Fantasy Football Pick 5 Strategy: How to Draft From the 5th Spot

Fantasy Football 5th Pick in 12-Team Leagues

The fifth pick in 2022 fantasy football drafts is where things start to get interesting. That lack of a no-doubt option makes this spot potentially less appealing this year unless you come in with a solid draft strategy.

Fantasy Football Pick 5 Strategy

So how can fantasy football drafters best take advantage of drawing the No. 5 pick in 2022? Here's a guide to the best draft strategy at 5.

Round 1/Round 2

The Big Three of top running backs in Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey and Austin Ekeler should be off of the board by the time you're on the clock. And assuming the No. 4 drafter takes Cooper Kupp, that clears the way for managers to grab Derrick Henry fifth. Make no mistake: Henry is far from just a consolation prize.

Though King Henry finished as the underwhelming RB22 in PPR scoring last year, that doesn't tell the whole story. Henry was the RB1 in PPR from Week 1-8 before a foot injury sidelined him for the rest of season. He averaged a whopping 24.2 fantasy points per game during this stretch (which still led the entire NFL) while handling a staggering 27.4 carries per contest.

That kind of volume is almost unmatched, and it's made Henry a fantasy darling for years. Tennessee may try to limit his workload slighlty after his significant absence in 2021, but the Titans' offense will need to depend on him even more after losing star wide receiver AJ Brown this offseason. As long as Henry stays healthy, he could easily end up as the top RB.

Then there's a 15-pick gap before managers are up again at No. 20. This is an attractive spot given there's no shortage of paths to take. Tyreek Hill (average draft position of 20 overall) is an obvious top WR choice, and Javonte Williams (ADP 21) would give drafters an appetizing option to pair with Henry. You could also try to get an edge at quarterback with Josh Allen (ADP 22) or tight end Mark Andrews (23), though those positions can be addressed later and shouldn't be prioritized over RB or WR.

Round 3/Round 4

The early third round holds plenty of intriguing options as well. If you opted for a second RB with your previous pick, then Tee Higgins (ADP 31) is a great option to fill your WR1 spot at No. 29. This territory also opens up the door for an RB-RB-RB approach, as Ezekil Elliott (ADP 29) and James Conner (ADP 30) should also both be on the board.

It's a little unconventional, but it would solidify your backfield and FLEX spot, allowing you to focus on WR/QB/TE for the middle rounds. Having the best RB stable in your fantasy league is a major advantage, so it's a strategy worth considering at the very least.

Then drafters are up again at pick 44. This seems like an ideal time to nab a pass-catcher, as DJ Moore (ADP 44), DK Metcalf (ADP 45) and Darren Waller (ADP 46) all are expected to be available. Moore and Metcalf may not perform like star wideouts given their respective quarterback situations, but it's easier to run them out as your top WR if you have three premier RBs alongside them in your starting lineup.

Round 5/Round 6

Wide receivers are the featured dish on the menu when you draft next at No. 53 as well. Mike Williams (ADP 52), Brandin Cooks (ADP 53) and Chris Godwin (ADP 54) are all high-upside wideouts capable of big performances during any given week. Williams (WR12), Cooks (WR20) and Godwin (WR15) all finished within the top 20 at their position in fantasy scoring last season, so they'd boost your wide receiver situation immediately.

Quarterback could also be a potential route here. Kyler Murray (ADP 55) and Joe Burrow (ADP 56) would give managers a set-it-and-forget-it starter throughout the entire season, alleviating the headache of streaming the position on a weekly basis.

WRs once again are the obvious choice at No. 68. Veteran wideouts known for consistent production like Adam Thielen (ADP 68) and Allen Robinson (No. 69) are expected to be on the board. Darnell Mooney (No. 70) is a younger option with breakout potential after posting his first 1,000-yard season as a sophomore in 2021.

Later Rounds

Since fantasy football drafts are living organisms that evolve in real time, it's hard to pin down a specific strategy for later rounds. Managers will just have to let the picks play out, but there's some fantasy draft advice you should keep in mind. 

Prepare a list of sleepers you're high on for later rounds. Nabbing the right handcuff or low-profile guy that turns into a weekly starter off of your bench is a massive advantage that'll give you a leg up on your leaguemates. 

Don't be afraid to take risks when appropriate as well. The downtime between picks when you draw the No. 5 spot means you'll see plenty of players, sometimes even ones you really want, fly off of the board before your next turn. As long as you have a solid start (like the roster above), you can afford to reach if there's someone you believe in.

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Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.