Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice (2025)

Welcome to Week 5, and welcome to Quick Grades, your weekly companion for start/sit clarity. We’ve combined consensus rankings and projections with The Primer’s matchup analysis to assign letter grades for every fantasy-relevant player, then added concise notes to illuminate the reasoning. Treat the grade as your default stance and the note as your context check.

Let’s make your weekly lineup calls easy. In general, A means start with confidence, C is matchup-dependent, and F is a bench. Scroll for every position’s call, plus key notes that explain the “why” behind the grade. Prefer a curated view of only your roster? Sync your team for a personalized My Primer experience.

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Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings & Start/Sit Grades

To keep this fast and scannable, we’re leading with the overall Week 5 rankings. Below that, you’ll find each position (QB, RB, WR, TE, DST, K) broken out with letter grades and quick notes. Use the rankings for a top-down view, then jump to the position sections for the grades behind each call.

Week 5 Start/Sit Rankings

Week 5 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Carson Wentz (QB)

It hasn’t been pretty, but Carson Wentz has been the QB13 and QB9 in weekly scoring in his two starts this season. Ok, here’s the good. Among 38 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks ninth in yards per attempt and seventh in passing yards per game, but among the same sample, he also ranks 30th in catchable target rate, 12th-highest in off-target rate, and sixth-highest in turnover-worthy throw rate. The variability in his play from dropback to dropback has been wild. He should provide respectable QB2 numbers this week, but expect some turnovers and some head-scratching moments as well. Cleveland has allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns, the eighth-highest passer rating, and ranks 17th in CPOE. Where things could go awry for Wentz is that his offensive line is currently Swiss cheese. Minnesota has allowed the fourth-highest pressure rate, and I don’t see that getting better this week with their offensive line situation. The Browns have the seventh-best pressure rate. Wentz is 11th in yards per attempt under pressure, but also has the second-highest turnover-worthy play rate. If Wentz fails this week, it’ll be because his line couldn’t hold up and/or he couldn’t navigate dirty pockets.

Dillon Gabriel (QB)

It’s about time. The Browns have benched Joe Flacco, who will serve as the QB2 this week for the team. Dillon Gabriel will draw the start. During his final collegiate season, Gabriel ranked third in adjusted completion rate and 14th in yards per attempt, but he was also 103rd in big-time throw rate. Much of his production in that final season was schemed. He was sixth in screen attempts and fourth in screen passing yards. 66% of his passes were within nine yards of the line of scrimmage. That’s not to say that he can’t throw the deep ball because he was third in deep ball completion rate, but he ranked 132nd in deep ball rate. Good luck, rookie. Brian Flores will test Gabriel early and often with blitzes and simulated pressures. Minnesota has allowed the 14th-fewest yards per attempt, the third-fewest passing yards per game, and the fourth-lowest CPOE. Minnesota blitzes at the fourth-highest rate and ranks second in pressure rate. Cleveland has allowed the seventh-highest pressure rate, so expect Gabriel to be running for his life at times this week.

C.J. Stroud (QB)

C.J. Stroud is having another difficult season as the QB28 in fantasy points per game. Among 38 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 19th in yards per attempt, 33rd in CPOE, 16th in highly accurate throw rate, and 18th in catchable target rate. Stroud is still waiting for his first QB1 finish. His best weekly showing so far has been QB15 (last week). Stroud might get his first top 12 finish this week. Baltimore’s pass defense has been horrible this season. They have given up the fourth-most passing yards per game, the second-most passing touchdowns (tied), the seventh-highest passer rating, and the fifth-highest CPOE. The Ravens have had issues defending the deep ball, especially giving up the third-most deep passing yards per game and the 13th-highest deep completion rate. Stroud is 13th in deep ball rate while ranking middle of the pack in deep ball accuracy (17th out of 34 qualifying quarterbacks). Stroud and Nico Collins could hook up for a few explosive plays this week (Collins leads the team in deep targets).

Cooper Rush (QB)

Cooper Rush will be the Ravens’ starter this week. Last year, Rush was the QB31 in fantasy points per game. Among 47 qualifying quarterbacks, Rush ranked 41st in yards per attempt, 40th in highly accurate throw rate, 28th in catchable target rate, and 34th in CPOE. None of it was great. Baltimore should lean on Derrick Henry this week as Rush has a tough matchup. Houston has allowed the sixth-fewest yards per attempt and the third-lowest passer rating and CPOE.

