Start 'Em, Sit 'Em For Week 5 Fantasy Football Lineups: Michael Wilson, Braelon Allen & More

Aaron Jones | Vikings

I realize that Jones has made this article multiple times, but I don't make the rules. I just follow the data. Jones hits all the criteria that make him a must-start option again in Week 5.

Jones has played 78% of the snaps in three games without Jordan Mason, averaging 13.8 PPG with an 87 Utilization Score. Historical comparisons in that range have averaged 17.1 PPG.

Over this span, Jones has averaged 20 attempts and 4.3 targets per game. And this week, he will look to maximize those opportunities against a Saints defense sanctioning the fourth-highest boost to RB rooms (3.9 PPG).

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 14.6
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 22.7
• Floor: 10.8

Jones projects as a top-12 RB and a top-12 option in our consensus rankings for Week 5

Braelon Allen | Jets

When my son was younger, he would yell oooohhhhhh mammmaaaa when he got excited about something. Allen's Utilization in Week 4 gets an ooooohhhhh mammaaaaa.

While he managed only 8.7 points, Allen completely dominated the backfield. The third-year RB handled a 94% snap share and took every single carry. He also logged a 14% target share on a 67% RB1-level route share.

The Jets get another stiff defensive matchup in Week 5 against the Browns, the fifth-hardest matchup for RBs (-3.8 PPG). But the team won't have star DT Mason Graham due to an MCL and ankle sprain. He is PFF's 21st-graded interior run defender out of 82 players with at least 50 snaps on run defense. Maliek Collins and Michael Hall Jr. (questionable)—Graham's replacements, rank 47th and 73rd.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 13.8
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 21.7
• Floor: 10.2

Allen is a mid-range RB2 who is inside my top-40 flex rankings. He should be in most starting lineups.

Emanuel Wilson | Seahawks

Wilson monopolized the Seattle backfield with Jadarian Price on IR in Week 4. The veteran journeyman scored 27 points and handled 70% of the team's rushing attempts. He led the short-yardage attack and ran the two-minute offense.

The Seahawks boast the fifth-highest team total in the Wet Blanket's game model as 3.3-point favorites. The 49ers' defense has also provided the sixth-highest boost to RBs (3.3) in 2026.

Wilson has been inefficient, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. And only 7.6% of his attempts have gone for 10-plus yards. The Seahawks offensive line has also been lackluster, ranking 29th in rushing yards before contact (0.73) on RB attempts. But Wilson has a solid targets-per-route run (TPRR) of 19% and yards-per-route run (YPRR) of 1.44.

But that defines a lot of options like Cam Skattebo and Quinshon Judkins. I lean toward the RB with a higher team total in a potential shootout game.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 12.9
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 20.6
• Floor: 9.4

Wilson is in play in Week 5 as a mid-range RB2 against San Francisco.

Week 5 RB Upgrades For Fantasy Lineup Consideration

• Quinshon Judkins | Browns: The workload hasn't been a problem for Judkins, who averages 18.8 opportunities per game. However, he's been inefficient, with a 3.0 YPC and a gut-wrenching 3.4% of runs going 10-plus yards. The Browns offensive line ranks 30th in average RB yards before contact (0.72). But Judkins got going in Week 4 with 21.6 points against Pittsburgh. He will look to keep that going in a game Freedman's model has as a toss-up, with the Browns as 0.3-point underdogs. The team total (20.3) is below average. However, the Jets have green-lighted the No. 2 boost to RBs (5.5 PPG). Teams have enjoyed a 46% success rate on the ground—the seventh-best matchup, per SumerSports. Judkins is a mid-range RB2 versus New York.
   
• David Montgomery | Texans: Montgomery is becoming increasingly hard to trust after messing the bed sheets with only 4.3 points against a porous Dallas defense last weekend. But he gets another chance to redeem himself against the Titans in Week 5. The Texans are six-point favorites in Freedman's model, and Tennessee has propelled opposing backfields to the ninth-best fantasy boost (1.9 PPG). Montgomery is a low-end RB2. 
   
