Week 5 knocked several fantasy managers off balance as a slate of players underperformed across QB, RB, WR, and TE. Cooper Rush and Geno Smith delivered subpar showings, while rookies and veterans at RB and WR struggled to produce consistent fantasy value. The piece flags which names are still trustable moving forward and which quantities might rebound against softer matchups in Week 6.

Targets for bounce-back potential span multiple positions, with explanations on how volume, opponent, and in-game role could shift expectations. The analysis also surfaces late-stage obvious fades and identifies sleepers who flashed upside despite disappointing Week 5 totals.

Week 5 fantasy lineups hinge on tight-end usage and injury status. Hunter Henry remains a difference-maker in New England, delivering TE1-consistency as he builds on a strong early season. T.J. Hockenson’s floor stays solid, though matchup-driven; Juwan Johnson’s outlook depends on health, with Stoll ready to step in if needed. Sam LaPorta carries volume upside for Detroit, while Brenton Strange is a high-end TE2 in a favorable target share. Jake Ferguson is emerging in Dallas as a trusted second option, and Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews anchor most rosters. Isaiah Likely and Dalton Schultz add volatility and upside in deeper formats. Use the Who Should I Start tool to compare these names side-by-side and optimize Week 5 lineups.