Daniel Jones (QB)

Daniel Jones is the QB7 in fantasy points per game after cooling off some from his red-hot start to the season. Over the last two games, he has finished as the QB11 and QB23 in weekly fantasy scoring. He is now averaging only 4.5 rushing attempts and 13.5 rushing yards per game. Jones hasn’t surpassed 30 rushing yards in any game and hasn’t scored on the ground since Week 2. Among 38 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks third in yards per attempt, eighth in passer rating, tenth in highly accurate throw rate, and sixth in catchable target rate. He faces a Raiders’ pass defense that will offer him a strong bounceback opportunity. They have given up the 11th-highest yards per attempt, the 12th-most passing yards per game, and the third-highest CPOE.

Geno Smith (QB)

Geno Smith has continued his high-wire act for fantasy as the QB20 in fantasy points per game. He has two outings with 18 or more fantasy points while also logging two games with less than 13 fantasy points. Smith ranks 12th in yards per attempt and 11th in passing yards per game, but he also leads the NFL in interceptions while having the second-highest off-target rate and turnover-worthy throw rate. Smith will continue to be volatile, but this should be one of his better weeks. Indy’s pass defense has been struggling, allowing the 13th-most passing yards per game, the fifth-most passing touchdowns, and the seventh-highest success rate per dropback. Indy has also allowed the sixth-most deep passing yards per game and the fourth-highest passer rating to deep passing. Smith could connect on a few deep balls this week to make his week. Smith is 16th in deep ball rate and 20th in deep ball completion rate (out of 34 qualifying quarterbacks).

Bryce Young (QB)

The deeper we get into the 2025 season, the more Bryce Young DOES NOT look like the long-term answer at quarterback for the Panthers. He hasn’t surpassed 6.0 yards per attempt in any game this season, and only once has he thrown for more than 200 yards. He isn’t even using his legs, with less than ten yards rushing in each of his last three games. Among 38 qualifying quarterbacks, Young is 36th in yards per attempt, 33rd in highly accurate throw rate, and 24th in catchable target rate. If there was ever a spot to make Young look far better than he is, it’s this week against the Dolphins. Miami has allowed the second-highest yards per attempt, the highest passer rating, the 11th-highest CPOE, and the 12th-most passing yards per game. Young is a strong QB2 that could flirt with QB1 production this week (as insane as that sounds). Miami is that bad.

Week 5 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Jordan Addison (WR)

In his first game back from suspension, Jordan Addison was the WR21 in fantasy, turning in four receptions and 114 receiving yards. He didn’t have a red zone target, but he had three deep targets from Carson Wentz. Addison had a 90.7% route share, a 17.4% target share, a 31.3% air-yard share, 2.33 yards per route run, and a 25% first-read share. He’s a strong flex play this week against a secondary that has allowed the third-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Jerry Jeudy (WR)

Jerry Jeudy has been a nothingburger this season. He hasn’t finished higher than WR47 in weekly scoring since Week 2 and is the WR60 in fantasy points per game. Jeudy has an 18.3% target share, a 44% air-yard share, 1.21 yards per route run (45.5 receiving yards per game), and a 26.5% first-read share. He is fifth among wide receivers with nine deep targets, but he has seen only one red zone target. This week, he faces a Minnesota pass defense that has the highest rate of two high (75.5%) in the NFL. Against two high, Jeudy has seen his target share dip to 15.9% and his first-read share drop to 21.6%. Sit Jeudy against a secondary that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game and the sixth-fewest receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Christian Kirk (WR)

Since his return in Week 3, Christian Kirk has had a 65.3% route share, an 18.2% target share, 0.92 yards per route run (22.5 receiving yards per game), and an 18.8% first-read share. Baltimore has been shredded by slot receivers this season (Kirk 67.3% slot). Baltimore has allowed the second-most PPR points per target and the most fantasy points per game to slot receivers. If C.J. Stroud attacks the Ravens’ deep, expect Kirk to be involved, as he is second on the team with three deep targets (25% of his target volume).

