Five weeks into the 2026 fantasy football season, we’re reaching the point where changing workloads and declining production deserve more attention than preseason expectations. Several players are establishing themselves as legitimate weekly difference-makers, while others are losing opportunities or struggling to produce despite substantial playing time. I’m looking beyond individual fantasy scores to evaluate touches, targets, efficiency, injuries, and the sustainability of each player’s role. Here are the biggest risers and fallers in my rest-of-season fantasy football rankings entering Week 6.
Full Rest-of-Season Fantasy Football Rankings
Looking for the complete rankings? Jump to the full rest-of-season rankings below to see where every QB, RB, WR, and TE currently stands in PPR, Half-PPR, and Standard formats.
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Rankings Risers
1. Jaylen Warren
Jaylen Warren erupted for 188 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns against Indianapolis, rushing for 101 yards on 15 carries while adding six receptions for 87 yards. His performance included an 80-yard receiving touchdown and a 50-yard rushing score, accounting for 69.1% of his total yardage. That concentration makes another 188-yard performance difficult to project, but Warren’s 21 touches are considerably more important for his long-term value. He’s now surpassed 100 scrimmage yards in three consecutive games, with Rico Dowdle’s absence allowing him to maintain a substantial role in Pittsburgh’s backfield.
I’m moving Warren into my rest-of-season RB1 tier because he has demonstrated the ability to produce as both a runner and receiver. His receiving involvement is particularly valuable in PPR formats, giving him another way to generate fantasy points when Pittsburgh struggles to establish its rushing attack. However, Dowdle’s eventual return could reduce Warren’s opportunities, making his current workload more secure in the short term than across the entire remaining season. I don’t expect Warren to consistently generate touchdowns of 50-plus yards, but if Pittsburgh continues giving him approximately 20 touches per game, he has the opportunity to deliver elite fantasy production without needing those explosive plays.
2. Brock Bowers
Brock Bowers has been nearly unstoppable since returning from the knee injury that sidelined him for the first two weeks of the season. Against New England, he caught eight of 10 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown, recording his third consecutive game with at least 85 receiving yards and a score. Through three appearances, Bowers has accumulated 24 receptions for 312 yards and three touchdowns on 35 targets. That’s an average of 11.7 targets, eight receptions, and 104 receiving yards per game, translating to 23.7 PPR fantasy points per contest after accounting for his lost fumble against New England. He’s also averaging 8.9 yards per target and has converted 68.6% of his opportunities into receptions, demonstrating the combination of volume and efficiency that separates him from most tight ends.
I’m moving Bowers to seventh overall because his positional advantage is becoming too significant to ignore. Very few tight ends can consistently command double-digit targets while generating the receiving production of a high-end wide receiver, and Bowers has demonstrated that ability in every game he’s played this season. His early knee injury and limited three-game sample create some risk, while Las Vegas’ quarterback uncertainty could eventually affect his efficiency. However, his role is substantial enough that I’m comfortable ranking him ahead of several running backs and receivers with less predictable weekly advantages. Bowers isn’t simply my TE1 candidate; he’s one of the most valuable players in fantasy football regardless of position.
3. Jared Goff
Jared Goff continued his impressive start against Arizona, completing 19 of 30 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. He averaged 9.0 yards per attempt and finished with a 125.8 passer rating, helping Detroit score 45 points. Through five games, Goff has completed 128 of 191 passes for an NFL-leading 1,485 yards, 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He’s averaging 297 passing yards per game, 7.8 yards per attempt, and a 111.3 passer rating. Perhaps most encouraging, Goff has thrown multiple touchdown passes in four of his five games while protecting the football exceptionally well.
I’m moving Goff firmly into my rest-of-season QB1 tier because Detroit has demonstrated that it can support his fantasy production through both passing volume and efficiency. The Lions have scored at least 26 points in every game, and the combination of Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta gives Goff several ways to generate touchdowns. He doesn’t provide the rushing floor of Josh Allen or Drake Maye, which limits his margin for error when Detroit leans heavily on its running game. However, his passing production has been consistent enough that I’m no longer treating him as a matchup-dependent starter. Goff belongs among the more dependable fantasy quarterbacks for the remainder of the season.