• RJ Harvey | Broncos: If you want the full scoop on Harvey, I went deep on his range of outcomes in the Utilization Report this week. But if you just want the TL;DR, he leads all RBs with a 23% target share and has finished inside the top 36 every week. The second-year back averages 12.8 PPG. The Chargers have granted RBs the No. 7 boost (2.0 PPG). Harvey is a borderline RB2. 
   
• Ollie Gordon | Dolphins: Gordon led the Dolphins backfield with a 59% snap share and 53% of the rushing attempts in the first game without De'Von Achane. I remain leery about Gordon's rest-of-season appeal. We probably need a 70%+ snap share considering Miami averages a league-worst 11.5 points. And they run one of the slowest offenses in the NFL with 1.9 plays per minute and rank 30th in time of possession (27.8 minutes per game). When you tally up that equation, you get the lowest plays per game in the NFL at 52.3. The Dolphins are seven-point underdogs against the Bengals in Week 5 with a team total of **gulp** 18 points. This doesn't sound more like a downgrade than an upgrade, huh? Well, it kind of is. Don't expect 18 points again unless Gordon pops another long run. BUT in a week with Kenneth Walker and Chuba Hubbard on bye and multiple backs questionable with injury concerns, Gordon is in the high-end RB2 to mid-range RB3 mix.   

RBs That Bombed In Week 4 That I Am Starting Again In Week 5

"Cause I gotta have faith, I gotta have faith, Because I gotta have faith, faith, I got to have faith, faith, faith" - George Michael

• D'Andre Swift | Bears: Swift (hip/knee) didn't practice on Wednesday, but it might have just been a rest day for many starters. Kyle Monangai (thumb) and multiple offensive linemen also sat out. It is a situation to monitor. But assuming Swift is healthy, I am going back to the well in Week 5.

RB Injury Watch For Week 5 In Fantasy Football

• Jeremiyah Love | Cardinals: Love suffered a right ankle injury at the end of the Week 4 contest. He was already recovering from a left high-ankle sprain from the preseason. Mike LaFluer stated he shouldn't be hampered by the injury in Week 5 in a nice matchup against a Lions defense allowing 4.6 YPC to RBs. For now, I'm hedging Love's workload, with Tyler Allgeier more involved. Love is a low-end RB2, but could move up to mid-range RB2 status if he fully practices. Allgeier would be a high-end RB2 ahead of Braelon Allen if Love is out.
   
• Rhamondre Stevenson | Patriots: Stevenson (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. He got his right knee and ankle pinned beneath him on the last play of Week 4. The Raiders look like a tough RB matchup on paper (-2.2 PPG), but they give up a whopping 5.0 YPC to backs. New England has a solid game-model team total at 24.3 (9th). If Stevenson can't play, TreVeyon Henderson will fly up the ranks to low-end RB1 status.
   
• Cam Skattebo | Giants: Skattebo was limited with a shoulder injury on Wednesday. If he can't play, Najee Harris could shoulder the early-down work, with Tyrone Tracy battling Devin Singletary for pass-downs. Harris would be a mid-range RB3 in a tough matchup. The Commanders are the sixth-hardest matchup for RBs (-3.5 PPG). 
   
• Kyle Monangai | Bears: Monangai (thumb) didn't practice on Wednesday, but early indications are that he will play on Sunday. If he is active, Monangai is a borderline RB2 in a great matchup. If Swift is out (see above), Monangai would be a borderline RB1.
   
• Rico Dowdle | Steelers: Dowdle (toe) is back at practice, and Mike McCarthy has indicated he will reform a 1-2 punch with Jaylen Warren upon return. Warren is a low-end RB2 without Dowdle, but returns to low-end RB2 status if Dowdle plays. Dowdle is a low-end RB3 if active.
   
