Here's a look at theScore's wide receiver value rankings for Week 5 (Thursday night's game excluded):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top 5
| # | Name | Opponent | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) | at DET | Low |
| 2 | Julio Jones (ATL) | at WAS | Low |
| 3 | Keenan Allen (SD) | vs. PIT | Low |
| 4 | Randall Cobb (GB) | vs. STL | Low |
| 5 | Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG) | vs. SF | Low |
Jones is the only receiver with more fantasy points per week than Fitzgerald. While Fitzgerald has two incredible weeks and two merely good weeks, his cost, potential, and matchup against the Lions give him the best value. He is Carson Palmer's clear No. 1 target. Jones should rebound after his first subpar week, and Beckham will fall down the ranks if he records another dud.
Next 5
| # | Name | Opponent | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Demaryius Thomas (DEN) | at OAK | Low |
| 7 | Julian Edelman (NE) | at DAL | Low |
| 8 | James Jones (GB) | vs. STL | Low |
| 9 | Antonio Brown (PIT) | at SD | Low |
| 10 | Jeremy Maclin (KC) | vs. CHI | Low |
Jones doesn't have huge games, but he's always productive. He's the perfect fit to fill out a lineup on the cheap. Michael Vick had trouble getting the ball to anyone other than Le'Veon Bell, which neutralizes Brown's value. Maclin may not catch the ball in the endzone, but he catches it everywhere else for a ton of yards.
Best of the Rest
| # | Name | Opponent | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | A.J. Green (CIN) | vs. SEA | Medium |
| 12 | Emmanuel Sanders (DEN) | at OAK | Medium |
| 13 | Amari Cooper (OAK) | vs. DEN | Medium |
| 14 | Kendall Wright (TEN) | vs. BUF | Medium |
| 15 | Calvin Johnson (DET) | vs. ARI | Medium |
| 16 | Allen Hurns (JAX) | at TB | Medium |
| 17 | Vincent Jackson (TB) | vs. JAX | Medium |
| 18 | Pierre Garcon (WAS) | at ATL | Medium |
| 19 | Terrance Williams (DAL) | vs. NE | Medium |
| 20 | Allen Robinson (JAX) | at TB | Medium |
| 21 | Mike Evans (TB) | vs. JAX | Medium |
| 22 | Travis Benjamin (CLE) | at BAL | Medium |
| 23 | Doug Baldwin (SEA) | at CIN | Medium |
| 24 | Leonard Hankerson (ATL) | vs. WAS | Medium |
| 25 | Eddie Royal (CHI) | at KC | Medium |
Benjamin can't be ignored as Cleveland's most productive receiver who is also a threat on returns. Evans can't be trusted until he shows up on the stat sheet. Hankerson is the No. 2 in Atlanta without question and is coming off his best game of the season. Hurns has a second consecutive good matchup and the price is right making him a better value play than his teammate, Robinson.
Nothing to See Here
| # | Name | Opponent | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Michael Crabtree (OAK) | vs. DEN | High |
| 27 | Jordan Matthews (PHI) | vs. NO | High |
| 28 | Alshon Jeffery (CHI) | at KC | High |
| 29 | Golden Tate (DET) | vs. ARI | High |
| 30 | John Brown (ARI) | at DET | High |
| 31 | Sammy Watkins (BUF) | at TEN | High |
| 32 | Brandin Cooks (NO) | at PHI | High |
| 33 | Torrey Smith (SF) | at NYG | High |
| 34 | Percy Harvin (BUF) | at TEN | High |
| 35 | Anquan Boldin (SF) | at NYG | High |
| 36 | Rueben Randle (NYG) | vs. SF | High |
| 37 | Brandon Coleman (NO) | at PHI | High |
| 38 | Cole Beasley (DAL) | vs. NE | High |
| 39 | Marques Colston (NO) | at PHI | High |
| 40 | Jermaine Kearse (SEA) | at CIN | High |
The Saints have a favorable matchup against the Eagles, but Drew Brees hasn't established his preferred target. Jeffery is still banged up and isn't worth his salary. Smith and Boldin are certainly capable, but Colin Kaepernick can't consistently get the ball to anyone. Don't be surprised if anyone you pick from this list comes up empty.
