Fantasy Football Week 5 wide receiver rankings: Replacing Calvin Ridley

We got some shocking news Thursday when we learned that Calvin Ridley won’t be playing in Week 5, as he didn’t travel with the team to London due to a personal matter. Hopefully everything’s OK with Ridley and he’ll be back in Week 6, but this could be very bad news for the Falcons offense, because this team was already dangerously short on wide receiver talent. 

Which means, if you’re looking for a Ridley replacement, you probably need to look outside of Atlanta. Maybe to the opposite side of Sunday morning’s game, as Jamison Crowder is just 51% rostered in CBS Fantasy leagues and is coming off a nine-target game in his debut. The Jets have used their slot receivers a ton this season and he should be in line for a good game against the Falcons defense. 

You can see where Crowder falls in my wide receiver rankings for Week 5, which also includes thoughts on some of the most interesting players for this week. To see the rankings of Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard and Heath Cummings, make sure you head here. We’ll be updating this throughout the week with new notes and rankings as we get news and the rankings get tweaked, so make sure you bookmark the page.

Week 5 WR Rankings

1. Davante Adams @CIN — If you’re disappointed in Adams, it’s only because he’s scored just one touchdown through four games. Everything else is right where we expected it to be, which means you should expect the touchdowns to come for the NFL‘s leader in receptions.

2. Tyreek Hill vs. BUF

3. Stefon Diggs @KC

4. Cooper Kupp @SEA

5. D.J. Moore vs. PHI — Someone forgot to tell the Panthers that Moore “can’t” catch touchdowns. He has three on the season, just one short of his career-high, but it’s hard to argue it’s a fluke when he’s seen 43 targets and is averaging close to 100 yards per game. He’s always had the skills to be a high-volume, legitimate No. 1 WR, and if Sam Darnold continues to play well, I don’t see why Moore can’t continue to produce like a must-start Fantasy option.

6. Justin Jefferson vs. DET

7. D.K. Metcalf vs. LA

8. Keenan Allen vs. CLE

9. Diontae Johnson vs. DEN — Johnson might just be the one guy who benefits from Ben Roethlisberger’s presence in the Steelers offense, because Roethlisberger just peppers him with short-area targets. Johnson has played 16 games where he has logged at least a 50% snap share since the start of 2019, and he has 185 targets, 117 catches, 1,235 yards, and nine touchdowns in that stretch. He probably deserves to be treated like a borderline elite WR, even if he goes about it differently than everyone else.

10. Terry McLaurin vs. NO — McLaurin just might be having the breakout season we hoped for. He’s earned 34 targets over Taylor Heinicke’s past three starts while maintaining high efficiency, so what more could you ask for? He’s one of the best wide receivers in the game right now.

11. CeeDee Lamb vs. NYG — The Cowboys aren’t throwing the ball as much as expected, and it’s led to some disappointing results for Lamb and Amari Cooper. I still have faith in them to remain must-start Fantasy options, but I’m less sure this is going to be one of the highest volume passing offenses in the league as we expected. Lamb and Cooper have slipped down my ranks just a tad.

12. Deebo Samuel @ARI — On the one hand, maybe Samuel got a bit lucky on his long touchdown Sunday, as the 49ers suffered a total defensive breakdown and had nobody within 15 yards of him when the ball was thrown. On the other hand, he keeps doing this. He’s always been incredible with the ball in his hands, but now he’s being used like a legitimate No. 1 WR in addition to that, and it’s made him arguably the best WR in football through four games. If Trey Lance starts at QB, expectations should be tempered, but Samuel is still a must-start player at this point.

13. Mike Williams vs. CLE — Williams was a let down in Week 4, but he’s earned the benefit of the doubt with his play so far. However, maybe he’s just a bit less of a sure thing than we thought after the first three weeks? Even really good receivers have down weeks, of course.

14. Chris Godwin vs. MIA — One thing about playing in an offense with this many weapons led by Tom Brady is, Brady is perfectly happy to spread the ball around and take whatever the defense is giving him. That leads to a very efficient and effective offense, but it can also be frustrating for pass-catchers in Fantasy. Godwin has five or seven targets in each of his past three games and hasn’t topped 75 yards. Of course, you’re still starting him, every week, because it’ll be Godwin’s turn to be the focal point before long. Don’t worry about whatever minor inconsistencies come up, he should be in your lineup.

15. Tyler Lockett vs. LAR– Lockett has just four or five targets in three of his four games, and it seems clear DK Metcalf has surpassed him as the team’s top WR — Metcalf is averaging two more targets per game right now. However, Lockett is still a must-start Fantasy WR in my eyes, even if he’s not necessarily an elite option.

16. DeAndre Hopkins vs. SF — Hopkins did have his highest target share since Week 1 last week, but the Cardinals continue to distribute targets evenly, with six different players sporting a target share of at least 12% on the season. It’s going to be hard for Hopkins to live up to expectations if that remains the case, but he’s still a must-start WR.