• Tony Pollard | Titans: Pollard (foot) is on the trading block and was a surprise non-participant on Wednesday at practice. Tyjae Spears will battle Nick Singleton for early-down work and operate as the lead pass-down option if Pollard is out. Spears is available in 75% of Yahoo leagues. The matchup this week is brutal. The Texans are the fourth-toughest matchup for RBs (-3.9 PPG). Spears would be a mid-range RB3 option if Pollard is out. But Spears could be a sneaky low-end RB2 the rest of the way if Pollard is moved—remember, Ameer Abdullah averaged 18.9 PPG in a bad Raiders offense over the final three games of 2024.
   
• Rachaad White | Commanders: White (shoulder) returned to practice on Wednesday. With Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) missing the session, White could be the top option in Week 5 against the Giants. Thanks to his receiving ability, White would be a high-end RB3 if JCM is out and Jayden Daniels is on track to play. 

RB SICKO START For Week 5 Fantasy

These players are for you: deeper-league SICKOS in 14-16 team or 12-team leagues where you have 2-3 flex spots. These players are available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues and aren't in many starting lineups, but they offer a ray of light. You could get lucky.

• Will Shipley | Eagles: Saquon Barkley (hamstring) is unlikely to play for the next 1-2 games. The team elevated Dameon Pierce, who will compete with Shipley for early-down touches. Shipley had a solid dual-threat profile coming out of Clemson. He should lead the backfield in routes and has a shot at a 50% attempt share against the Jaguars in Week 5. The Eagles have a bad team total (17.4) and a rough matchup (-1.7 PPG). But Shipley has a shot to accumulate 15+ touches and is a mid-range RB3 available in 79% of leagues

RBs To Sit In Week 5 Fantasy Football

Alvin Kamara | Saints

Kamara (back) didn't practice on Wednesday. He suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of the Week 4 matchup against the Falcons. Before that injury, the aging veteran handled 43% of the rushing workload on a 59% snap share and a 14% target share. He scored 22.8 points.

But I am hesitant to push Kamara into my top-24 RBs in Week 5. The Vikings are the second-hardest matchup for RBs (-5.3 PPG). And their heavy pressure creates situations where backs must stay in to block. That could negate the best aspect of Kamara's game.

If he isn't involved in the passing attack, the chances of Kamara delivering a strong performance wane. He is averaging 3.0 YPC with only 4% of his totes going for 10-plus yards.    

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 9.3
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 16.5
• Floor: 6.6

Kamara projects as a mid-range RB3. He could make your lineup in larger leagues, but I am shying away in smaller leagues.

Week 5 RB Downgrades to Sit

• Jacory Croskey-Merritt | Commanders: Croskey-Merritt (groin) did not practice on Wednesday. Despite Rachaad White missing Week 4, JCM was unable to uncork a big workload. Washington instead deployed a four-way committee. Merritt played only 44% of snaps and accounted for 45% of attempts. He now has a Utilization Score of 50 behind an offensive line that ranks 26th in yards before contact (0.75). The team should get Sam Cosmi back in Week 5, but it seems Croskey-Merritt may have lost his chance to assert himself as the top option. White (shoulder) was limited. If Croskey-Merritt plays, I would rather avoid him in a murky backfield—he is a low-end RB3.

Start These WRs In Week 5 Fantasy Football

Michael Wilson | Cardinals

Wilson is averaging 14.2 PPG and has the No. 9 Utilization Score this season. He has a 29% target share and averages 103 air yards per game.

If you want to read all the wonderful things there are to say about Wilson and his premium role in Arizona's offense, you can read them in the Utilization Report.

This weekend, Wilson will face a Lions defense providing a mammoth boost to opposing WRs (7.2 PPG). And the Cardinals have the ninth-best team total (24.4) as 5.5-point underdogs per Freedman's model. 

