Fantasy Football Week 5 rankings: Top 10 quarterbacks
By Leo Howell
Week 5 is almost here, and it’s time to start setting lineups and making sure you’re ready to win your fantasy matchup.
Every week, Fansided will bring you rankings compiled by our duo of fantasy experts. This week, the list was derived from averaging rankings from myself and Zachary Thompson.
Let’s take a look at the quarterbacks and how they rank for Week 5.
1. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
Peyton would be first in the rankings if he was playing the NFC Pro Bowl roster at this point. Thankfully, he’s playing the Cowboys, who don’t have the sturdiest defense. Look for Manning to pick apart the zone defenses Dallas employs.
2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
The Detroit Lions don’t have a particularly talented defense, and Rodgers has been preparing for them over his bye week. He’s historically struggled just a bit against Detroit, but he’s got a chance for redemption this week to help get his 1-2 Packers out of their early season funk.
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees and the Saints will take on the Bears this week, which gives me great pause to rank him very high. That said, Zachary has him as the second best QB this week behind only Manning, so combine our rankings and he still winds up third. He has to pass the ball efficiently for his team to win, and he’s one of few quarterbacks with the precision to succeed against the opportunistic Chicago defense.
4. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles
Vick and the Eagles are taking on the Giants this week, who are nothing short of a disheveled mess. Vick and the Philadelphia offense have lost a bit of steam over the past couple weeks, but he’s still apparently healthy and has big play ability. Trust him this week with the bye weeks sitting out other relevant options.
5. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks take on the Colts, who don’t have a very good defense, but do have a very good offense that will likely compete with the Seahawks. That competitive nature of the game will keep Russell throwing, and keep the fantasy points flowing. Start him.
6. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
The Packers have not been the most difficult of opponents this season, so Stafford and the Lions should be primed for a shootout against Green Bay. Look for him to throw the ball around to keep up with Aaron Rodger’s offense, and have a solid game worthy a starting position.
7. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
New England takes on the Bengals this week, who have a decent defense with serious injury concerns at defensive back. That said, Brady isn’t a great play with injury concerns of his own on offense. If Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski continue to sit out, Brady remains a mediocre QB1 option rather than an elite starter.
8. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
The New York Jets have a better defense than they probably get credit for, but the Atlanta Falcons have a loaded passing attack that’s seemingly getting healthier by the day. Ryan isn’t going to set the world on fire this week, but he’s still a solid option against New York.
9. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton is a starting quarterback in fantasy football, but I’m not sold on him compared to many other options this week. That said, Zachary has faith in Newton against the Cardinals, who have a talented corner in Patrick Peterson who will lock down Steve Smith.
10. Tie: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers and Terrelle Pryor, Oakland Raiders
This is the first week for Pryor where Zach has ranked him higher than I have, because I threw Philip Rivers on the end of my rankings instead. These quarterbacks take on each other this week, which means they each get a favorable matchup with the opposing defense. Start both of them this week if you have them as this game could be a shootout.
Honorable Mention: Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams and Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers