We’re officially a month into the 2025 NFL season, and fantasy managers are beginning to see trends settle in. Matchups still matter, but talent and opportunity are becoming the real separators. Below are the Week 5 fantasy football rankings for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, along with this week’s must start picks who could give you an edge in your matchups.
Week 5 Quarterback Rankings
Tier 1
1. Josh Allen vs NE
2. Lamar Jackson vs HOU
3. Jalen Hurts vs DEN
Tier 2
4. Jayden Daniels @ LAC
5. Drake Maye @ BUF
6. Justin Herbert vs WAS
7. Patrick Mahomes II @ JAC
8. Justin Fields vs DAL
Tier 3
9. Baker Mayfield @ SEA
10. Kyler Murray vs TEN
11. Jared Goff @ CIN
12. Daniel Jones vs LV
13. Bo Nix @ PHI
Tier 4
14. Dak Prescott @ NYJ
15. Brock Purdy @ LAR
16. Matthew Stafford vs SF
17. Jaxon Dart @ NO
18. Geno Smith @ IND
19. Sam Darnold vs TB
20. C.J. Stroud @ BAL
Tier 5
21. Tua Tagovailoa @ CAR
22. Trevor Lawrence vs KC
23. Jake Browning vs DET
24. Carson Wentz @ CLE
Must Start: Quarterback
Jared Goff @ CIN
The Bengals have been vulnerable through the air, and Detroit’s offensive line should give Goff the protection he needs to exploit mismatches. He’s a strong QB1 play this week.
Week 5 Tight End Rankings
Tier 1
1. Trey McBride vs TEN
2. Brock Bowers @ IND
Tier 2
3. Jake Ferguson @ NYJ
4. Tyler Warren vs LV
5. Hunter Henry @ BUF
6. Sam LaPorta @ CIN
Tier 3
7. Dalton Kincaid vs NE
8. Juwan Johnson vs NYG
9. T.J. Hockenson @ CLE
10. Travis Kelce @ JAC
11. Zach Ertz @ LAC
12. David Njoku vs MIN
13. Travis Kelce vs BAL
14. Dallas Goedert vs DEN
Tier 4
15. Brenton Strange vs KC
16. Mark Andrews vs HOU
17. Harold Fannin Jr. vs MIN
18. Chig Okonkwo @ ARI
19. Dalton Schultz @ BAL
Tier 5
20. Cade Otton @ SEA
21. Theo Johnson @ NO
22. Mason Taylor vs DAL
23. Luke Farrell @ LAR
24. Mike Gesicki vs DET
Must Start: Tight End
Dallas Goedert vs DEN
On paper, this is a tough matchup the Broncos’ linebackers have been stingy against tight ends. But Goedertremains one of Jalen Hurts most trusted targets in critical situations. His red zone usage and ability to rack up chain moving receptions keep him locked in as a TE1, even in a difficult spot.
Week 5 Wide Receiver Rankings
Tier 1
1. Puka Nucua vs SF
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown @ CIN
3. Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs TB
4. Justin Jefferson @ CLE
5. Nico Collins @ BAL
Tier 2
6. Garrett Wilson vs DAL
7. Ja’Marr Chase vs DET
8. Emeka Egbuka @ SEA
9. A.J. Brown vs DEN
10. Davante Adams vs SF
Tier 3
11. Zay Flowers vs HOU
12. Keenan Allen vs WAS
13. Ricky Pearsall @ LAR
14. Tetairoa McMillan vs MIA
15. Deebo Samuel Sr. @ LAC
16. Chris Olave vs NYG
17. Quentin Johnston vs WAS
18. George Pickens @ NYJ
19. Courtland Sutton @ PHI
20. Jaylen Waddle @CAR
Tier 4
21. Jakobi Meyers @ IND
22. Marvin Harrison Jr. vs TEN
23. Xavier Worthy @ JAC
24. Brian Thomas Jr. vs KC
25. Tee Higgins vs DET
26. Ladd McConkey vs WAS
27. Michael Pittman Jr. vs LV
Tier 5
28. Jameson Williams @ CIN
29. Jaylen Waddle @ CAR
30. DeVonta Smith vs DEN
31. Jordan Addison @ CLE
Tier 6
32. Jerry Jeudy vs MIN
33. Calvin Ridley @ ARI
34. Stefon Diggs @ BUF
35. Khalil Shakir vs NE
36. Wan'Dale Robinson @NO
Must Start: Wide Receiver
Quentin Johnston vs WAS
Washington’s secondary has been one of the league’s worst against explosive plays, and Johnston has carved out a bigger role in the Chargers passing game. This is a spot where he can shine as a WR2 with big play upside.
Week 5 Running Back Rankings
Tier 1
1. Christian McCaffrey @ LAR
2. Jonathon Taylor vs LV
3. James Cook III vs NE
4. De’Von Achane @ CAR
Tier 2
5. Saquon Barkley vs DEN
6. Jahmyr Gibbs @ CIN
7. Bucky Irving @ SEA
8. Omarion Hampton vs WAS
9. Derrick Henry vs HOU
Tier 3
10. Kyren Williams vs SF
11. Kenneth Walker III vs TB
12. Ashton Jeanty @ IND
13. Breece Hall vs DAL
14. J.K. Dobbins @ PHI
Tier 4
15. Alvin Kamara vs NYG
16. Travis Etienne Jr. vs KC
17. Cam Skattebo @ NO
18. Jordan Mason @ CLE
19. Javonte Williams @ NYG
Tier 5
20. Quinshon Judkins vs MIN
21. Chuba Hubbard vs MIA
22. Trey Benson vs TEN
23. Tony Pollard @ ARI
24. Chase Brown vs DET
25. David Montgomery @ CIN
26. Isiah Pacheco @ JAC
27. Zach Charbonnet vs TB
28. TreVeyon Henderson @ BUF
Tier 6
29. Jacory Croskey-Merritt @ LAC
30. Woody Marks @ BAL
31. Rhamondre Stevenson vs @ BUF
32. Nick Chubb @ BAL
33. Bhayshul Tuten vs KC
34. Ollie Gordon II @ CAR
35. Emari Demercado vs TEN
36. Rachaad White @ SEA
Must Start: Running Back
Cam Skattebo @ NO
The Saints defensive front has struggled against versatile backs, and Skattebo has proven to be an efficient runner and capable receiver. He offers sneaky RB2 upside this week.
Conclusion
As we wrap up the 2025 Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings, it’s clear that matchups and opportunity will once again define success. This weeks must start players Jared Goff against the Bengals, Cam Skattebo on the road versus the Saints, Quentin Johnston in a favorable spot against Washington, and Dallas Goedert versus the Broncos.
Looking out for players in favorable matchups and players with volume are key when looking for players to start in 2025 fantasy football.