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Week 5 Fantasy Football WRs: Jameson Williams Aims for Encore, Plus Start/Sit Picks

Jaylen Waddle, Josh Downs, and DK Metcalf have favorable matchups in Week 5. However, Emeka Egbuka presents a high-risk option for your fantasy lineup this week.

CBS Sports·Oct 7, 2026·via CBS Sports

Week 5 Fantasy Football WRs: Jameson Williams Aims for Encore, Plus Start/Sit Picks

You might be starting several wide receivers in Week 5 who you added off the waiver wire. The position is decimated due to injuries.

Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (groin) missed practice Wednesday, which puts Dohnte Meyers in a potential starting spot in three-receiver leagues against Miami. Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir could be options in three-receiver leagues if D.J. Moore (shoulder) can't play against the Rams.

Tre Harris could be a starter in three-receiver leagues against Denver if Ladd McConkey (foot) is out. And the same goes for Antonio Williams if Terry McLaurin (hamstring) can't play against the Giants.

I'm hesitant to trust Darius Cooper against the Jaguars in London, but he just scored two touchdowns in Week 4 against the Rams with DeVonta Smith (hamstring) out. And we also have Roman Wilson (vs. IND) and Malik Washington (at CIN) playing well, and they could be useful in three-receiver leagues.

Injuries have been a big problem at receiver this season. But there are some waiver wire options who could help you in Week 5 if you're stuck.

WRs to Start Projections powered by Sportsline

Jaylen Waddle

DEN Denver

• #17

Age: 27 • Experience: 6 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ LAC DEN -3.5 O/U 42

OPP VS WR

18th

PROJ PTS

11.1

WR RNK

18th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

185

TD

FPTS/G

Waddle has struggled so far as a Fantasy receiver in Denver, with two games with at least 14.5 PPR points and two games with 6.4 PPR points or less. He finally scored his first touchdown with the Broncos in Week 4 at San Francisco, and he's averaging 7.7 targets per game in his past three outings, which is a positive sign. This week, Waddle faces a Chargers defense that has allowed six receivers to score at least 12.3 PPR points in four games, and Waddle could get an additional target or two with Pat Bryant (ankle) out. I like Waddle as a high-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.

Jameson Williams

DET Detroit

• #1

Age: 25 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ ARI DET -5.5 O/U 54.5

OPP VS WR

27th

PROJ PTS

13.4

WR RNK

20th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

229

TD

FPTS/G

9.7

We were waiting for Williams to have a breakout game, and it happened in Week 4 at Carolina with six catches for 102 yards on eight targets. He still hasn't scored a touchdown, but the Lions are focused on getting him going, which was obvious against the Panthers. Williams has another great matchup in Week 5 at Arizona, and the Cardinals have allowed six receivers to score at least 12.4 PPR points this season, including two in each of the past two games against the 49ers and Giants. That bodes well for Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown to take advantage of this secondary. I like Williams as a high-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.

Matthew Golden

GB Green Bay

Age: 23 • Experience: 2 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs CHI CHI -2.5 O/U 45.5

OPP VS WR

5th

PROJ PTS

11.4

WR RNK

15th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

274

TD

FPTS/G

14.5

Golden caught a touchdown in Week 4 at Tampa Bay, otherwise he would have had a mediocre stat line with three catches for 21 yards on seven targets. He doesn't have an easy matchup in Week 5 against the Bears, who are No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. However, Golden's first NFL touchdown came in the playoffs against Chicago last season with four catches for 84 yards on five targets. He's averaging 9.3 targets per game, and the three receivers with at least eight targets against the Bears (Jalen Coker, Tetairoa McMillan and DeVonta Smith) have scored at least 12.5 PPR points. Golden should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.

Josh Downs

IND Indianapolis

• #2

Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ PIT PIT -2.5 O/U 44.5

OPP VS WR

10th

PROJ PTS

11.2

WR RNK

21st

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

202

TD

FPTS/G

9.3

Downs had a disappointing game in Week 4 at Washington with three catches for 16 yards on four targets, but he should rebound in Week 5 at Pittsburgh. The Steelers have allowed five receivers to score at least 11.4 PPR points in their past three games against New England, Cincinnati and Cleveland, and Downs scored at least 12.7 PPR points in each of his past two games prior to facing the Commanders with 20 targets over that span. I'm still confident in Downs, and he should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.

DK Metcalf

PIT Pittsburgh

• #4

Age: 28 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs IND PIT -2.5 O/U 44.5

OPP VS WR

21st

PROJ PTS

11.7

WR RNK

23rd

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

213

TD

FPTS/G

10.8

Metcalf comes into Week 5 after back-to-back productive Fantasy outings against the Bengals and Browns with at least 12.1 PPR points in each game. He has three games this season with at least nine targets, and Aaron Rodgers should continue to lean on Metcalf in Week 5 against the Colts. Indianapolis has allowed four receivers to score at least 12.3 PPR points this season, and Roman Wilson is also worth using as a flex option in the majority of leagues. Wilson has six targets in every game this season, and he has scored at least 15 PPR points in each of his past two games. Sleepers (Start/Sit) Projections powered by Sportsline

Carnell Tate

TEN Tennessee

• #14

Age: 21 • Experience: Rookie

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs HOU HOU -7.5 O/U 37.5

OPP VS WR

32nd

PROJ PTS

11.1

WR RNK

26th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

268

TD

FPTS/G

11.7

Tate has done well in his past two games against the Giants and Ravens, and he's worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues against the Texans in Week 5. Tate has combined for 15 catches for 203 yards on 21 targets in his past two outings, and he should stay hot against Houston. The Texans are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and six receivers have scored at least 12.7 PPR points against Houston this year.