4. Isaiah Likely
Isaiah Likely delivered another massive performance against Washington, catching 11 of 13 targets for 94 yards and two touchdowns. He converted 84.6% of his targets into receptions while recording his second multi-touchdown performance through five games. His playing time has also increased, with Likely exceeding a 70% overall snap share for the second time this season. That development is particularly encouraging because it suggests the Giants are becoming more comfortable featuring him across different offensive situations rather than relying exclusively on two-tight-end formations.
I’m moving Likely into my top-five rest-of-season tight end conversation because his recent production is being supported by greater involvement rather than touchdowns alone. The Giants have demonstrated a willingness to feature him as a receiving option, and 13 targets are particularly encouraging at a position where many players struggle to consistently earn opportunities. However, two multi-touchdown performances in five games aren’t a sustainable scoring expectation, and his weekly production will still depend on New York’s passing efficiency. I want to see his route participation remain elevated before treating him as completely matchup-proof. Nevertheless, Likely has established enough upside and opportunity that I’m comfortable starting him every week.
5. Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones delivered another strong performance against New Orleans, rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries while adding three receptions for four yards. He finished with 28 offensive touches, marking his third game with at least 20 rushing attempts over his last four appearances. Through five weeks, Jones has handled 97 carries for 410 yards and two rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. His workload has become particularly encouraging over the last four games, during which he’s accumulated 85 carries for 370 yards. Jones also caught nine passes for 68 yards in Weeks 3 and 4, demonstrating that he can contribute through the air even when Minnesota doesn’t emphasize him as a receiver every week.
I’m moving Jones upward because his rushing volume is becoming too substantial to ignore. Minnesota has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to give him 20-plus carries, and that type of workload provides a strong foundation for weekly fantasy production. His receiving involvement creates additional upside, although his three catches for four yards against New Orleans show that targets don’t always translate into meaningful yardage. Jones also lost a fumble in Week 5, making ball security worth monitoring. The primary concerns remain his age, durability, and whether Minnesota can sustain this workload throughout the season. Still, I’m becoming increasingly comfortable viewing him as a dependable RB2 with legitimate RB1 upside when the Vikings control the game.
6. Emeka Egbuka
Emeka Egbuka caught six of nine targets for 38 yards against Dallas while adding a 14-yard rushing touchdown. Although his receiving efficiency was disappointing, he led Tampa Bay in targets and continued earning meaningful opportunities with Jalon Daniels starting in place of the injured Baker Mayfield. Across Daniels’ two starts, Egbuka has accumulated 13 targets, suggesting Tampa Bay is increasingly relying on him as one of its primary receiving options. His nine targets against Dallas are particularly encouraging considering the Buccaneers’ passing struggles, although his 4.2 yards per target demonstrate how difficult it has been for him to generate meaningful receiving production in this offensive environment.
I’m moving Egbuka upward because his opportunity is becoming more dependable even when Tampa Bay struggles to generate efficient passing production. The nine targets against Dallas are considerably more meaningful for his rest-of-season value than the rushing touchdown, which isn’t something I’m expecting every week. His receiving ceiling remains tied to Daniels’ development and Mayfield’s eventual return, but the Buccaneers have demonstrated that they want Egbuka involved regardless of the quarterback. If he continues earning a substantial portion of Tampa Bay’s passing opportunities, he has the potential to develop into a dependable WR2 with additional upside in favorable matchups.
7. Ollie Gordon II
Ollie Gordon II followed his 100-yard breakout against Minnesota with 88 rushing yards and another touchdown on 18 carries against Cincinnati. He’s now accumulated 188 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 27 attempts over his last two games, averaging 7.0 yards per carry. His workload also increased from nine carries in Week 4 to 18 in Week 5, demonstrating Miami’s growing willingness to feature him as its primary early-down runner. However, his 53-yard run against Minnesota accounts for a significant portion of that two-game efficiency, and the Dolphins haven’t consistently involved him in the passing game. Jaylen Wright and Carlos Washington Jr. remain part of the backfield rotation, while Kaytron Allen could eventually compete for additional opportunities.
