a receiver is considered a WR2, does it really matter if he’s No. 13 or No. 24? It looks like a big difference on the page, but in truth, it doesn’t matter. Those types of players are all must-starts this week. 

WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS: Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver |  Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

A couple new players, including Robby Anderson (@ Falcons) and CeeDee Lamb (vs. Giants), move into that tier because of favorable matchups in Week 5. A.J. Brown (vs. Bills) is hopefully set to return from a knee injury/bye week, so we slot him back in that group, as well. Fantasy owners hope Michael Thomas (knee) and Chris Godwin (hamstring) also return from injury this week. We currently have Thomas (vs. Chargers) in our rankings, but with the Saints off in Week 6, it’s possible they hold out him out through their bye. We don’t anticipate Godwin being back to face the Bears on Thursday, but we’ll be ready to adjust if he’s active.

WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS: Quarterback | Running back | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Moving into the WR3 tier are Darius Slayton (@ Cowboys), Jamison Crowder (vs. Cardinals), Justin Jefferson (@ Seahawks), Jerry Jeudy (@ Patriots), Brandon Aiyuk (vs. Dolphins), and Deebo Samuel (vs. Dolphins). There are risks with some of these guys (Jeudy possibly being matched up with Stephon Gilmore, the 49ers cannibalizing each other’s production, other assorted QB issues), but all have solid matchups and the talent/big-play ability to rip off big games. 

WEEK 5 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo

Several more potential sleepers, including Golden Tate (@ Cowboys), Scotty Miller (@ Bears), N’Keal Harry (vs. Broncos), Christian Kirk (@ Jets), Zach Pascal (@ Browns), and Curtis Samuel (@ Falcons), are right on the start-or-sit bubble and could be worth streaming if you’re in a bind because of byes to Lions and Packers receivers. 

WEEK 5 DFS CASH LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo

On the flipside, some WRs are moving down, though it’s not necessarily because of matchups. We’re at the point in the season where chronically poor performances can’t be ignored. A.J. Green (@ Ravens) represents the worst of both worlds this week, and we have him well out of the WR3 tier. Jarvis Landry (vs. Colts) has also fallen since you can’t count on him throwing a TD every week. T.Y. Hilton (@ Browns) would join them if he didn’t have such a favorable matchup. Brandin Cooks (vs. Jaguars), Preston Williams (@ 49ers), and Anthony Miller (vs. Bucs) all look like they’re better suited for the waiver wire than fantasy benches.

MORE WEEK 5 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder

Of course, given how this season has gone, it’s possible any (or all) of those just mentioned go off in Week 5. After all, is there really such thing as a “bad matchup” anymore? It’s starting to feel as if there’s not, but either way, fantasy owners will agonize over their start ’em, sit ’em decisions, so we’ll do our best to help. 

WEEK 5 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em

Note: Check back all week leading up to kickoff, as we’ll continue to update our WR rankings and provide analysis based on the latest news and injuries.

Week 5 Fantasy WR Rankings (Standard)

These rankings are for non-PPR leagues.