Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings: Each Position's Flex and PPR Projections

We're one game into Week 5 of the NFL season. With 13 matchups left to go, you probably have a number of fantasy decisions left to make. We're here to help identify some of the top fantasy options remaining for this week's slate of games.

We'll be going over positional fantasy rankings and also examining some potentially strong flex and PPR options. Our choices are based on factors such as past performances, projected role, matchup and health where applicable.

We will also touch on quarterbacks and kickers even though these are clearly not flex or PPR options in most formats.

Good luck!

Quarterbacks

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	Ben Roethlisberger, PIT	NYJ
2	Andrew Luck, IND	CHI
3	Tom Brady, NE	@ CLE
4	Philip Rivers, SD	@ OAK
5	Carson Wentz, PHI	@ DET
6	Brian Hoyer, CHI	@ IND
7	Aaron Rodgers, GB	NYG
8	Joe Flacco, BAL	WAS
9	Eli Manning, NYG	@ GB
10	Kirk Cousins, WAS	@ BAL

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a guy you can pretty much start every single week when healthy and not worry about the matchup. Sure, he had a poor outing a couple of weeks ago against the Philadelphia Eagles, but poor fantasy numbers for Big Ben are an aberration.

It helps that Roethlisberger gets to play at home this week with a favorable matchup. The Steelers host the New York Jets, who are rated dead last in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus. It's also looking like the Jets will be without cornerback Darrelle Revis this week.

Say what you want about Revis' play this year, but it never helps to be down a defensive back against Pittsburgh.

For an idea of what Roethlisberger could accomplish this week, just consider this. The Kansas City Chiefs are rated sixth overall in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus. He gashed the Chiefs for 300 yards and five touchdowns last week.

Running Backs

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	DeMarco Murray, TEN	@ MIA
2	Melvin Gordon, SD	@ OAK
3	Le'Veon Bell, PIT	NYJ
4	C.J. Anderson, DEN	ATL
5	Jordan Howard, CHI	@ IND
6	Frank Gore, IND	CHI
7	Ezekiel Elliott, DAL	CIN
8	LeSean McCoy, BUF	@ LA
9	Isaiah Crowell, CLE	NE
10	Theo Riddick, DET	PHI
11	LeGarrette Blount, NE	@ CLE
12	Lamar Miller, HOU	@ MIN
13	Devonta Freeman, ATL	@ DEN
14	Terrance West, BAL	WAS
15	Jerick McKinnon, MIN	HOU
16	Eddie Lacy, GB	NYG
17	Todd Gurley, LA	BUF
18	Duke Johnson, CLE	NE
19	Darren Sproles, PHI	@ DET
20	DeAndre Washington, OAK	SD
21	Matt Forte, NYJ	@ PIT
22	Bilal Powell, NYJ	@ PIT
23	Matt Jones, WAS	@ BAL
24	Jeremy Hill, CIN	@ DAL
25	Fozzy Whittaker, CAR	TB

San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is only averaging 3.2 yards per carry, but he remains a legitimate RB1 for a couple of reasons. For one, he is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns with six.

The other reason why Gordon holds fantasy value is his role in San Diego's passing game. With Danny Woodhead on injured reserve, Gordon is utilized on passing plays. He has 13 receptions so far this year, but 10 of them came in the last two games.

Gordon should be able to find some running room against the Oakland Raiders, who are rated 29th in run defense by Pro Football Focus. He should also catch a handful of passes and find the end zone.

RB Flex Advice

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

If you're looking for a sneaky flex play, consider Raiders rookie running back DeAndre Washington. Starter Latavius Murray has been ruled out with turf toe, which means Washington and Jalen Richard will be handling the ground game.

"You're always prepared in case," Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. "You've got capable guys, guys who have been playing anyways. We'll be ready to go."

Washington—who got eight touches to Richard's three against the Baltimore Ravens last week—could see the bulk of the backfield work. However, Richard should also make for a respectable flex play in deeper leagues.

PPR Advice

Though he has been overshadowed by teammate Isaiah Crowell this season, Cleveland Browns back Duke Johnson has been a solid PPR performer. He already has 18 receptions to go with 148 rushing yards and 115 receiving yards.

Considering the Browns are starting rookie Cody Kessler at quarterback against the New England Patriots, Cleveland will probably try utilizing the short-passing game to ease incoming pressure. This could mean a lot of targets for Johnson, which is great if you own him in a PPR league.

Wide Receivers

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	Antonio Brown, PIT	NYJ
2	A.J. Green, CIN	@ DAL
3	Julio Jones, ATL	@ DEN
4	Jordy Nelson, GB	NYG
5	Jarvis Landry, MIA	TEN
6	Odell Beckham Jr., NYG	@ GB
7	Mike Evans, TB	@ CAR
8	T.Y. Hilton, IND	CHI
9	Alshon Jeffery, CHI	@ IND
10	Brandon Marshall, NYJ	@ PIT
11	Jordan Matthews, PHI	@ DET
12	Marvin Jones, DET	PHI
13	Kelvin Benjamin, CAR	TB
14	Travis Benjamin, SD	@ OAK
15	Amari Cooper, OAK	SD
16	Steve Smith, BAL	WAS
17	Michael Crabtree, OAK	SD
18	Quincy Enunwa, NYJ	@ PIT
19	Terrelle Pryor, CLE	NE
20	Emmanuel Sanders, DEN	ATL
21	DeAndre Hopkins, HOU	@ MIN
22	Demaryius Thomas, DEN	ATL
23	DeSean Jackson, WAS	@ BAL
24	Cole Beasley, DAL	CIN
25	Tyrell Williams, SD	@ OAK

As we mentioned previously, the Steelers are facing a Jets team that isn't particularly good against the pass right now and is missing some pieces. This is why Antonio Brown is a must-start in all formats.

