Updated Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings – Sunday Morning, 10/5
Week 5 Fantasy Football Byes: Packers, Falcons, Bears, Steelers
Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings Update Log
Sunday AM, 10/5
Brock Bowers Trending Towards OUT
Bowers is trending towards NOT PLAYING after missing Thursday and Friday practices. On Friday, Bowers reportedly said “I want to be back to going full speed, being able to separate from guys…I feel like I can’t really do that to the best of my abilities right now.” Given Bowers’ struggles so far in 2025, resting may very well be the best thing he could do for now.
In his absence, Jakobi Meyers sees a nice bump up the rankings and makes a solid +200 TD stab. Tre Tucker is also a more viable sleeper. Michael Mayer is missing this game as well, leaving Albert Okwuegbunam, who’s somehow still around, as the lone TE.
Saints Activate Taysom Hill & Foster Moreau, Dinging Juwan Johnson’s Already Shaky Fantasy Stock
Juwan Johnson is already questionable for Week 5 Fantasy Football. His stock got even shakier with both Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau returning to the lineup this week. Johnson was benefiting from ungodly route shares, but those could take a hit with two TEs now back — especially a volume hog like Hill, who’s reportedly set to “have a role.” I’m pivoting to Jets’ TE Mason Taylor wherever I had been streaming Juwan.
Other Week 5 Fantasy Football Quick Hits (Sunday 10/5)
- Calvin Ridley is expected to play, but I do not trust him in the slightest. With so many WRs banged up, you may have no choice, but I much prefer his teammate Elic Ayomanor or a streamer like Malik Washington if that helps you gauge where I’m at on Ridley.
- While on the Titan, Tyjae Spears is expected to return in Week 5 Fantasy Football. Pollard currently leads RBs in snap share (88.9%) and opportunity share (92.8%), but has turned that into just 10.4 FPPG (RB29). Perhaps lightening his load can help Pollard, but it’s tough to see him rising from this. Spears should also be added wherever available
Friday, 10/3 – Running Back Craziness: Chub Hubbard & Bucky Irving Expected to be OUT
Chuba Hubbard is expected to miss Sunday, opening the door for Rico Dowdle (23% rostered) to absolutely SMASH on Sunday. He will face a Miami Dolphins defense that is absolutely abysmal, surrendering the 7th most FPs to RBs. Dowdle proved capable of shouldering the load for the Cowboys last year, finishing as the RB23 in FPs and averaging roughly 11 FPs as a starter. He’s a good bet for double-digit points this week. I have him at RB20, currently +14 ECR as of this writing (though I expect him to rise big time.
Bucky Irving is also expected to sit, leaving a valuable backfield role to be split between Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. Indeed, White is the safer play and likely starter, but he’s likely gone in your leagues. Check for Tucker, who’s my RB31 (+16 ECR) this week.
Tucker only has one NFL game with double-digit touches, and it came with White out in Week 6 last year. Tucker racked up 17 touches (3 receptions), 192 YFS, and 2 TDs as well as NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. The former Syracuse star went undrafted due to a rare heart condition, but his college résumé (3,000+ scrimmage yards, 27 TDs in his final two seasons) and explosive testing numbers prove the talent has always been there — and he could be looking at double digit touches again with Irving out. Irving ranked 5th in both carries and targets among RBs, and is ultimately 3rd in touches (22.5 per game). There’s a ton of volume up for grabs, and Tucker has always made the most of his work.
Also, Jeremy Fowler notes this could be a multi-week injury for Irving, making Tucker all the more appealing.
Thursday, 10/2 – Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Brock Purdy OUT:
Nearly every meaningful pass-catcher not named Christian McCaffrey will be out for the 49ers on TNF. With Purdy also out, it’s tough to love a ton here, but I know many owners are desperate for WR Fantasy Streamers with Bye Weeks and injuries piling up.
f I had to pick one, it’d be Kendrick Bourne. He has been second in snaps, routes, and targets among the 49ers Wide Receivers the past two weeks, and that’s with Jennings and Pearsall in for stretches. Plus, Bourne has an established rapport with Mac Jones. It’s a long shot, but if you’re desperate, I trust Bourne over Demarcus Robinson. I have him at WR45 (+3 ECR)
Jake Tonges also intrigues me if you’re desperate for a TE Streamer. He has a TD in 2-of-4 games, making him a sneaky bet for the FanDuel first TD Jackpot bet as well.
Wednesday, 10/1 – Cardinals RBs Updates with Trey Benson on IR
Trey Benson has been placed on IR… YAY for anyone who blew all their FAAB! In his absence, Jonathan Gannon said “all three (backup) running backs” will be getting work. Of the three, I trust Emari Demercado the most. He has the receiving role on lock already, and has been a sneaky solid TD scorer throughout his career. By the sounds of it, Michael Carter may be getting the start and is the expected lead rusher here, which should work out favorably in this matchup vs. TEN where the game flow should be in favor of the Cardinals. Still, if Bam Knight is also going to be involved, it could get murky quick.
I have both cardinals RBs as low-end Flex Plays, with Demercado at RB29 and Carter at RB30, both +3 or so above their current ECR.
Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings Introduction
Quarter 1 of the 2025 Fantasy Football season is DONE. Perhaps you have Jonathan Taylor, Puka Nacua, or Jordan Mason spearheading a 4-0 start. Maybe you went Joe Burrow and Brian Thomas Jr., and have been reintroduced to your old friend: The Darkness.
Regardless, a Week 5 Fantasy win is crucial. Get started with The Wolf’s Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and Tiers (2025)!
Reminder: If you have any specific lineup questions, be sure to tune into our Fantasy Sit / Start Shows on YouTube (or Facebook Live for the old folks!) First, we go live Thursday @ 4pm ET.. Then, we’ll be live Sunday @ 8:00am.
As a Scoring Reminder, they are based on 1/2 PPR, 4 Pt Passing TD Scoring.
Who is The Wolf Higher or Lower on in Updated Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and Tiers (2025)? Update 10/3
Here are the players I am higher or lower on in my third draft of Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings
Updated Week 5 Quarterback (QB) Rankings Higher and Lower
Updated Week 5 Running Back (RB) Rankings Higher and Lower
Updated Week 5 Wide Receiver (WR) Rankings Higher and Lower
Updated Week 5 Tight End (TE) Rankings Higher and Lower
Updated Week 5 Defense / Special Teams (DST) Rankings Higher and Lower
Updated Week 5 Kickers (K) Rankings Higher and Lower
I will update these rankings throughout the week as we learn more news and injury developments. Follow me @RotoStreetWolf for Week 5 Ranking Updates and Live Show times on YouTube!
Get the final word on all Actives and Inactives, plus who you should start and sit, during our LIVE Fantasy Tailgate for Week 5 Fantasy Football! The Wolf goes LIVE Thursday @ 4pm ET, and also on Sunday, 10/5 at 8 am ET for our Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings Sit / Start show. Tune in @ 8am EST on YouTube.
