Fantasy Football Week 5 Review
Week 5 of the NFL and fantasy football season was probably the most exciting week of football to this point.
Here are just a few of the storylines: the return of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, the Minnesota Vikings' undefeated streak, the Denver Broncos finally being handed a loss, the San Diego Chargers finding another creative way to lose with minutes left, the collapse of Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz's first NFL loss and interception.
Again, these are just a few, but we could go on and on here.
This was also the first week since Week 13 of 2015 in which we saw three punts returned for touchdowns.
Hopefully your fantasy week went better than mine—I went up against Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde and New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
I think you can figure out how my week went.
Who starred in Week 5? Let's find out.
Week 5 Stars
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Usually high-profile players, the stars of an NFL week always seem to be the players we're going up against. It is nice when you own the star, though. Many of this week's stars were players you'd expect, but some of them are players that we know have talent but have yet to put a performance together to warrant a "star" designation.
Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans
Leading all quarterbacks in fantasy points through Sunday's Week 5 slate, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota could not be stopped—not only through the air, but on the ground as well. Yes, Mariota and the Titans finally utilized his rushing ability. The second-year quarterback's passing total wasn't all that high—just 163 yards—but he managed three passing touchdowns to go along with 60 yards rushing and another touchdown.
That's four total touchdowns against one of the more mediocre teams in the league—the Miami Dolphins.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Given how highly anticipated this return was, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady needed to throw for 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns.
While he didn't put up those numbers, he was still solid, throwing for over 400 yards and three scores without even playing the entire game.
After four weeks off and nude sunbathing in other countries, Brady showed no signs of slowing down.
Something tells me Patriots head coach Bill Belichick isn't going to stop throwing with Brady back under center.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Believe it or not, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a top fantasy performance without wide receiver Antonio Brown racking up a million yards receiving.
Don't get me wrong, Brown still caught a touchdown, but it was actually fellow wide receiver Sammie Coates (who you'll see later in this slideshow) who led the way.
Going up against a New York Jets secondary without cornerback Darrelle Revis, Big Ben threw for 380 yards and four touchdowns, although he did lose a fumble.
Since the return of running back Le'Veon Bell, Roethlisberger has score close to and over 30 fantasy points the last two weeks.
Running Backs
David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
Thursday Night Football feels so long ago, doesn't it?
Well, if you own Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson, boy do you remember it.
With Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton completing just 11 passes, the team rode Johnson to 185 total yards and two scores.
He is simply unreal.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
When fantasy drafts were coming to a close in late August there was skepticism about whether or not Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was worth the risk as a first-round draft pick.
Damn, was that wrong.
Through the first five games of the season, Zeke is the RB3 in points-per-reception (PPR) leagues and scored two more touchdowns on 134 yards rushing in Week 5.
He's a top-five option every week.
Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons
Coming into Week 5 at the Denver Broncos, there was medical concern with Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman's sickle cell trait and his availability for this game.
Coleman still didn't play much—just over 38 percent of the team's snaps—but he did a world of damage in the passing game, catching four balls for over 130 yards and a touchdown.
Carrying the ball just six times, Coleman worked more as a receiver here, but hey, he's a running back and that's all we care about.
Wide Receivers
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
In his second 30-point performance in the last three weeks, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton torched the Chicago Bears' young secondary for 171 yards on 10 catches and added a score.
Without fellow wide receiver Donte Moncrief, Hilton is undoubtedly the man in Indy.
Week 6's matchup with the Houston Texans should be another good one for Hilton.
Sammie Coates, Pittsburgh Steelers
Remember when I said Coates would be in this slideshow again? Here he is. Oh, expect him in another slide too. Coates is popular this week!
Again, Coates led the way among Steelers wide receivers, catching six balls for nearly 140 yards and two touchdowns. It could have been a bigger day for Coates if not for one of his signature drops less than five yards away from the end zone.
It was a nice game from Coates, who scored his first touchdowns of the 2016 season.
Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders
Well, well, well...Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper actually led the team in receiving—not fellow wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who has been on an absolute tear.