Zay Flowers (WR)

Zay Flowers is the WR16 in fantasy points per game. He has seen the 13th-most deep targets among wide receivers, but hasn’t seen a red zone target yet. Flowers has a 27.5% target share, a 31.6% air-yard share, 2.50 yards per route run (76.3 receiving yards per game), and a 31.5% first-read share. Houston has utilized single-high with 52.7% of their defensive snaps. Against single high, Flowers has seen his target share increase to 32.8% with 2.82 yards per route run and a 34.1% first-read share. Cooper Rush should lean on Flowers this week. Derek Stingley could shadow Flowers, which would impact his outlook. Stingley has followed Mike Evans, Davante Adams, and Calvin Ridley on 50-75% of their routes this season. Stingley didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage to any of them, and none of them surpassed 60 receiving yards in his coverage. Flowers should see plenty of volume this week, which hopefully allows him to outkick the tough matchup. Houston has allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Michael Pittman Jr. (WR)

Michael Pittman is the WR13 in fantasy points per game. He has garnered a 24% target share with 2.09 yards per route run (58.6 receiving yards per game) with a 27.6% first-read share. Pittman has two red zone targets and three scores this season. He continues to be an underrated fantasy producer this season. Pittman should have a resurgent day in Week 5 after the passing game got off track some last week. The Raiders have allowed the sixth-most PPR points per target and the second-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Jakobi Meyers (WR)

Jakobi Meyers is the WR33, seeing a 24.4% target share with 64.5 receiving yards per game (1.93 yards per route run) and a 27.8% first-read share. Meyers hasn’t eclipsed 12 PPR points since Week 2 with Geno Smith‘s rollercoastering weekly. Meyers has three deep targets and two red zone looks this season. Like Smith, Meyers should have a bounce-back game in Week 5 against a secondary that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game and the second-most receiving yards per game to the slot (Meyers 63.4% slot).

Dont’e Thornton Jr. (WR)

If you are desperate for a dice roll/high upside flex play this week, Dont’e Thornton Jr. could be your guy. He has a 68.1% route share, an 11% target share, a 25.8% air-yard share, 0.96 yards per route run (23.5 receiving yards per game), and a 15.2% first-read share. None of those numbers are amazing or will jump off the page, but his role in the offense is what we covet here. Indy has hemorrhaged deep ball production this year, giving up the sixth-most deep passing yards per game, the fourth-highest deep passer rating, and the sixth-highest deep completion rate. Thornton Jr. leads the team in deep targets, which have comprised 35.7% of his target volume this season. Indy has also had issues defending perimeter wide receivers, allowing the fourth-most PPR points per target to the position. Thornton Jr. is a dice roll that could hit for big money this week.

Jaylen Waddle (WR)

With Tyreek Hill lost for the year, Jaylen Waddle will be the unquestioned leader of the Miami passing attack. He’s the WR30 in fantasy points per game with the eighth-most red zone targets among wideouts. Waddle has two top 24 wide receiver finishes this season (WR14, WR21). Waddle has an 18.9% target share, 1.75 yards per route run (46.3 receiving yards per game), and a 25.6% first-read share. All of those market share metrics will go up moving forward. This week, he faces a Carolina pass defense that has utilized single high at the eighth-highest rate (58.1%). Against single high, Waddle has had a 24.4% target share, 2.28 yards per route run, and a 37% first-read share. Pretty pretty good. He’ll have his work cut out for him against a Panthers’ secondary that has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Waddle should see enough volume to overcome it, though.

Week 5 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

J.K. Dobbins (RB)

J.K. Dobbins is the RB16 in fantasy points per game. He has scored touchdowns in three of four games while averaging 15.6 touches and 85.3 total yards per game. Last week, the backfield was essentially just him and R.J. Harvey, as Tyler Badie played only eight snaps. Dobbins played 44% of the snaps with 14 of the 31 carries and a 9.1% route share (2.4% target share). His value has been on early downs as he has two or fewer targets in every game this season. Among 43 qualifying backs, he ranks second in explosive run rate, 15th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 16th in yards after contact per attempt. Last week, he had one red zone carry while R.J. Harvey had three. This will likely be a fluid situation week-to-week with both backs alternating red zone work. Dobbins should have no issues finding running room this week. Philly has allowed the 12th-most rushing yards per game, the lowest stuff rate, the tenth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the 12th-highest yards before contact per attempt. Philly has also surrendered the 11th-highest yards per carry and the third-highest success rate to gap runs (Dobbins 56.1% gap).