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 14.8
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 21.8
• Floor: 11.0

Wilson projects as a top-12 WR in PPR formats, making him a must-start in all leagues. He's a consensus top-10 option in our rankings.

WR Upgrades For Lineup Consideration In Week 5

• Luther Burden | Bears: Burden still isn't in the full-time role we hoped for thanks to a 72% route share. But he is the team leader in target share at 25% and gets a sprinkle of work on the ground with a 2% attempt share. Burden has been more productive with Case Keenum and Tyson Bagent—the Week 5 starter—averaging 15.6 PPG. Green Bay has sanctioned the No. 5 boost to WR units (6.0 PPG). Burden is a low-end WR2 with a near 20-point Xfinity Best ceiling outlook. 
   
• Jameson Williams | Lions: I wanted to feature Williams as one of the big upgrades of the week. But the reality is that the Lions carry great team totals (29.9) almost every week, and that hasn't cured Williams' boom-bust nature. He does get additional lift in Week 5 against Arizona. The Cardinals are proud sponsors of the No. 6 boost to WR rooms (+5.2). That said, they are also the No. 6 best matchup for TEs (+4.4). So, Williams will keep battling for big-play opportunities with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. Williams is a borderline WR2 with WR1 upside. If you haven't benched him yet, don't do it in Week 5.
   
• Romeo Doubs | Patriots: Doubs scored 23.8 points in Week 4 with Mack Hollins (calf) exiting the game early. Hollins is questionable this weekend, listed as week-to-week. That puts h the doubtful side of things. Last weekend, Doubs secured a 27% target share and 117 air yards. The Patriots carry a solid team total (24.3) this weekend as five-point favorites (per Freedman's model) against a Raiders offense that has the upside to force shootouts in 2026—Doubs UPGRADES to low-end WR2 status. 
   
• Dontayvion Wicks | Eagles: Wicks was one-upped by Darius Cooper, who scored 18.3 points against the Rams with DeVonta Smith out last week. With Smith out, Rams top-cover corner Trent McDuffie lined up on Wicks often. Wicks doesn't have the talent profile to win that matchup. Still, Wicks has back-to-back route-share games (9,0 and 97%), and he gets a better matchup this weekend against the Jaguars. Jacksonville provides the No. 4 boost to WR rooms (6.0 PPG). Wicks is a mid-range WR3 worthy of a flex start in Week 5.  
   
• Khalil Shakir | Bills: The Bills probably won't have DJ Moore (AC joint) again in Week 5. Last week, Shakir notched a season-high in routes (86%) and targets (27%) with Moore leaving the contest early. The Bills boast the NFL Game Model's fourth-highest team total (26.4), and the Rams have fantastic outside coverage. That could funnel looks inside to Shakir. McDuffie—who will travel inside—could cover Shakir, but given he isn't a big-play threat, that's unlikely. Shakir is a mid-range WR3 with low-end WR2 upside. 
   
• KC Concepcion | Browns: Concepcion has 95% and 100% route shares in the last two games, surpassing Jerry Jeudy. He leads the Browns with a 23% target share, plays primarily from the slot, and is the motion option. The Round 1 pick also sees 32% of his targets on play action. Simply put: he is in a role designed to be the focal point. Concepcion is due for a breakout performance, and the Jets' passing defense might be a fugazi. On paper, they are the second-hardest matchup for WR units (-7.8 PPG), but much of that is because opponents play in leading game scripts. New York ranks 23rd in passing EPA allowed (0.03). Concepcion is a borderline WR3; I will be flexing in my two-flex leagues. 

WRs That Bombed In Week 4 That I Am Starting Again In Week 5

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm keeping the faith …" - Billy Joel

• Davante Adams | Rams: The Rams offer the No. 3 team total on the slate (27.9) in Freedman's model, and the Bills have endorsed the No. 1 boost to WRs (8.8 PPG). Yes, the pie shrinks with Puka Nacua back, but it's big this weekend. Adams is a borderline WR1.
   
