Fantasy football managers face their hardest lineup decisions of the young season in Week 5, with CBS Sports analyst Dave Richard flagging quarterback Justin Herbert and rookie running back Ollie Gordon as the two most difficult calls in PPR formats.
Richard's Week 5 PPR cheat sheet, released ahead of Sunday's games, weighs Herbert's matchup against a Denver defense that has surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks through four weeks. Herbert has yet to throw for more than 237 yards in a single game this season, and the Chargers' run-heavy approach under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman has capped his weekly ceiling.
Gordon, the Oklahoma State rookie now with the Miami Dolphins, presents a different problem. His snap share has climbed in each of the past two weeks, but he remains mired in a timeshare that limits his touch count — the single biggest driver of PPR value for running backs.
Richard also singled out Woody Marks and T.J. Hockenson as tough lineup decisions. Hockenson, returning from a knee injury that cost him the start of the season, has seen his target share fluctuate between three and seven looks per game, leaving fantasy managers unsure whether to trust him in a starting tight end slot.
On the favorable side, Richard points to Jared Goff, whose Week 5 opponent ranks 28th in passing yards allowed per game. Goff has thrown for multiple touchdowns in three of four games this season and enters the week as a top-10 quarterback play in most formats.
The cheat sheet arrives as fantasy managers across the country make final roster calls before the weekend slate. PPR scoring, which awards one point per reception, elevates pass-catching running backs and slot receivers above their standard-scoring counterparts — a distinction that makes Gordon's uncertain role particularly costly for managers who started him in Weeks 3 and 4.
Herbert's situation reflects a broader trend in Los Angeles, where the Chargers have leaned on the ground game to protect a rebuilt offensive line. Through four games, Herbert ranks outside the top 20 quarterbacks in fantasy points per game, a steep drop for a player drafted as a QB1 in most leagues.
Richard's full cheat sheet ranks every relevant player at each position for Week 5, with tiered recommendations designed to guide start-sit decisions in leagues of varying sizes.
