32 Teams. 32 Fantasy Football Facts to BULLY Week 5

AJ Brown will eventually return from his high ankle sprain, but it's unclear what he'll be when he does. Matt Harmon notes the Patriots have a favorable schedule (Bears, Dolphins, Packers) in the next few weeks where the defenses can be thrown on.

Aaron Jones gets a break just when he needs it; the Vikings rushing offense faces a favorable schedule with Saints, bye week, Colts, Lions, and Bills—all defenses that cohesive and good offenses should be able to figure out. This gives the Vikings a longer leash to work things out.

Alvin Kamara had a shameful good fantasy game against the Falcons with 13.9 expected half PPR points (RB8 last week) on just seven carries; this was not a good performance from a running back perspective, as the Saints' run game is brutal and Kamara's fantasy value is being propped up by receiving work rather than efficient rushing; he's a sell-high candidate given the Saints' offensive line injuries and upcoming difficult schedule (Minnesota Vikings).

Wide receiver five on the season for the Lions. Tied with Teddy McMillan for fourth in routes run. The Lions offense is pass-heavy due to defensive limitations and roster state, and St. Brown is one of the metronomes of this offense alongside Sam Laporta. Expect consistent involvement.

Bijan Robinson is the running back two and running back five through four weeks, establishing himself as a high-volume fantasy asset in the Falcons' high-flying scoring environment; the Falcons' concentrated offensive scheme funnels the ball to three primary players, with Bijan receiving consistent touches and usage.

Nix is not pulling the trigger on open throws downfield; he has a massive cavity over the middle of the field but checks down instead. He doesn't move well at all right now, possibly due to ankle surgeries; he has fewer scrambling yards than Drew Locke, Jameis Winston, and Jack Strand despite those guys barely playing. He's not comfortable in the pocket and gets to checkdowns too quickly. This is a long-standing problem—he's always been too quick to the checkdown. He has 6.3 rushing yards per game (QB23), dragging down his overall performance.

Brian Robinson has emerged as a sustainable fantasy asset with real standalone value beyond handcuff status; he's a power runner and downhill player who hits the hole and gets north, benefiting from an offensive line that has been performing well in both run blocking and pass protection; over the last two weeks, the Falcons have rushed for 451 yards, second only to the Bears' 335, and Brian Robinson has accumulated more fancy points per game than Jeremiah Love at this point.

Brian Robinson is likely a low-end flex play moving forward, similar to Blake Corum rather than Kyle Menungai; he's not always subbing in for the goal line role, but when he's out there, the Falcons keep him out there; he's being used in the first half to keep Bijan Robinson fresh and avoid overloading him with 30 touches per game; in bye weeks, he's a viable flex option.

Bryce Young has been balling, which is the primary driver of Chuba Hubbard's fantasy success; the Panthers' offensive line has been performing well, supporting the offense's improved performance.

Buying Bryce Young as a fantasy starter at quarterback. He leads the NFL in passing yards despite facing more quick pressures than any other QB; first in 13 completions of 25+ yards and 55 completions of 10+ yards. Averaging nearly nine yards per throw, showing elite downfield accuracy. The offense is well-constructed and balanced under Brad Edzik, who is in sync with Young similar to the Ben Johnson-Jared Goff dynamic. Young has grown individually in pocket comfort and decision-making, and the catch radius of his receivers has doubled. Ranked as a top-5 to top-10 quarterback in real life and fantasy.

Tate was WR11 in Week 4 with a 29% target share on the season—only rookie receivers with higher target share through four weeks are Puka Nakua and Jamar Chase. He showed strong separation skills, settles in zones well, gets open at all three levels, and is not just a static X receiver; he's been off-ball about 38% of snaps with clean, crisp route work. All 12 of his targets were five yards or deeper, showing he's not manufactured touches. He's fluid, big, and can run all routes on the tree, with positive signs individually despite Cam Ward's inconsistency.

Chris Olave is going to keep the Saints' passing game afloat despite the team's offensive line injuries and run game struggles; he's number two in routes run this season with 182 routes (behind Devon Valey's 182), ensuring consistent fantasy relevance even as the Saints become more pass-heavy.

Chuba Hubbard is the running back eight on the season through four weeks with outrageous consistency, posting running back nine, 10, 12, and seven in weeks one through four; teams with Chuba Hubbard on their roster have won 56% of their games, the highest winning percentage of any player drafted around or after him; he's one of the best sleeper picks and best value picks in all of fantasy football; he was a top-15 running back two years ago on high usage, got banged up last year but regained his job by season's end, and the Panthers are showing signs of life on offense.

Chuba Hubbard's fantasy success is driven by Bryce Young's strong play; the Panthers' offensive line has been performing well with moving parts, and Hubbard is not going to come off the field very much, positioning him for a top-12 finish the rest of the season.