• Parker Washington | Jaguars: Slot WRs have smashed the Eagles (+6.5 PPG). Washington plays slot 46% of the time. Never. Quit. Parker. Washington. Those are the rules. Washington is a high-end WR2. 
   
• George Pickens | Cowboys: The Buccaneers look like a terrible matchup on the surface as the hardest WR matchup (-8.2 PPG). But they are an average passing EPA defense (-0.03) and a strong run defense (-0.25). Dallas boasts the second-highest team total (29.5), and Pickens is a mid-range WR2 with WR1 upside.

WR Injury Watch For Week 5 In Fantasy Football

• Cincinnati WRs | Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (groin/neck) didn't practice on Wednesday. Chase is always a high-end WR1 when active, so there is nothing to cover on that front. But if Higgins gets in a full practice and suits up without Chase, he would ascend to WR1 status. Dohnte Meyers is Chase's backup, and Mitchell Tinsley is Higgins' replacement. They enter the WR4-5 conversation if the starters can't roll—check the rankings/projections Sunday morning for our final take on the Bengals passing attack. 
   
• Justin Jefferson | Vikings: Jefferson (ankle) returned to practice on Wednesday in a limited fashion. He wants to play. If he can't go, Jauan Jennings could play a bigger role alongside T.J. Hockenson, with Jordan Addison (hamstring) also questionable. If Jefferson and Addison are out, Jennings would enter the low-end WR3 conversation.  
   
• Malik Nabers | Giants: Nabers (knee) didn't practice on Wednesday. That's not ideal for a player recovering from 2025 ACL surgery. Last week he played his largest role of the season with a 91% route share. Hopefully, this is nothing, and he ramps up as the week progresses. The Giants have a juicy matchup against a Commanders secondary that is leaking a 3.2 PPG boost to WR rooms. Nabers is a low-end WR1 if he gets in a full practice. If he can't progress past limited, he would be in the WR2 mix.   
   
• Ladd McConkey | Chargers: McConkey (foot) didn't practice on Wednesday. In Week 4, he re-aggravated an issue he picked up during practice. If McConkey is out, Tre Harris becomes an interesting WR4 option—especially if Quentin Johnston (chest) isn't healthy. Harris overtook Johnston for the top WR spot last week with McConkey out. The Broncos won't have Patrick Surtain (ankle), and their No. 2 cornerback, Riley Moss (ribs), is doubtful.
   
• Washington WRs | Commanders: Terry McLaurin (hamstring) and Stefon Diggs (hamstring) were unable to practice on Wednesday. Last weekend, Antonio Williams stepped into McLaurin's shoes and had an 87-yard TD called back. Williams—typically thought of as an underneath slot—worked all layers of the field and played over half of his reps from outside. Williams will move into WR3 territory if a starter is out. If both are out, the rookie Round 3 pick will climb into the WR2 tier against the Giants.  
   
• Tank Dell | Texans: Dell returned to practice on Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window. He isn't likely to play in Week 5, but I wanted to call it out for those of you in deep leagues looking for WR depth to stash.

WR SICKO START For Week 5 Fantasy

These players are for you: deeper-league SICKOS in 14-16-team or 12-team leagues where you have 2-3 flex spots or multiple starting WRs. These players are available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues and aren't in many starting lineups, but they offer a ray of light. You could get lucky.

• Tre Harris | Chargers: See injury blurb on the Chargers above. Ladd McConkey is unlikely to play. Patrick Surtain is out. Harris has been better than Quentin Johnston. He is available in 90% of leagues and is a WR4 with WR3 upside. Harris could surpass Johnston as the WR2 for the rest of the season with a strong outing.

Sit These WRs In Week 5 Fantasy Football

Devaughn Vele | Saints

If you haven't noticed the trend yet, I don't want anything to do with the Vikings defense. That would change if Chris Olave (rest), who didn't practice Wednesday, is out.

