2011 NFL Fantasy Football Week 5: Wide Receivers (WR) Rankings / Projections

Steve Smith vs Saints

Just in case you were wondering if Steve Smith would bounce back against the Bears, the veteran came up big with eight receptions for over 180 yards. Cam Newton bounced back after a heavy rain game slowed down the passing attack in Week 3, but it’s clear that with Newton continuing his break out season, Smith is on the fast track to the Pro Bowl and is a clear WR-1 going forward.

This week the Panthers take on division foe New Orleans, and this matchup promises to be another high-scoring affair as Newton will likely be throwing in the second half to keep his team in the game.

  Johnny Knox @ Lions

After losing his starting job in training camp, Johnny Knox seems to be playing well enough to earn regular playing time going forward. While the Bears have been without a true No. 1 receiver for years, Knox should have an opportunity for some big plays this week against a shaky Lion secondary. Jay Cutler tends to have some of his better fantasy performances against Detroit, and this promises to be a high-scoring "Monday Night Football" contest.

Jacoby Ford @ Texans

Keep an eye on Jacoby Ford’s hamstring this week, but I expect the Raiders to get him back in the starting lineup after losing to the Patriots. This week Oakland heads to Houston and Ford should have some opportunities to make plays. If he wins a starting job again, Ford should be a sneaky play this week if you’re in need of some help because of bye week loses to normal starters.

 More WK 5 Rankings – QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex |

Week 5 Bye Weeks – Browns, Cowboys, Rams, Dolphins, Redskins, Ravens

1	Calvin Johnson	Bears
2	Greg Jennings	@ Falcons
3	Hakeem Nicks	Seahawks
4	Wes Welker	Jets
5	Vincent Jackson (I)	@ Broncos
6	Larry Fitzgerald	@ Vikings
7	Steve Smith (Carolina)	Saints
8	Mike Wallace	Titans
9	Roddy White	Packers
10	Santonio Holmes	@ Patriots
11	DeSean Jackson	@ Bills
12	Jeremy Maclin	@ Bills
13	Dwayne Bowe	@ Colts
14	A.J. Green	@ Jaguars
15	Mike Williams (TB)	@ 49ers
16	Steve Johnson	Eagles
17	Reggie Wayne	Chiefs
18	Sidney Rice	@ Giants
19	Brandon Lloyd	Chargers
20	Nate Washington	@ Steelers
21	Jordy Nelson	@ Falcons
22	Julio Jones	Packers
23	Lance Moore	@ Panthers
24	Mike Thomas	Bengals
25	Eric Decker	Chargers
26	Plaxico Burress	@ Patriots
27	Percy Harvin (I)	Cardinals
28	Johnny Knox	Lions
29	Jacoby Ford (I)	@ Texans
30	Marques Colston (I)	@ Panthers
31	Victor Cruz	Seahawks
32	Robert Meachem	@ Panthers
33	Nate Burleson	Bears
34	David Nelson	Eagles
35	Denarius Moore	@ Texans
36	Steve Breaston	@ Colts
37	Deion Branch	Jets
38	Brandon LaFell	Saints
39	Randall Cobb	@ Falcons
40	Early Doucet	@ Vikings
41	Mario Manningham	Seahawks