Expected to finish as a top-12 running back for the rest of the season; won't come off the field much. The Panthers offense is rolling primarily because of Bryce Young's improved play and the top two pass catchers (Teddy McMillan and Jalen Coker), but Hubbard is an underrated player who benefits from this offensive environment. He's versatile across all run concepts (inside zone, outside zone, crack toss) and handles pass protection well, giving him a high volume floor.

CJ Donaldson is being used by the Saints alongside Alvin Kamara and Kendra Miller; he's still getting snaps in the backfield and could see increased usage due to his pass protection ability, which is valuable given the Saints' offensive line injuries; he may end up playing more snaps as the Saints potentially shift to heavier personnel groups.

Drake London is wide receiver one overall in target share at 35% and wide receiver one overall in air yards at 116 per game; he's the primary target for Michael Penix, who is executing under center play action and big breaking routes (crossers, overs, posts) that align with Penix's college skill set; London doesn't need the Falcons to be a top-10 offense to finish as a top-five fantasy wide receiver.

Drake Maye bounced back in Week 4 against the Bills after opening the season as QB23, QB25, QB32, finishing Week 4 as QB1. He played much better by running on time and making more throws; he received better support from pass catchers like Romeo Dobbs. However, Matt Harmon cautions this is not a 'fixed' offense—the Patriots still have offensive line issues and Maye threw a low pass that was batted up for an interception.

Getting into the mix for the Lions offense, providing another vertical element that clears space for other receivers. While this adds another mouth to feed for fantasy, it allows the Lions to get more vertical looks and potentially helps Jameson Williams run quicker crossers.

Isaiah Likely received multiple targets in the Giants game but faced some poor ball placement from Jameis Winston, including throws into coverage and passes that missed him by five yards. He held the line and got a bunch of targets, but the quality of quarterback play limits his upside.

Dobbins is among the worst in the NFL in success rate and doesn't catch passes. He played fewer early-down snaps than RJ Harvey in Week 4, and Tyler Bidde even got a carry before him. The Dobbins stuff is officially cursed; he's not going to be a league winner and at best might be a mediocre flex play. If you want to be aggressive, drop him.

Jahan Dotson had a nice route on a touchdown reception on a post route against the Saints; he was one of two completions for 68 yards on post routes for Michael Penix in that game, showing he's part of the Falcons' big breaking route attack.

One of the top two pass catchers driving the Panthers offense. Will be a complete baller in fantasy for the rest of the year. Hopefully returns after the bye week fully healthy, which would bring the offense to another level. Can play X receiver and slot, giving the Panthers two legitimate receivers who can line up anywhere.

Jameis Winston's arm strength is diminished and his decision-making is concerning; he's waiting a tick too long, leading to past breakups and inaccuracy. Matt Harmon notes Winston's arm is 'shot' and 'done,' and while he gives his receivers chances, the ball leaves his hands without confidence or momentum. Against the Cardinals' 31st-ranked pass defense, Winston looked better than he is, and a better defense would have exposed him significantly more.

Wide receiver 45 on the season but wide receiver 33 in usage, suggesting he's performed worse than his usage would indicate. He's typically a model dunker and should regress positively. Last week faced Caleb Evans on almost every target and had three comeback routes for receptions, a screen, a quick out, and a deep pass going into halftime. This is a start-everybody week against Arizona (Lions vs. Cardinals), and Williams should be included in that. Neither team has made a stop all year and both can put 30 points on the board.

Waddle has a 21% target share but is WR37 in expected points and RB20 in half-PPR scoring despite 10 catches, showing his production is more up and down than desired. He's not getting as many go balls and big crossing routes; he had two screen receptions but dropped one of the few go balls he did get. The expectations with Waddle being there have put a magnifying glass on the Bo Nix problem, which has been a problem for a very long time.

Suffered a right ankle injury late in week four (11 minutes remaining) when his ankle got trapped underneath him on a handoff. Played the next snap but was visibly in pain, punching the ground and kicking his right leg trying to loosen it. Did not play in the final 10 minutes of the game. Post-game comments included 'this is the longest year of my life,' suggesting frustration with injury management. This is a new ankle injury on top of a preseason left ankle injury. Concerns about his availability for week five.

Despite multiple goal-line opportunities in the Cardinals' final 13-play drive, Love did not enter the game when Tyler Algier could have been substituted; Matt Harmon suspects injury-related reasons for the benching.

Jordan Addison is getting shoved off his routes and Kyler Murray is staring at him, causing plays to break down; he also had an incomplete pass that was thrown a little high. This is who Addison is—he's small and not an elite technician—and even against the Dolphins' defense, both he and Murray are showing their worst impulses.

Justin Jefferson is out and the Vikings have a bye in Week 6; they may hold him out again. Without him, TJ Hockenson will see heavy usage on stick concepts.

Juwan Johnson is the tight end four on the season and was drafted much closer to tight end 20, representing significant value; he's the tight end five in expected points and has been at least tight end 14 in usage in all four games this season, providing a floor; in 15 games with Tyler Shuck, he's averaging 10 half PPR points, which equates to tight end seven production; he should be played until week nine when the Saints' situation potentially changes.