The Vikings grade out as a mid-tier defense (-1.0 PPG) against WR rooms. But that doesn't tell the whole story. They are the No. 1 EPA pass defense (-0.25) and No. 1 success rate pass defense (33%) per SumerSports.

New Orleans has the eighth-lowest team total in Freedman's model at 19.7.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 9.3
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 14.6
• Floor: 6.8

Vele is not a high-end target earner (16%) but has lived off of massive passing game volume. Fringe talents in tough matchups are historically a bad recipe in fantasy.

Vele is the WR21 on the season but ranks as my WR44 in Week 5.

Tight Ends To Start In Fantasy Football Week 5

Isaiah Likely | Giants

Likely (knee/groin) was limited on Wednesday, so we will need to keep an eye on his practice reports this week.

Assuming Likely works his way up to a full practice, he is due for a big game. His playing time is elite, reaching an 85% route share in each of the last three games. This season, he is tied with Trey McBride for a league-leading 31% target share.

Likely has the No. 3 Utilization Score while averaging 13.3 points.

The Commanders have been lost when it comes to covering TEs, conceding the third-highest fantasy boost (8.1 PPG).

 That is a recipe for a boom game for a TE averaging 8.5 targets per contest.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 11.4
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 17.4
• Floor: 8.6

Likely is my TE5 and offers TE1 overall upside in Week 5 against Washington.

TE Upgrades Fantasy Lineups In Week 5

• Mike Gesicki | Bengals: With Chase and Higgins questionable, Gesicki could see a big boost in slot playing time. That could open up more targets. In Week 4, he secured a season-high 69% route share with Chase exiting early. The veteran TE already has three top-12 finishes, averaging 11 PPG. Gesicki is a borderline TE1 if either of the starting WRs is out.

TE Injury Watch For Week 5 In Fantasy Football

• Dallas Goedert | Eagles: Goedert (MCL) returned to practice on Wednesday and has a shot to play in Week 5. He won't be easy to trust in a shaky offense at less than 100%. Goedert would move into mid-range TE2 territory if active, with Smith unlikely to play.
   
• Colby Parkinson | Rams: Parkinson (AC joint/knee) hasn't played the last two contests, and Terrance Ferguson is on IR. If Parkinson is out, it could boost Kyren Williams' targets, and Tyler Higbee would be a high-end TE2 option. 

TE SICKO START For Week 5 in Fantasy

These players are for you, deeper-league SICKOS who play in 16-team leagues or TE premium formats with two flex spots.

• Hunter Henry | Patriots: Henry isn't my style for a SICKO play. I prefer young upside options that could unlock additional long-term value if they smash. But those options are limited in Week 5. With Mason Taylor likely to return, that knocked Kenyon Sadiq from the mix. But Henry will have less target competition than ever with Hollins unlikely to go. And the Raiders have empowered the seventh-highest boost to TEs (3.9 PPG). Henry is a mid-range TE2 with sneaky TE1 upside and is available in 51% of Yahoo leagues.

Tight End To Sit In Week 5 Fantasy Football

Mark Andrews | Ravens

Lamar Jackson (ankle) has an outside shot to play in Week 5. But most likely, we will see Tyler Huntley, which drastically suppresses the upside of the Ravens' attack. Baltimore usually boasts a gaudy team total, but that isn't the case this week (20.5).

To put things in perspective, Huntley has the lowest passing yardage prop of the weekend at 174.5. Woof.

Typically, I have Andrews in or near my top 12. But there are plenty of options I like more this weekend, so I moved him down to a mid-range TE2 option.

But the projection model even likes him less than me.

Fantasy Projections

• Median: 7.6
• Xfinity Best (Ceiling): 12.2
• Floor: 5.5

Andrews projects as a low-end TE2 who shouldn't be in fantasy lineups.