RJ Harvey (RB)

The RJ Harvey breakout game happened, and we were all witnesses to it. Last week, he played 41.3% of the snaps with a 25% route share (11.9% target share) and had 14 of the 31 carries. Harvey had 18 touches and 98 total yards with a score as the RB12 for the week. Harvey led the team in routes and was only two carries and two snaps behind J.K. Dobbins. Among 43 qualifying backs, he ranks 12th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 13th in yards after contact per attempt. Denver should feed both backs this week, as the pressure point of the Eagles’ defense is their run defense. Philly has allowed the 12th-most rushing yards per game, the lowest stuff rate, the tenth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the 12th-highest yards before contact per attempt. Philly has also surrendered the 11th-highest yards per carry and the third-highest success rate to gap runs (Harvey 51.9% gap). Harvey can also get it down through the air against a defense that has allowed the tenth-most receiving yards and the fourth-highest yards per reception to running backs.

Alvin Kamara (RB)

Alvin Kamara is the RB26 in fantasy points per game, averaging 19.6 touches and 76.3 total yards. Kamara is still the clear lead of this backfield and a strong source of volume weekly, but the overall offensive environment is hurting him, and his pass game involvement is lacking. Despite ranking sixth in snap share, 13th in opportunity share, and 12th in weighted opportunities, Kamara is 24th in red zone touches and 23rd in target share (10.6%). The lack of targets for Kamara is so frustrating, especially when considering how much Spencer Rattler is chucking it weekly. Kamara should be a focal point of the passing attack, but he has two targets in 50% of his games this season. Kamara’s per-touch efficiency isn’t great, but that’s been the case for the last few seasons outside of the passing game. He has a 14% missed tackle rate and only 1.75 yards after contact per attempt. Kamara should have a resurgent week against the Giants, who can’t stop anyone on the ground. New York has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game, the sixth-highest explosive run rate, and the highest yards after contact per attempt.

Cam Skattebo (RB)

Since Week 2, Cam Skattebo has been the RB11 in fantasy points per game. Last week, he played 75% of the snaps with 27 touches and 90 total yards. He had six red zone carries while Devin Singletary kicked in one. Among 43 qualifying backs, Skattebo ranks eighth in missed tackles forced per attempt and 12th in yards after contact per attempt. He should have another strong week against a run defense that ranks 15th in rushing yards allowed per game, 17th in yards before contact per attempt, and has given up the fifth-highest missed tackle rate.

Kendre Miller (RB)

Kendre Miller is a viable flex this week. Last week, he saw a season-high 31.3% snap rate with 11 carries and 65 total yards. In limited action, he has looked good with a 36% missed tackle rate. He has been involved in the Saints’ red zone rushing offense with five carries inside the red zone (Kamara has seven). Miller could flirt with double-digit touches this week, and with a nice matchup on the ground, if he gets in the endzone, he could be a top 24 back this week. New York has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game, the sixth-highest explosive run rate, and the highest yards after contact per attempt.

Michael Carter (RB)

With Trey Benson headed to the IR, Michael Carter looks to take over the early down portion of a committee approach in Arizona. Last week, Carter played only four snaps, had one rushing attempt, and ran two routes. Last year, to close the season (Weeks 17-18), he drew two starts, averaging 18 touches and 70 total yards with a 13% missed tackle rate and 1.67 yards after contact per attempt. In those two games, he finished as the RB20 and RB11 in weekly scoring. Emari Demercado will factor into this backfield equation, but if Carter is the early down hammer, he should have a strong day against a porous Titans’ run defense. Tennessee has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game, the fourth-highest explosive run rate, and the 13th-highest yards after contact per attempt.

