Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings: Deion Branch and 5 Riskiest WRs

When setting your fantasy football lineups for Week 5 of the NFL season, you should consider these receivers as risky starts:

Deion Branch, Patriots

Only a four-yard touchdown catch against the Raiders kept Branch from recording his second straight zero-reception game. Even with the six points for a score, that's a troubling sign. Quarterback Tom Brady is never one to avoid an open receiver, which means Branch simply isn't getting open. To make matters worse, he'll likely be matched up at times with Darrelle Revis on Sunday. It won't be all the time, but I doubt Revis is solely on Wes Welker. The Pats will want to pass this weekend, but be wary about Branch's chances of a bounce-back performance.  

Mario Manningham, Giants

Manningham is fulling recovered from an injury he suffered two weeks ago, but Eli Manning looked more in tune with Victor Cruz against the Cardinals, and Manningham hardly saw a sniff in the second half. Cruz has really impressed the past two weeks, and he's earned the right for more targets this week. That likely means that Manningham's role will be reduced slightly. There is still potential here because of the matchup, but don't be surprised if Cruz produces again at the expense of Manningham. 

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders

Don't be fooled by DHB's four-catch, 115-yard performance Sunday agains the Patriots. He had just five catches coming into that game, and the Raiders offense isn't one that is predicated on the pass. Heyward-Bey is going to be the starter, but I'd roll my chances with a guy like Denarius Moore every time. Until there is some consistent production, Heyward-Bey will always just looks good on paper.

Michael Crabtree, 49ers

I'm not buying Crabtree yet either. He has worked his way back from a foot injury and is getting more targets, but there has to be a trust factor when deciding to start receivers. Crabtree is still playing with Alex Smith at quarterback in an offense that likes to run the football. The Buccaneers haven't done well against opposing receivers this season, but let Crabtree prove to you he can play on your bench rather than prove the opposite while in your starting lineup. 

Donald Driver, Packers

Injuries are always issues for older players, and they are catching up to Driver, who still managed to catch a touchdown pass after returning to the game on Sunday. He'll likely play against the Falcons, but the Packers have so many other receiving options that they don't have to force him back in a big role. And in all reality, Driver is a risky start even when he's 100 percent.