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Week 5 Quarterback Preview: Jayden Daniels Returns, But Should You Start Him?

Top Fantasy QBs for Week 5

Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 5 QB Rankings.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns

In London

Carson Wentz, Vikings

Wentz has produced a pair of solid starts, throwing for 523 yards and 4 TDs. This week, he'll have the advantage of avoiding a long flight as the Vikings stayed in England after last week's game in Ireland. A matchup with the Browns' defense isn't ideal, but Cleveland will have trouble sustaining drives against Brian Flores' defense. That will give the Vikings more opportunities and places Wentz on the low-end QB2 radar. 

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens

C.J. Stroud, Texans

Stroud finally put together a solid fantasy performance last week as QB14. Luckily, Stroud gets the Ravens, who just gave up four passing TDs to Patrick Mahomes and have numerous defensive injuries. The potential for another solid performance makes Stroud a QB2 this week.

Miami Dolphins at Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young, Panthers

Young’s tallied fantasy finishes of QB21, QB4, QB27, and QB29 thus far. He sits as high as he does in our ranks (QB18) simply because of an excellent home matchup vs. Miami. Only the Cowboys have surrendered more fantasy points to enemy QBs. 

Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

Tua will play his first game without Tyreek Hill since Week 15 of 2023. It’s a massive loss for the QB, who fed Hill a 24% target share through three weeks. The Carolina matchup at least supplies some hope, as they sit last in the NFL in pressure rate. They’re also 26th in PFF’s coverage grades.

Las Vegas at Indianapolis Colts

Daniel Jones, Colts

Jones sits third in the league in passing yards through four weeks and has completed 72% or more of his passes in three of four games. Even the other contest found him going to 67.6% completions and a season-high (so far) 316 yards against the oft-tough Broncos secondary. Jones sports a high ceiling against a Raiders D that’s been a middling QB scoring matchup. The Raiders rank just 21st in pass-defense DVOA.

Geno Smith, Raiders

Smith’s four games have gone good, awful, good, awful on the fantasy front so far. If he can just keep that pattern going, then he should be in great shape for this week. Of course, there’s no reason to actually believe in such a pattern. 

The Colts have provided the fifth-best QB scoring matchup so far by our adjusted fantasy points allowed. But you’ll need to balance that upside with Smith’s displayed downside risk as you make your Week 5 decision. We’d rather avoid the downside if possible. 

Indy’s defense has followed a pattern opposite to Smith’s, holding Tua Tagovailoa and Cam Ward to weak fantasy lines, while allowing Bo Nix good production and Matthew Stafford a strong Week 4.

New York Giants at New Orleans Saints

Jaxson Dart, Giants

Dart threw for just 111 yards and one TD on 20 attempts in a run-heavy game vs. the Chargers last week. With WR Malik Nabers gone, expect the Giants to remain a run-heavy offense when game script allows. It should allow this Sunday against the Saints (the Giants are just two-point underdogs). Dart will be a significant part of that ground attack, though. He carried 10 times for 54 yards and a score last week. And seven of those carries were designed. That at least puts Dart on the QB2 radar for Week 5.

Spencer Rattler, Saints

The Saints are home for a Giants defense this weekend that's been mediocre vs. the pass but horrible against the run. Expect a run-leaning attack from New Orleans, like we saw last week against Buffalo. Rattler's upside is limited.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets

Justin Fields, Jets

Fields has sandwiched a Week 2 dud with QB2 and QB5 fantasy finishes. He remains a volatile weekly fantasy play, but Sunday's matchup vs. the Cowboys' 32nd-ranked QB defense tilts Fields' projection heavily to the upside.

Dak Prescott, Cowboys

Prescott proved last week that he's just fine without WR CeeDee Lamb -- even against a tough Packers defense. Next up is a Jets squad that ranks 30th in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. The Cowboys' 25-point implied total is tied for fourth-highest on the week.

Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts, Eagles

Hurts ranks just 28th in the league in passing yards so far -- 5 yards behind Cam Ward -- yet still ranks seventh among QBs in fantasy scoring (depending on your format). You can bet the Eagles are working at fixing what’s wrong with the passing game. And Hurts’ rushing fortunately keeps him glued to our lineups in the meantime.

