NFL Week 5 Target Report 2026: Fantasy Football Targets, Rankings & Usage

At the end of the day, fantasy football is about trust. Who do you trust to represent your team? Sure, anyone can go off in any given week in this wacky league. But when it’s time to click the button to set your lineup, who do we actually believe in? It’s our job to take all the information we have to separate the studs from the frauds. And we do that every week in the fantasy football target report. 

2026 Fantasy Football NFL Week 5 Target Report Preview

Here’s what we do with the target report. We take every team, and we rank the pass-catchers in terms of who we think gets the most targets over the course of the season from left to right. Then we color-code those players based on the confidence we have in them meeting certain thresholds. So these are not weekly predictions but more general feelings for the rest of the season.

We set these thresholds as, statistically, 125+ targets is what you need to be a WR1 in fantasy, and 100+ is what you need to be top 24. We have had a few examples of guys finishing top 24 with less than 100, like Deebo Samuel that year; he got a ton of carries, or some field stretchers hitting big plays on limited targets, but for consistency week to week we are shooting for 100.

Same goes for tight ends. Truly elite guys will get 125+. Fantasy-relevant guys, we generally want 100. Technically, you can finish top five at tight end with 90+ targets or 10+ touchdowns, but most of the meaningful fantasy-relevant guys get 100+.

Historically, it is very rare for three guys to all get 100+ targets on the same team. Even with injuries factored in, it happens less than 4% of the time. For instance, last year the Cowboys did it, but Jake Ferguson was not on a 100+ target pace without CeeDee Lamb being hurt for those ~5 games. So we are focusing on guys who can be top two targets on their team. 

Fantasy Football Target Chart 2026 NFL Week 5

Fantasy Football Week 5 Risers, Fades, and Takeaways

Fantasy Football Week 5 Target Risers

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers

Being the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year does not automatically upgrade you to blue on the chart. Neither does a 16-target game. But when that player also has games of eight and ten targets in their first four games, it IS time for them to be upgraded. McMillan is a must-start player in fantasy.  

Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans

Carnell Tate hasn’t necessarily put up true alpha WR fantasy numbers. But the behind-the-scenes numbers have been good, as we mentioned last week. The separation numbers have been particularly promising despite the targets not being particularly high quality. This week, the production DID match the behind-the-scenes data. Whether or not Tate can keep this up is yet to be seen, but he’s currently on pace for 136 targets, so we’re upgrading him to green and, with one more big game, he’s going to blue with the locked-in options. 

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Something really interesting typically needs to happen for RBs to make the target article. And something interesting did happen with Chase Brown this week. Not only did he get a career high in targets with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins nicked up, but he ran 10 routes from a WR spot (9 slot, 1 wide). That led all backs this week, with the next closest being Jahmyr Gibbs (7) and Keaton Mitchell (6). The solution to losing their top WRs partially included using their RB at WR, which is great for fantasy. 

DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Mentally, we picture DK Metcalf as more of a boom-or-bust deep ball guy. But 30 targets through 4 games is a 125-target pace, and Metcalf has 32 right now, so we have to give him his flowers. In fact, the best kind of fantasy asset is the wide receiver who gets pretty consistent targets AND gets those deep shots which Metcalf has been in recent weeks. 

Stefon Diggs, WR, Washington Commanders

The production for Diggs may be a little inflated by early touchdowns. And he’s definitely more valuable in PPR leagues than standard given his lack of yards. But he’s yet to have a game with fewer than six targets and, with Terry McLaurin hurt and Jayden Daniels coming back, I don’t see why that would change. 

Chig Okonkwo, TE, Washington Commanders

We are monitoring the return of Chig Okonkwo here as he gets ramped up from injury. He looked solid in Week 1 before leaving and not returning until just last week - without Jayden Daniels. As we mentioned, Terry McLaurin is hurt, so there are targets available. 

Isaiah Likely, TE, New York Giants

How many of these double-digit target games do we need to see for Isaiah Likely before we acknowledge that that is what this team wants to do? We’re at least changing Likely to green on the charge here but he’s actually on pace for nearly 150 targets. A couple of those games came without a healthy Malik Nabers, though, so green feels appropriate for now. 

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings

This week was a convergence of four factors for T.J. Hockenson. One was that Kyler Murray has taken over at QB and, as we know from his time in Arizona, he likes getting the ball out quickly, which favors the tight end. Next is that fellow tight end Josh Oliver tore his bicep, which meant less rotation for Hock. Third is that Justin Jefferson is out. And the fourth is that they played the Dolphins, who are pretty bad. At least the first two items won’t be changing any time soon, and we don’t know how long Jefferson will be out, so Hock is trending up. 

RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos

RJ Harvey is now quietly tied with Christian McCaffrey for the fifth most targets of any back, which is even more impressive when you remember that Harvey missed a game. In fact, that pace of seven targets a game leads all RBs, even if it is a small sample size. Sean Payton has been no stranger to throwing to the RB going back to his time in New Orleans, so I wouldn’t rule out Harvey potentially keeping a high pace even if it’s not seven targets a game. 

