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Week 5 fantasy football rankings: Clyde Edwards-Helaire keeps climbing

Week 5 is a big show-me week for many across the NFL. With great matchups, players like Deshaun Watson, Kenyan Drake, D.J. Moore and Tyler Higbee are in prime positions to demonstrate that they deserve to be weekly starters.

Whether they step up or put up a dud will have a major impact on the way they’re viewed moving forward.

Below are my half-point PPR fantasy football rankings for Week 5.

QB

1. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

Jackson has a matchup against a Bengals pass defense I happen to think is fraudulent. They’re tied for the eighth-fewest fantasy points allowed to QBs, but the list of passers they’ve faced are: Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield, Carson Wentz and Gardner Minshew — not a group of the league’s elite by any stretch. The last time Jackson faced the Bengals, he threw for three TDs and ran for one.

3. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants)

4. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

5. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

After some questionable decisions, Bill O’Brien is no longer the head coach of the Texans. His firing this week should be seen as a major wake-up call to the 0-4 football team. A home date against the Jaguars should give fantasy managers a vintage performance from Watson. Jacksonville is allowing 8.43 yards-per-attempt to opposing passers this season, the fourth-most of any team. Start Watson with confidence this week.

6. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at New York Jets)

7. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (at Tennessee Titans) *

The Titans had a pair of positive COVID-19 tests reported on Wednesday and two more positive tests on Thursday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, putting this matchup in doubt. Continue to track the situation throughout the week.*

8. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (at Seattle Seahawks)

Amongst quarterbacks who have played in all four games this season, Cousins (100) has the second-fewest passing attempts. That has a lot to do with the Vikings’ methodical, run-first attack on offense. Head coach Mike Zimmer, no matter how badly he may want to, will not be able to execute that strategy against the #ChefRuss Seahawks. I expect Minnesota to rely on Cousins’ arm and their 1-2 punch at WR in Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson to get it done against a Seattle team surrendering the second-most fantasy points-per-game to QBs and the most to WRs.

9. Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers (at Atlanta Falcons)

10. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams (at Washington Football Team)

11. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at New Orleans Saints)

During the last episode of The Lineup (shameless self-promotion), I talked about how nice the Chargers’ upcoming schedule is for Herbert. In his first three starts, he has two top-15 QB finishes already. His cannon-like arm and surprising accuracy in the early going have him squarely in the low-end QB1 mix for Week 5 against the Saints. New Orleans’ secondary played without CB Marshon Lattimore and CB Janoris Jenkins in Week 4, and it’s unclear if either will play against Los Angeles. Safety Malcolm Jenkins has also been limited at practice throughout the week. An absence by any would boost Herbert’s prospects against a Saints defense currently tied for allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs thus far.

12. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

Despite playing in one more game than Herbert, his Week 5 counterpart, Brees only has seven more fantasy points. Brees potentially gets a huge addition this week, however, as WR Michael Thomas may make his return to the lineup. The hope is Thomas’ ability to win underneath will compliment Brees’ arm and place him back into weekly QB starter territory.

13. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Carolina Panthers)

14. Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Houston Texans)

15. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

16. Daniel Jones, New York Giants (at Dallas Cowboys)

Danny Dimes has returned just pennies on the dollar for the Giants in 2020. On two occasions this season, he’s failed to top 10 fantasy points. The hope is that in Week 5 he can get something going against a Cowboys defensive unit that is tied for allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs.

17. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (at Baltimore Ravens)

18. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins (at San Francisco 49ers)

19. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (at Kansas City Chiefs)

20. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (vs. Buffalo Bills) *

21. Nick Foles, Chicago Bears (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Played on Thursday

22. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

23. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Chicago Bears) Played on Thursday

This has all of the makings of a disaster spot for Brady and the Bucs. On a short week, the team has to travel on the road to face the Bears who have been comfy and cozily waiting for them in Chicago this whole time. Tampa Bay is banged up on offense entering this contest, as WR Chris Godwin (hamstring), WR Justin Watson (chest), RB LeSean McCoy (ankle) and TE O.J. Howard (Achilles) will all miss the game while RB Leonard Fournette (ankle) is doubtful to play. The Bears through four weeks have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to QBs.

24. Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (at Cleveland Browns)

25. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Miami Dolphins)

26. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

27. Kyle Allen, Washington Football Team (vs. Los Angeles Rams)

28. Brett Rypien, Denver Broncos (at New England Patriots)

29. Jarrett Stidham, New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos)

30. Joe Flacco, New York Jets (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

RB

1. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

2. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

Edwards-Helaire gets a great spot in Week 5, battling the Raiders who have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs. The issue with his production so far is that he hasn’t been able to find the endzone. Despite receiving six of Kansas City’s seven carries inside the five-yard line, he hasn’t been able to punch in a single one of those attempts. The Raiders, however, have allowed eight total touchdowns to RBs through Week 4.

3. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants)

4. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings (at Seattle Seahawks)

5. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

6. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (at Cleveland Browns)

Since Week 2, Taylor has handled 60 of the Colts’ 113 RB touches. Also factoring in are Jordan Wilkins (29) and Nyheim Hines (24). It’s clear that Taylor is the lead back and he’ll continue to receive the majority of work from this committee. Additionally, he’s the go-to RB at the goal line, as he’s handled 10 of the team’s 14 carries inside the 10-yard line since Week 2.

7. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders (at Kansas City Chiefs)

As a Jacobs fantasy manager, there hasn’t been too much to cheer about since his three-touchdown performance in Week 1. He hasn’t found the end zone since and he’s topped four-yards per carry in just one game this season. The matchup against the Chiefs doesn’t project to be great as the game script will likely be working against him. The one thing working in Jacobs’ favour recently has been his involvement in the passing game. He’s already snagged 13 passes this season, putting him on pace for 52 receptions.

8. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

9. David Johnson, Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

Johnson has struggled out of the gate, posting a -0.53 rushing yards over expected per attempt, the sixth-worst figure in the NFL. Coming up, however, is a nice get-right spot against the Jaguars. A previously struggling RB who goes by the name Joe Mixon faced Jacksonville in Week 4, and torched them for 151 rushing yards and two TDs on 25 carries while also adding six receptions for 30 yards and an additional score. The Jaguars are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs so far.

10. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Houston Texans)

11. Mike Davis, Carolina Panthers (at Atlanta Falcons)

12. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans (vs. Buffalo Bills) *

13. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals (at Baltimore Ravens)

14. James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

15. Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals (at New York Jets

16. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

17. Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Miami Dolphins)

Mostert (knee) got in a limited practice on Wednesday, an encouraging sign for his availability this weekend. Keep an eye on his practice status for the remainder of the week.

18. Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team (vs. Los Angeles Rams)

19. Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Carolina Panthers)

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Todd Gurley II #21 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 05, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Todd Gurley is a wild card. (Getty)

Gurley’s likely not going to rush for 100 yards at this stage of his career. Even though he’s just 26-years-old, his nagging knee injury is still an issue that limits his production. With Gurley, you’re hoping he finds the end zone. Last week he scored twice against the Green Bay Packers and finished with 18.80 fantasy points. If he doesn’t score, you’re likely not getting a double-digit output from Gurley.

20. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Played on Thursday

21. Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Chicago Bears) Played on Thursday

Jones will benefit from the likely absence of RB Leonard Fournette (ankle) who’s listed as doubtful. Last week with Fournette out of the picture, Jones handled 20 carries for 111 yards while adding six receptions for 17 yards.

22. Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills (at Tennessee Titans) *

23. Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers (at New Orleans Saints)

24. Melvin Gordon III, Denver Broncos (at New England Patriots)

25. Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins (at San Francisco 49ers)

26. Mark Ingram II, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

27. Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Miami Dolphins)

28. Damien Harris, New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos)

29. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (at Washington Football Team)

30. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

WR

1. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals (at New York Jets)

2. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings (at Seattle Seahawks)

3. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

Thomas appears to be truly questionable for Monday Night Football. If possible, add Tre’Quan Smith (32% rostered on Yahoo) to your bench as an emergency backup.

4. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

5. Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

6. D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

7. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (at New Orleans Saints)

Allen has been the most targeted player (40) in the NFL since Justin Herbert was named the Chargers’ starter. He should be heavily involved once again in a Monday Night Football matchup against the Saints. New Orleans is allowing the fifth-most yards-per-target (9.60) to wide receivers this season.

8. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants)

9. D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers (at Atlanta Falcons)

Moore has fallen flat of most fantasy manager’s expectations so far. While WR Robby Anderson has reached 13 fantasy points or more on three different occasions this season, Moore has surpassed that mark just once. In Week 5, however, I think he gets right against the Falcons who have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Outside of last week’s game against the Packers, who were missing Davante Adams and Allen Lazard, Atlanta has allowed 38+ points in each game to opposing wideouts.

10. Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Carolina Panthers)

11. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills (at Tennessee Titans) *

12. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Played on Thursday

13. Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team (vs. Los Angeles Rams)

McLaurin has been as steady as they come recently, topping 80 receiving yards in each of his past three games. He matches up against the Rams in Week 5, but he’s nearing weekly WR1 status given the volume he receives. His 39 targets are the seventh-most in the NFL this season. He will be dealing with a QB change as Kyle Allen replaces Dwayne Haskins, but that move shouldn’t affect his value too much as Haskins struggled mightily.

14. Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

As you can see from the video above, Brown has been getting open, he and Jackson just haven’t been able to connect on some big plays this season. Brown’s 26 targets and 453 air yards lead the Ravens. He’s a heavily involved member of the offense and it’s only a matter of time before he goes off for a massive performance. A matchup against the Bengals who allowed Chark to post a 8-95-2 line on them could be the game.

15. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Chicago Bears) Played on Thursday

Evans is shaping up to be a true game-time decision against the Bears on Thursday Night Football as he deals with an ankle injury. If Evans suits up, he should see nice volume with teammates WR Chris Godwin, WR Justin Watson and TE O.J. Howard not suiting up.

