Fantasy Football: Week 5 Streamers to Consider
With a full month of the NFL season under our belt, fantasy managers can really begin to get a feel for the matchups that need to be targeted from week to week! Whether it is due to injury or just strictly roster strategy, finding the right streaming options can be the difference between getting into the win column or taking the “L”!
Let’s dive into the streamers to consider heading into Week 5!
Quarterbacks
C.J. Stroud
QB - HOU
Despite the slow start in Houston, CJ Stroud has really had a strong start to the fantasy season. Through the first four games of the year, Stroud is averaging 17.1 fantasy points per game and has turned in two top-12 QB finishes. Stroud currently sits fourth in the league in passing yards and already has two games of 300+ passing yards, a mark he only hit once in all of 2025. To add to the argument for Stroud to be in lineups, he gets a matchup with the Titans, who are allowing the second-highest passing completion rate of the season. Stroud is only rostered in 46% of leagues, so he should be a real option for fantasy managers in need.
Jameis Winston
QB - NYG
The Jameis Winston experience was a bit rocky in Week 4, but we did get a bit of what makes him a strong QB option for fantasy purposes. Jameis delivered a QB9 finish in his second start of the season, which featured three TD passes and two INTs. There could be some doubt regarding Winston’s starting status for the Giants after the team traded for JJ McCarthy ahead of Week 4, but New York is 2-0 with Jameis under center, so it’s likely he will get the first shot at continuing to lead this offense. A matchup against the Commanders’ defense should give fantasy managers another prime opportunity for a fantasy-usable week from Jameis since the Washington defense has allowed a league-high 11 passing TDs through their first four games.
Kirk Cousins
QB - LV
A sneaky streaming option for fantasy managers to consider at QB is in Las Vegas with Kirk Cousins, who is currently the QB8 on the year, but only rostered in 40% of leagues. Through the first month of the season, Cousins is tied for passing TDs (11) and has finished as a top-12 QB in each of his last three games, including a QB3 overall finish last week against the Chiefs. What has added fuel to the Cousins passing fire has been the Raiders’ struggles to consistently run the ball. Las Vegas currently sits fourth in the league in rushing attempts, but has the ninth-fewest rushing yards. Cousins may have been brought to Vegas to mentor Fernando Mendoza, but fantasy managers can get some fantasy goodness from him if they are in a pinch.
Tight Ends
Mike Gesicki
TE - CIN
After coming out of the gates super hot for fantasy managers, Mike Gesicki has shown he deserves to be on more than 16% of fantasy rosters. Gesicki has finished as a top-12 fantasy TE in three of his four games this season, all three of which he caught a TD in. While Gesicki has really been TD-dependent in the Bengals’ offense, the injury to Ja’Marr Chase could mean an expanded role for the team’s top TE. Of course, a matchup with the Miami defense who have allowed a TD to opposing TEs in two of their last three games, only makes things more appealing for Gesicki to be in fantasy lineups.
Michael Mayer
TE - LV
The return of Brock Bowers to the Raiders offense may have spelled doom for Michael Mayer’s fantasy prospects, but he is actually better with the addition of his fellow TE. Over the last two weeks since Bowers’ return, Mayer has been a top-12 TE in each game, including a TE7 finish last week against the Chiefs. Mayer has his work cut out for him if he is going to continue his hot streak with a tough matchup against the Patriots coming in Week 5. Mayer is available in pretty much every league, so fantasy managers searching for an option might consider him this week.
Sam LaPorta
TE - DET
Fantasy managers probably don’t need much encouragement to get Sam LaPorta back into their lineups after finishing as the TE2 overall in Week 4, but I am giving you the extra bump for free. LaPorta has been in a “cold then hot” routine to start the season – TE18, then TE8, then TE25, and TE2 – but fantasy managers should be willing to bet that streak has a good chance of ending this week with a matchup against the Cardinals. Arizona’s defense has allowed three TDs to opposing teams’ TEs in their last two games, so fantasy managers should start LaPorta with confidence.
Defenses
Jacksonville Jaguars
D - JAX
Easily one of the hottest teams in the league after the first month of the season has been the Jaguars, but when it comes to fantasy, we mainly talk about their offense when their defense deserves a little attention as well. Through the first four games, Jacksonville’s defense has allowed the second-fewest points in the league and has a great matchup to remain near the top in Week 5 against the Eagles. While it may be odd to think about, the Eagles offense sits in the bottom five in the league in passing yards and has just two rushing TDs on the season. In each of their games this season, Philadelphia has given up at least two sacks, which is a strong baseline for fantasy defenses. The Jags are available in over 60% of leagues and could be a sneaky play this week.
Cincinnati Bengals
D - CIN
After a red-hot start to the season, the Bengals defense has cooled off a bit but should really be considered a weekly option for fantasy purposes. Cincinnati’s defense has recorded two sacks in every game this season and has four sacks in all but one game. As a defense that is available in 81% of fantasy leagues, what is intriguing about the Bengals this week is a juicy matchup against the Dolphins. Miami’s offense has struggled to start the season and has been a team to target with fantasy defenses. Through their first four games, the Dolphins have allowed a top-12 finish from the opposing team’s defense in each game. With such a strong matchup, the Bengals could be in line for a high-end fantasy finish in Week 5.
Boom Boom Kicker
Will Reichard
K - MIN
As a weekly reminder, having a kicker as a position in your fantasy league is ridiculous. If you are looking for a solid kicker, though, Will Reichard should be a strong choice. Reichard leads the league in FGs made, making all 12 of his attempts this season. Seeing as how the Vikings’ offense is on struggle street, but their defense is maybe the best unit in the league, Reichard should continue to see plenty of opportunity to boot fantasy points for rosters.