I’m moving Gordon into my rest-of-season RB2 range because his rushing volume has become considerably more dependable following De’Von Achane’s injury. The biggest question is whether Miami will continue giving him 15–20 carries when the offense falls behind, particularly because his limited receiving role reduces his value in negative game scripts. Miami has also struggled to sustain drives and generate consistent scoring opportunities, making Gordon more dependent on rushing efficiency and touchdowns than several other running backs in this tier. Still, his expanded workload is a meaningful development, and I’m willing to move him ahead of more established names whose opportunities are declining.
8. Bucky Irving
Bucky Irving delivered his best performance of the season against Dallas, rushing for 165 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries while adding two receptions for 10 yards and another score. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry and finished with 175 scrimmage yards on 23 touches, generating 31.5 PPR fantasy points. His 72-yard run accounted for 43.6% of his rushing production, making the performance somewhat dependent on one explosive play. However, Irving’s 21 rushing attempts were a season high, and his involvement represented a meaningful improvement after Tampa Bay’s offense struggled to establish consistent rushing production over the previous several weeks. Interestingly, Irving played only 54% of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps, meaning his substantial workload came despite spending nearly half the game off the field.
I’m moving Irving back toward the high-end RB2 conversation because the workload and explosive-play ability remain encouraging despite Tampa Bay’s offensive problems. He’s demonstrated that he can produce elite fantasy numbers even with Daniels starting at quarterback, although I’m not expecting another 165-yard performance every week. The biggest concern is his inconsistent receiving involvement and relatively limited playing time, particularly after catching just two passes against Dallas and failing to record a reception in Week 4. His fantasy ceiling becomes considerably more dependable if Tampa Bay starts using him more frequently on passing downs. Nevertheless, Irving’s rushing workload and scoring upside make him a much more appealing rest-of-season option than he appeared entering Week 5.
Rankings Fallers
1. Dalton Kincaid
Dalton Kincaid’s declining involvement continued against Los Angeles on Monday night, when he caught just one of two targets for seven yards. Through five games, Kincaid has accumulated 16 receptions for 277 yards and one touchdown on 21 targets. However, those season totals are misleading because 225 of his receiving yards came during the opening two weeks. Over his last three games, Kincaid has caught just four passes for 52 yards on seven targets, averaging 1.3 receptions and 17.3 receiving yards per contest. His target volume has fallen from eight in Week 2 to three in Week 3 and just two in each of his last two games, demonstrating a concerning decline in his involvement.
I’m moving Kincaid down because Buffalo’s passing offense has stopped consistently featuring him despite his explosive start to the season. Josh Allen has several receiving options available, and Kincaid hasn’t demonstrated that he can maintain the target concentration necessary to overcome the volatility of the tight end position. His early-season production shows that he still possesses a significant fantasy ceiling, but I’m not willing to rely on occasional explosive performances when his recent workload has been so limited. Until Kincaid begins commanding a more dependable share of Buffalo’s targets, I’m treating him as a volatile TE1 rather than a player who should automatically start every week.
2. Chase Brown
Chase Brown managed just 39 rushing yards on 13 carries against Miami after recording only 10 yards on nine attempts the previous week. He’s now gained 49 rushing yards on his last 22 attempts, averaging 2.2 yards per carry without recording a single run of 10-plus yards. Brown has also generated only one rushing first down during that stretch, highlighting how difficult it has been for him to consistently move the chains. More concerning, Samaje Perine played 11 early-down snaps and received six carries during Cincinnati’s first five drives against Miami. That involvement suggests the Bengals are becoming more willing to redistribute rushing opportunities rather than continuing to rely exclusively on Brown.
I’m moving Brown out of my rest-of-season RB1 tier because his lack of efficiency is beginning to threaten the workload that previously supported his fantasy value. Perine’s increased involvement doesn’t mean Brown has lost the starting job, and I’m not completely abandoning a talented running back after two disappointing performances. However, a player averaging just 2.2 yards per carry over two games becomes considerably more difficult to trust when another back is beginning to earn meaningful early-down opportunities. Brown needs to demonstrate that he can generate more consistent rushing production before I’m comfortable moving him back toward the elite running back tier. For now, I’m treating him as an RB2 with considerable uncertainty.