Don't get me wrong, Crabtree still had a nice game, but not quite like Cooper's.
In a 34-31 victory over the division-rival San Diego Chargers, Cooper had six catches for 138 yards, a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion.
Leading up to this game it had been all Crabtree in the passing game. It was nice to see Cooper finally get his in Week 5.
Tight Ends
Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots
At one point in the New England Patriots' slaughter of the Cleveland Browns there was an update on the screen saying Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett was questionable to return due to injury. Not even two minutes later he scored a touchdown.
After that touchdown he scored another one.
And another one.
Yeah, he had three touchdowns on six catches, adding 67 yards receiving.
It was weird to see a tight end not named Rob Gronkowski lead the Patriots' aerial attack. But hey, Brady isn't complaining.
Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans
Look, Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker had a nice game, but what a drop-off from Bennett to Walker when you look at the fantasy point totals.
Nonetheless, Walker was on the receiving end five time for 66 yards and one of Mariota's passing touchdowns.
He is unquestionably the go-to receiver in the Titans offense, and that showed again in Week 5.
Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts
Two Colts players showing up big in Week 5? Why not.
Catching the other touchdown from Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, he also added six receptions for 50 yards.
This was Allen's best game since Week 1, as he's had just 80 total yards receiving over the prior three weeks.
Allen has a tough matchup next week with the Texans, who do a nice job containing opposing tight ends.
Top Defense
Buffalo Bills
Circle the wagons! The Buffalo Bills went into Los Angeles and took care of business, beating the Los Angeles Rams 30-19.
The Bills defense and special teams' stats included four sacks, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a defensive score.
The Bills' second interception of Rams quarterback Case Keenum was perhaps one of the funniest plays I've ever seen.
Kudos to Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander and defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman, as they led the way with the majority of these stats.
Week 5 Flops
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There is nothing more frustrating than a high draft pick doing close to nothing in any given week. There were quite a few of them in Week 5.
Let's get to it.
Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Yes, this is the same Julio Jones who had 300 yards receiving in Week 4.
He had 271 fewer yards in Week 5.
So, yeah, 29 receiving yards.
In fact, Jones did not manage a catch until the third quarter. We need to keep in mind that this was a tough opponent in the Denver Broncos, so this isn't totally shocking. However, you're always expecting 100 yards from Jones, so when he doesn't perform—especially after totaling 300 yards—we're disappointed.
Don't worry, he'll be fine, but I know that doesn't change anything this week.
Lamar Miller, RB, Houston Texans
It felt like Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller was back on the Miami Dolphins in Week 5 after carrying the ball just eight times.
Granted, the Texans were getting beat up, so they were forced to throw.
But eight carries for 20 yards is not going to cut it.
The touchdownless streak from Miller continues. Miller owners need Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler to look somewhat like a $70 million-plus quarterback for this to turn around.
The Indianapolis Colts in Week 6 is a hopeful rebound game.
Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
Lost in the return of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, his right-hand man and No. 1 wide receiver Julian Edelman had just 35 receiving yards on five receptions.
It was nice to see 10 targets, so it was not a lack of opportunity. With Brady back this was likely an anomaly, but we expected the world from every Patriots player against the Cleveland Browns and came up short with Edelman.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins
If you're in a PPR league, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry is the only bright spot on what is a train wreck of a Dolphins squad.
Not even Landry could run away from the implosion of the Dolphins in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.
He ended the day with just three catches for 28 yards. What was frustrating outside of the final result was that he was targeted just three times.
The Titans have a stingy defense that has given other teams fits this season, but Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill looked like he was completely lost out there.
Again, Landry will be OK, but this was a brutal game.
Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans
Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler was nothing short of terrible in Week 5. With that said, we can't blame 100 percent of Texans wide receiver Will Fuller's Week 5 misfortune on Osweiler.
Besides the one catch on fourth down, Fuller had a chance at two other balls, but he dropped a ball that would have gone for a long gain. Going up against the Minnesota Vikings and veteran cornerback Terence Newman, Fuller struggled all day long. Heading into Week 5, Fuller had three games with over 80 yards receiving.
