It’s October and it’s Week 5. How the heck did that happen already? Regardless, we are at the point in the season where we have enough data to make better decisions going forward. For example, we know that Patrick Mahomes is the greatest quarterback of all time and that he has averaged more yards per attempt throwing left-handed this season than Tyrod Taylor, Nick Foles, and Sam Bradford have averaged throwing right-handed. OK, one of those statements might not be true. Mahomes had his worst week of the season in Week 4 and still finished as a QB1. His Week 5 matchup is as difficult as it gets against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but I think you have to start him this week. He comes in at QB12 in my Week 5 rankings.
The top spot at the quarterback position in my Week 5 rankings goes to Drew Brees. Brees has a difficult matchup in his own right against Washington, but I am putting my faith in #NarrativeStreet. The future Hall of Famer is 201 yards away from becoming the NFL’s all-time leading passer. He is also four touchdowns shy of 500 for his illustrious career. This game is being played at home on Monday night. After this game, the Saints have a bye followed by two road tilts. I believe Sean Payton will do everything in his power to help Brees reach these milestones at home in front of an adoring crowd with the world watching. Remember this when Zach Line and/or Josh Hill catch a one-yard touchdown pass on Monday night.
As always, there are some players who are questionable due to injury concerns. Rob Gronkowski is questionable due to a lingering ankle issue. I think he will suit up, which is why I have him so high in my rankings. Because New England plays on Thursday night, owners have the benefit of knowing Gronk’s status before making any weekly lineup moves. Even if he does play, he can probably be avoided in DFS. As of this writing, Devonta Freeman and Joe Mixon are tentatively scheduled to return this week. Personally, I’ll believe it when I see it. I have Tevin Coleman and Giovani Bernard as top-20 running backs this week.
Week 5 also brings about the return of several suspended players, including running back Mark Ingram and wide receiver Julian Edelman. Both players have relatively favorable matchups, but I think they will be eased into action a bit. I think Ingram will be used between the 20s to move the chains and to help Brees get into scoring position. Edelman should resume his role as Tom Brady’s receiver pretty quickly. I have Ingram and Edelman as Flex plays this week, though Edelman would get bumped up to WR3 territory were Gronkowski to sit out.
Also check out our Week 5 Sleepers: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends
Here are the rest of my Week 5 rankings. Because it is still early in the week, there is plenty that is still subject to change. Feel free to comment below or contact me on Twitter @themick23 if you have any specific questions regarding your weekly start/sit decisions.
Week 5 Rankings
Mick Ciallela has been writing for FantraxHQ since July 2017. He has also written for Bleacher Report. He is a lifelong sports fan and has been an avid fantasy sports player for many years. Mick was the Overall Champion of both the 2016 Football Challenge – Roto and 2017 Play 3 Football contests hosted by CDM Sports. MIck was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York and currently resides in New London, Connecticut.
Ready to amp up your Fantasy Football game even more? Check out The Fantasy Black Book Show, where Joe Pisapia, Scott Bogman, and The Welsh bring the goods every week.