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

Versatility has become increasingly important in the NFL.

Quarterbacks are harder to handle if they can run and throw. Running backs are trickier to contain when they can run and catch. Pass-catchers who can hold their own as blockers are invaluable in aerial attacks.

The flex spot is sort of fantasy football's version of versatility. While the other positions in your lineup draw from the same group, this is the one where you're provided with freedom and flexibility. Running backs, wide receivers and tight ends can all occupy this spot, so you can choose which direction you want to go.

To assist in that decision-making, we'll lay out our Week 5 rankings—with projections—and offer a sleeper at each of the three flex spots.

Running Back

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 01: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball during an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Top 20

1. Christian McCaffrey, SF (vs. DAL): 23.1 points

2. Bijan Robinson, ATL (vs. HOU): 19.9 points

3. Josh Jacobs, LV (vs. GB): 18.1 points

4. Tony Pollard, DAL (at SF): 17.4 points

5. Kyren Williams, LAR (vs. PHI): 16.2 points

6. Joe Mixon, CIN (at ARI): 16.1 points

7. Alvin Kamara, NO (at NE): 15.8 points

8. Derrick Henry, TEN (at IND): 15.5 points

9. David Montgomery, DET (vs. CAR): 15.5 points

10. De'Von Achane, MIA (vs. NYG): 15.3 points

11. Saquon Barkley, NYG (vs. PHI): 14.9 points

12. D'Andre Swift, PHI (at LAR): 14.9 points

13. Travis Etienne, JAX (at BUF): 14.3 points

14. Raheem Mostert, MIA (vs. NYG): 14.2 points

15. James Conner, ARI (vs. CIN): 14.1 points

16. Aaron Jones, GB (at LV): 13.8 points

17. James Cook, BUF (vs. JAX): 13.5 points

18. Alexander Mattison, MIN (vs. KC): 13.2 points

19. Breece Hall, NYJ (at DEN): 11.7 points

20. Isiah Pacheco, KC (at MIN): 11.1 points

Sleeper: Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (vs. CAR)

Opportunities haven't been hard to come by for Gibbs, as he's touched the ball 53 times in his first four NFL games. Efficiency—or rather, the lack thereof—has been the issue, as he's yet to find the end zone and never gained more than 21 yards on a single play. None of that matches the eye test, which remains a big fan of his burst and elusiveness.

This could be his breakout game. The Lions could be without top receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (doubtful, abdominal injury), and they're going against a Panthers defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs, per Yahoo.

Wide Receiver

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 24: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) runs for a touchdown while being chased by Los Angeles Chargers safety Alohi Gilman (32) during the NFL game between the Los Angles Chargers and the Minnesota Vikings on September 24th, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Top 30

1. Justin Jefferson, MIN (vs. KC): 24.4 points

2. Tyreek Hill, MIA (vs. NYG): 22.9 points

3. Davante Adams, LV (vs. GB): 21.7 points

4. Stefon Diggs, BUF (vs. JAX): 19.9 points

5. A.J. Brown, PHI (at LAR): 18.7 points

6. Ja'Marr Chase, CIN (at ARI): 18.5 points

7. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (at SF): 18.3 points

8. Cooper Kupp, LAR (vs. PHI): 16.5 points

9. Deebo Samuel, SF (vs. DAL): 16.4 points

10. Chris Olave, NO (at NE): 15.7 points

11. Puka Nacua, LAR (vs. PHI): 15.4 points

12. Brandon Aiyuk, SF (vs. DAL): 15.4 points

13. DeVonta Smith, PHI (at LAR): 14.7 points

14. Nico Collins, HOU (at ATL): 14.5 points

15. Marquise Brown, ARI (vs. CIN): 14.2 points

16. Jaylen Waddle, MIA (vs. NYG): 14.2 points

17. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (at DEN): 14.1 points

18. Calvin Ridley, JAX (at BUF): 13.8 points

19. Jakobi Meyers, LV (vs. GB): 13.8 points

20. Christian Kirk, JAX (at BUF): 13.7 points

21. Zay Flowers, BAL (at PIT): 13.5 points

22. Christian Watson, GB (at LV): 13.5 points

23. Adam Thielen, CAR (at DET): 13.2 points

24. Courtland Sutton, DEN (vs. NYJ): 13.1 points

25. Tank Dell, HOU (at ATL): 12.9 points

26. Brandin Cooks, DAL (at SF): 12.8 points

27. Michael Thomas, NO (at NE): 12.4 points

28. George Pickens, PIT (vs. BAL): 11.8 points

29. Romeo Doubs, GB (at LV): 11.5 points

30. Tyler Boyd, CIN (at ARI): 10.9 points

Sleeper: Kadarius Toney, KC (at MIN)

The Chiefs' receiving room has been a mess, and it's absolutely possible Toney gets lost in the mix again. He has produced single-digit scrimmage yards twice and not reached 40 scrimmage yards in a game or found the end zone, so beware, the bottom-out risk is real.

Saying all of that, he is getting healthier, still separates with ease and has the best fantasy matchup a receiver can face. If things are ever going to click, this is the week.

Tight End

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 01: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts to a play against the New York Jets during the first quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on October 01, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

Top 10

1. Travis Kelce, KC (at MIN): 19.1 points

2. T.J. Hockenson, MIN (vs. KC): 14.2 points

3. Mark Andrews, BAL (at PIT): 13.7 points

4. Sam LaPorta, DET (vs. CAR): 12.1 points

5. George Kittle, SF (vs. DAL): 10.3 points

6. Evan Engram, JAX (at BUF): 10.1 points

7. Darren Waller, NYG (at MIA): 10.0 points

8. Jake Ferguson, DAL (at SF): 9.1 points

9. Zach Ertz, ARI (vs. CIN): 8.9 points

10. Hunter Henry, NE (vs. NO): 8.8 points

Sleeper: Tyler Higbee, LAR (vs. PHI)

With Cooper Kupp back in the fold, all eyes will be on the Rams receivers this week to see how targets are split between him and dynamic rookie Puka Nacua (and, to a lesser degree, Tutu Atwell). But if those players are also the focus of the Eagles defense, then Higbee should have chances to make plays.

Philadelphia has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the position and let both Hunter Henry and T.J. Hockenson snag five-plus receptions for 50-plus yards with three touchdowns between them. Higbee, who's had 23 targets his last three games and better than 60 receiving yards in each of his past two, is a more than serviceable streamer this week.