One catch for four yards. That was it from Fuller.
Biggest Surprises of Week 5
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There are always players in a given week that surprise us, whether it be an unknown player who randomly has a breakout game or a player who's been around for a while but has never lived up to what "could have been."
You can probably figure out which one of those is synonymous with the guy in the picture above.
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
If any other player had Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson's line, it would just be another day in the neighborhood. But considering he had just two targets in 2015 after being a reasonably high fantasy draft choice in 2014? A couple of catches in a game is surprising.
Patterson finished with four catches for 39 yards and a touchdown—his first receiving touchdown since Week 7 of the 2014 season.
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Two Vikings wide receivers surprised us this past Sunday. Unlike Patterson, though, fellow wide receiver Adam Thielen was actually in a good spot to produce with No. 1 option Stefon Diggs out, but I'm not sure anyone expected seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown.
It was a fun week for these lesser-known/used wide receivers, but that will change when Diggs returns, presumably after the team's Week 6 bye.
Cameron Meredith, WR, Chicago Bears
In Sunday's Game Preview, Chicago Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith was mentioned as an intriguing sleeper, especially with fellow wide receiver Eddie Royal expected to be out. Well, it turns out Royal played and Meredith balled out anyway.
Not only did he ball out, but he led all Bears wide receivers in snaps. On 12 targets, Meredith caught nine of them for 130 yards and found the end zone. The undrafted free agent smacked the Indianapolis Colts' porous secondary around all afternoon long.
Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman is a special player with breakaway talent similar to that of running back Chris Johnson from his CJ2K days with the Tennessee Titans.
What surprised me about Coleman's performance was not only the yardage, but the situation in which he did it.
Heading into the game, there was concern over Coleman's health given his sickle cell trait, but that didn't matter—he put in work.
It wasn't as if Coleman played a lot either—just over 38 percent of the team's snaps.
When you look at the yardage, percentage of snaps and the situation, it's surprising, but also incredibly awesome. Good thing there were no medical concerns as the game went on.
Key Injuries in Week 5
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It seems like injuries mount every week and send our fantasy teams into a tizzy. Some weeks are obviously worse than others. For example, Week 2 of this season saw nearly double-digit injuries to the running back position.
Fortunately, Week 5 was fairly easy on the injury front.
Steve Smith Sr., WR, Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens sure could have used wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. down the stretch in the team's 16-10 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Unfortunately, though, he couldn't go due to an ankle injury. There's no information yet in regard to the injury.
Expect an MRI for the veteran Monday. Hopefully it's not a high ankle sprain.
Cody Kessler, QB, Cleveland Browns
Say what you want, but Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler has actually been, well, not terrible this season.
In the team's loss to the New England Patriots, Kessler suffered a rib/chest injury that forced him to leave the game.
With his departure, fellow quarterback Charlie "Touchdown Jesus" Whitehurst took over. The Browns' receiving options are better off with Kessler, though we're getting to the point of splitting hairs.
You're not starting Kessler in fantasy, but he does impact the rest of the skill position players.
Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
After coming into the week with a chest injury, it's been confirmed by Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer that Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill reinjured his chest and also hurt his shoulder before leaving the game prematurely, playing just 15 snaps.
His status for Week 6 will be better determined as the week progresses. If he's unable to go, fellow running back Giovani Bernard will be the lead back.
Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers
Toward the end of the Green Bay Packers' win over the New York Giants, Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb caught a ball to ice the game. As he was going to the ground he got hit in the head area by a Giants defender, which left him in pain on the ground.
It's unsure exactly what the injury was, but it looked like a concussion. Once again, it's another injury to monitor. Cobb finally had a nice game in Week 5, going over 100 yards receiving on nine catches.
Fool's Gold in Week 5
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It would nice if every NFL player could succeed all the time. But come on, that's not how it works. We saw some players who performed well in Week 5, but it was likely an anomaly and unlikely to repeat.
I'm sure you can guess one of the players based off the picture above.
Sammie Coates, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
He was one of the best wide receivers in Week 5, but that will likely not happen again this season.
