Fantasy · Week 5 · 2026
Win your week. Start the right players.
Our own start/sit calls for every player, with a projected score, the range of likely outcomes and the reasons spelled out. Built from usage, matchup, Vegas lines and injuries. How we rank
Our top pick at every position
Josh Allen
BUF @ LA
24.7proj
MUST STARTBUF expected to score ~25, a strong spot
Running back · #1Jahmyr Gibbs
DET @ ARI
24.5proj
MUST STARTScored 34.4 last game, typical 15.3
Wide receiver · #1Jaxon Smith-Njigba
SEA vs SF
18.5proj
MUST STARTScored 25.4 last game, typical 12.7
Tight end · #1Trey McBride
ARI vs DET
10.3proj
MUST STARTDET allow 55% more points to TEs
Kicker · #1Brandon Aubrey
DAL vs TB
11.4proj
MUST STARTDAL expected to score ~29, plenty of drives
Defense · #1Texans D/ST
HOU @ TEN
10.3proj
MUST STARTTEN offense gives defenses 36% more points
Your toolkit
Full rankings
Each position has its own page: QB rankings · RB rankings · WR rankings · TE rankings · Flex rankings · K rankings · D/ST rankings
Kickers are the most random position in fantasy: one missed kick or one stalled drive swings a week, so the gaps between them are small. Don't spend a real pick here. Take the best kicker on your league's free list each week. Scoring is the same in every format, so the scoring switch above doesn't change these.
On bye: CAR, KC
1Brandon AubreyK · DALvsTBMUST STARTDAL expected to score ~29, plenty of drives11.4
8–14 rangeMUST STARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 10.2 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~29 pts
- Vegas line
- DAL favored by 9.5
- Game total
- 47.5
Why we say must start
- Projected 11.4 points, #1 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- DAL's offense is expected to score about 29 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 9.3 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 11.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
2Spencer Shrader▲K · IND@PITMUST STARTScored 17 last game, typical 9.911.0
7–14 rangeMUST STARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 9.9 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~22 pts
- Vegas line
- IND underdogs by 1.5
- Game total
- 44.5
Why we say must start
- Projected 11.0 points, #2 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- Scored 17 points last game against a typical 9.9 (trending up).
- Averaging 12.3 points a game, making 100% of field goals (3 from 50+).
Projection 11.0 · High confidence · Full player page →
3Evan McPhersonK · CIN@MIAMUST STARTCIN expected to score ~28, plenty of drives10.4
7–13 rangeMUST STARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 8.2 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~28 pts
- Vegas line
- CIN favored by 8.5
- Game total
- 46.5
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.4 points, #3 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- CIN's offense is expected to score about 28 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 14 points a game, making 100% of field goals (5 from 50+).
Projection 10.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
4Will Reichard▲K · MIN@NOMUST STARTScored 16 last game, typical 9.510.4
7–13 rangeMUST STARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 9.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~24 pts
- Vegas line
- MIN favored by 2.5
- Game total
- 44.5
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.4 points, #4 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- Scored 16 points last game against a typical 9.5 (trending up).
- Averaging 11 points a game, making 100% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 10.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
5Jason MyersK · SEAvsSFSTARTSEA expected to score ~25, plenty of drives10.3
7–13 rangeSTARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 10.9 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~25 pts
- Vegas line
- SEA favored by 3
- Game total
- 47.5
Why we say start
- Projected 10.3 points, #5 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- SEA's offense is expected to score about 25 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 7.7 points a game.
Projection 10.3 · High confidence · Full player page →
6Ka'imi Fairbairn▼K · HOU@TENSTARTProjected 10.0 · #6 among kickers10.0
6–13 rangeSTARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 11.8 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~23 pts
- Vegas line
- HOU favored by 6.5
- Game total
- 39.5
Why we say start
- Projected 10.0 points, #6 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Concern: Scored 5 points last game against a typical 11.8 (trending down).
- Averaging 6.7 points a game, making 80% of field goals.
Projection 10.0 · High confidence · Full player page →
7Chase McLaughlinK · TB@DALSTARTProjected 9.8 · #7 among kickers9.8
6–13 rangeSTARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 8.8 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~19 pts
- Vegas line
- TB underdogs by 9.5
- Game total
- 47.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.8 points, #7 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Concern: TB's offense is expected to score only about 19 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 13 points a game, making 100% of field goals (3 from 50+).
