Week five is here which means we finally have some bye weeks, causing a pretty major shakeup. We also had a fairly big week of injuries so for this list I’m going to be assuming that Jonathan Taylor and Joe Mixon are playing this week. On the other hand right now I’m assuming that Davante Adams will be missing another week. This is just based on the reports I’ve seen as of 10/1 and I’ll update these rankings as necessary.
The rankings below are based on statistical analysis, matchup data, sportsbook data, and film. Also, if you have any sit/start questions or want team advice, click the link below and shoot me a message!
Week 5 Wide Receiver Rankings
(2024 Fantasy Football)
Tier 1
1. CeeDee Lamb @ PIT
2. Justin Jefferson vs NYJ
Tier 2
3. Ja'Marr Chase vs BAL
4. Nico Collins vs BUF
5. Malik Nabers @ SEA
6. Marvin Harrison Jr. @ SF
Tier 3
7. Chris Godwin @ ATL
8. Deebo Samuel Sr. vs ARI
9. Mike Evans @ ATL
10. DK Metcalf vs NYG
Tier 4
11. Jayden Reed @ LAR
12. Garrett Wilson @ MIN
13. Chris Olave @ KC
14. Drake London vs TB
15. Brandon Aiyuk vs ARI
Tier 5
16. Stefon Diggs vs BUF
17. Diontae Johnson @ CHI
18. DJ Moore vs CAR
19. Amari Cooper @ WAS
20. Tyreek Hill @ NE
21. Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs NYG
Tier 6
22. Terry McLaurin vs CLE
23. Rashid Shaheed @ KC
24. Tee Higgins vs BAL
25. Zay Flowers @ CIN
26. George Pickens vs DAL
27. Brian Thomas Jr. vs IND
Tier 7
28. Xavier Worthy vs NO
29. Christian Kirk vs IND
30. Michael Pittman Jr. @ JAC
31. Khalil Shakir @ HOU
32. Jaylen Waddle @ NE
33. Wan'Dale Robinson @ SEA
34. Jordan Addison vs NYJ
35. Courtland Sutton vs LV
36. Tank Dell vs BUF
37. Keenan Allen vs CAR
Tier 8
38. Jakobi Meyers @ DEN
39. Rome Odunze vs CAR
40. Tre Tucker @ DEN
41. Jerry Jeudy @ WAS
42. Dontayvion Wicks @ LAR
43. Jauan Jennings vs ARI
44. Darnell Mooney vs TB
45. Xavier Legette @ CHI
46. Allen Lazard @ MIN
47. Josh Downs @ JAC
48. Romeo Doubs @ LAR
Must Start: Wide Receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs NYG
For those who are new here, In order to qualify to be the FTR start of the week you have to projected out as a back end WR2/RB2 according to ESPN’s projections. After having yet another good game, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is surprisingly being projected as the WR29 in week three. In a great matchup against the Giants I don’t understand this ranking at all.
For one, Smith-Njigba has officially passed Tyler Lockett as the WR2. He also just ran the most routes on the Seahawks (57) on top of drawing 12 targets which was tied with only DK Metcalf. The Giants should be a solid matchup, as they’re 18th in points allowed to wide receivers this year (129.4). The Seahawks offense has been fantastic lately and they’re projected to have the 4th highest implied team total. It seems like it’s wheels up for Smith-Njigba and I’m absolutely putting him in my starting lineup this week.
Week 5 Running Back Rankings
(2024 Fantasy Football)
Tier 1
1. Derrick Henry @ CIN
2. Kyren Williams vs GB
3. Jordan Mason vs ARI
4. Alvin Kamara @ KC
5. Breece Hall @ MIN
6. Bijan Robinson vs TB
Tier 2
7. Kenneth Walker III vs NYG
8. James Conner @ SF
9. James Cook @ HOU
10. Aaron Jones vs NYJ
11. Jonathan Taylor @ JAC
12. De'Von Achane @ NE
13. Josh Jacobs @ LAR
Tier 3
14. Joe Mixon vs BUF
15. Brian Robinson Jr. vs CLE
16. Chuba Hubbard @ CHI
17. Travis Etienne Jr. vs IND
Tier 4
18. Jerome Ford @ WAS
19. Najee Harris vs DAL
20. D'Andre Swift vs CAR
Tier 5
21. Rhamondre Stevenson vs MIA
22. Devin Singletary @ SEA
23. Kareem Hunt vs NO
24. Rico Dowdle @ PIT
25. Zack Moss vs BAL
26. Rachaad White @ ATL
27. Chase Brown vs BAL
28. Zach Charbonnet vs NYG
29. Bucky Irving @ ATL
Tier 6
30. Javonte Williams vs LV
31. Zamir White @ DEN
32. Braelon Allen @ MIN
33. Roschon Johnson vs CAR
Tier 7
34. Samaje Perine vs NO
35. Alexander Mattison @ DEN
36. Austin Ekeler vs CLE
37. Carson Steele vs NO
38. Jaylen Warren vs DAL
39. Ezekiel Elliott @ PIT
40. Tyler Allgeier vs TB
41. Justice Hill @ CIN
42. Antonio Gibson vs MIA
Tier 8
43. Ty Chandler vs NYJ
44. Raheem Mostert @ NE
45. Tank Bigsby vs IND
46. Jaleel McLaughlin vs LV
47. Trey Benson @ SF
48. Emanuel Wilson @ LAR
Must Start: Running Back
James Conner @ SF
I’m not sure if I’m missing something but ESPN having James Conner as their RB21 makes no sense. After a dud in week three, Conner came right back and scored 18.3 points in week four, bringing his season average to 15.3 PPG. The counter to this argument is that Conner is going against the 49ers defense but it’s not as crushing as it might seem.
This year the 49ers have allowed the 14th most points to running backs (95.1) this season which is actually above average. Kyler Murray has struggled as of late but I’m a big believer in his talent and I expect him to get back on track in week five. Of course this matchup isn’t ideal but please don’t think about sitting Conner because you see that low projection on the ESPN app.