Fantasy football rankings Week 5: Dave Richard's tough start/sit calls include benching Jalen Hurts — SkimNews
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- Jalen Hurts is flagged as a sit in Week 5 as the Eagles face the Jaguars without Lane Johnson (retired), Landon Dickerson (IR), and Cam Jurgens (traded to Baltimore while in concussion protocol), with Philadelphia's new offense not yet clicking.
- T.J. Hockenson drew nearly all his targets against zone coverage last week, positioning him as a must-start against a Saints defense likely to pressure a banged-up Vikings offensive line missing left guard Donovan Jackson and potentially left tackle Christian Darrisaw.
- The Cowboys pass rush has produced just 4 sacks through four games (only the Giants have fewer), setting up another fast-paced game script for the Buccaneers, though Tampa has scored 19 or fewer points in each of its past three games.
- The Bears lead the NFL in RB carries and sit top five in yards per rush (4.9) and RB rushing touchdowns (six), with D'Andre Swift expected to lead the backfield despite being benched last week for fumbling — a pattern that previously led to 16-plus touches the following game.
- Drake Maye showed improvement last week with timely throws to Romeo Doubs and clutch rushing, but a Raiders pass rush that doesn't need to blitz much complicates his ceiling, while Doubs remains a low-end flex only.
- Kyler Murray has posted 22-plus fantasy points in 3 of 4 career meetings against Brandon Staley-coached defenses, but his 2026 production and the Vikings' battered offensive line temper expectations, funneling targets back to Hockenson rather than Jordan Addison.
Why it matters: Week 5 bye weeks and a rash of Eagles offensive line losses (Johnson retired, Dickerson on IR, Jurgens traded mid-concussion) force fantasy managers to reconsider high-draft picks like Hurts, while surging value plays like Hockenson and Bears RBs offer league-winning upside if correctly identified — the kind of start/sit edge that separates playoff teams from the rest.
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