Fantasy Football Week 5 WR Rankings and Picks feat. DK Metcalf, Jayden Reed, and more 

We're only through the first month of the fantasy season, and managers will be without the services of three of the top five wide receivers in fantasy football due to injuries. Rashee Rice, Cooper Kupp, and Malik Nabers averaged at least 19.9 fantasy points per game and accounted for 196.2 fantasy points this season, but you and I will score as many points as they would this week.

With four NFL teams on bye, it's time to pivot to the best matchups to maximize your points in your wide receiver and flex spots. At Sportskeeda, we'll highlight the best pass defense to target and provide an overview of the wide receiver landscape heading into Week 5.

Week 5 Fantasy Football WR Rankings

NFL: SEP 15 Saints at Cowboys - Source: Getty

Week 5 Wide Receiver Rankings	Opponent
1. CeeDee Lamb	at Pittsburgh Steelers
2. Justin Jefferson	vs. New York Jets (London)
3. Nico Collins	vs. Buffalo Bills
4. Ja'Marr Chase	vs. Baltimore Ravens
5. DK Metcalf	vs. New York Giants
6. Deebo Samuel Sr.	vs. Arizona Cardinals
7. Diontae Johnson	at Chicago Bears
8. Chris Godwin	at Atlanta Falcons
9. Drake London	vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Jayden Reed	at Los Angeles Rams
11. Marvin Harrison Jr.	at San Francisco 49ers
12. Stefon Diggs	vs. Buffalo Bills
13. Chris Olave	at Kansas City Chiefs
14. Mike Evans	at Atlanta Falcons
15. Zay Flowers	at Cincinnati Bengals
16. Garrett Wilson	at Minnesota Vikings (London)
17. George Pickens	vs. Dallas Cowboys
18. Tee Higgins	vs. Baltimore Ravens
19. Brandon Aiyuk	vs. Arizona Cardinals
20. Michael Pittman Jr.	at Jacksonville Jaguars
21. Dontayvion Wicks	at Los Angeles Rams
22. Jakobi Meyers	at Denver Broncos
23. Jaxon Smith-Njigba	vs. New York Giants
24. Amari Cooper	at Washington Commanders

Fantasy Football Week 5 WR Picks

Seattle Seahawks v Detroit Lions - Source: Getty

1] DK Metcalf vs. New York Giants

At 6'4'' and 235 pounds, there haven't been too many players to overshadow DK Metcalf. Especially when you consider the fantasy star has had three consecutive 100-yard receiving games coming into Week 5 action.

But Malik Nabers has put up some monster numbers through four games this season despite playing on an offense that ranks 16th in passing yards. The rookie sensation is the number-one fantasy receiver at 22.9 points per game, first in receptions (35), second in receiving yards (386) and third in receiving touchdowns (3).

However, Nabers didn't practice on Thursday, and the Giants are not optimistic he will suit up after suffering a concussion on the last offensive play in Week 4. With Nabers likely going to miss the first game of his career, it leaves New York's offense thin at pure playmakers and vulnerable against a stout Seahawks defense looking to rebound from its first loss this season.

With Nabers in street clothes, Metcalf will be the best receiver on the field on Sunday. The All-Pro receiver has put up solid WR1 numbers this season with 17.7 fantasy points per game, which is 10th best.

The Giants' defense has allowed the most points per game to quarterbacks at 31.5 and the third-worst completion percentage at 72.6% this season. New York has allowed two passing touchdown games to Sam Darnold, Deshaun Watson, and Dak Prescott while only recording one interception in 117 pass attempts through four games.

Despite losing a shootout against Detroit on Monday Night Football, Geno Smith carved up the Lions for 395 passing yards and a touchdown. Look for Smith to keep it going against a banged-up Giants team this weekend and find its top target in Metcalf for another WR1 performance.

Indianapolis Colts v Green Bay Packers - Source: Getty

2] Jayden Reed at Los Angeles Rams

Dontayvion Wicks dominated waiver wire priority lists around fantasy football platforms this week for a good reason. With Christian Watson suffering a high-ankle sprain last Sunday, other receivers would have plenty of opportunities to make an impact in the Packers' pass offense.

What will stay the same is Jayden Reed is still the best fantasy receiver for Green Bay. The second-year receiver is emerging as one of the best in fantasy football despite losing its quarterback, Jordan Love, for two weeks of the season. Reed is sixth in the league in fantasy points per game at 19.5 and fourth in yards per reception at 19.8.

He gets an advantageous matchup with a Rams defense that has given up eight explosive completions of 20-plus yards or more this season. Los Angeles is last in the league in yards per reception at 12.6 and has allowed the league-worst 9.1 yards per attempt to quarterbacks. The Rams have yet to generate much pressure on opposing offenses with 2.8 seconds to throw (last) and 2.9 seconds to pressure rate (31st).

Unsurprisingly, Los Angeles has also allowed a 72.5 completion percentage, which ranks fourth-worst in the league. The Packers offensive line has protected Love and backup Malik Willis this season with a 23.4% pressure rate - good for sixth in the league. With Love having time to throw and a defense susceptible to explosive plays - get Reed in your lineups regardless of format.

Pittsburgh Steelers v Indianapolis Colts - Source: Getty

3] Josh Downs vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Since making his season debut two weeks ago, Josh Downs has immediately impacted the Indianapolis pass offense, and fantasy managers should take note.

With his usage, the second-year receiver has played himself into the flex conversation in fantasy football lineups. Downs shared the team lead in targets in both games he has played this season with WR1 Michael Pittman. He had the best game of his season with eight catches, 82 yards, and a touchdown against Pittsburgh last week.

Downs will come into Week 5 with one of the best matchups for fantasy receivers. Jacksonville's defense has allowed the third-most passing yards (1,135), the fourth-most passing touchdowns (7), and the fourth-most completions of 20-plus yards (6). Quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and C.J. Stroud have thrown for 300-plus yards against Jacksonville this season, as Stroud only needed 40 attempts to finish with 345 yards last week in a 24-20 win.

Downs has had 13.7 fantasy points through two games and has lined up 94.4% in the slot. Jacksonville's Jarrian Jones has covered slot receivers in 97.3% of his defensive snaps and allowed 1.68 yards per route covered (6th worst). The Jaguars have yet to record an interception this season and blitz opposing quarterbacks at a second-least rate of 17.4%. In 149 dropbacks this season, Jacksonville has a 12.8 QB hit rate, ranking 31st in the league.

Downs didn't make our top-24 list but should be considered a strong candidate for flex consideration with four teams on bye and all the injuries to the wide receiver position.