Scott Engel is in his 13th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com. Scott's work is also featured on The Athletic and he is a weekly gameday host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

The challenges continue to mount in fantasy football, as we now enter the portion of the schedule where NFL teams are on bye weeks. The Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans are all off in NFL Week 5.

We have the best lineup options for you to consider when faced with challenging lineup decisions, and provide full waiver wire rankings to improve the roster. The analysis leans to Point Per Reception (PPR) formats.

Running Backs: Starters For Week 5

START Chuba Hubbard: The Panthers' offense has suddenly morphed into a potent unit over the past two weeks. The insertion of veteran Andy Dalton into the starting lineup energized the team and opened up more running room and possible TD opportunities for Hubbard.

In the past two weeks, the fourth-year RB rushed for 100-plus yards in each game while scoring two TDs from scrimmage. He also has totaled nine receptions for 72 yards. The Bears rank 23^rd in Fantasy Points Per Game Allowed to RBs so far this season.

Jonathon Brooks may be ready to make his season debut soon, possibly giving Carolina a solid pairing at RB in real life. For fantasy purposes, get another good performance out of Hubbard before attempting to trade him.

The Dolphins rank 28^th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. Despite Miami's recent struggles without their starting quarterback, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo knows that his AFC East rival has explosive playmakers that can resurface at any time. Leaning on Stevenson will keep the opposing offense off the field as much as possible.

START D'Andre Swift: Last week, Swift busted out for the first time with the Bears, rushing for 93 yards and a TD while also catching seven passes for 73 yards. Fantasy leaguers should ride the wave of momentum in what should be another productive week. Carolina allows the second-most FFPG to RBs.

Chicago has an offensive run blocking advantage grade of 20% against the Panthers' defensive line on Pro Football Focus for Week 5. That grade is tied for third among NFC teams.

START Jerome Ford: If injuries or bye weeks have created a need at an RB or flex spot, then Ford can be a viable Week 5 option. There is always the potential for any game involving the Commanders to be a higher-scoring affair. Washington ranks 29^th in rushing yards allowed to RBs.

Ford is also a proven pass-catcher out of the backfield. He caught all seven of his targets in Week 4, and ranks fifth among RBs in Routes Run, according to PlayerProfiler.com.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 5 Waiver Wire Running Backs

1. Kareem Hunt: He may be emerging as Kansas City's lead RB again. Hunt rushed for 69 yards on 14 carries in Week 4
2. Chase Brown: Rushed for 80 yards and two TDs last week. Brown does have weekly upside.
3. Alexander Mattison: May be headed for more work to help the Raiders boost their ground game.
4. Rico Dowdle: He might have been cut in some leagues and looks like the lead RB for Dallas now. Can be used as a bye week or injury replacement streamer.
5. Trey Sermon: It is possible he may have to start for the Colts in Week 5 as Jonathan Taylor deals with an ankle injury.
6. Tyjae Spears: Logged 15 carries and rushed for a TD last week. Will continue to operate as a quality complement to Tony Pollard.
7. Tank Bigsby: In Week 4, he rushed for 90 yards on just seven attempts. A depth add to see how he builds on the performance fantasy-wise.
8. Braelon Allen: The rookie has found his niche in the Jets backfield and is a useful fantasy RB4.
9. Justice Hill: Derrick Henry's fantasy insurance RB, and a consistent pass-catcher out of the backfield for Baltimore.
10. Roschon Johnson: Rushed for a TD in Week 4 and might continue to see a decent amount of work.

Wide Receivers: Starters For Week 5

START Brandon Aiyuk: When a team wants to get a WR back involved in the flow of the offense, the quarterback and coaching staff will make it a point to get him the ball early and often if possible. That should be the case this week when Aiyuk and the 49ers take on the Arizona Cardinals.

The 26-year-old has yet to provide the kind of fantasy stats that are expected of him but expect an optimum performance in Week 5. Aiyuk had 148 yards in his last home matchup with Arizona in 2023.

START Jaxon Smith-Njigba: In Week 4, "JSN" had another busy outing, as he caught eight of 12 targets. It was his second game in three weeks with 12-plus targets. Smith-Njigba played on 84% of the snaps, which was the most of any Seahawks WR. Continued heavy playing time and opportunities will lead to increased fantasy production. Lock JSN in as a fantasy WR3.

START Courtland Sutton: Bo Nix is making admirable and quick progress as a pro QB, and Sutton is his unrivaled top target. Against the usually suffocating Jets pass defense last week, Nix found Sutton for 60 yards and a TD. In Week 5, the Broncos offensive line has the best pass blocking grade against any defensive line on PFF, against the Raiders. Sutton should definitely be streamed.

