A new twist has emerged that changes how fantasy football managers evaluate their lineups: bye weeks.
Week 5 is the first of seven in a row when at least two teams get the week off. First up are the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers, so fantasy managers with Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Jalen Coker or Tetairoa McMillan are in need of reinforcements.
The same might be true for fantasy managers with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Justin Jefferson on their roster. Chase is in the NFL's concussion protocol, Higgins sustained an adductor injury and Jefferson has an ankle injury that kept him out Week 4.
With both bye weeks and injuries to contend with, deciding which players to keep in the fantasy lineup can be difficult. USA TODAY Sports has
compiled a group of six receivers worth considering to start (or sit) in fantasy leagues this week.
WEEK 5 RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DST | FLEX
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 5 wide receivers
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Detroit Lions)
Through four weeks, Wilson stands at the top of all Cardinals pass-catchers – even tight end Trey McBride – with his 258 receiving yards. Against the Giants in Week 4, the fourth-year wide receiver led Arizona with 13 targets, seven catches and 95 yards.
Fantasy managers with Wilson rostered should be licking their chops for a matchup against the Lions. Detroit has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. The Lions' passing defense ranks third-to-last in dropback EPA allowed through four weeks. Wilson is averaging 16.7 fantasy points (half-PPR) per week over his last two outings and is in line for another big day in Week 5.
Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans (vs. Houston Texans)
Is the breakout finally here for the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft? Tate ripped the Ravens for 145 yards on nine catches – both career-high marks by a significant margin – last week. That production surpassed the career/season highs Tate had set just a week earlier (six catches for 58 yards). Tate's upward trajectory since his Week 2 dud could continue in Week 5.
The Texans' defense has been one of the biggest surprises of 2026 so far, and not in a good way. A unit that was one of the league's best on paper entering the year has allowed more average fantasy points to receivers than any other defense. Houston ranks in the bottom 10 of dropback EPA allowed through four weeks, so it will be up to Tate and quarterback Cam Ward to take advantage.
Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Philadelphia Eagles in London)
After an outstanding first couple of weeks, Washington has had less impressive outings in Weeks 3 and 4. Don't give up on him for Week 5 though. His route share has stayed consistent despite the underwhelming fantasy stats in recent weeks, and his next matchup is favorable.
With as much attention as there's been on the Eagles' broken offense, Philly's defensive issues have gone largely unnoticed. Or perhaps the offense's inability to stay on the field (30th in success rate) has meant more wear, tear and fatigue on the defense. Regardless of what it is, the result could be a huge bounce-back day for Parker Washington.
Philadelphia is allowing a lot of fantasy points to slot receivers – Washington is taking 50% of his snaps from the slot, per PFF, more than any other Jaguars receiver – as nickel back Cooper DeJean is on pace for his worst season in coverage. The Eagles also are ranked 30th in pass-rush win rate and 22nd in dropback EPA allowed.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 5 wide receivers
Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers (at Seattle Seahawks)
Evans avoided missing time with the rib injury he sustained in Week 3. Last week, he caught five passes for 76 yards as the Broncos' secondary got banged up. As solid as the veteran has been to start the year – double-digit fantasy points in half-PPR in three of four weeks – pump the brakes on putting Evans right back into a fantasy lineup for Week 5.
Only the Kansas City Chiefs have allowed fewer fantasy points to receivers than the Seahawks so far this year. Seattle's defense also ranks sixth-lowest in dropback success rate and seventh-lowest in dropback EPA allowed. Quarterback Brock Purdy and Evans face their biggest test yet after a jet-lagged Rams defense, the Dolphins, the Cardinals and a banged-up Broncos defense.
Romeo Doubs, New England Patriots (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
Doubs stepped up in a big way in Week 4 with the Patriots' passing offense still missing star receiver A.J. Brown. His nine targets and six catches, plus two touchdowns, led New England to a win over the Bills. Surely Doubs is in for another big day against the Raiders?
Perhaps not. Where Philadelphia's offensive woes might be hiding (or causing) its defensive issues, Las Vegas has quietly been excellent on defense in a season where its main story has been offensive success. The Raiders rank second in overall EPA/play allowed, behind only the Vikings. They've also allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to receivers this year and have been more susceptible to opponents' tight ends. Hunter Henry may be in for a big day, but fantasy managers could be disappointed with Doubs in Week 5.
Devaughn Vele, New Orleans Saints (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
As the Saints wait for rookie first-round pick Jordyn Tyson to get healthy, Vele has been more than suitable as a fill-in secondary option. The third-year receiver is second on the Saints with 30 targets and 21 catches. He just had six catches for 54 yards and a score against the Falcons. In half-PPR leagues, his average score of 11.3 points makes him WR20.
The main wrinkle here for Week 5 is Vele's opponent. The Vikings have been absolutely dominant on defense in 2026. Brian Flores' unit has allowed the lowest EPA/play and lowest success rate through four weeks. And speaking of Flores, young quarterbacks tend to struggle against his defensive schemes, with all their disguised pressure, coverage and intense blitzing. Vele is certainly a player to watch, but this week is a no-go for the Saints' breakout contributor.
Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 5
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 5.
→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 5.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 5.
→ Defense (and special teams) can win you championships – including your fantasy league's. Here are some of the best D/ST units to start and sit in Week 5.
More fantasy football content
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em wide receivers for Week 5 fantasy football
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