Kendra Miller is a goal line option for the Saints but had an inexcusable fumble early in the game against the Falcons; he could still be a factor in goal line situations, though Alvin Kamara remains the primary back.

Kyle Pitts is not part of the Falcons' offensive equation at this point; he's not even playing full-time snaps, making him a non-factor in the concentrated three-player passing game despite the Falcons' high-scoring environment.

Through seven quarters of play, Kyler Murray's passing game hasn't been figured out; he's turning down open throws downfield and staring at receivers like Jordan Addison when they get shoved off their routes. The Vikings offense is moving the ball with quick throws to TJ Hawkinson and scene passes rather than anticipatory throws deep and over the middle—'the worst version of what you would think it was going to be.' This mirrors Murray's worst impulses from his last two years in Arizona.

Malik Nabers delivered his best performance of the season against the Ravens, showing improved separation on downfield routes and demonstrating his wide catch radius; Matt Harmon upgraded his film grade to his best of the year. Despite Jameis Winston's poor play (including a lofted pass that hung in the air for three seconds), Nabers is giving both separation and catch-point production.

Marvin Harrison Jr. drew two defensive pass interference calls (one near goal line, one in end zone) and had significant red-zone involvement in the Cardinals' final drive; Matt Harmon believes he needs to win contested catches like late-career DeAndre Hopkins and will have red-zone opportunities, especially if the run game struggles. Harmon is starting him in the expert league and views this as potentially his best game of the season against the Lions.

Harrison is primarily the X receiver but not exclusively; the Titans move him around and get him in favorable looks. He had a drop in Week 4, but his receiving technique is aesthetically pleasing with extended hands and full frame. He's comparable to Carnell Tate in that he's not super explosive on tape but is fluid and big and can run all routes on the route tree.

Michael Penix is executing a dramatically different offensive scheme under Kevin Stefanski than he ran in college or his first two NFL years; he had six pass attempts under center play action in his first two NFL seasons combined, but had six against the Packers and eight under center attempts against the Saints, showing significant adaptation; he's operating with over 65% clean pocket rate and is pushing the ball downfield with first reads often to Drake London.

Michael Wilson received 30 targets over the last two games combined; in the Cardinals' final drive down six points at the five-yard line, he was targeted on first down, second down, and fourth down in a row, demonstrating his importance to the offense despite none connecting. Matt Harmon notes Wilson's film has been 'really, really awesome' and he's at his best when deployed outside on the ball against press man coverage.

Najee Harris got early snaps against the Ravens but fumbled and was benched for the last 10 minutes; he was also subbed in for a two-point conversion when Cam Saquon Barkley was on the field for a touchdown. This usage pattern creates uncertainty about the backfield split heading into Week 5.

Ramondre Stevenson was RB22 in usage last week but has been RB35 in usage over the three games with Travion Henderson; he's not moving the needle. Matt Harmon notes neither Stevenson nor Henderson are getting enough volume to be must-starts, though Stevenson's goal-line usage should rank him higher.

Harvey got 10 catches in a single game, which is a big indictment of where Bo Nix is right now. He leads the NFL in yards off a catch and played more early-down snaps than JK Dobbins in Week 4. He's among the better options in the Broncos backfield despite not being a plus rusher; he has decent success rate in underlying numbers. Harvey should be ranked ahead of Dobbins going forward.

Romeo Dobbs made several awesome plays at the catch point, including a one-handed fade route for a touchdown on a skinny post; he ran a go route on 27% of his routes. Matt Harmon notes Dobbs is running more in-breaking routes than early in the season and was 'really, really productive' with the Packers in 2025, suggesting the Patriots are gaining grasp of his personnel. He's best used on outcuts.

Tight end five on the season and tight end three in usage. Last week had 23.6 expected half-PPR points, the most by any tight end all season. Being used differently than other tight ends with three-by-one red zone sets where he's isolated on the right side. The Lions are dropping back frequently and consistently score 30+ points per game. Laporta versus George Kittle for tight end three rest of season is a very live debate. One of the best picks in rounds six to eight, standing out over busted wide receivers and running backs.

TJ Hockenson is being used heavily on quick throws and scene passes where Kyler Murray doesn't have to read the defense; he's getting pre-snap throws and hitches. Matt Harmon expects Hockenson to continue producing 'scam production' this week if Justin Jefferson is out, as the Vikings will pepper him with stick concepts.

Pollard is RB31 at this point with RB14 usage in usage leagues, but the usage hasn't translated to fantasy production. Despite the Titans' improved offensive line play, Pollard has not been effective.

A perfectly solid NFL back who could see increased work if Jeremiah Love misses time due to his ankle injury. Not being talked about as a waiver wire candidate, but could be a sneaky pickup if Love's injury keeps him out. The Cardinals may need to manage Love's workload carefully given his injury history.