17. Amari Cooper vs. NYG

18. Cordarrelle Patterson vs. NYJ — I’m fascinated by the idea of how the Falcons might use Patterson in Week 5 with Calvin Ridley not traveling with the team due to a personal matter. Patterson played nine of his 21 snaps last week either in the slot or split out wide, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him play primarily as a wide receiver this week. Would that be better or worse for his value? It’s hard to say, because he’s been getting so many schemed up touches in his current role, but anything that gets him on the field more is a positive, in my eyes. 

19. Brandin Cooks vs. NE — Last week, I wrote, “The Texans can’t keep targeting Brandin Cooks as often as they are … right?” Well, he matched his season low in targets with seven … which amounted to 1/3 of the team’s pass attempts. He’s the entire offense and has to be viewed as a must play even with Davis Mills struggling so badly.

20. Ja’Marr Chase vs. GB

21. Mike Evans vs. MIA — Evans leads all Tampa wide receivers in target share at 22%, with both Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown coming in under 18%. What’s funny is, Evans also has no touchdowns in three of his four games so far, which was supposed to be the thing you could really rely on him for in this offense. The touchdowns will come.

22. Tyler Boyd vs. GB

23. Odell Beckham @LAC — Beckham looks really good so far, but he’s been held back by Baker Mayfield’s erratic play so far. If you have confidence Mayfield will turn it around, you should probably be buying Beckham, who has been getting open down the field routinely. Of course, those two have struggled to get on the same page in their time together, notably, and Mayfield’s struggles in Week 4 are probably not unrelated to the torn labrum he is trying to play through. I still like Beckham quite a bit for Fantasy purposes right now, but I can acknowledge the risks. 

24. Marquise Brown vs. IND — It’s fair to wonder if Rashod Bateman getting healthy is going to cut into Brown’s role, but I’m really not concerned at all. He and Lamar Jackson have been consistently on point with the deep ball, and Brown answered any concerns you might have had about his hands with a stunning diving grab in Week 4. I’m pretty close to considering him a top-24 WR the rest of the way.

25. Antonio Brown vs. MIA

26. Kenny Golladay @DAL — Golladay has been pretty efficient on a per-target basis so far this season, and he finally translated that into big production in Week 4. I’m not expecting 116 yards every game, but with Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton likely still out or limited, I do expect him to be a viable starting option from here on out, even if consistency will be, like it always is, an issue.

27. Adam Thielen vs. DET — So, Thielen has 50 or fewer yards in three straight games, and since he finally didn’t find the end zone in Week 4, he had a bad Fantasy game. He really isn’t off to a great start, touchdowns aside, so at this point, the big question is how confident are you in him finding the end zone in any given week. The Lions are an easy enough matchup where it isn’t unreasonable to expect it, but I don’t think it would be the wrong idea to shop Thielen and see what you can get for him right now.

28. Jakobi Meyers @HOU — In the Patriots‘ three losses, Meyers has 35 targets, so there certainly seems to be a pattern here. The Patriots are heavily favored in this one, so I’m not expecting Mac Jones to have to throw the ball much, but Meyers is still a viable low-end starting option to consider, if not a must-start.

29. DeVonta Smith @CAR — There have been some ups and downs to be sure, but Smith has been about as good as you can expect as the Eagles lead WR so far. He’s consistently earning targets down the field, and while his catch rate is just so-so at 58%, he’s making enough plays to make up for it. He may end up being an elite Fantasy WR, and he’s already forced his way into the starting conversation.

30. DeVante Parker @TB — Parker has been the Dolphins‘ top target and their most productive receiver through four games. It hasn’t resulted in huge production so far, but with Will Fuller out in Week 5 and the Dolphins likely set to throw the ball a ton against a beat up Tampa secondary, he could be in a nice spot.

31. Courtland Sutton @PIT — Sutton has just the one big game so far, and now he’s playing with Drew Lock, with whom he’s never really put up good numbers. I still like Sutton’s potential in any given week, but you can’t trust him as more than a boom-or-bust option right now.

32. Jamison Crowder @ATL — Crowder came back from his groin injury and he did what he always does: He earned a bunch of targets from the slot. He led the team with nine in Week 4, turning them into seven catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. He’s not a terribly exciting player — he doesn’t pick up big chunks of yardage routinely or make highlight reel plays — but he’s a solid option who should continue to see a healthy target share, making him a PPR consideration. Make sure he’s not on waivers in your league.  

33. Jaylen Waddle @TB — Week 4 was a big disappointment for Waddle, who had been seeing a ton of targets the previous few weeks but had just four despite playing his typical snaps against the Colts. He’s a PPR-only option, but the volume could make him a decent play.

