Mon Oct 12 12:02am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Maye has huge Week 5 game
This week was an all-or-nothing affair for fantasy teams. Some teams posted huge scores, while others really struggled to put points on the board. The scores seemed much more uneven than in recent weeks, thanks to some erratic performances from top fantasy players. Hopefully, you were on the winning side of things in Week 5.
Bucs 24, Cowboys 16
STUD: Bucky Irving. Irving had a monster game, showing he can carry the offense when needed. He ran 21 times for 165 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 10 yards and a touchdown. Irving finished with 31.5 fantasy points, his second game this season with 20-plus points. He is dominating the work at running back for the Bucs and producing some impressive numbers as their lead back.
DUD: CeeDee Lamb. Lamb suffered a quad injury during the game, but he played a good portion of it before getting hurt. He did little in that time, catching two passes for nine yards on five targets. Lamb had three straight games with 100-plus receiving yards before this showing. It was an unexpected dud from Lamb. You will also want to monitor his injury going forward.
News and Notes: George Pickens had his best game of the season, catching nine passes for 130 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. It was his first 100-yard performance of the year.
Jalon Daniels played well in his first NFL start. He completed 19-of-25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also ran seven times for 23 yards.
Jaguars 19, Eagles 17
STUD: Parker Washington. Washington bounced back in a big way after struggling last week. He had six receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He set season highs in receiving yards, touchdowns and fantasy points, finishing with 30.4. Washington has scored at least 13 fantasy points in three of four games. He is emerging as a dependable fantasy receiver with the potential for big performances.
DUD: Jalen Hurts. Hurts didn't play badly, but he did little to help fantasy teams. He completed 21-of-40 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also wasn't a factor on the ground, rushing twice for two yards. Hurts scored just 15.2 fantasy points and has finished with fewer than 16 points in three straight games. He is becoming a difficult player to trust in fantasy lineups.
News and Notes: Dallas Goedert returned from his knee injury and looked good. He caught six passes for 38 yards, leading the team in receptions.
Will Shipley made his first NFL start but had to leave the game with a foot injury. He ran five times for six yards and a touchdown before getting hurt. Dameon Pierce handled most of the work the rest of the way but did little, rushing 11 times for 14 yards.
Texans 26, Titans 3
STUD: C.J. Stroud. There weren't many great fantasy performances in this one, but Stroud had another solid showing. He completed 26-of-34 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also scored on the ground, rushing five times for six yards and a touchdown. Stroud finished with 23.6 fantasy points and has scored 20-plus points in four of five games. He has taken a big step forward this year in a suddenly pass-first Texans offense.
DUD: Carnell Tate. There were duds all over the place, but Tate tops the list. He was coming off the best game of his career but barely got involved this week, catching just one pass for six yards on five targets. The good news is that he still got some looks. The problem is that Cam Ward is struggling, making Tate a risky weekly fantasy play. Tate has scored fewer than eight fantasy points in three of five games.
News and Notes: David Montgomery left the game early with a groin injury. He had five carries for just 11 yards before exiting. Woody Marks stepped up as the lead back, rushing 15 times for 63 yards.
Wan'Dale Robinson was one of the few bright spots for the Titans. He caught six passes for 53 yards and has scored at least 11 fantasy points in three straight games.
Vikings 23, Saints 13
STUD: Justin Jefferson. Jefferson returned from his ankle injury and looked just fine. He caught six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown, his best performance since Week 1. Jefferson finished with 19.9 fantasy points, and his ankle didn't appear to hinder him. He should be ready to produce going forward.
DUD: Chris Olave. Olave had a rare down game, but it was somewhat expected against a very good Vikings defense. He caught four passes for just 46 yards, failing to reach double-digit fantasy points for the first time all year. Olave had at least 85 receiving yards in every game before this one. He should bounce back in more favorable matchups.
News and Notes: T.J. Hockenson was knocked out of the game early with a concussion. He caught one pass for seven yards before the injury.
Kendre Miller received more work at running back this week than Alvin Kamara. Miller ran 10 times for 30 yards and a touchdown, while Kamara had just three carries for 12 yards.