Don't be afraid to go with Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones or Bengals receiver A.J. Green this week either, even though these two face much tougher matchups. Green is going up against the Dallas Cowboys, who are rated third in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus. Jones draws the Denver Broncos, who are rated fifth.

Jones and Green are premier receivers with centerpiece roles in their respective offenses. Don't overthink their matchups and play them.

Flex Advice

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor (19 receptions, 290 yards, 1 TD) has blossomed into a fantasy star at the receiver position, but he probably isn't a WR1 or WR2 this week. The Patriots do an excellent job of taking away an opponents' biggest strengths, and Pryor is one of the few offensive playmakers on Cleveland's offense.

That said, Pryor should still be a solid flex play. The Browns used him at quarterback a handful of times against the Miami Dolphins during Kessler's first start, and he responded with 35 yards passing, 21 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Pryor was used at quarterback less against the Washington Redskins last week, but he could make a return against the Patriots. The Browns will likely need to delve into their bag of tricks to have any shot against New England, and those tricks could yield extra fantasy points for Pryor owners.

PPR Advice

Chargers receiver Tyrell Williams has developed into a solid receiver this season. In recent weeks, he has also become a sneaky option in deeper PPR leagues.

Though Williams hasn't topped 70 yards in any of the last three weeks, he has caught at least three passes. He has 11 receptions over the past two weeks and has been targeted 17 times in that span, according to Pro Football Focus.

Williams should be good for at least 10 points in PPR formats based on receptions and yardage alone.

Tight Ends

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	Jordan Reed, WAS	@ BAL
2	Greg Olsen, CAR	TB
3	Dennis Pitta, BAL	WAS
4	Zach Miller, CHI	@ IND
5	Martellus Bennett, NE	@ CLE
6	Jason Witten, DAL	CIN
7	Kyle Rudolph, MIN	HOU
8	Rob Gronkowski, NE	@ CLE
9	Hunter Henry, SD	@ OAK
10	Cameron Brate, TB	@ CAR
11	Delanie Walker, TEN	@ MIA
12	Gary Barnidge, CLE	NE
13	Dwayne Allen, IND	CHI
14	Jesse James, PIT	@ DEN
15	C.J. Uzomah, CIN	@ DAL

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen is the centerpiece of his team's passing attack. As such, he is one of the top fantasy producers at the tight end position. He already has 24 receptions, 335 yards and two touchdowns.

Owners, though, may be wary this week because quarterback Cam Newton is still in the concussion protocol. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports doesn't believe it's likely Newton will be cleared in time to play on Monday night:

Olsen owners shouldn't worry, though. Backup Derek Anderson is an experienced quarterback who has been with the Panthers since 2011. Carolina shouldn't have to alter its offense much with him under center, and guys like Olsen have plenty of confidence in his ability.

“He’s probably better than a lot of starters,” tight end Greg Olsen said of Anderson possibly starting, per Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer. “So if that’s the case, we’re going to roll with it.”

Flex Advice

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

It's rarely worth starting a tight end in the flex position because running backs and receivers generally tend to have a higher ceiling. The exception, of course, is if you own two of the top scorers—like Olsen and Washington tight end Jordan Reed, for example.

This also might be a good week to try sliding Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski into the flex spot and hope for the best. Gronkowski has been limited by a hamstring issue and has just one reception for 11 yards this season. However, he gets quarterback Tom Brady back this week and is facing a Browns team rated just 24th in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus.

PPR Advice

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten might not be racking up the yardage this season (he has 189 yards so far) and he has yet to reach the end zone. However, he is a solid PPR play because of his role in the offense and his ability to hold his quarterback's trust.

Witten is tied for fourth in the NFL among tight ends with 21 receptions through four games. This means he is averaging more than five catches per contest. He is a consistent PPR producer, and a must-start this week against Cincinnati

The Bengals are rated a subpar 21st in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article106497512.html#storylink=cpy

Kickers

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	Stephen Gostkowski, NE	@ CLE
2	Adam Vinatieri, IND	CHI
3	Justin Tucker, BAL	WAS
4	Chris Boswell, PIT	NYJ
5	Dan Bailey, DAL	CIN
6	Graham Gano, CAR	TB
7	Matt Prater, DET	PHI
8	Mason Crosby, GB	NYG
9	Dustin Hopkins, WAS	@ BAL
10	Brandon McManus, DEN	ATL

You should know by now if your kicker is worth keeping on the roster. It's worth noting that Cairo Santos (Chiefs), Jason Myers (Jacksonville Jaguars), Wil Lutz (New Orleans Saints) and Steven Hauschka (Seattle Seahawks) are on bye.

Defense/Special Teams

Rank	Team	Opponent
1	Minnesota Vikings	HOU
2	New England Patriots	@ CLE
3	Buffalo Bills	@LA
4	Green Bay Packers	NYG
5	Pittsburgh Steelers	NYJ
6	Carolina Panthers	TB
7	Denver Broncos	ATL
8	Los Angeles Rams	BUF
9	Baltimore Ravens	WAS
10	Philadelphia Eagles	@ DET