Bo Nix, Broncos

Nix delivered a terrific fantasy outing but got a boost from a Bengals defense that’s been third-friendliest to QB scoring so far. Philly sits mid-pack in our adjusted fantasy points allowed to the position and has negatively affected QB scoring to date. Nix remains on the fringe of starter territory and should be fine for your lineup. But don’t overrate his Week 4 if deciding between the Bronco and a top-12 option in our rankings.

Tennessee Titans at Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray, Cardinals

Tennessee's struggles on offense set up Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to have a solid fantasy day. Murray has topped 200 passing yards in both of his home games this season and has run for 30-plus in all four of his starts. Meanwhile, the Titans have allowed 253 passing yards per game since Week 2 and have scored the fewest points. That will set Murray up for extra drives, giving him top-10 value this week as a dual-threat bet in fantasy lineups. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers

Mayfield continues producing. He hasn’t dipped below QB13 on a week so far this season, even missing Mike Evans last week. Bucky Irving will be out this week, but it shouldn’t slow down Mayfield. He's a low-end QB1, despite facing Mike Macdonald's formidable defense.

Sam Darnold, Seahawks

Darnold has finished QB10 and QB18 in each of the last two games. The Seahawks have leaned into the run, meaning the volume isn’t there for Darnold to be a consistent QB1. The Bucs defense has been better than expected, though they are susceptible to deep passes. Darnold is a solid QB2.

Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals

Jared Goff, Lions

Historically, Goff’s efficiency has taken a hit on the road. But it’s tough to overlook this excellent matchup vs. the Bengals. They rank seventh in fantasy points allowed to QBs, harmed by a pass rush that's fifth-worst in pressure rate. Treat the veteran as a back-end QB1.

Jake Browning, Bengals

Try to avoid starting Browning in his current form. The backup QB owns only 18 total fantasy points over his past two games. One silver lining: The Lions will be without CB D.J. Reed (hamstring). CB Terrion Arnold is also dealing with a shoulder injury.

Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert, Chargers

Herbert recorded a dud last week but should rebound in Week 5. The Chargers host a Washington defense that got shredded by Michael Penix last week. Overall, the Commanders allow the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing QBs, and Herbert has been potent at home. He has topped 300 passing yards in both of his games at SoFi Stadium. This is a good spot for Herbert and the Chargers to rebound from last week's loss. He is a top-end QB1 with top-5 potential. 

Jayden Daniels, Commanders

After missing a pair of games, Jayden Daniels returns to the lineup just in time for Washington, which lost 34-27 in Atlanta last week. Daniels has his work cut out, flying across the country to face a Los Angeles defense that allows just 177.5 passing yards per game. The Chargers have only allowed 3 TD passes in four games, but have been vulnerable to rushing QBs, who average 26.8 yards per game on the ground. However, Daniels is still recovering from a Week 2 knee injury and could play with a brace. Even if he doesn't, Daniels may not be as potent a runner, but he still warrants top-10 QB consideration. 

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen, Bills

Allen has been his usual self with a down week last week still getting him in as QB7 on the week. The Bills have a high expected total and are at home, so it should be a feast for Allen. He is the best QB to start this week. 

Drake Maye, Patriots

Maye has been efficient with rushing TDs being a mainstay for his fantasy total. With three straight QB1 weeks, Maye is a must-start every week. The Bills defense could be a bit tougher than recent opponents, but his rushing totals will help keep Maye as a QB1.

Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Mahomes broke out of a passing slump in Week 4, and it’s no coincidence that it came alongside Xavier Worthy’s return. As long as he remains healthy, Mahomes’ upward trajectory should sustain. Next up is a Jags defense that might be without EDGE Travon Walker (wrist).

Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars

Here are Lawrence’s fantasy finishes through one month: QB24, QB10, QB28, and QB28. We’ll see if Lawrence can take a step forward as he gains comfort in HC Liam Coen’s system. But in his current form, the young QB isn’t someone to depend on in non-superflex setups.

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Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15+ years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). He finished 1st in FantasyPros Draft Accuracy competition in 2024. Kevin's work has been featured in The Mercury News, NBC Sports/Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.