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

Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season has arrived, and with it have come the dreaded bye weeks. While byes are good for NFL players (or fans) who need a break, they're a problem for fantasy managers with top-heavy rosters.

With the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans on bye, this week's list of unavailable players includes the likes of Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, Sam LaPorta and J.K. Dobbins.

Of course, 28 teams will be in action this week, and there will be no shortage of must-start players and favorable matchups.

Here, you'll find projected point-per-reception (PPR) rankings for the top players at each key position in Week 5. You'll also find a few matchups to love.

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (at CIN)

2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (at HOU)

3. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (vs. CLE)

4. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)

5. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at LAR)

6. Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. DAL)

7. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at SF)

8. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. BUF)

9. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL)

10. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (vs. NYG)

Matchup to Love: Brock Purdy vs. Arizona Cardinals

The San Francisco 49ers are still dealing with injuries, but they got Deebo Samuel back in Week 4 and learned during his absence that Jauan Jennings is a legitimate playmaker.

This bodes well for quarterback Brock Purdy, as does a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. While Arizona has flashed promise at times, its defense hasn't been particularly good this season.

The Cardinals have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

While Purdy doesn't offer the scrambling floor of quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, he's a high-upside play in Week 5. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals should generate enough offense to keep San Francisco passing in this one.

Stat Projection: 312 passing yards, 3 TDs, 18 rushing yards

1. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (at CIN)

2. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)

3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (at KC)

4. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (vs. NYG)

5. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (vs. GB)

6. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. NYJ)

7. James Cook, Buffalo Bills (at HOU)

8. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at LAR)

9. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (at SF)

10. Breece Hall, New York Jets (at MIN)

Matchup to Love: Jordan Mason vs. Arizona Cardinals

Guess what? The Cardinals haven't been great against the run this season. Arizona ranks 28th in rushing yards allowed and has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs in 2024.

That's great news for Jordan Mason, who continues to impress as Christian McCaffrey's fill-in for the 49ers.

"He usually goes to the right hole and hits his right, he runs violently and doesn't slow down and runs very similar to how he did in college, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Mason, per Grant Cohn of SI.com. "He's a very efficient, hard-running back."

In four games this season, Mason has tallied 47 rushing yards, six receptions, 57 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He doesn't offer the same PPR floor that McCaffrey does when healthy, but he's a strong play against Arizona this week.

Stat Projection: 106 rushing yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 19 receiving yards

1. Nico Collins, Houston Texans (vs. BUF)

2. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (at PIT)

3. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. NYJ)

4. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. BAL)

5. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (at SF)

6. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. NYG)

7. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at LAR)

8. Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers (at CHI)

9. Malik Nabers, New York Giants (at SEA)

10. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (at KC)

Matchup to Love: Jayden Reed at Los Angeles Rams

The Green Bay Packers lost receiver Christian Watson to an ankle injury in Week 4. With Watson out, Jayden Reed took advantage, He finished with seven receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown—his second 100-yard game of the season.

Reed is once again a strong play in Week 5. The Packers will visit the Los Angeles Rams, who are dealing with several injuries and have one of the weakest home-field advantages in the league.

Packers fans travel and may make this one feel much more like a neutral-site contest.

The Rams have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season and will have to contend with a healthy Jordan Love at quarterback for the Packers. Reed should shine.

Stat Projection: 6 receptions, 133 yards, 1 TD

1. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)

2. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. NO)

3. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at SF)

4. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (at DEN)

5. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys (at PIT)

6. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (at LAR)

7. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (at HOU)

8. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. IND)

9. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. DAL)

10. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (vs. CAR)

Matchup to Love: Evan Engram vs. Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) returned to practice this week, which is great news for fantasy managers. While his injury should temper expectations in Week 5, his matchup can be exploited.

The Indianapolis Colts have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence had his best game of the season in Week 4, albeit in another loss, and he should finally have a little confidence heading into this matchup. He'll be eager to get one of his top targets back, and he should take advantage of the mismatches Engram can create early and often.

At 0-4, the Jaguars are desperate to get a win.

Stat Projection: 5 receptions, 58 receiving yards, 1 TD

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.