Fanrun Fantasy Football Fight Power Rankings: Week 5
The committee has spoken ahead of Week 5 of fantasy football.
It can confidently say there are three very good teams in the league, a handful that are strong in one position group but need the others to pick up the slack, one that probably shouldn’t be 3-1, and three that are in an incredibly desperate need of a turnaround.
Here are your Week 5 Fanrun Fantasy Football Fight power rankings.
1. TUCKER HARLIN
Of the two remaining unbeatens, I have 29 more points than Sam.
I’m knocking really hard on my wooden desk, but injuries haven’t been an issue yet. Bye weeks don’t start till Week 6 for my roster.
My only true concern at this point is Kyle Pitts at tight end. I don’t know how and why ESPN Fantasy always acts like he’s about to have a breakout season and fools fantasy owners every single year. They got me to draft him this year instead of George Kittle, something I’m starting to regret.
Breece Hall had a down week, but I attribute that more on the elements. He’ll be fine moving forward.
A week on my bench allowed for Michael Pittman Jr to improve, and I may consider starting Jayden Reed in the future given his outings with Jordan Love at quarterback.
I’m going against Jon this week so I like my shot at a win
2. SAM BEARD
Aside from the 102 he scored in Week 3, Sam has consistently scored over 130 each week.
He needs to hope Sam Darnold keeps up the pace because Tua and Justin Herbert are still far from 100%. Sam’s starters and receivers at flex are strong, but all four of his bench receivers are at the very least start worthy in the event of a bye week or an injury.
Dalton Kincaid is starting to warm up at tight end after a rough first two weeks of the season.
Alvin Kamara is still as consistent as ever, and Tony Pollard has also been consistent despite playing for a questionable offense. Pollard is on bye this week, giving Sam a possible choice between Roschon Johnson and Nick Chubb if he begins to play.
Sam battles Houston this week, one that could result in a 5-0 start for Sam.
3. MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES
The new kids on the block at Fanrun have impressed at fantasy football to start the season.
I won’t say More Important Issues missed on their first round pick because there’s an obvious miss plaguing fantasy owners everywhere right now, but Bijan Robinson isn’t as productive as many might have hoped.
The area Issues got right in the draft was the later round choices, which often make or break fantasy teams.
Nico Collins is arguably the best receiver in all of fantasy and real football right now, and both George Kittle and Tee Higgins getting healthy only helps matters.
Neither one will be start-worthy all season, but Jauan Jennings and Chuba Hubbard were nice choices in the wake of injuries. J.K Dobbins was also a terrific late round pick at running back.
Issues takes on Bob this week. Bob is now 1-3 and dealing with some unfortunate injury luck.
4. RUSSELL SMITH
Russell’s scores have gotten lower with each passing week, a possible concern for the reigning Fanrun fantasy champion.
Saquon Barkley and James Cook have been a wonderful tandem at running back, and Jordan Mason has been a steal with Christian McCaffrey out for the foreseeable future.
Dubsy desperately needs Puka Nacua back at receiver. D.K. Metcalf has been good, but Zay Flowers is woefully inconsistent. Trey McBride’s return at tight end would also help.
Anthony Richardson looks like a swing and miss at quarterback, and his injury makes the position even more adventurous for Russell.
Russell plays Tim in Week 5, which has become stronger as the year has progressed. Saquon is on bye this week, so Russell will have to resort to Devin Singletary in one of his running back slots.
5. CODY MCCLURE
The Varsity Athletes received a harsh reality check last week when they ran into the fighting Sam Beards.
Malik Nabers is seriously the only player on Cody’s team I like right now. Tyreek Hill was his first overall pick, but Tua’s injury has made Hill look like a bust.
Rachaad White, Rico Dowdle, Jerome Ford, and Travis Etienne have all been very middling to start 2024 at running back. Jalen Hurts is no longer the desirable fantasy quarterback he was in years past.
Cody plays Ryan’s winless team this week. If Cody’s team wasn’t in Byemaggedon mode, I’d say his odds are favorable, but he currently has six players on bye.
6. TIM HILL
Running backs are the name of the game for Tim’s team four weeks into the season. Kyren Williams, Jonathan Taylor, and James Conner have consistently scored somewhere around 20 each week for Peaches.
Deebo Samuel’s injury has hampered production at receiver, and Amari Cooper, Tank Dell, and Xavier Worthy are incredibly hit or miss options. Patrick Mahomes has also been less than remarkable for Tim’s squad with a ceiling of 16.38 point so far.
Tim takes on Russell in his Week 5 matchup at full strength, creating a favorable situation for The Thrill to ascend in the power rankings.
7. JACE BROWN
It took a few attempts to get the engine started, but Jace’s team has come to life slowly in recent weeks.
Lamar Jackson and Jahmyr Gibbs have been good all year, and Ja’Marr Chase, Travis Kelce, and D’Andre Swift are starting to come around at their positions.
Now, all Jace needs to do is start Swift and Kelce in place of his players on bye this week when he plays Overtime Bill, who surprisingly put together a nice week in Week 4.
8. BOB BASKERVILLE
Injuries have unfortunately been a big story in Bob’s 1-3 start to the season.
Rashee Rice, T.J. Hockenson, A.J. Brown, and Christian Watson have all missed time due to injury this season on Bob’s team. On a more positive note, Marvin Harrison Jr, Zack Moss, and Brian Robinson Jr. are all finding their ways to consistent performances for Bob.
Bob has his work cut out for him this week against a very good More Important Issues team. A.J. Brown and Sam LaPorta are both on bye for Bob.
9. WILLIAM PATTESON
It only took four frustrating weeks, but Overtime Bill’s team broke 140 to score the best week of the bottom four in the young season.
Kenneth Walker returning was a huge help, and CeeDee Lamb and the 49ers defense both look like the pieces Bill intended on drafting. I still don’t agree with William’s over reliance on Jags players and Rhamondre Stevenson in the RB2 spot.
Bill goes at it with Jace this week to try and get closer to .500. Bill’s only player on bye this week is Quentin Johnston.
10. HOUSTON KRESS
Houston’s team is in a literal world of hurt right now.
Both Joe Mixon and Isiah Pacheco have missed two weeks apiece at running back and DeVonta Smith has missed time with a concussion. He’s not hurt, but Jaylen Waddle’s production has taken a big hit with Tua’s injury.
If there are any positives right now, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been a nice find and Amon-Ra St. Brown has begun to play like a first round draft choice.
The Vol Rumor Mill limps into a battle with Sam this week. The Rumor Mill is without St. Brown, who is on a bye.
11. RYAN BROWN
Not a lot has gone right for Ryan in the opening month of the season.
For one, management’s team is the one that got stuck with Christian McCaffrey, setting him back for at least another month. The Tua ripple effect has hurt the production of De’Von Achane as well.
The two Raiders on Ryan’s team, Davante Adams and Brock Bowers, are very hit or miss.
Ryan’s currently scrambling on the waiver wire and trade block to find answers before he plays Cody. I’d say if there’s an opportunity for Ryan to beat somebody, it’s this week with a third of Cody’s team on bye.
12. JON REED
My diagnosis for Jon’s 0-4 start is a very simple one.
He chose not to draft running backs in the early rounds, and none of his high caliber receivers have delivered. The last two weeks of Diontae Johnson are probably the brightest moments Jon’s had all year outside of Cooper Kupp’s 30-spot against the Lions.
Jon gets to play Young Phillip Fulmer, who is currently at the top of the league according to several metrics. Jon is without Tyjae Spears at RB2 and Nick Folk at kicker, who happened to score the most points of any player on his team last week.