Projection 9.8 · High confidence · Full player page →
8Tyler LoopK · BAL@ATLSTARTBAL expected to score ~28, plenty of drives9.5
6–12 rangeSTARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 8.2 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~28 pts
- Vegas line
- BAL favored by 6
- Game total
- 49.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.5 points, #8 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- BAL's offense is expected to score about 28 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 10.7 points a game, making 100% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 9.5 · High confidence · Full player page →
9Harrison Mevis▲K · LAvsBUFSTARTLA expected to score ~28, plenty of drives9.1
6–12 rangeSTARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 8.8 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~28 pts
- Vegas line
- LA favored by 2.5
- Game total
- 52.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.1 points, #9 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- LA's offense is expected to score about 28 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Scored 16 points last game against a typical 8.8 (trending up).
- Averaging 6.7 points a game, making 80% of field goals.
Projection 9.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
10Jake BatesK · DET@ARISTARTDET expected to score ~29, plenty of drives8.8
5–12 rangeSTARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 8.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~29 pts
- Vegas line
- DET favored by 5.5
- Game total
- 52.5
Why we say start
- Projected 8.8 points, #10 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- DET's offense is expected to score about 29 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 7 points a game.
Projection 8.8 · High confidence · Full player page →
11Cairo SantosK · CHI@GBSTARTProjected 8.6 · #11 among kickers8.6
5–12 rangeSTARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 9.0 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~22 pts
- Vegas line
- CHI underdogs by 2.5
- Game total
- 45.5
Why we say start
- Projected 8.6 points, #11 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Averaging 9 points a game.
Projection 8.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
12Cam Little▼K · JAXvsPHISTARTProjected 8.5 · #12 among kickers8.5
5–11 rangeSTARTRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 9.2 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~24 pts
- Vegas line
- JAX favored by 3
- Game total
- 44.5
Why we say start
- Projected 8.5 points, #12 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Concern: Scored 4 points last game against a typical 9.2 (trending down).
- Averaging 7.7 points a game, making 67% of field goals.
Projection 8.5 · High confidence · Full player page →
13Eddy PineiroK · SF@SEABENCHProjected 8.4 · 0.1 behind #128.4
5–11 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 9.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~22 pts
- Vegas line
- SF underdogs by 3
- Game total
- 47.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.4 points, #13 among kickers this week, 0.1 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 7 points a game (2 from 50+).
Projection 8.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
14Chris Boswell▼K · PITvsINDBENCHScored 3 last game, typical 8.68.2
5–11 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3W4Dashed line: the usual 8.6 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~23 pts
- Vegas line
- PIT favored by 1.5
- Game total
- 44.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.2 points, #14 among kickers this week, 0.3 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Scored 3 points last game against a typical 8.6 (trending down).
- Averaging 7 points a game, making 70% of field goals.
Projection 8.2 · High confidence · Full player page →
15Chad Ryland▲K · ARIvsDETBENCHProjected 8.1 · 0.4 behind #128.1
5–11 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 7.4 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~24 pts
- Vegas line
- ARI underdogs by 5.5
- Game total
- 52.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.1 points, #15 among kickers this week, 0.4 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: Scored 14 points last game against a typical 7.4 (trending up).
- Averaging 10 points a game, making 88% of field goals.
Projection 8.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
16Andy BorregalesK · NEvsLVBENCHProjected 8.0 · 0.5 behind #128.0
4–11 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 8.4 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~24 pts
- Vegas line
- NE favored by 3.5
- Game total
- 44.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.0 points, #16 among kickers this week, 0.5 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 6.7 points a game, making 71% of field goals.
Projection 8.0 · High confidence · Full player page →
17Matt Gay▲K · LV@NEBENCHProjected 8.0 · 0.5 behind #128.0
4–11 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 7.4 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~21 pts
- Vegas line
- LV underdogs by 3.5
- Game total
- 44.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.0 points, #17 among kickers this week, 0.5 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: Scored 12 points last game against a typical 7.4 (trending up).
- Averaging 10 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 8.0 · High confidence · Full player page →
18Andre Szmyt▲K · CLE@NYJBENCHCLE expected to score only ~20, fewer chances7.8
4–11 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3W4Dashed line: the usual 7.1 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~20 pts
- Vegas line
- CLE underdogs by 1.5
- Game total
- 40.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.8 points, #18 among kickers this week, 0.7 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- CLE's offense is expected to score only about 20 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Upside: Scored 12 points last game against a typical 7.1 (trending up).
- Averaging 9.5 points a game, making 100% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 7.8 · High confidence · Full player page →
19Drew StevensK · WASvsNYGBENCHProjected 7.8 · 0.7 behind #127.8
4–11 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~23 pts
- Vegas line
- WAS favored by 2.5
- Game total
- 43.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.8 points, #19 among kickers this week, 0.7 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 7.7 points a game, making 71% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 7.8 · High confidence · Full player page →
20Dominic Zvada▲K · NYG@WASBENCHProjected 7.7 · 0.8 behind #127.7
4–11 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~21 pts
- Vegas line
- NYG underdogs by 2.5
- Game total
- 43.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.7 points, #20 among kickers this week, 0.8 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: Scored 12 points last game against a typical 7.5 (trending up).
- Averaging 8 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 7.7 · High confidence · Full player page →
21Cameron DickerK · LACvsDENBENCHProjected 7.6 · #21 among kickers7.6
4–11 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 9.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~21 pts
- Vegas line
- LAC underdogs by 2.5
- Game total
- 43.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.6 points, #21 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 4 points a game, making 60% of field goals.
Projection 7.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
22Tyler BassK · BUF@LABENCHProjected 7.5 · #22 among kickers7.5
4–10 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~25 pts
- Vegas line
- BUF underdogs by 2.5
- Game total
- 52.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.5 points, #22 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Upside: BUF's offense is expected to score about 25 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 7.7 points a game.
Projection 7.5 · High confidence · Full player page →
23Nick FolkK · ATLvsBALBENCHProjected 7.5 · #23 among kickers7.5
4–10 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 8.0 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~22 pts
- Vegas line
- ATL underdogs by 6
- Game total
- 49.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.5 points, #23 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 7 points a game, making 63% of field goals.
Projection 7.5 · High confidence · Full player page →
24Trey Smack▼K · GBvsCHIBENCHScored 2 last game, typical 7.57.3
4–10 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~24 pts
- Vegas line
- GB favored by 2.5
- Game total
- 45.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.3 points, #24 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 2 points last game against a typical 7.5 (trending down).
- Averaging 7.3 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 7.3 · High confidence · Full player page →
25Jason SandersK · NYJvsCLEBENCHProjected 7.1 · #25 among kickers7.1
4–10 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~21 pts
- Vegas line
- NYJ favored by 1.5
- Game total
- 40.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.1 points, #25 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 8 points a game, making 83% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 7.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
26Daniel CarlsonK · NOvsMINBENCHProjected 6.9 · #26 among kickers6.9
3–10 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 6.9 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~21 pts
- Vegas line
- NO underdogs by 2.5
- Game total
- 44.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.9 points, #26 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 7 points a game, making 80% of field goals.
Projection 6.9 · High confidence · Full player page →
27Wil Lutz▼K · DEN@LACBENCHScored 1 last game, typical 7.86.9
3–10 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 7.8 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~23 pts
- Vegas line
- DEN favored by 2.5
- Game total
- 43.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.9 points, #27 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 1 points last game against a typical 7.8 (trending down).
- Averaging 4.7 points a game.
Projection 6.9 · High confidence · Full player page →
28Riley Patterson▼K · MIAvsCINBENCHScored 4 last game, typical 8.16.8
3–10 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 8.1 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~19 pts
- Vegas line
- MIA underdogs by 8.5
- Game total
- 46.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.8 points, #28 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 4 points last game against a typical 8.1 (trending down).
- MIA's offense is expected to score only about 19 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 5.7 points a game, making 71% of field goals.
Projection 6.8 · High confidence · Full player page →
29Joey Slye▼K · TENvsHOUBENCHScored 0 last game, typical 8.16.1
3–9 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 8.1 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~17 pts
- Vegas line
- TEN underdogs by 6.5
- Game total
- 39.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.1 points, #29 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 0 points last game against a typical 8.1 (trending down).
- TEN's offense is expected to score only about 17 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 4.3 points a game.
Projection 6.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
30Jake Elliott▼K · PHI@JAXBENCHScored 1 last game, typical 6.75.9
2–9 rangeBENCHRecent form
W1W2W3Dashed line: the usual 6.7 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~21 pts
- Vegas line
- PHI underdogs by 3
- Game total
- 44.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 5.9 points, #30 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 1 points last game against a typical 6.7 (trending down).
- Averaging 5 points a game.
Projection 5.9 · High confidence · Full player page →
How we rank
Each player starts from how he scored per game last season, then we shift toward this season's games as they pile up (a few games in, this season counts as much as last). That gives a base rate for the format you picked.
We then adjust for this week's game: how many points the opponent has allowed to that position compared with the league average, how many points Vegas expects the team to score, wind for passing games, and the injury report. Players ruled out are marked Out. Doubtful and questionable players are discounted, and their confidence drops.
The verdict comes from where he ranks at his position. "Must start" and "Start" are the players you should be starting in a typical 12-team league, "Flex" is a fair depth play, and "Bench" means look elsewhere. The range is the middle half of likely outcomes, so about half of his scores should land inside it. Running backs, receivers and tight ends swing more than quarterbacks. Our scorecard checks all of this against what really happened.
Projections are estimates, not guarantees. Player stats from nflverse (CC-BY 4.0), betting lines from the NFL schedule data, injuries from ESPN's public injury report. Kicker and defense stats come from the same source and scoring is the common default.