Emari Demercado (RB)

The big debate this week is “which Cardinals’ running back will take the lion’s share of the work this week?” The way I’m approaching this is that Michael Carter will be the early down option, and Demercado will handle the two-minute offense and most of the passing downs. Last week, he was second to Trey Benson in route share with 29.4%. He played 39.1% of the snaps but only had two carries. Last year, while he had a 20.4% route share, he had only 6.8% of the rushing volume. He could easily break a big run this week and pay off with the early down volume he is given. Last year, in limited action (24 carries), he looked very good with a 12.5% explosive run rate, a 21% missed tackle rate, and 3.58 yards after contact per attempt. Tennessee has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game, the fourth-highest explosive run rate, and the 13th-highest yards after contact per attempt. The Titans are also 17th in receiving yards and 18th in yards per reception allowed to running backs. Demercado and Carter are strong flexes this week, with the situation murky and the matchup juicy.

Rachaad White (RB)

With Bucky Irving out this week, Rachaad White should be Tampa Bay’s workhorse back. When White has been called upon, he has been efficient on a per-touch basis with a 26% missed tackle rate and 2.43 yards after contact per attempt. White should handle the bulk of the work this week while having bellcow upside. Sean Tucker could steal a few touches, but I don’t think his workload is projectable enough to warrant him being a flex play this week. White has a horrible matchup incoming. Seattle has been quite good this season at stopping the run, giving up the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game, the second-lowest explosive run rate, and allowing the third-fewest yards after contact per attempt. White could make up for a lack of production in the rushing department with his receiving role this week. Last year, among 45 qualifying backs, he was still a solid receiving option, ranking 24th in target per route run rate (21%), 18th in yards per route run (1.44), and 21st in first downs per route run (0.066). Seattle has allowed the most receiving yards and the ninth-highest yards per reception to running backs. They allowed production to running backs through the air last year as well, giving up the tenth-most receiving yards and yards per reception to the position.

Week 5 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Zach Ertz (TE)

Zach Ertz is the TE11 in fantasy points per game while seeing two red zone targets this season. Ertz has a 15.8% target share with 37.3 receiving yards per game (1.46 yards per route run) and a 19.4% first-read share. He faces a Bolts’ pass defense that has utilized single high 51.1-59.4% in three of four games this season. Against single high, Ertz has seen his target share fall to 11.3% with only 0.73 yards per route run and a 10.9% first-read share. Ertz is a fade this week. The Bolts have allowed the 12th-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game and the seventh-fewest receiving yards to tight ends.

Dalton Kincaid (TE)

Dalton Kincaid remains stuck in a part-time role for Buffalo with a 53.6-58.1% route share weekly. Kincaid has a 14.6% target share, 2.24 yards per route run (44.8 receiving yards per game), and a 16.5% first-read share. Kincaid is the TE7 fantasy points per game thanks to his three scores this season. His high leverage usage has been nice, though. He has two deep targets and five red zone looks (second-best among tight ends). He could easily be a TE1 again this week against a Patriots defense that has allowed the seventh-most receiving yards and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Hunter Henry (TE)

Hunter Henry is the TE3 in fantasy points per game, ranking third in deep targets and first in red zone targets at the position. Henry has been a TE1 in each of his past two games (TE1, TE10). He has double-digit PPR points in three of four games this season. Henry has a 19.4% target share, 1.89 yards per route run (51 receiving yards per game), and a 21.7% first-read share. With the state of the position, you’re starting him this week, but I don’t know how you feel good about it. The Bills have allowed the fewest receiving yards and the third-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Brenton Strange (TE)

Brenton Strange is the TE14 in fantasy points per game with one TE1 finish this season (TE7). He’s still looking for his first red zone or deep target this season. Strange has a 16% target share with 45.5 receiving yards per game (1.80 yards per route run) and a 15.7% first-read share. Strange isn’t on the streaming radar as Kansas City has allowed the sixth-fewest receiving yards and the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.

T.J. Hockenson (TE)

With Carson Wentz under center, T.J. Hockenson has had a 15.7% target share with 44 receiving yards per game (1.42 yards per route run) and a 15.9% first-read share. He has four red zone targets in his last two games with TE5 and TE22 weekly scoring finishes. I don’t expect a big game from Hockenson this week against a defense that has held tight ends to the fourth-fewest yards per reception and the tenth-fewest fantasy points per game.

Week 5 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 5 Kicker Start/Sit Grades