I'm talking about Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates.
While Coates did much better than many expected, he displayed traits that you just can't have as an NFL receiver. For instance, dropping probably the easiest touchdown of his career inside the 5-yard line.
Coates has always been known as a deep threat, and he did well in that aspect. But against a New York Jets secondary without Darrelle Revis, Coates was able to take the top off their secondary, and that led to his production.
Don't expect another game like this.
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
One of the better wide receivers and one of the biggest surprises of Week 5, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen was in a nice spot to produce—a spot he may not see again for some time. The Vikings will have a bye in Week 6, but after that fellow wide receiver Stefon Diggs will return, putting Thielen on the back burner once again.
Brandon LaFell, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
This performance was definitely a surprise, so it belongs on that slide, too.
However, "fool's gold" had a better ring to it—especially when it's in regard to Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell.
He caught two touchdowns in a game in which the Bengals were getting throttled on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.
In games where the Bengals aren't getting throttled, LaFell will go to his two- or three-reception games for modest yardage.
These were LaFell's first two scores on the season—another two-touchdown game from LaFell will warrant a pinching of yourself to make sure you're awake.
It's not happening again.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
Since the start of the 2016 season, we've been waiting for Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota to have a good game. It finally happened against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5.
Prior to this, Mariota averaged 231 passing yards, one passing touchdown and over one interception per game through the air this season. On top of that, Mariota had averaged just over three rushing attempts per game with zero rushing scores.
He finally ran—and scored— in Week 5.
Mariota is just not a player to roster moving forward. It was a great game, but that's not happening again in this fashion.
Top Pickups
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No matter your league size, roster size, waiver order or anything similar, there always seems to be someone to pick up in hopes of improving your team.
We see it every year—players coming out of nowhere and performing. It's just a matter of believing that they are more than one-week wonders and can eventually produce for your team sometime down the line.
Despite excellent performances in past weeks and a player being put in a nice spot to produce, there are still quite a few serviceable players available out there in a ton of leagues.
Here are a few pickups to consider after Sunday's slate of Week 5 action.
Cameron Meredith, WR, Chicago Bears
With Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White all but out for the season, fellow wideout Cameron Meredith has stepped up in a big way, especially in Week 5.
Going up against the Indianapolis Colts, Meredith hauled in nine catches for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Even with wide receiver Eddie Royal in the lineup, Meredith worked ahead of Royal, leading the Bears receivers in snaps.
I have a feeling this isn't just a one-week thing. Meredith could be like Marquess Wilson from a couple of years ago—involved enough to warrant a roster spot and start here and there.
He's owned in just 3 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Brian Hoyer, QB, Chicago Bears
This is obviously contingent upon Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler being out in Week 6.
If Cutler sits, fellow quarterback Brian Hoyer will look to keep up his streak of 300-yard, two-touchdown performances going against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
That shouldn't be all that hard against the Jaguars. If you need a quarterback, Hoyer is your guy. He's out there in over 80 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Robert Woods, WR, Buffalo Bills
Even after his nine-catch performance in Week 4, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods is still hanging around in a fair amount of leagues. Without fellow wide receiver Sammy Watkins in the lineup, Woods is the No. 1 receiver. His dud against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5 doesn't concern me. He's a WR4 with upside and is available in over 70 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Jeremy Kerley, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Believe it or not, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jeremy Kerley is one of 14 receivers to have 40 or more targets. Heading into 2016, it was thought that fellow wide receiver Torrey Smith was the receiver to own in San Fran, but apparently not—it's Kerley.
There's no reason why we should expect the 49ers to go away from Kerley. Remember, however—it is the 49ers and there could be some nauseating games. Nonetheless, Kerley is a legitimate PPR option given his volume of targets. It's crazy that the seventh-highest-targeted player is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo leagues!
Jay Ajayi, RB, Miami Dolphins
Week 5 made me so happy. I don't mean to brag, but I'm probably Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi's biggest fan.