Denzel Boston

CLE Cleveland

• #12

Age: 22 • Experience: Rookie

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ NYJ NYJ -1.5 O/U 40

OPP VS WR

10th

PROJ PTS

9.6

WR RNK

29th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

284

TD

FPTS/G

13.9

Boston continues to make plays, and he has scored at least 12.9 PPR points in three of four games this season, including two touchdowns. The Jets have been stingy against opposing receivers, but four receivers in the past three games have scored at least 11.4 PPR points. Deshaun Watson is playing better than expected this year, and Boston has been the No. 1 receiver for the Browns. He's worth using as a starter in all three-receiver leagues in Week 5.

Devaughn Vele

NO New Orleans

• #14

Age: 28 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs MIN MIN -1.5 O/U 42

OPP VS WR

14th

PROJ PTS

8.7

WR RNK

27th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

226

TD

FPTS/G

13.9

Vele had six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown on nine targets in Week 4 against Atlanta, and he has now scored at least 11.4 PPR points in three of four games this season. He's averaging 7.8 targets per game, and Tyler Shough should continue to lean on Vele as the No. 2 option in the passing game behind Chris Olave. I like Vele as a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver, and the Vikings have allowed four receivers to score at least 11.2 PPR points this year.

Romeo Doubs

NE New England

• #87

Age: 26 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs LV NE -3.5 O/U 45

OPP VS WR

6th

PROJ PTS

12.6

WR RNK

30th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

203

TD

FPTS/G

11.1

Doubs saw a season-high nine targets in Week 4 at Buffalo, and he finished the game with six catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns for 23.8 PPR points. He has now scored at least 12.6 PPR points in each of his two games in New England this season, and I like him as a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver against the Raiders in Week 5. Las Vegas has allowed three receivers in the past two games against New Orleans and Kansas City to score at least 11 PPR points, and Doubs should continue to get fed from Drake Maye in this matchup.

Dohnte Meyers

CIN Cincinnati

• #81

Age: 26 • Experience: 1 year

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ MIA CIN -6.5 O/U 42.5

OPP VS WR

3rd

PROJ PTS

9.8

WR RNK

31st

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

129

TD

FPTS/G

6.2

Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (groin) both missed practice Wednesday, and if both are out in Week 5 at Miami then I like Meyers as a starter in all three-receiver leagues. If one of Chase or Higgins is out, then Meyers can still be a potential starter. Meyers had seven catches for 82 yards on nine targets against the Jaguars in Week 4, and Chase left early in that game. The Dolphins have only allowed two receivers to score at least 11.3 PPR points this season, with one touchdown allowed, but I still like Meyers as a flier if Chase and/or Higgins are out. WRs to Sit Projections powered by Sportsline

Deebo Samuel

SF San Francisco

• #19

Age: 30 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ SEA SEA -3 O/U 45.5

OPP VS WR

2nd

PROJ PTS

9.9

WR RNK

28th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

185

TD

FPTS/G

14.5

Samuel had a solid game in Week 4 against Denver with five catches for 26 yards and a touchdown on six targets, and he added three carries for 44 yards and scored 18 PPR points. He has now scored at least 15.4 PPR points in three of four games, and he's worth using in all three-receiver leagues in Week 5 at Seattle. But this should be a difficult matchup for him and Mike Evans since the Seahawks are No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Terry McLaurin in Week 3 is the lone receiver with double digits in PPR against Seattle, and this could be a down game for Samuel and Evans given the matchup on the road.

Rome Odunze

CHI Chicago

• #15

Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ GB CHI -2.5 O/U 45.5

OPP VS WR

17th

PROJ PTS

9.3

WR RNK

32nd

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

233

TD

FPTS/G

9.3

Odunze had his best game of the season in Week 4 against the Jets with six catches for 94 yards on seven targets, and maybe he'll have the best connection with Tyson Bagent, who is expected to start again in Week 5 at Green Bay with Caleb Williams (hamstring) out. I would use Odunze as a starter in three-receiver leagues, but I still have faith in Luther Burden III being the best receiver for Chicago. Colston Loveland and Kalif Raymond will also be in the mix, and Odunze scored 7.4 PPR points or less in each of the first three games this season. He's only faced Green Bay twice in his career, and he combined for just eight catches for 83 yards over that span.

Jakobi Meyers

JAC Jacksonville

• #3

Age: 29 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs PHI JAC -7.5 O/U 42

OPP VS WR

24th

PROJ PTS

11.1

WR RNK

45th

YTD Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

165

TD

FPTS/G

10.4

Meyers had three catches for 33 yards on four targets in Week 4 at Cincinna

_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/start-em-sit-em-wr-2026-week-5/)._