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 reshuffles the NFL landscape as San Francisco reclaims the top spot behind a stout defense and a healthier Christian McCaffrey, with Mac Jones thriving in relief of Brock Purdy. Detroit climbs, balancing offense with Hutchinson-led pressure. Bills stumble in a harsh reminder that the AFC East remains a grind, while the rest of the top-15 shows shifting momentum and intriguing fantasy angles.

Key fantasy takeaways: monitor Purdy's health and Jones' hot stretch, Jonathan Taylor's return-to-form lift for the Colts, and Jaguars' evolving defense paired with Etienne and Lawrence's development. Week 6 projections hinge on line integrity, divisional tests, and emergent role players ready to capitalize.