Packers 31, Bears 7
STUD: Christian Watson. Watson continued his breakout season, catching six passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. It was his second game of the season with more than 30 fantasy points, as he finished with 32.3. Watson now has two 100-yard games and three performances with at least 22 fantasy points. He is producing like an elite fantasy receiver in a suddenly pass-first Packers offense.
DUD: Tyson Bagent. The Bears had a rough day offensively, and Bagent struggled mightily. He completed 12-of-21 passes for just 87 yards and threw two interceptions. Bagent managed only 4.05 fantasy points before being benched late in the game for Case Keenum. Expect Caleb Williams to return to the starting lineup for the Bears in Week 6.
News and Notes: Matthew Golden had his second 100-yard game of the season, catching six passes for 123 yards on seven targets.
Marshawn Lloyd scored his first rushing touchdowns of the season. He ran 10 times for 31 yards and two touchdowns.
Patriots 45, Raiders 17
STUD: Drake Maye. Whatever was bothering Maye early in the season seems to be a thing of the past. He had one of the best fantasy performances by a quarterback all season, completing 26-of-34 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. He also added a rushing score, running six times for 26 yards and a touchdown. Maye finished with 43.2 fantasy points and now has two straight games with 30-plus points.
DUD: Romeo Doubs. The Patriots produced all sorts of fantasy points, but Doubs barely got any of them. After emerging in recent weeks as a top target in the passing game with A.J. Brown out, Doubs was largely forgotten in this one. It was a shock to see him finish with just one catch for 16 yards. Doubs showed that he might not be a sure thing in this offense just yet.
News and Notes: Ashton Jeanty was questionable to play but suited up and handled most of the work at running back until the game got out of hand. He rushed 10 times for 27 yards and caught three passes for 50 yards.
Brock Bowers continued to post huge numbers, catching eight passes for 110 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. He has scored 20-plus fantasy points in all three games he has played this season.
Steelers 34, Colts 22
STUD: Jaylen Warren. Warren has emerged as an elite fantasy back with Rico Dowdle out of the lineup. He had 15 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team in receiving, catching six passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. Warren has totaled 100-plus yards in three straight games and scored a season-high 36.8 fantasy points in this one.
DUD: DK Metcalf. Metcalf had been trending up, but that wasn't the case in this game. He caught just three passes for 12 yards after posting double-digit fantasy points in each of his previous two games. Metcalf managed only 5.3 fantasy points and continues to be much more inconsistent than fantasy owners would like.
News and Notes: Aaron Rodgers had his third straight game with three passing touchdowns. He completed 22-of-31 passes for 235 yards and three scores without a turnover. Rodgers has become a viable fantasy option.
Rookie Germie Bernard caught six passes for 80 yards on nine targets. All three were career highs for the rookie receiver.
Bengals 31, Dolphins 24
STUD: Ja'Marr Chase. Chase was cleared from his concussion before the game and delivered another strong performance. He caught six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, finishing with 19.7 fantasy points. He has scored at least 19 points in three of four games. As long as he is healthy, Chase will always be in the conversation as one of the top fantasy receivers in the game.
DUD: Chase Brown. Brown had a rare poor showing for fantasy owners. He ran 13 times for just 39 yards and caught three passes for 21 yards. He scored a season-low 8.0 fantasy points and even finished with one fewer carry than backup Samaje Perine. Brown's recent production is becoming a little concerning, as he has scored fewer than 10 fantasy points in two of his last three games.
News and Notes: Ollie Gordon continued to show well in a starting role for the Dolphins. He ran 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Tee Higgins played through his various injuries but was relatively quiet, finishing with just two receptions for 22 yards. You have to wonder how much his injuries affected his performance.
Jets 17, Browns 12
STUD: Garrett Wilson. Wilson returned to his early-season form after a down game last week. He caught seven passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. Wilson has scored a touchdown in three of four games and recorded two 100-yard performances during that span. Outside of his poor showing in Week 4, he has been producing big numbers on a weekly basis.
DUD: Kenyon Sadiq. Sadiq caught just two passes for three yards and had limited opportunities for the second straight game. He also had to leave early because of a possible concussion. Sadiq has just two catches on seven targets over his last two games. He scored double-digit fantasy points in two of his first three games, but his recent performances have made him difficult to trust.