It's not entirely sure if fellow Dolphins running back Arian Foster will return in Week 6. If he sits it out, Ajayi will get a chance to do battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The idea of a blowout and forcing the Dolphins to throw is a real possibility here, but the uptick in carries for Ajayi from Week 4 to Week 5 was encouraging to see.
He's owned in only 33 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Tennessee Titans D/ST
Let me make this easy: the Cleveland Browns.
Who is their quarterback in Week 6? Yeah, I'll take my chances with a defense that is owned in just 5 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Sell-High Targets
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It's always nice when a player who's been giving you fits all season long finally performs well enough to garner appeal from fellow owners. This may not be the only situation, though. You could very well have a player who's performing fine for you, but he has an otherworldly performance that could force you to deal him because the respective player's value has never been higher.
That latter logic applies to first player on this list.
Martellus Bennett, TE, New England Patriots
I know, I know—it's hard to wrap your head around trading New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett right now, but trust me, it's for the best.
Look, Bennett could very well end the season as a top-10 tight end, but when you factor in his three-touchdown game against the Cleveland Browns, coupled with the return of quarterback Tom Brady, fellow league members are going to salivate at the idea of owning the most involved piece of the Patriots offense from Brady's 2016 debut.
His value will never be higher. This is a great opportunity to get some depth or another solid starter.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Coming off a 227-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Dallas Cowboys' 28-14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, it's time to unload Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
The story to this point has been his ability to avoid interceptions, still having not thrown one in 155 attempts.
In Week 6, Prescott will be going up against the Green Bay Packers. After that, the Cowboys will have a bye week. After that, it is assumed that fellow quarterback Tony Romo will take back over, thus putting Prescott on the bench. Unload him quickly while he still has some value.
Hunter Henry, TE, San Diego Chargers
I was thrilled when San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry scored a touchdown. Not only for fantasy-point reasons, but for his trade value.
Even with veteran Chargers tight end Antonio Gates back in the lineup, Henry caught three balls for 74 yards and a score—his second touchdown in the past two games.
With Gates back in the lineup, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers will definitely get him more involved, limiting Henry's upside moving forward.
Sell this one on the premise that he can still produce with Gates in the lineup and hope someone bites.
Buy-Low Targets
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After five weeks' time, many of your league members are going to consider cutting the cord on certain players, regardless of who they are.
This is where you spring into action and take advantage of them being irritated.
Many early-round picks haven't performed how we expected, whether it be because of them personally or other factors around them.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans
Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is having a tough go over the last three weeks. However, this is far from his fault.
Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler might be the worst quarterback in the NFL through the first five weeks if not for nine interceptions in two games by New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. It's almost mind-boggling how bad he has been.
As a result, Hopkins' production has suffered over the last three weeks, scoring a garbage-time touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5 to eke out some value.
Although the touchdown makes this harder to peg as a "buy low," Hopkins' price is still as low as it will get. We know he is a super talent. We just need Osweiler to have a pulse moving forward.
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears
Zero touchdowns through five games—that summarizes this season for Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
While the Bears have been forced to go to backup quarterback Brian Hoyer due to a Jay Cutler injury, Hoyer has had three straight 300-plus-yard, two-touchdown games. The production from the quarterback position is there, but it's not necessarily translating to Jeffery.
Jeffery has a unique skill set and is able to make a ton of freakish catches. The concerns with Jeffery over the years have been injury-related, but he's been relatively OK to this point. Jeffery is too good a player for this touchdownless streak to continue. Go out and see if you can get him.
Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Underwhelming. Injured. Frustrating. Those are three solid words to describe Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz's season so far.
I'm still buying, though.
It's not 2015 anymore, but Ertz was a clear focal point of the Eagles offense last season, as he was targeted over 100 times. This is a totally different coaching staff and a new quarterback, but it doesn't matter—we cannot deny Ertz's talent and ability to serve as a security blanket, especially for a young quarterback.
Week 5 was a nice opportunity for Ertz, but he came up short. Down the stretch, Ertz will be fine. He's got to be quite cheap right now. If you're having tight end issues, look into Ertz.
Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Ownership percentages courtesy of Yahoo.
Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.
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