Broncos Fantasy Football Advice for Week 5 of the 2026 Season
The Denver Broncos will look to improve to 3-2 when they travel to Inglewood, California, to face the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Week 5.
The matchup presents several intriguing fantasy opportunities, particularly with Pat Bryant expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle sprain. Meanwhile, several of Denver’s players remain difficult to trust because of inconsistent production.
Here is a look at how fantasy managers should approach all 11 relevant Broncos players heading into Week 5:
Bo Nix: Start in Superflex and 2QB Leagues
Bo Nix remains a viable fantasy option in Superflex and 2QB leagues, but he should stay on the bench in standard 1QB formats.
Nix completed 25 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4, but he once again provided very little rushing production with just 10 yards on two carries.
Through four games, Nix has rushed for only 25 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. His passing numbers have also been mediocre, with 819 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.
Los Angeles has allowed just 211.8 passing yards per game through four weeks, making this a difficult matchup for Nix. Until he shows more consistent rushing upside, his risk outweighs his reward in 1QB leagues.
J.K. Dobbins: Desperation FLEX in 12+ Team Leagues
J.K. Dobbins continues to struggle to replicate his 2025 production.
Dobbins rushed for 40 yards on 11 carries against San Francisco, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. He also caught two passes for 12 yards. More importantly, he has yet to score a touchdown this season.
The matchup with the Chargers does give Dobbins some appeal. Los Angeles has allowed 121.8 rushing yards per game through four weeks, and Jonah Coleman will not be available to take touches away from him.
Dobbins is still difficult to trust because of his lack of receiving upside and inconsistent rushing efficiency, but he can be used as a desperation FLEX in leagues with 12 or more teams.
RJ Harvey: FLEX
RJ Harvey should be in FLEX consideration across all formats heading into Week 5, particularly in PPR leagues.
Harvey caught 10 passes for 68 yards against the 49ers while adding 25 rushing yards on seven carries. His receiving involvement gives him a strong floor despite his limited rushing workload.
Bo Nix has also shown a tendency to look Harvey’s way when he doesn’t like what he sees downfield, giving the running back a reliable path to targets.
Harvey is not quite an RB2 because of his limited rushing volume, but he is worthy of a FLEX spot.
Jonah Coleman: Stash in 12+ Team Leagues
Jonah Coleman remains a stash for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
Coleman could potentially return in Week 7 when Denver faces the Arizona Cardinals. If J.K. Dobbins continues to struggle with his efficiency, Coleman could eventually receive significant touches.
His ability to contribute as both a runner and receiver also gives him additional fantasy upside.
Coleman is worth stashing in leagues with 12 or more teams, particularly for fantasy managers with an available bench or IR spot.
Jaylen Waddle: FLEX
Jaylen Waddle remains a viable FLEX option heading into Week 5.
Waddle caught five passes for 35 yards and a touchdown on six targets against San Francisco. While his yardage production was modest, the touchdown helped salvage his fantasy performance.
Waddle could see an increase in targets against the Chargers with Pat Bryant expected to miss the next few weeks with an ankle sprain. That gives Waddle a higher floor and ceiling in the short term.
There is no reason to bench Waddle this week.
Courtland Sutton: Sit
Courtland Sutton remains unstartable for now.
Sutton caught just one pass for four yards against the 49ers despite receiving six targets. Through four games, he has been targeted 21 times but has produced only nine receptions for 86 yards.
Sutton also recorded 46 of his 86 receiving yards against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, making his production even more concerning.
Until Sutton can turn his opportunities into consistent production, he should remain on fantasy benches. If a team in need of a wide receiver is willing to trade for him, fantasy managers should consider moving him rather than continuing to wait for a breakout.
However, Sutton is still too talented and too involved in the offense to simply drop to the waiver wire.
Pat Bryant: Stash in 12+ Team Leagues
Pat Bryant is headed for a multi-week absence after suffering an ankle sprain against San Francisco, but his early-season production makes him worth stashing.
Bryant caught three passes for 47 yards before leaving the game and has now totaled nine receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown through four games.
Only Jaylen Waddle has more receiving yards among Broncos players this season.
Once Bryant returns, his production could make him a viable FLEX option in leagues with 12 or more teams.
Troy Franklin: Stash
Troy Franklin has been a non-factor for Denver so far this season, but Pat Bryant’s injury could create an opportunity for him.
Franklin caught 65 passes for 709 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, giving him a track record of production that makes him an obvious candidate for an expanded role while Bryant is out.
That does not make Franklin a starting option yet. Fantasy managers should leave him on the bench until he demonstrates that his increased opportunity is translating into production.
Evan Engram: Sit
Evan Engram remains a player fantasy managers should avoid starting.
Engram caught one pass for six yards against the 49ers and has totaled just six receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown through four games.
Of his 66 receiving yards this season, 43 came in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, when he also scored his lone touchdown. He has been largely irrelevant since then.
Engram needs to become more consistently involved before fantasy managers can feel comfortable putting him in their lineups.
Wil Lutz: Sit
Wil Lutz should remain on fantasy benches in Week 5.
Lutz made two field goals against San Francisco, including a 52-yarder, but he has made just five field goals through four games.
He has also made only five extra points, limiting his overall fantasy production.
Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a kicker with a better combination of scoring potential and opportunity. Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader is worth picking up if he is still available on the waiver wire.
Broncos D/ST: Start
Denver’s D/ST is a must-start against Los Angeles in Week 5, even with some significant injury concerns in the Broncos’ secondary.
The Chargers have failed to score more than 23 points in any of their first four games, while Justin Herbert has already been sacked 12 times and thrown six interceptions. Los Angeles has also committed 10 total turnovers through four games.
The biggest concern is Denver’s secondary. Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss are both dealing with injuries and did not practice Wednesday, with Surtain expected to miss at least some time. There has even been speculation that either player or both could land on injured reserve, although that has not been confirmed.
That makes this far from a risk-free fantasy matchup for the Broncos’ defense. However, the Chargers’ offensive struggles and turnover issues make the matchup too favorable to ignore.
Even if Denver is without both Surtain and Moss, fantasy managers should still feel comfortable starting the Broncos’ D/ST in Week 5.
