Fantasy Football Week 5: Breakthrough Players Fantasy Owners Must Grab

It seemed as if this week was the breakthrough week for some of the more underrated talents in the NFL when it comes to putting up the big numbers.

Oakland Raiders stud wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was one of several players who were putting up numbers that inevitably turned the heads of a plethora of fantasy owners out there.

Here is Darrius Heyward Bey and the six most notable breakthrough performances of Week 5 in the NFL.

No. 6: Joel Dreessen, Houston Texans, TE

In Sunday's five-point loss to the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans tight end Joel Dreessen was a big reason why the team stood a chance.

For the game, Dreessen recorded 112 yards and a touchdown with five receptions on the day, three times more yards than he had recorded all season prior to the game.

With Andre Johnson out of the lineup for at least two weeks, expect Dreessen to only continue to produce.

No. 5 : Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks, WR

Many aren't necessarily aware of the young talent brewing in Seattle, as Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin proved his effectiveness in the Week 5 victory over the New York Giants in what was a big win for the team.

Baldwin was able to get plenty more looks, with wide receiver Mike Williams sidelined with a concussion. He is a young talent that is able to make plays that makes a living with his yards after the catch. In Sunday's game, Baldwin posted a whopping 136 yards to go along with eight catches on the afternoon.

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has gradually shown improvements as a starter in the league and will more than likely continue to look for Baldwin from now on this season.

No. 4: Curtis Painter, Indianapolis Colts, QB

Despite the Indianapolis Colts starting the season 0-5, Painter has shown he is ready for the challenge of being a starting quarterback in the league and has seemed to find his groove.

In the 24-28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Painter threw for an impressive 277 yards, two touchdowns and was 15-for-27 on the day.

Painter is no Manning, yet he certainly has shown he is capable of running a football team and has shown big time improvements with fantasy numbers. If you have a spot at the QB position or a QB with a bye-week, the guy with the brush could make out to be a solid second option.

No. 3: Darrius Heyward Bey, Oakland Raiders, WR

After recording just 49 yards receiving in the first two games of the season, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward Bey proved he is a fantasy player worth a start.

In a big win over the Andre Johnson-less Houston Texans, Heyward Bey put up 99 yards and a touchdown to help the Raiders grab another win on the season.

Note to fantasy owners: In the last two weeks, Heyward Bey has 214 yards and a touchdown to his name. Might be worth a pickup, wouldn't you say?

No. 2: Victor Cruz, New York Giants, WR

One thing we learned this week: New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is not a pretender; he's for real.

In the loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Cruz led the way for the Giants with 11 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown on the day. Talk about a heck of a performance for a guy most would say is good for no more than five to eight fantasy points a week.

No. 1: Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts, WR

Guess who's back?

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon had a game to remember on Sunday, going for 125 yards and two touchdowns on just five catches. You heard right, five catches.

Garcon was quite the reliable target for Peyton Manning last season and has finally shown signs of connecting with replacement quarterback Curtis Painter. The two might be a combo to look at going forward in the season, as they may well be two sleepers that fantasy owners should consider putting on their bench.