3. Javonte Williams
Javonte Williams rushed for just 45 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries against Tampa Bay while adding two receptions for 17 yards. That followed a Week 4 performance in which he gained 62 yards on 19 carries but scored three rushing touchdowns against Houston. Through five games, Williams has handled 74 rushing attempts for 276 yards and five touchdowns, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. He’s also caught 17 passes for 94 yards and another touchdown, giving him six total touchdowns despite averaging only 74 scrimmage yards per game. Williams has rushed for fewer than 65 yards in four of his five appearances, and his five rushing touchdowns have accounted for a substantial portion of his fantasy production.
I’m lowering Williams because his scoring efficiency is becoming difficult to sustain without stronger rushing production. He scored four rushing touchdowns across Weeks 4 and 5 despite gaining only 107 rushing yards on 31 attempts, an average of 3.5 yards per carry. Dallas has demonstrated that it can create scoring opportunities, but I’m not comfortable projecting touchdowns at this rate when Williams isn’t consistently generating explosive runs or substantial rushing yardage. His 17 receptions and receiving touchdown provide meaningful PPR value, preventing his outlook from depending entirely on rushing touchdowns. I’m keeping him in the RB2 range because the Cowboys continue giving him opportunities, but his recent fantasy results are considerably stronger than his underlying rushing production.
4. Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty has struggled to generate consistent rushing production through five games, accumulating 291 yards on 88 carries without a rushing touchdown. He’s averaging just 3.3 yards per attempt, with only 13 rushing first downs on the season. Against New England, Jeanty managed 27 yards on 10 carries while catching three passes for 50 yards. His receiving production has been considerably more encouraging, with 22 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns on 30 targets through five weeks. That’s an average of 4.4 receptions and 43 receiving yards per game, demonstrating that his fantasy value hasn’t completely collapsed despite the rushing struggles. However, Jeanty has also been dealing with ankle and foot concerns, creating additional uncertainty about his workload.
I’m moving Jeanty down because Las Vegas hasn’t demonstrated that it can consistently create rushing opportunities, and his health concerns make it difficult to project substantial improvement in the immediate future. The Raiders have also started involving other running backs in certain situations, which could become more concerning if Jeanty’s injuries continue limiting his effectiveness. However, his receiving role is considerably stronger than his rushing production suggests, and I’m not treating him as a player who should be benched automatically in PPR leagues. His 30 targets through five games provide a valuable foundation, even if his rushing efficiency remains poor. I’m lowering him from the elite running back conversation into the RB2 tier until he gets healthier and Las Vegas begins generating more consistent production on the ground.
5. Jaylen Waddle
Jaylen Waddle caught just two of five targets for 19 yards against the Chargers while adding one carry for nine yards. He’s now recorded 15 receptions for 204 yards and one touchdown through five games, averaging just three receptions and 40.8 receiving yards per contest. More concerning, 138 of those 204 receiving yards came against Jacksonville in Week 2, meaning Waddle has managed only 66 receiving yards across his other four appearances. He’s caught just nine of 21 targets during those games, converting 42.9% of his opportunities into receptions. Denver’s passing offense has struggled considerably, with Bo Nix throwing for only 123 yards against Los Angeles despite Sean Payton taking over play-calling responsibilities.
I’m moving Waddle down because his fantasy production has become far too dependent on occasional explosive performances. The Broncos haven’t consistently generated enough passing volume or efficiency to support multiple dependable fantasy receivers, and Waddle’s limited involvement makes it difficult to trust him even when the matchup appears favorable. His talent hasn’t disappeared, but that doesn’t automatically translate into fantasy production when the offensive environment is this inconsistent. Waddle still has enough upside to deliver occasional strong performances, particularly if Denver begins throwing more effectively. However, I’m no longer comfortable treating him as a dependable WR2. Until his target volume and receiving production improve, he’s becoming a matchup-dependent WR3 or flex option.
