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.

A.J. Brown’s slow start has fantasy managers watching every target. Despite a 4-0 record, Philly’s offense is outpacing Brown’s production, with 14 receptions and 151 yards placing him mid-pack. Trade chatter has cooled, as Brown wants to stay in Philadelphia and the Eagles don’t plan to move him. Expect a sharper focus on Brown as the Eagles face Denver, where Patrick Surtain II looms and the offense must find more rhythm.

The Eagles’ attack ranks near the bottom in yards per game, per rush, and yards per play, nudging Brown into a higher-variance week-to-week profile. Hurts’ late-second-half struggles add another layer for fantasy sims, but Brown’s talent keeps him in the volatility mix. The looming Nov. 4 deadline adds intrigue for Brown’s fantasy ceiling, even if a move seems unlikely.

Week 5 fantasy football holds strong TE intrigue. Dallas Goedert’s knee clearance puts him firmly in the TE1 mix for Philadelphia against Denver, while Taysom Hill’s PUP-by-activation status keeps him on the radar for a potential gadget-rush week for New Orleans. Darren Waller showed immediate impact in Miami with multi-score upside, Sam LaPorta draws a favorable Bengals matchup, and David Njoku’s London tilt versus Minnesota makes him a safer low-end option. The rest of the listed tight ends—Kincaid, Schultz, Johnson, Ertz, Andrews, Engram—are part of the broader Week 5 start/sit dialogue, with the RotoBaller tool guiding optimal decisions.

Overall, expect a mix of clear starters and high-variance plays. The Who Should I Start tool remains the fastest route to compare up to four players and tailor lineups to scoring formats and byes, helping managers navigate injury news, snap counts, and matchup strength in a fluid Week 5 slate.

Saints host the Giants in Week 5 chasing their first win. The run game has carried them, but the aerial attack must spark with Spencer Rattler, while Olave and Shaheed must threaten downfield.

Giants' edge trio Burns, Thibodeaux, and Carter provides heavy pressure; Adebo, Flott and Phillips anchor the secondary. If Nubin sits, Belton steps in to test the Saints on early downs.

O-line must hold and Kamara must play a bigger receiving role to free up Olave and Shaheed.

Week 5 TD props arrive amid bye weeks and key injuries, boosting volatility in Anytime TD markets. A data-driven model highlights George Pickens as a strong Cowboys option with Lamb out, plus solid value on Dobbins, Wilson, Judkins, Dart, Johnson, and Pittman Jr. for weekend scoring upside.

Pickens carries a high TD ceiling with a favorable Jets matchup; Dobbins draws a run-leaning spot against Philadelphia; Wilson faces a leaky pass defense; Judkins should see heavy red-zone work; Dart adds rushing upside against New Orleans; Johnson offers mid-range value; Pittman Jr. is a bold first-TD long shot vs. the Raiders.