Fantasy Football Week 5 Wide Receiver Start Decision: Dontayvion Wicks, Brian Thomas Jr., Rome Odunze, Jauan Jennings, Garret Wilson and More

Week 5 of the NFL regular season is underway, and now it’s time to turn our attention to the Sunday and Monday games.

As the games approach, Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. and Green Bay’s Dontayvion Wicks are two popular wide receivers inside the trending decisions section of the FantasySP start/sit tool. 

Let’s figure out the best starting option between the two young wideouts and rank them against several other receivers: Christian Kirk, Jauan Jennings, Garrett Wilson, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, George Pickens, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave, Josh Downs, Xavier Legette, Rome Odunze, Romeo Doubs, Jordan Whittington, Jordan Addison.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Season Stats

Wicks broke out in week 4 and was a big waiver wire addition this week. He has eight receptions for 104 yards and three touchdowns on the season. Wicks should be more involved at least this week with Christian Watson out with an injury.

Thomas has 17 grabs for 275 yards and two touchdowns on the season. He’s gone for at least 47 receiving yards in every game in his rookie season.

Kirk has 169 yards and one touchdown on 17 receptions so far this season. After a rough go of things in weeks 1-2, Kirk has 15 receptions, his score and 140 yards over the past two contests.

Jennings erupted in week 3, but also had a solid showing in week 4 with George Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. back in the mix. He has 364 yards, three scores and 21 receptions for the season.

Wilson is up to 191 yards and a touchdown on 20 receptions this season. He hasn't topped 50 yards in back-to-back games despite getting 17 targets.

Moore has 189 yards and a score on 22 receptions this season. He’s coming off his worst performance (three catches, 22 yards) of the year.

Allen has played in two games, accumulating 48 yards on seven grabs. He had just three targets last week.

Odunze has 166 yards, a touchdown and 10 catches. He had a monster showing in week 3, but has three poor performances otherwise.

Pickens is up to 284 yards, but no scores, on 20 grabs. He topped 100 yards for the first time last week, and has at least 50 yards in three contests.

Smith-Njigba has gone for 226 yards, but no touchdowns, on 25 receptions so far. He has two games in which he’s accumulated 20 catches and 168 of his yards, and then two dud performances.

Olave has 265 yards and a touchdown on 20 grabs this season. He’s had 80+ yards in three straight games, with 22 targets over that span.

Downs has played in two games, going for 104 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions. He had eight catches for 82 yards and a touchdown last week, but a lot of that was with Joe Flacco, not Anthony Richardson.

Legette has 143 yards and a score on 12 receptions. A lot of that came last week, when he had 66 yards and a score on six grabs and 10 targets.

Doubs has 169 yards and no scores on 12 receptions. He has two games at or over 50 yards, but has just 57 yards the past two weeks. He missed practice on Thursday for a personal reason, so his status needs to be watched closely.

Whittington has 112 yards and no scores on 11 catches this season. He went for 62 yards on six catches and eight targets in week 4, so he’s trending up.

Addison has also played in two games this season, accumulating 107 yards and a touchdown on six receptions. He had 72 yards and a score on three catches and four targets in week 4, along with a seven-yard rushing score.

Week 5 Matchups

Wicks and Doubs have an above-average matchup against the Rams, who allow opposing receivers to score 36 fantasy points per week. Thomas and Kirk have the Colts, who allow 36 points per game as well.

Jennings takes on the Cardinals, who give up 34 points per week. Wilson’s matchup with the Vikings is favorable, as Minnesota allows 44 points per week.

Moore, Allen and Odunze take on the Panthers, who allow 34 points a week. Pickens battles the Cowboys, who allow 32 points per week. Smith-Njigba’s matchup against the Giants is the same, as New York allows 32 points as well.

Olave’s matchup with the Chiefs is less favorable, as KC allows 29 points per game. Downs’ battle with the Jaguars is very favorable, as Jacksonville allows 42 points to opposing wideouts. 

Legette takes on a Bears’ defense that surrenders just 25 points per week. The Packers’ defense allows opposing wideouts to score 36 points per week, and that’s who Whittington faces. Addison has a tough matchup against the Jets, who allow 26 points per week.

Projections and Starting Recommendations

In the week 5 wide receiver PPR projections, Wilson leads this group at 16 projected points. Kirk and Olave both sit at 14 points.

Moore and Pickens are projected for 13 points, while Smith-Njigba and Thomas are at 12 points each. Allen, Downs, Whittington and Addison are all at 11 points, while Wicks, Jennings, Legette, Odunze and Doubs sit at 10 points.

It’s now time to rank all the receivers for week 5. I’ll do so thinking that each wideout plays.

I know Wilson hasn’t produced much this season, but I’m still rolling with him over everyone else. The matchup is favorable on paper, and I think Wilson could break out this week.

Give me Olave next. He’s been good of late, and I expect another solid showing in week 5. I tend to trust my top picks when it comes to these start decisions, and I’m putting faith in Olave to live up to those lofty draft expectations.

I’d take Pickens next. He’s been fairly consistent and should easily be his team’s top wideout again this week. 

I like Moore next of the bunch. I think he bounces back and easily outperforms his teammates.

I’d take Thomas here. I’m a big believer in the rookie and think he should be trusted more than Kirk, at least for now.

I’d take Kirk right after him. The matchup is favorable enough to easily support both wideouts, which makes both starting options in standard leagues.

I’d then start Smith-Njigba. He’s got a couple teammates to deal with, but I still think he does enough to finish as a good fantasy wideout this week.

Give me Addison next. I’m not super high on him this week, but his ceiling is higher than anyone else remaining, so I’ll take a bit of a gamble on him.

Downs is who I’d turn to next. The matchup is good and he’s coming off a big week, so I’d assume the team continues to get him looks.

I’d then go with Wicks. The matchup is favorable, but there’s just too many other offensive weapons in Green Bay to trust him before this spot.

I’d take Allen here and think he’s more involved this week. His chance to catch several passes is what appeals to me here.

I’d then go with Jennings. He showed enough last week to play him at least one more week. It’s still risky, but you almost have to after two straight good fantasy outings.

Whittington would be my next choice. I still like Tutu Atwell in that offense, and with no clear leader, I can’t trust Whittington with a higher spot in my rankings.

I’d go with Doubs here if he’s able to play. He could easily outperform several of the players I have ahead of him, but after missing practice, I’m not as confident in him.

Odunze goes here for me. It’s hard to support three receivers in one offense, and with only one good performance this season, I would try to stay away from Odunze in standard leagues.

That leaves Legette for the final spot. I like what he did last week, but not being a top option for his team and facing a tough matchup, he slides to my last spot.