6. Jeremiyah Love
Jeremiyah Love struggled against Detroit, rushing for just 22 yards on 12 carries while failing to record a reception. Through five games, Love has accumulated 245 rushing yards and one touchdown on 67 attempts, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. He’s also caught 11 passes for 36 yards and another touchdown, giving him 281 scrimmage yards and two total scores through the opening five weeks. His rushing production has been particularly disappointing considering Arizona selected him third overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Love has generated only nine rushing first downs on 67 carries, a 13.4% first-down rate, and hasn’t recorded a run longer than 18 yards. His advanced rushing metrics through Week 4 were similarly concerning, with approximately 1.6 yards after contact per attempt and just two broken tackles in the available sample.
I’m lowering Love because his opportunities haven’t translated into the efficiency or explosive production fantasy managers expected. His receiving role provides some value, particularly after he caught five passes and scored a receiving touchdown against San Francisco in Week 3, but he’s averaging just 3.3 yards per reception on the season. That’s not enough to consistently overcome poor rushing efficiency. Arizona has also struggled to maintain favorable game scripts, which can limit Love’s opportunities when the Cardinals fall behind. I’m not abandoning his talent or long-term potential, but he needs to demonstrate that he can generate more consistent yardage before I move him back into the higher-end running back tiers. For now, I’m treating him as a lower-end RB2 or flex option.
7. Cam Skattebo
Cam Skattebo rushed for 59 yards on 13 carries against Washington while adding two receptions for 12 yards. He also lost a fumble in overtime, contributing to another disappointing fantasy performance. Through five games, Skattebo has accumulated 294 rushing yards and one touchdown on 81 carries, averaging 3.6 yards per attempt. He’s also caught 10 passes for 79 yards without a receiving score, giving him 373 scrimmage yards and one touchdown through five weeks. His rushing efficiency has been particularly concerning, with the available through-Week-4 tracking sample showing a 32% rushing success rate. Another important detail is that 40 of his 71 scrimmage yards against Washington came in overtime, demonstrating how little production he generated during regulation.
I’m moving Skattebo down because New York hasn’t consistently generated enough efficient rushing production to support the fantasy ceiling managers anticipated. He’s now gone four consecutive games without a touchdown, and his receiving involvement hasn’t been substantial enough to compensate. However, I’m not treating him as a player whose fantasy value has completely disappeared because the Giants continue giving him meaningful rushing opportunities. That’s an important distinction from running backs whose workloads are shrinking. Skattebo’s opportunity gives him a realistic chance to recover if New York’s offensive efficiency improves, but until that happens, I’m treating him as a lower-end RB2 or flex option rather than a dependable weekly starter.
8. Colston Loveland
Colston Loveland struggled again against Green Bay, catching just two of five targets for 19 yards in Chicago’s 31-7 loss. Through five games, he’s accumulated 13 receptions for 110 yards without a touchdown on 23 targets, averaging 2.6 catches and 22 receiving yards per contest. That’s just 4.8 PPR fantasy points per game, a significant decline from his 2025 rookie season when he recorded 58 receptions for 713 yards and six touchdowns. Loveland is averaging only 4.8 yards per target this season, and his longest reception has gone for just 18 yards. He also hasn’t recorded a single reception of 20-plus yards after producing 10 such catches last season, highlighting the disappearance of the explosive receiving ability that previously made him so appealing.
I’m lowering Loveland because his playing time and occasional target volume haven’t translated into meaningful fantasy production. He received nine targets against the Jets in Week 4 but managed only 57 yards, then followed that performance with another inefficient outing against Green Bay. The Bears have demonstrated that they’re willing to involve him, but Chicago’s inconsistent passing offense has made it difficult for Loveland to generate the receiving yardage and scoring opportunities needed to become a dependable fantasy starter. I’m not abandoning him in dynasty formats because his talent and long-term potential remain appealing. However, in redraft leagues, I need to see considerably more production before treating him as a weekly TE1. He’s firmly in the matchup-dependent TE2 range entering Week 6.
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