Fantasy Football Week 5 Target Fallers

Makai Lemon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

This was a big test for Makai Lemon this week. And, though it’s still early for the rookie, he did fail one aspect of that test. Lemon has largely played slot in three WR sets and, with DeVonta Smith out, we hoped that he could play more in two WR sets. Unfortunately, it was largely Dontayvion Wicks and Darius Cooper out there for those plays. So we’ll have to hope Lemon’s role grows later on in the season. 

Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers

Watson hit the ground running early this year with some big workloads and target shares. But that was with Tucker Kraft playing his first games off injury. Now that Kraft is up to speed, Watson has been lagging behind a little bit in the target department. Not only that, but Matthew Golden ran 32 routes this week while Watson and Kraft each ran 32. We are still starting Watson virtually every place we have him due to his big play upside, but we are monitoring this situation closely. The Packers might not be as pass-happy when Josh Jacobs returns. 

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills

DJ Moore has dealt with shoulder issues that have limited his usage in multiple games. Almost more concerning, however, is that Dalton Kincaid has been healthy, yet his usage has been trending down the last couple of games. After starting hot with a ~70% route participation in the first two games, he only ran 24 of 40 routes per PFF, while some sources, like Tru Media, have his route share as low as 49%. Regardless, he now only has 19 targets through 4 games, which is a pace of just over 80 targets. 

Michael Pittman, Pittsburgh Steelers

Michael Pittman is playing through plantar fasciitis. Which is valiant of him as a teammate, but we don’t really get any special bravery medal that helps our fantasy teams. DK Metcalf has clearly been the focus, but despite playing fewer snaps, Roman Wilson is also getting more targets than Pittman. Tough to trust him while he’s playing hurt. 

Gunnar Helm, WR, Tennessee Titans

Gunnar Helm was being touted as a breakout candidate in certain circles. But that was predicated on three things. One was Gunnar Helm getting the full tight end role. The other was on the wide receivers struggling to garner targets. And the third was on Cam Ward taking a step forward. So far, Daniel Bellinger is forcing a split with snaps, Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson are getting plenty of targets, and Cam Ward doesn’t look great. So none of those things are happening. 

Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens

There were some hopes that Rashod Bateman could carve out a meaningful role in Declan Doyle’s offense. And he did pop while Zay Flowers was out. But with Flowers back, he not only fell back to his own role, but he fell behind Devontez Walker this week in snaps. He does not need to be rostered.

Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Houston Texans

Xavier Hutchinson had been leading the Texans in snaps and targets with Nico Collins out. When Collins returned, Hutchinson actually fell not only behind Collins but also behind Jaylin Noel and Kayshon Boutte for snaps. It seems he was just the pure backup for Collins, so he can be dropped anywhere he was rostered. 

Fantasy Football Week 5 Target Takeaways and Uncertainty

Obviously we want as many guys in the blue or green as possible. In the early rounds, we want certainty. But as we get later in drafts and onto waivers, uncertainty becomes your friend. The real opportunity comes from those yellow or even orange sections. The farther left on the chart we have yellow, the more uncertainty we have. That’s where breakouts can be found.

Miami Dolphins

Malik Washington quietly has 28 targets here, which is a 119-target pace. He’s the clear leader. Greg Dulcich and Chris Bell each have 11 (De'Von Achane does as well, but his season is over). Kevin Coleman Jr has 10 but Caleb Douglas with 9 in 2 games in really more in the mix than he is when he gets back. It’s hard to trust any of these guys, so we are just kind of waiting for someone to separate themselves after Washington. 

Chicago Bears

It’s kind of crazy how mysterious this team has been for fantasy. One day it feels like Kalif Raymond has rug-pulled everyone. Then Rome Odunze is making a couple plays. Tyson Bagent gets in, and all of a sudden Colston Loveland is alive. Meanwhile, it’s actually Luther Burden who leads this team in targets. I’m not sure Ben Johnson WANTS there to be a clear focal point. Which is fine for real-life football but is not great for fantasy. 

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are actually doing something fantasy fans often want to see, which is just leaning into their young guys. Jerry Jeudy is way on the back burner, despite his late-game heroics last week, while KC Concepcion (25), Harold Fannin (23), and Denzel Boston (22) lead this team in targets. And there are ancillary arguments for all three. Denzel Boston leads in snaps and runs high aDot routes, so his receptions have more juice behind them. KC Concepcion is a gadget threat and has four carries on the season plus punt return upside. And Harold Fannin has TE eligibility. It would be nice if someone would separate themselves, though. 

New England Patriots

The Patriots have now lost split end AJ Brown and replacement split end Mack Hollins. Romeo Doubs has stepped up, but the door is currently open opposite him for someone to step up and make some noise. Can Efton Chism keep the good times rolling? Will Hunter Henry come back into the light? Can Demario Douglas amp up the gadget stuff? Does Kyle Williams exist? We’re keeping an eye on it. 

Los Angeles Chargers

Here is a question not enough people are asking - who IS the best pass-catcher in Los Angeles? A lot of folks would say Ladd McConkey, but he’s been both hurt and ineffective at times. Quentin Johnston has been the default answer, but he’s been pretty bad. Oronde Gadsden seems to have had his confidence shot by being benched for the two tight ends who are now injured. Tre' Harris has been the one who has flashed, while Keaton Mitchell continues to run a ton of routes. This team is kind of a mess, but someone could emerge.