The 2025-26 NFL season is underway which means we are in the thick of fantasy football season! The fantasy landscape has already changed since the preseason due to breakout players and major injuries across the league. Bye weeks are starting to take place. This means that quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Jordan Love will be out this week. It would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one that is ranked or projected to perform similarly. Here are fantasy football Week 5 quarterback rankings.
[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to Injured Reserve List]
[Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week]
Must Start- a player who should definitely be in your lineup that week because of the combination of matchup and talent. They will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and could repeat the production most weeks.
Starter- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.
Low-End Starter- a player who should be started in most lineups but can possibly bottom out and finish below average on a given week. A high ceiling play in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Streamer- a player who could be a perfect replacement for a starter for a week or two. Starting this player may not win you your lineup but they will make sure that your production out of that position will not lose you your matchup either. Also a viable option in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Deep League Streamer- a player who could fill a void at a position in a deeper league. Their ceiling may be close to average point production at the position but their floor is enough to get through the week. A reasonable player to have in your lineup in two-quarterback or superflex leagues.
Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.
| Category | Name | Opponent | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must Start | Josh Allen | vs New England Patriots | QB1 |
| Must Start | Jayden Daniels | vs Los Angeles Chargers | QB2 |
| Must Start | Jalen Hurts | vs Denver Broncos | QB3 |
| Starter | Justin Herbert | vs Washington Commanders | QB4 |
| Starter | Justin Fields | vs Dallas Cowboys | QB5 |
| Starter | Drake Maye | vs Buffalo Bills | QB6 |
| Starter | Baker Mayfield | vs Seattle Seahawks | QB7 |
| Starter | Daniel Jones | vs Las Vegas Raiders | QB8 |
| Starter | Patrick Mahomes | vs Jacksonville Jaguars | QB9 |
| Low-End Starter | Bo Nix | vs Philadelphia Eagles | QB10 |
| Low-End Starter | Dak Prescott | vs New York Jets | QB11 |
| Low-End Starter | Kyler Murray | vs Tennessee Titans | QB12 |
| Steamer | Jared Goff | vs Cincinnati Bengals | QB13 |
| Streamer | Matthew Stafford | vs San Francisco 49ers | QB14 |
| Streamer | C.J. Stroud | vs Baltimore Ravens | QB15 |
| Streamer | Jaxson Dart | vs New Orleans Saints | QB16 |
| Streamer | Sam Darnold | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | QB17 |
| Streamer | Mac Jones | vs Los Angeles Rams | QB18 |
| Deep League Streamer | Carson Wentz | vs Cleveland Browns | QB19 |
| Deep League Streamer | Geno Smith | vs Indiananapolis Colts | QB20 |
| Deep League Streamer | Bryce Young | vs Miami Dolphins | QB21 |
| Deep League Streamer | Tua Tagovailoa | vs Carolina Panthers | QB22 |
| Leave on the Bench | Trevor Lawerence | vs Kansas City Chiefs | QB23 |
| Leave on the Bench | Spencer Rattler | vs New York Giants | QB24 |
| Leave on the Bench | Jake Browning | vs Detroit Lions | QB25 |
| Leave on the Bench | Cam Ward | vs Arizona Cardinals | QB26 |
| Leave on the Bench | Cooper Rush | vs Houston Texans | QB27 |
| Leave on the Bench | Dillion Gabriel | vs Minnesota Vikings | QB28 |
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson suffered a hamstring injury last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. There was speculation that if the game was not out of hand Jackson would have returned to the game. But after not practicing this week it seems like Jackson could miss extended time with the injury. This offense will look extremely different with Cooper Rush under center instead of Jackson. It should look more traditional with more passing than what Baltimore typically has in their game script. It is hard to imagine Rush having much fantasy value while starting in this offense.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy is expected to miss this week’s game after rehashing his toe injury that kept him out of Week 2 and 3. Mac Jones played well during his starts in place of Purdy. He could have some streaming value if Purdy continues to miss time. However if his weapons like Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, and George Kittle continue to miss time that cold hurt Jones’ value.
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