16. D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Houston Texans)

17. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (at Washington Football Team)

18. Will Fuller V, Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

19. Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers (at Atlanta Falcons)

20. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (at Seattle Seahawks)

Since surpassing WR Olabisi Johnson on the depth chart in Week 3, Jefferson actually leads the entire NFL in receiving yards with 278. His Week 5 opponent, the Seahawks, are allowing the most fantasy points per-game to wide receivers.

21. A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans (vs. Buffalo Bills)*

Brown’s been a limited participant at practice this week and it seems he will be making his return to the lineup. Brown could potentially benefit from not having to battle against Bills CB Tre’Davious White, who hasn’t practiced at all this week.

22. Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams (at Washington Football Team)

23. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants)

24. Devante Parker, Miami Dolphins (at San Francisco 49ers)

25. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals (at Baltimore Ravens)

26. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

27. Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

28. Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants)

Don’t lose hope with Gallup. The results have been frustrating this season, but he’s still a big part of what the Cowboys are trying to do. Gallup’s 249 air yards lead all Cowboys wide receivers and account for 27.6% of the team’s total air yards. It appears that he’ll be more volatile in 2020 than he was in 2019, but he still carries week-winning upside.

29. Darius Slayton, New York Giants (at Dallas Cowboys)

30. Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

TE

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Miami Dolphins)

3. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

4. Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers (at New Orleans Saints)

In Week 5, Henry gets a great matchup against the Saints. New Orleans is surrendering the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Henry hasn’t played poorly this season, as his 27 targets are second on the team and he’s averaging 61.3 yards per game. The issue with Henry is he hasn’t been able to find the end zone. Luckily for him, New Orleans has allowed a touchdown to tight ends in every game they’ve played this season.

5. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders (at Kansas City Chiefs)

6. Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans (vs. Buffalo Bills) *

7. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

Ertz has been very frustrating for fantasy managers. Last week, it seemed like production was inevitable with teammate TE Dallas Goedert placed on IR. Instead, Ertz turned four receptions into nine yards. He still needs to be treated as a TE1, although it seems like he has lost a step.

8. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams (at Washington Football Team)

Outside of his three touchdown outburst in Week 2, Higbee has just eight receptions for 100 yards in his other three performances. His matchup in Week 5 against the Football Team is a prove-it spot. Washington has given up five TDs to tight ends this season, so if Higbee can’t get it done against them, it may be time to drop and move on from him.

9. Evan Engram, New York Giants (at Dallas Cowboys)

10. Mike Gesicki, MiamI Dolphins (at San Francisco 49ers)

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 24: Miami Dolphins Tight End Mike Gesicki (88) catches a pass for a touchdown during the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars on. September 24, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Getty)

11. Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants)

12. Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Carolina Panthers)

13. Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts (at Cleveland Browns)

14. Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Chicago Bears) Played on Thursday

As previously mentioned, the Bucs are short on receiving options entering this game. It may be out of necessity that the team turns to Gronkowski in the passing game. If you have either T.J. Hockenson or Robert Tonyan on bye this week, you could do worse than plugging in Gronk.

15. Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Played on Thursday

16. Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

17. Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns (vs. Indianapolis Colts)

18. Greg Olsen, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

19. Jordan Akins, Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

20. Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (vs. Los Angeles Rams)

DEF

1. Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

3. New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos)

4. Arizona Cardinals (at New York Jets)

The Jets will be starting QB Joe Flacco in this one. I shouldn’t have to say much else.

5. Los Angeles Rams (at Washington Football Team)

6. Chicago Bears (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Played on Thursday

7. Indianapolis Colts (at Cleveland Browns)

8. San Francisco 49ers (vs. Miami Dolphins)

9. Buffalo Bills (at Tennessee Titans)*

10. Denver Broncos (at New England Patriots)

11. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Chicago Bears) Played on Thursday

13. Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants)

14. New Orleans Saints (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

15. Philadelphia Eagles (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

16. Los Angeles Chargers (at New Orleans Saints)

17. Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

18. Seattle Seahawks (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

19. Miami Dolphins (at San Francisco 49ers)

20. Washington Football Team (vs. Los Angeles Rams)

K

1. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

2. Wil Lutz, New Orleans Saints (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

3. Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)

4. Greg Zuerlein, Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants)

5. Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

6. Zane Gonzalez, Arizona Cardinals (at New York Jets)

7. Rodrigo Blankenship, Indianapolis Colts (at Cleveland Browns)

8. Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

9. Robbie Gould, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Miami Dolphins)

10. Joey Slye, Carolina Panthers (at Atlanta Falcons)

11. Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

12. Dan Bailey, Minnesota Vikings (at Seattle Seahawks)

13. Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders (at Kansas City Chiefs)

14. Sam Sloman, Carolina Panthers (at Atlanta Falcons)

15. Nick Folk, New England Patriots (vs. Denver Broncos)

16. Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Carolina Panthers)

Koo returned to practice on Wednesday, a good sign for his availability on Sunday.

17. Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Chicago Bears) Played on Thursday

18. Michael Badgley, Los Angeles Chargers (at New Orleans Saints)

19. Jason Sanders, Miami Dolphins (at San Francisco 49ers)

20. Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos (at New England Patriots)

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