Weekly Rankings: Ranking Each Position for Week 5

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Welcome to QB List’s weekly rankings! Each week, I’ll be taking a look at the upcoming matchups and ranking each position, as well as flex positions.

Week 5 Notes:

• I’m expecting the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Pittsburgh Steelers to be a shootout, because both defenses have been awful against the pass. So far this year, the Steelers have given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and the Falcons have given up the fourth-most, and both teams have allowed at least 320 passing yards in each of the last three weeks. As a result, I think both Matt Ryan and Ben Roethlisberger are rock solid QB1s this week.
• Alex Smith has been very…..Alex Smith this year. Not great (he hasn’t surpassed 300 yards or 20 fantasy points once) but certainly not bad (just one interception so far). This week, he faces a New Orleans Saints defense that has been hot garbage this year, and as a result, I think he makes for a very interesting QB streaming option if you need it.
• If you had asked me last week, I would’ve said the Vikings secondary is one to be feared in fantasy. And then Jared Goff threw for 465 yards and five touchdowns against them last week. So what can we expect from Carson Wentz this week? I’m not 100% sure, to be honest, but I think you can feel relatively comfortable starting him. I think the Vikings’ secondary is still good, but perhaps not as good as we thought.
• Leonard Fournette is out this week, which means you should be slotting T.J. Yeldon into your lineups against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has given up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs in the league. Yeldon makes for a pretty decent RB1 this week.
• All signs seem to point towards Joe Mixon coming back this week, and luckily for him, he gets to see the Miami Dolphins, who have given up over 100 yards rushing and at least one touchdown in each week except one (and that was against the Jets who don’t exactly have the best run game). I think as long as he’s good to go, you can toss Mixon out there as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2. As for Giovani Bernard, I still think he’ll have some flex appeal in PPR leagues.
• Earlier this week, it looked like Devonta Freeman had a pretty good chance of coming back this week. Now, it’s not looking as good, and I have no idea if he’s playing or not. This week isn’t a great matchup either, as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ run defense has been staunch so far this year. Given how bad the Steelers’ secondary is, I could see this being a much more pass-heavy game, so even if Freeman starts, he’s probably a mid-level RB2. It’s also worth noting that Tevin Coleman has been limited at practice too, so worst-case scenario, both he and Freeman could be out and Ito Smith would likely be in. I’m not saying that’s likely, but it’s possible. Either way, Freeman and Coleman might be limited in this game, which could (emphasis on could) lead to more work for Smith, who’s available in about 98% of leagues. It’s worth keeping an eye on, because Smith is a talented back. The rankings will change as we learn more about their injuries.
• My ranking of Dalvin Cook assumes he’s healthy and good to go. That’s not necessarily a guarantee, as he’s still had some hamstring issues this week. Keep an eye on him, because if he’s out this Sunday, or it’s clear he’s going to be on a pitch count, his ranking will obviously change. If he’s out, I’m not all that optimistic about Latavius Murray against an Eagles run defense that’s given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this year.
• Kerryon Johnson is clearly the most exciting player in the Lions’ backfield, but he’s in the midst of a running back trio, which is going to limit his ceiling. After getting 16 carries in Week 3, he saw just nine last week. If he gets double-digit carries, he can be productive, but that’s not a guarantee. Not to mention he’ll be going up against a Packers’ run defense ranked 10th in run defense DVOA so far this year.
• When it comes to likely wide receiver/cornerback matchups, Brandin Cooks looks to have one of the most favorable around this week, likely going up against Tre Flowers who has not been playing well at all this year.
• Will Fuller has been limited in practice, so keep an eye on him. If he’s healthy and plays though, I really like him, as he’ll likely be matching up against Chidobe Awuzie, who’s struggled a bit this year. If he doesn’t play, Keke Coutee will be an interesting flex option.
• Rob Gronkowski is a game-time decision for Thursday’s game against the Colts. Obviously if he’s playing, you’re throwing him out there, but be sure to pay attention to him as we get closer to the game.

Check out the full rankings below: