If you’re looking for wide receivers, the fifth round of the 2019 fantasy football draft will offer plenty of options.
I’ve already looked at rounds first through fourth. Now it’s the fifth round’s turn. Here’s the early 2019 fantasy football rankings featuring the potential 5th round booms and busts.
Rankings
49. Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans
50. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
51. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks
52. Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears
53. Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns
54. Jerick McKinnon, RB, San Francisco 49ers
55. Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts
56. Lamar Miller, RB, Houston Texans
57. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
58. Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago Bears
59. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers
60. Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans
Try your Luck again?
Pretty much my only good pick from 2018 was Luck. I stole him in the eighth round of a 14-team league and he was my only senses of consistency during the year.
Can he be better in 2019? I believe so. He started off slow in 2018, thanks to missing more than a year of action. His arm strength improved during the year and the offensive line should give the Colts another opportunity at having success.
Luck has long been hampered by a bad offensive line and a bad defense. And that seemed to disappear in 2018. Having a better defense may hinder his fantasy totals, but I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Luck is a guaranteed top-five quarterback in fantasy football if he’s healthy.
However, is this too high to draft him? For my blood, based on who I believe you can grab later in the draft, I would say so. However, this isn’t a bad choice if you’re confident in your first four picks.
My favorite pick…
Jerick McKinnon.
I don’t believe Matt Breida did enough in 2018 to justify increased playing time when McKinnon returns. So when McKinnon returns, expect him to man the main running back duties, especially on third down. That’s a place that McKinnon holds a clear edge over Breida. McKinnon is an elite pass catcher out of the backfield. And with Kyle Shannahan still calling the plays, McKinnon should see open lanes while running the football.
The 49ers should have a better offense in 2019. Injuries derailed them in 2018, and it took awhile for the 49ers to look better on that side of the ball. With a healthier roster, look for McKinnon to have a year worthy of high-end RB2 value.
No upside with Howard, Miller
I’ve wasted my time with both of these running backs. And while they offer some decent Flex value at times, they’re not going to outplay their rankings.
Both are seeing less usage in recent years, with Howard playing second fiddle more and more with Tarik Cohen receiving more work.
Miller also is seeing fewer carries and his injury history isn’t something to trust. You’re not going to be hugely disappointed with these running backs at this price, but neither of them are going to be a consistent RB1 or RB2.
Receiver with potential?
I’m not so sure. Edelman is going to get you the most work, but his touchdowns just don’t offer much upside. We have enough history with Edelman to know that his target share is going to be good, but his point total will be diminished because of his lack of work in the red zone.
I would like to think Davis would have a better year in 2019. And while he showed flashes in 2018, there’s just not enough to love about that passing game to believe Davis can be a regular contributor.
If I’m focusing on any receiver to outplay his draft ranking, I’d look at Moore. He has the ability to be the No. 1 receiver on a Panthers team that has the potential to accumulate consistent points. None of these receivers jump off the page to me, but I like Moore’s potential the most.
