Week 5 Flex Rankings

It may only be Week 5, but the war of attrition already feels in full effect. Injuries and ineffectiveness have thrust some unexpected names into the spotlight. Bye weeks also begin this week, adding an extra roadblock for fantasy football managers to navigate. I will try to sort through some of the chaos with my Week 5 Flex rankings. As usual, I have ranked well over 200 Flex players based on Half-PPR rankings for the coming week. I’ve also included a few notes on options at each skill position you may be debating. These rankings are fluid and will change based on the final injury reports, so pay attention to the latest news from around the league.

Running Back Notes

After Seattle placed rookie Jadarian Price on Injured Reserve last week, they once again turned to Emanuel Wilson as their lead back. Wilson responded with two touchdowns and 120 scrimmage yards. He has now carried the ball over 20 times in two of the last three weeks. I do not expect Seattle to deviate from that usage with Wilson this week. Zach Charbonnet is not quite ready to return, and George Holani has had no more than eight opportunities (carries plus targets) in any game this season. Wilson’s expected volume should be enough to make him a fantasy RB2 in 10-and 12-team leagues. The matchup against San Francisco is not overly daunting. San Francisco ranks in the middle of the pack defensively against the run.

D’Andre Swift lost his second fumble in three games, then sat on the sideline for most of the second half while Kyle Monangai racked up 150 scrimmage yards and scored two touchdowns. Monangai has proven capable when given increased opportunities, so Swift will need to bounce back this week. A matchup with the Green Bay Packers should help as long as Ben Johnson and company trust Swift to take care of business. I am still starting Swift where I have him, but I am more concerned than I was a week ago. As for Monangai, I think he is worth starting in most instances. I have him ranked 50^th overall in my current Week 5 Flex rankings.

When Saquon Barkley injured his hamstring last week, Tank Bigsby took the lead role, with Will Shipley playing behind him. However, Bigsby was injured late in the game, and his injury is more severe than Barkley’s. Philadelphia placed Bigsby on Injured Reserve and listed Barkley as week-to-week. Shipley should be the primary running back for the Eagles when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. The volume may warrant starting consideration, but Jacksonville has allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL this season, along with just two touchdowns. Consider Shipley a borderline Flex play in this matchup, depending on the other options available to you.

Wide Receiver Notes

Several high-end wide receivers are dealing with injuries this week. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DJ Moore, and Terry McLaurin are just a few wideouts who are questionable for Week 5. Cincinnati and Washington have the benefit of playing in the early window on Sunday. Those with Chase, Higgins, and McLaurin should have a pretty good idea of where those players stand by the time their roster spots lock. Moore may be a bit trickier, as Buffalo plays on Monday night. Fantasy managers relying on Moore would be wise to find contingency plans via the waiver wire. Dohnte Meyers and Keon Coleman are the players most likely to fill the void left by the injured players in question in Cincinnati and Buffalo.

Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion have given the Cleveland Browns multiple wide receivers who can threaten opposing defenses in different ways. Boston is the Browns’ deep threat. He has caught a 40-yard pass in three of four games, with two for touchdowns. Concepcion does all his damage underneath, hoping to create yards after the catch. He has at least four receptions in three of four games but has yet to score a touchdown. Boston should have the higher weekly fantasy ceiling, and this week is no different. While the New York Jets limited explosive plays over their first three games, that was not the case last week. I ranked both wideouts as WR3s for Week 5, with both coming in as top-75 Week 5 Flex players.

Tight End Notes

Mike Gesicki has caught a touchdown in three of four games, though he has only 15 targets so far. While his volume has been up and down week to week, the Miami Dolphins allowed T.J. Hockenson to catch all 13 of his targets last week. Hockenson had just nine grabs entering Week 4. Given the general inconsistency that accompanies most tight ends, Gesicki could be a recommended streamer even if the Bengals have their full complement of pass catchers. If Chase and/or Higgins were to miss this week’s game, Gesicki has massive weekly upside. While I generally do not like playing tight ends in my Flex spot, I don’t mind going that route with Gesicki if you already have an elite tight end.