Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings, Projections to Love and Matchups to Exploit

Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season got underway on Thursday night with an NFC West battle between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. Any fantasy managers needing to make up ground have 13 games left this week with which to do so.

That's right. Bye weeks are here, and the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers will be off this week.

With injuries also continuing to impact the fantasy landscape, playing the matchups is as important as ever.

Here, you'll find the top remaining point-per-reception (PPR) plays at each position and projections for the most exploitable matchups.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Marta Lavandier

Jets QB Justin Fields

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
4. Justin Fields, New York Jets
5. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
6. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
7. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
8. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
10. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
11. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
12. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

Matchup to Love: Justin Fields vs. Dallas Cowboys

We still don't know if Justin Fields can develop into a legitimate franchise quarterback. However, the New York Jets signal-caller remains an attractive fantasy option because of his scrambling ability.

Against the Miami Dolphins last week, for example, he had an electric 43-yard touchdown run that buoyed an otherwise subpar performance. Fields finished the game with just 226 passing yards, one passing touchdown and a fumble, but he added 81 yards and the touchdown on the ground.

This week, Fields will face a Dallas Cowboys defense that has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than any other team. Dallas has also surrendered six rushing touchdowns, which bodes well for Fields managers.

Stat Projection: 231 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 72 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Running Back

AP Photo/Rey Del Rio

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
2. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
3. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
4. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
5. Breece Hall, New York Jets
6. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
7. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
9. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
10. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
11. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
12. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
13. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
14. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
15. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants

Matchup to Love: Jahmyr Gibbs at Cincinnati Bengals

Despite playing one of the league's better run defenses in Week 4, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs still pulled through for fantasy managers. Against the Cleveland Browns, he tallied two receptions, 97 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.

This week, Gibbs will face a Cincinnati Bengals defense that is not good against the run. The Bengals have surrendered five rushing touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to opposing RBs.

The Bengals may get a boost from being at home for only the second time this season, but Detroit is equipped to pull away late. That could lead to valuable garbage-time stats for both Gibbs and David Montgomery.

Stat Projection: 128 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 38 receiving yards, 2 TDs

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.

1. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
3. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
4. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
5. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
6. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
7. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
8. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
10. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
11. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
12. Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
13. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
14. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
15. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
16. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
17. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
18. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
19. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
20. Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants

Matchup to Love: Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. isn't considered an elite fantasy starter. However, he's putting up very impressive numbers with new starting quarterback Daniel Jones this season.

Through four weeks, Pittman has caught 21 of 29 targets for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He was targeted a whopping 10 times in Week 4 alone.

This week, Pittman and the Colts will face a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has been much better against the pass. Las Vegas might not shut down Jonathan Taylor, but it's allowing just 4.0 yards per carry and could cause the Colts to lean a bit more on the passing game this week. Pittman was limited in practice on Thursday with a hamstring issue, so that bears watching. However, he should shine against a suspect secondary.

The Raiders have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

Stat Projection: 6 receptions, 89 yards, 2 TDs

Tight End

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Lions TE Sam LaPorta

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
2. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
3. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
4. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
5. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
6. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
7. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
8. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
9. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
10. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
11. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
12. Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

Matchup to Love: Sam LaPorta at Cincinnati Bengals

While the Lions may lean on their running game to close out the Bengals, that doesn't mean there won't be a fair bit of offensive back-and-forth early. Despite having backup quarterback Jake Browning in for most of Week 2, Cincinnati's offense did look good the last time it was at home.

The Lions may have to lean on the pass more than most expect, especially if the Bengals make a concerted effort to get Ja'Marr Chase going. That could lead to a bounce-back game for Sam LaPorta, who had a modest three catches for 39 yards against Cleveland.

The Bengals have surrendered eight passing touchdowns and the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

Stat Projection: 4 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.