After four weeks of defense-dominated, low-scoring fantasy weeks, we finally enjoyed a taste in Week 5 of what offensive points look like, especially for quarterbacks and tight ends.
Of the 13 games from Thursday to Sunday, nine teams scored 30 or more points – three games included both teams scoring 30-plus. Tight ends came alive, too, posting a season-best 15 touchdowns and making a statement for the league’s most stagnant fantasy position.
Let’s hope it’s the start of more to come.
Fantasy football risers
Los Angeles Rams WR Jordan Whittington – An obscure sixth-round rookie who was forced up the depth chart with injuries to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, Whittington has stepped up in the last couple weeks as a chain-moving receiver. In the last two games, Whittington has been pushed front and center by being targeted 18 times, catching 13 passes for 151 yards. The Rams are on bye this week, so you can lay in wait, but both Kupp and Nacua aren’t coming back together any time soon.
Dallas Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle – Ezekiel Elliott was a late-round flyer drafted in hopes of capturing past glory. Those days are over. Dowdle has outperformed Elliott in each of the last four games and made his statement Sunday night. Dowdle ran 20 times for 87 yards and scored his second receiving touchdown in as many weeks. It may be time for Dowdle to jump from the back of your roster to the starting lineup.
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Tank Bigsby – Travis Etienne has never been a big enough fantasy star to handcuff with his backup. Over the last two games, Bigsby has taken over the Jags offense. In those two games, Bigsby has rushed just 20 times for 192 yards and two touchdowns, relegating Etienne — an RB1 on draft day — to a receiving back. You can never have too many running backs, and Bigsby looks like someone you want on your roster.
Green Bay Packers TE Tucker Kraft – The Packers have talked a lot about Kraft as being their version of Travis Kelce. He came on strong late last year, but, in the last two games with Jordan Love back from injury, Kraft has a focus of Green Bay’s offense. Kraft has been targeted 14 times, catching 10 passes for 141 yards and three touchdowns. If you have TE problems, Kraft can counted on as the dice roll you need.
New York Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. – In the post-Saquon Barkley era, the Giants opted to go with journeyman Devin Singletary to be their primary back. That continued until he was hurt. Tracy received an opportunity when Singletary was ruled out Sunday. He responded with 18 carries for 129 yards. Starters lose their jobs due to injury all the time. Tracy may find himself vaulted into a prominent role in the Giants offense, which brings fantasy value.
Fantasy football fallers
San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel – Samuel was off to a hot start, but missed Week 3 due to injury, which moved him to the fantasy bench by force, not choice. In the last two games since returning from injury, Samuel has posted weekly fantasy points of 10.2 and 3.0 – not the kind of numbers that guarantee you a spot in a fantasy lineup. He won’t be benched, but the 49ers receivers aren’t auto-starts anymore.
New York Jets RB Breece Hall – For the first three weeks, Hall did enough to live up to his top five draft status. Over the last two weeks, it’s been another story. Hall has posted weeks of just 3.8 and 6.7 points over the last two games. Granted, it was against Denver and Minnesota, but for somebody who should be unbenchable, barring injury, his ownership of the Jets offense is diminishing – much less if Davante Adams shows up.
Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle – In the three games since Tua Tagovailoa went down, Waddle’s output has been 6.6, 7.6, and 8.6. While it’s showing modest improvement, those are bench-worthy numbers. You can’t bench Tyreek Hill given the investment made in him. Waddle is another story. If you have a better option, it’s time to use it.
Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley – Ridley has been a star wherever he has played, but in his last two games, he has been targeted just six times, catching two passes for 14 yards. The next big game Ridley has will be on someone’s bench. Seeing as he is sixth on his own team in receptions in an offense struggling to throw, expect to see Ridley on the waiver wire more often as the weeks go by.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens – Pickens was viewed as a solid WR3/flex weekly play coming into the season. A lot has changed since then. The Steelers are an evolving offense, and Pickens’ weekly numbers have suffered: 4.9, 10.7, 18.3, and 5.6 over the last four weeks. One good week in four isn’t enough to keep a guy in fantasy lineups.