34. Robert Woods @SEA — I’m at a loss with Woods, frankly. The offense around him is much better, and while his target share is down, the bigger issue is that he’s just been a lot worse on the targets he’s getting. I have to think that’ll improve moving forward, but I can’t just keep recommending him as a No. 2 WR if the results aren’t there.

35. Michael Pittman @BAL — Pittman has at least 59 yards and six catches in three straight games despite less than favorable circumstances. I’m not sure he consistently has a bunch of upside every week, but he’s looking like a solid starting option at this point.

36. Allen Robinson @LV — I’ve been a consistent advocate for Robinson during his slow start, but it’s getting harder and harder to justify that. It’s not a knock on Robinson as much as it is a reflection of the sad state of this offense so far. I’m not saying you have to bench him, but you surely don’t have to start him either.

37. Cole Beasley @KC — Beasley was a big disappointment in Week 4, but it also just wasn’t a good situation for him as the Bills led comfortably and Josh Allen threw just 29 passes. The Bills will have to throw more in Week 5 to keep up with the Chiefs, and I’m still looking at Beasley as a solid starting option

38. Corey Davis @ATL — It was nice to see Davis get back on track in Zach Wilson’s best game of the season, and you have to like his chances for a second solid game in a row against the Falcons. I’m not saying he’s a must-start option, but he’s worth considering.

39. Emmanuel Sanders @KC

40. Darnell Mooney @LV — I’m not quite ready to move Mooney ahead of Allen Robinson in the rankings, but I’m not far from it. Mooney looked great in Week 4 with Justin Fields, and he actually has more targets than Robinson so far. We’ll see how they look if Andy Dalton is under center, but I still wouldn’t trust either as anything more than a No. 3 WR if I can avoid it.

41. Marvin Jones vs. TEN — With DJ Chark out in Week 4, it was actually Laviska Shenault who stepped forward to take on a larger role. That may be how things work out moving forward, but I like both Jones and Shenault as starting-caliber players moving forward, though I’m not necessarily viewing either as a must-start option even against a good matchup. 

42. Laviska Shenault vs. TEN

43. Hunter Renfrow vs. CHI

44. Sammy Watkins vs. IND — Watkins probably deserves more credit than he’s getting for his play so far. The famously inconsistent receiver has four catches in every game and is averaging 10.4 PPR points per game despite having no touchdowns. He’s not a great option, but if you’re desperate, he should help.

45. Robby Anderson vs. PHI — It wasn’t a great performance from Anderson, but Week 4 might have been his most promising of the season. The Panthers talked about wanting to get him more involved and then he had 11 targets, just one fewer than Moore. If he’s going to be heavily involved in the game plan moving forward, there’s still plenty of upside here, and I’m more optimistic about Anderson now than I was this time last week.

46. JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. DEN — Smith saw a few deeper targets in Week 4 and could have had a really nice game with just about anyone else playing quarterback. Instead, Roethlisberger just missed him on multiple plays where he had nothing but green in front of him. This passing game is just really ugly for everyone except Diontae Johnson.

47. Henry Ruggs @LV

48. AJ Green vs. SF — Green has exactly six targets in each game to date, and has been a pretty good Fantasy option in three of four. I’m not ready to rank him as a must-start player or anything like that, but he’s second on the team in target share and should probably be the second-highest ranked of the Cards’ receivers.

49. Brandon Aiyuk @ARI — Aiyuk saw his usage trend in the wrong direction across the board in Week 4, halting any possible momentum that might have come out of the previous game. He just can’t be in the starting conversation right now until he has a good game. It hasn’t really come close to happening yet.

50. Rondale Moore vs. SF

51. Tim Patrick @PIT

52. Mecole Hardman vs. BUF — Hardman has just 123 yards through four games, and his snap share dipped to a season-low 52% — the third straight game it has fallen. At this point, he’s not a must-roster player, and with Josh Gordon’s debut coming in Week 4, Hardman could see his role shrink even more. 

53. Kadarius Toney @DAL — The Giants finally got Toney involved in the offense in Week 4 out of necessity, but he looked pretty good, finishing with six catches for 78 yards on nine targets. I don’t expect he’ll lead the team in targets every week, but he showed his playmaking abilities against the Saints and figures to see a larger role as long as Shepard is sidelined. He should be rostered in most leagues, even if you aren’t necessarily starting him yet.

54. Christian Kirk vs. SF

55. Curtis Samuel vs. NO — Samuel was eased into his first game back from a groin injury and really didn’t do much with his four targets. However, he remains an important part of what this team wants to do moving forward and has big upside as he gets back to 100%. With Logan Thomas likely out with a hamstring injury, Samuel could be asked to carry on a heavier load this week. I’m not starting him, but I’m making sure he ends up on my bench everywhere he is available.

56. Jalen Reagor @CAR

57. Nelson Agholor @HOU

58. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine @JAX

59. Zach Pascal @BAL

60. Collin Johnson @DAL