START Tutu Atwell: Consider Atwell as a quality streamer for bye week or injury fill-in purposes. The Rams are thin at WR due to injury absences, and as he did last season, Atwell is stepping forward as a needed playmaker for Matthew Stafford. His 20.3 yards per catch rank fourth among all WRs, and he has totaled 80-plus receiving yards in each of the last two games.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 5 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

1. Dontayvion Wicks: The preseason favorite of many fantasy analysts is again on the map as a top waiver wire add. He caught two TD passes last week, Jordan Love is back, and the Packers need Wicks to step up with Christian Watson out.
2. Josh Downs: Played well in his second game of the season last week, catching eight of nine targets for 82 yards. Downs showed glimpses of true promise as a rookie last season.
3. Ladd McConkey: Becoming a reliable target for Justin Herbert as a rookie.
4. Wan'Dale Robinson: Starting to rise as a fantasy producer. Robinson has 18 receptions in his last two games, including 11 catches in Week 4.
5. Xavier Leggette: Dalton has sparked the Carolina offense, and this first-year WR registered his first NFL TD pass in Week 4 while catching six of 10 targets for 66 yards.
6. Mike Williams: Putting a 2023 knee injury behind him and should soon settle in as a significant part of the Jets' passing game.
7. Darnell Mooney: The downfield threat for Atlanta is a WR4 streamer for some big-play potential.
8. Allen Lazard: A frequent TD target for his longtime Green Bay partner, Aaron Rodgers.
9. Jordan Whittington: The Rams have been hit hard by injuries at WR. Whittington caught six of eight targets for 62 yards last week.
10. Tre Tucker: A good add in larger leagues. Tucker is a versatile WR with deep gears. He can take in the high percentage reception and also rushed for a TD in Week 4.

Quarterbacks: Starters For Week 5

START Patrick Mahomes: While the Chiefs are undefeated, Mahomes hasn't posted the usual numbers that fantasy players have grown accustomed to, and some are actually considering reserving him in Week 5. Rashee Rice's knee injury also creates more concern.

The matchup against the Saints' 25^th-ranked pass defense presents an opportunity for the superstar passer to get right fantasy-wise. Mahomes can overcome the unfortunate loss of a top target, so maintain faith in him for another week.

START Brock Purdy: The 49ers have the second-best pass-blocking grade of any offensive line on PFF for Week 5. Purdy has all of his top pass-catchers available and should stack up a healthy amount of Fantasy Points against Arizona, which ranks 29^th in FFPG allowed to QBs.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 5 Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

1. Sam Darnold: The rejuvenated QB of the undefeated Vikings is still a free agent in some fantasy leagues. Pick Darnold up, as you can't leave a guy who has passed for seven TDs in the past two games on the waiver wire.
2. Justin Fields: If Fields remains the starter in Pittsburgh, he will surely and officially reclaim top 10 fantasy QB status while threatening to push into the top 5.
3. Geno Smith: The Seahawks passer totaled a career-high 395 yards in Week 4, and he leads the NFL in passing yards with 1,182.
4. Andy Dalton: Has finished as a top 12 fantasy QB in each of the last two weeks after taking over as the starter for Carolina.
5. Joe Flacco: If Anthony Richardson misses any time, Flacco will at least be a surefire starter in superflex leagues, where you can start a QB at a second flex spot.

Tight Ends: Starters For Week 5

START Tyler Conklin: You will have to take some chances in a week where Dallas Goedert and Sam LaPorta are on byes. The Jets will look to get their passing game back on track, and Conklin faces a Vikings defense that ranks 28^th in FFPG allowed to TEs. He is a respected real-life player who may contribute more for fantasy leaguers in Week 5.

START Isaiah Likely: We saw the upside of Likely in the season opener, and it may just be a matter of time before Baltimore springs him loose again. He still ranks second in Yards After Catch (96) and receiving yards (167) among TEs. Likely should present a significant coverage challenge for the Cincinnati linebackers.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 5 Waiver Wire Tight Ends

1. Taysom Hill: Be sure to monitor his rib injury. Hill rushed for two TDs in Week 4 and always possesses potential for a productive fantasy day.
2. Tucker Kraft: Last week, Kraft caught six of nine targets for 53 yards and a TD. His role could also possibly increase with Watson out.
3. Cade Otton: In the last two games, Otton has 13 receptions on 17 targets. Notable injuries at WR for Tampa Bay increase his appeal as a fantasy pickup.

Week 5 Defensive Streamers: Seahawks (vs. New York Giants): The Giants are averaging 15.0 points per game, which is the lowest in the NFC. The Seahawks have allowed just 23 points in two home games. New York may not have quite enough firepower to overcome the cornerback trio of Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, and Tre Brown.

More defensive units to consider include Denver (vs. Las Vegas), New England (vs. Miami), and Green Bay (vs. Los Angeles Rams).

Check out the Seattle Seahawks 2024 Schedule