Week 5 Fantasy Streamers: Top QB, TE, and DEF Picks

As if the injuries weren’t enough already in 2025, now we have to deal with bye weeks. With four teams off in Week 5, the player pool shrinks, and streaming becomes more prevalent. Fantasy managers who weren’t living this lifestyle last week are now looking for one-week replacement players. Welcome to the grind!

Last week wasn’t terrible. We hit well on TE and DEF, but QB is still a thorn in my side. We’ll get it together!

Each week, I highlight five streaming options at QB, TE, and DEF. These players are available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues and can still provide a matchup edge. With fantasy teams hoarding many of these start-one positions, I have also added a “Look Ahead Option” so you can plan for next week as well. Now, let’s dive into this week’s picks and find the upside you need.

Accountabilty

Am I any good at this? I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves. In this section, you’ll see how my Stream of the Week (SOTW) and Best Pick finish every week. Since I always provide five options, my Best Pick is the one that scores the most points, even if I didn’t designate it as the Stream of the Week. Essentially, Best Pick showcases what streaming with this article is capable of.

Scores and rankings are based on PPR scoring and 4-point passing touchdowns. Although the world uses 6-point passing touchdowns, data providers prefer 4-point systems, and I am trying to keep this simple.

If you want to see my old picks, this link will take you to my past Stream of the Week articles.

Week 5 Fantasy Streamers

Quarterback

Bryce Young vs. MIA

My thoughts on Young have been a roller coaster. I was so high on him coming out of the 2024 season, but a mediocre preseason and reports that the offense looked out of rhythm cooled my feelings heading into 2025. Young hasn’t been great this season, but he has taken advantage of some garbage-time game scripts, much like we saw in 2024. With Miami coming to town, Young feels like a solid play this week. The Dolphins bleed points to fantasy QBs. In four-point-TD scoring, they have allowed 23 or more fantasy points to every QB they’ve faced. They have also gotten torched on the ground by QBs, and Young already has a rushing TD this season after scoring six rushing TDs last year. I like Young to score at least two times, maybe three, with one coming on the ground in Week 5.

Other Options

• Jaxson Dart @ NO
• Geno Smith @ IND
• Spencer Rattler vs. NYG
• Sam Darnold vs. TB
• Look Ahead Option: Matthew Stafford plays @ BAL in Week 6.

Tight End

Darren Waller @ CAR

Welcome Back, Darren Waller! What a season debut for the rapper turned fantasy tight end! In his first game back, Waller found the endzone twice and finished as the TE4 in Week 4. On top of the solid performance, the Dolphins also lost Tyreek Hill for the year, and Waller might inherit a larger role immediately as Miami looks for pass-catchers to complement Jaylen Waddle. There is a good chance Waller takes you out of the streaming game altogether, but he is undoubtedly a solid play in Week 5. The Dolphins play the Panthers, who give up the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends and just gave up a TD to Hunter Henry in Week 4.

Other Options

• Mason Taylor vs. DAL
• Dalton Schultz @ BAL
• Chig Okonkwo @ ARZ
• Theo Johnson @ NO
• Look Ahead Option: Brenton Strange plays SEA in Week 6.

Defense

Arizona Cardinals vs. TEN

My defensive picks are getting redundant, but we are going to keep picking on Cam Ward. The Titans give up the fifth-most fantasy points to DEF/ST on the back of more than four sacks and one turnover per game. I like Ward, but the rookie has had a tough start to his career, and a road game against the Cardinals is not quite a breath of fresh air. The Cardinals are a top-12 fantasy defense on the season and should create problems for the enemic Titans’ offense. Sacks and turnovers seem to be a given against Tennessee, and the Colts had a pick-6 against them a couple of weeks back. I like the Cardinals as a top-10 play with top-5 upside.

Other Options

• Rams vs. SF (Thurs)
• Colts vs. LV
• Dolphins @ CAR
• Giants @ NO
• Look Ahead Option: Packers play CIN in Week 6.

Be sure you’re following Ryan on Twitter! If you’re looking for more, you can find Club Fantasy’s Week 5 rankings here!