15 players to start in fantasy football for Week 5
Week 4 of the NFL season saw an odd number of close games and blowouts, leading to some wacky fantasy results.
We faired well last week, with 11 of our 15 chosen "start" players either scoring a touchdown or topping 100 yards.
As usual, we try to avoid the most obvious picks - though sometimes they slip in - and choose players you might be bordering on starting or sitting.
Heading into Week 5, here are some players worth starting, a few of them being somewhat risky.
Consensus rankings are the combined average of ESPN, Fantasy Pros, and Yahoo's weekly rankings.
1. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
2018 stats so far: n/a
Week 5 opponent: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Consensus ranking: 30th among WRs
One thing to know: With Edelman suspended four games and Danny Amendola in Miami, Tom Brady has missed having a reliable slot receiver. Edelman is back now, while there could be some rust (Edelman missed 2017 with a torn ACL and only played preseason this year), he knows the playbook and should be refreshed and ready to go.
2. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Denver Broncos
2018 stats so far: 45 rushes, 267 yards, 1 TD
Week 5 opponent: at New York Jets
Consensus ranking: 28th among RBs
One thing to know: The Jets rank second in defensive DVOA, but just 19th in rushing defense, per Football Outsiders. Lindsay got more carries than Royce Freeman last week and found the end zone for the first time in his career.
3. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers
2018 stats so far: 28 catches, 285 yards, 3 TDs
Week 5 opponent: at Detroit Lions
Consensus ranking: 10th among WRs
One thing to know: Adams leads the Packers in targets and catches but is only second in yards, failing to crack 90 receiving yards in all four games. Aaron Rodgers complained publicly after Week 4 about getting the ball to the Packers' best players. Our guess is Rodgers makes a point to get his top weapon the ball against the Lions' flimsy defense.
4. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers
2018 stats so far: 46 carries, 22 catches, 428 total yards, 0 TDs
Week 5 opponent: vs. New York Giants
Consensus ranking: 6th among RBs
One thing to know: Odds are you're starting McCaffrey regardless of matchup, but a Giants team that just gave up 181 yards and 3 TDs to Alvin Kamara is a particularly juicy matchup for the second-year back. McCaffrey has had a huge workload through three games but has yet to find the end zone. That changes in Week 5, right?
5. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
2018 stats so far: 54 carries, 163 yards, 0 TDs
Week 5 opponent: at Buffalo Bills
Consensus ranking: 30th among RBs
One thing to know: Henry has been a major disappointment this season, and it would be perfectly fine if fantasy owners are ready to ditch him. But the Titans have faced several top-10 run defenses this year. The Bills aren't slouches defending the run, but they're not as good as the likes of the Texans, Jaguars, and Eagles. Henry still gets tons of carries. This could be his breakout game, particularly if the game script favors the Titans.
6. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons
2018 stats so far: 15 catches, 264 yards, 6 TDs
Week 5 opponent: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Consensus ranking: 22nd among WRs
One thing to know: Ridley has been on a roll, with 6 touchdowns on 15 catches in three games. Normally that would suggest a regression is coming, but the Falcons offense has found its groove, and they get a Steelers team that hasn't been able to stop anybody lately. With Ridley also averaging big chunks per catch (17.6 yards per), our bet is he gets another big play or two in Week 5.
7. Antonio Callaway, WR, Cleveland Browns
2018 stats so far: 10 catches, 155 yards, 1 TD
Week 5 opponent: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Consensus ranking: 47th among WRs
One thing to know: Wanna take a gamble? Try Callaway, the Browns rookie speedster who has flashed potential but been inconsistent. Over the last two games, Callaway has 19 targets, second only to Jarvis Landry on the team. The Ravens are a great pass defense, but if Baker Mayfield needs to move the ball late in the game, he may take some deep shots to Callaway. It's a risk, but it could pay off.
8. Giovani Bernard/Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
2018 stats so far: Bernard: 34 carries, 14 catches, 233 total yards, 2 TDs; Mixon: 38 carries, 179 yards, 2 TDs
Week 5 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
Consensus ranking: Bernard: 28th among RBs; Mixon: 34th among RBs
One thing to know: It's unclear if Mixon is playing or how big his workload will be as he returns from a knee injury. Either way, the Dolphins were just gashed on the ground by the Patriots, and the Bengals offense has been running hot of late. Either Bernard or Mixon has a chance to have a big week.
9. T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
2018 stats so far: 49 carries, 14 catches, 330 total yards, 3 TDs
Week 5 opponent: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Consensus ranking: 13th among RBs
One thing to know: It's tempting to ride the red-hot Chiefs offense, but beware a hot team, with hype following them, entering Jacksonville. The Jaguars defense will likely try to shut Patrick Mahomes and company down. In the meantime, Leonard Fournette is out, making Yeldon the lead back against the 32nd run defense in the NFL.
10. Jared Cook, TE, Oakland Raiders
2018 stats so far: 26 catches, 370 yards, 2 TDs
Week 5 opponent: at Los Angeles Chargers
Consensus ranking: 4th among TEs
One thing to know: Cook has had two monster games and two stinkers so far. The Chargers just gave up a huge game to 49ers tight end George Kittle. There's always a risk at the tight end position outside of a few players, so take a gamble on Cook to remain a big part of the Raiders offense.
11. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
2018 stats so far: 8 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD
Week 5 opponent: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Consensus ranking: 22nd among WRs
One thing to know: Jeffery returned in Week 4 and had an immediate impact. Over his last ten regular-season games, he has 8 touchdowns. He could find the end zone again against a Vikings defense that's being shredded by everyone, from the Bills to the Rams.
12. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
2018 stats so far: 24 catches, 348 yards, 4 TDs
Week 5 opponent: at Seattle Seahawks
Consensus ranking: 16th among WRs
One thing to know: All of the Rams wide receivers are viable options, but Kupp is having a standout year. His yardage and yards per catch have increased each game, and now he gets a Seahawks team that just lost its best defender in the secondary.
13. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
2018 stats so far: 18 catches, 316 yards, 1 TD
Week 5 opponent: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Consensus ranking: 6th among TEs
One thing to know: Many expected Kittle's production to fall off with the loss of Jimmy Garoppolo, but he responded with 6 catches, 125 yards, and a touchdown. With Marquise Goodwin still banged up, Kittle should remain a go-to option for C.J. Beathard.
14. Keke Coutee, WR, Houston Texans
2018 stats so far: 11 catches, 109 yards, 0 TDs
Week 5 opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Consensus ranking: 51st among WRs
One thing to know: In Coutee's first game, he drew 15 targets and passed 100 receiving yards. With Will Fuller questionable, Coutee could once again flourish against the Cowboys' 26th-ranked pass defense.
15. Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington Redskins
2018 stats so far: 9 catches, 71 yards, 1 TD
Week 5 opponent: at New Orleans Saints
Consensus ranking: 49th among WRs
One thing to know: Crowder is off to a slow start after averaging 818 yards and 5 touchdowns the last two years. The 'Skins will need him to step up to help their offense, and he'll get a favorable draw against the Saints, who haven't defended the slot well this year.
Now, check out who's on top in the NFL as we head into Week 5...
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into Week 5 >