Who is available in the fifth round of fantasy football drafts is going to vary based on league structure, but there are three players currently being drafted in the 55-65 range that very much deserve your consideration. I’m not saying you will win your league because you aced the fifth round … but I’m not ruling it out!
Behind in research? Get a trade offer in your dynasty or redraft league? Not sure who to start or sit this week? Leverage PFN’s FREE fantasy tools — our Fantasy Football Draft Kit, Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and Calculator, and Start/Sit Optimizer! Put the finishing touch on your A+ draft with 1 of our 425+ fantasy football team names.
The Top Players To Target in the Fifth Round
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Year 2 bump is real, and it’s spectacular.
Technically, last year was Lawrence’s second season. But if you want to strike the Urban Meyer season from the record, I wouldn’t blame you, and that would make this Lawrence’s second real NFL season.
He returns with the same cast of characters that helped him thrive last season with one minor tweak: an alpha WR1. Calvin Ridley has an elite fantasy season on his résumé and has done nothing this summer to lower expectations for his return.
The players you NEED to TARGET in #FantasyFootball draftshttps://t.co/lPEiYla3rw
— Kyle Soppe (@KyleSoppePFN) August 31, 2023
Ridley’s ability to stretch the field should help increase Lawrence’s risk tolerance (22nd in aDOT last season) and, thus, his fantasy ceiling. A ceiling, by the way, that was pretty high without him. Six of the past seven quarterbacks to produce a 4,000-yard, five-rush TD season were a top-six fantasy option in the next season, with each of the past four producing top-two seasons at the position.
One fun fact for the road. As if trying to predict player performance wasn’t hard enough, I’m trying my hand at metrology.
Average expected temperatures in Week 10-17:
- Lawrence: 60 degrees
- Jalen Hurts: 47 degrees
- Josh Allen: 42 degrees
- Patrick Mahomes: 37 degrees
Darren Waller, TE, New Young Giants
Waller has a pair of 1,100-yard seasons on his NFL résumé and is the clear-cut top pass catcher (WR/TE) in this Giants offense. What’s not to like?
He’s averaged 12 yards per catch for his career and enters an offense led by Daniel Jones, a quarterback who has seen his completion percentage on passes thrown 10+ yards increase each season of his career.
Waller’s projected target rate makes him an easy pick over Kittle at the position in this round, and, at cost, there’s a decent chance he’s the most valuable tight end in fantasy this season. He’s been one of the most steady risers in our PFN consensus ranks, and we all agree that his potential outweighs his current cost.
Some will worry about him turning 31 prior to Week 2, but is he really 31 years old? I mean, technically, sure, that is what his birth certificate says. But he was hardly used during the first four seasons of his career, saving him the wear and tear that most players at his age have gone through.
This offense is a stable one that should be able to move the ball consistently, very much putting Waller on the radar to finish as the TE2 in total fantasy points this season.
Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Could Kellen Moore be the key to unlocking a truly elite Williams season? It’s well within the range of outcomes, and at this price, you’re not risking your season to find out.
Word out of Los Angeles is that Moore is going to move Keenan Allen and Williams around the formation, something that should elevate the floor of Williams (and, consequently, the ceiling of Allen).
MORE: How To Win Your Fantasy Football League
Moore is known for his field-pushing tendencies, so that gives us access to top-10 WR production on any given week to go along with potentially the highest floor of Williams’ career.
The worry within the fantasy community is that rookie Quentin Johnston will eat into some of Williams’ potential, and maybe that’s true. But maybe it’s not. At his current asking price, the threat of Johnston is built in, giving Williams more room for draft-day profit than disappointment.
Who Should You Draft in Other Rounds?
Want to see what options might be available before or after your pick in other rounds? We have you covered.
200+ Player Draft Profiles: Win Your Fantasy Draft!
Looking to find player projections, outlooks, and analysis to help you master your upcoming fantasy football draft? Use the table below to find the player you’re looking for.
Plus, don’t forget to check out our free fantasy football draft kit, which has more resources to help you win your draft and your season.
For mobile users, this table is best viewed in landscape mode.