News and Notes: KC Concepcion took a brutal hit in the first half and missed the rest of the game. He likely suffered a concussion and had one catch for five yards before the injury.
Braelon Allen had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, running 24 times for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Giants 27, Commanders 27
STUD: Isaiah Likely. Likely got banged up late in the game but put up great numbers before leaving. He caught 11 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with 32.4 fantasy points. It was his second game of the season with at least 27 fantasy points. Likely is enjoying his move to New York, where he has a chance to be the Giants' lead tight end.
DUD: Cam Skattebo. Skattebo didn't do much once again, rushing 13 times for 59 yards and catching two passes for 12 yards. He also lost a key fumble late in the game with the Giants in field goal range to win it. Skattebo managed just 8.1 fantasy points, failing to reach double-digit points in two straight games and three of his last four. He is trending in the wrong direction right now.
News and Notes: Malik Nabers was nearly as productive as his teammate, finishing with 11 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Nabers has recorded 100-plus receiving yards in two straight games.
Jayden Daniels returned from his dislocated elbow and looked good. He completed 17-of-25 passes for 199 yards and made a huge impact on the ground, rushing nine times for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
Broncos 23, Chargers 17
STUD: J.K. Dobbins. This game featured very little offense, but Dobbins was one of the few bright spots. He rushed 18 times for 68 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for six yards. Dobbins finished with a season-high 15.4 fantasy points, his first double-digit performance of the season. This was the first game with head coach Sean Payton calling plays this year, so perhaps that bodes well for Dobbins going forward.
DUD: Omarion Hampton. There were more duds than studs in this one, but Hampton might have been the most disappointing once again. He received more carries but managed just 33 yards on 14 attempts. Hampton finished with a season-low 4.9 fantasy points and has scored fewer than six points in two of his last three games. He is shaping up to be one of the biggest busts of the season.
News and Notes: Tre Harris caught two passes for 16 yards before leaving the game with a hamstring injury. He was one of the few healthy receivers left for the Chargers, but he joined the team's growing list of injured wideouts.
Justin Herbert threw for just 122 yards, finishing with a touchdown and an interception. Herbert has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in two straight games and three of his last four.
Lions 45, Cardinals 21
STUD: Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs continues to show why so many fantasy owners took him first overall. He had another huge game, rushing 25 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 56 yards, giving him 207 total yards. Gibbs scored 37.7 fantasy points, which wasn't even his highest total of the season. He now has three games with at least 34 fantasy points.
DUD: Jeremiyah Love. Love continued his disappointing rookie season. He got some work but failed to do much with it, rushing 12 times for just 22 yards without a reception. Love had his worst fantasy performance of the season, scoring just 2.2 points. He has scored fewer than eight fantasy points in two straight games and three of his last four. His ceiling is high, but he is becoming difficult to start right now.
News and Notes: Kendrick Bourne moved into a starting role following news that Marvin Harrison was traded. Bourne led the team in receiving yards, finishing with five receptions for 70 yards.
Jared Goff completed 19-of-30 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran for a score, giving him his second four-touchdown game of the season.
49ers 32, Seahawks 29
STUD: Mike Evans. Evans might not be completely healthy with sore ribs, but he certainly isn't showing it. He caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown while also converting a two-point try. Evans made big play after big play and finished with a season-high 26.3 fantasy points. He has scored at least 12 fantasy points in three straight games and four of five this season. Evans just never seems to slow down, finding ways to produce on a weekly basis.
DUD: Brock Purdy. Purdy didn't play a bad game, leading the 49ers to a huge road victory, but his numbers weren't up to his usual standards. He failed to reach 20 fantasy points for the first time all season, throwing for just 189 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. It was a tough matchup for Purdy, so don't get too down on him.
News and Notes: Deebo Samuel left the game early after taking a huge hit on a kick return. He had two receptions for 21 yards and two carries for four yards before getting hurt.
Emanuel Wilson found the end zone for the second straight game. He ran 20 times for 61 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for 11 yards.
Ravens 30, Falcons 23
STUD: Tyler Huntley. Huntley played a great game, getting the start because of Lamar Jackson's injury. He accounted for three total touchdowns, completing 24-of-32 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran six times for 20 yards and a score. Huntley finished with an impressive 26.05 fantasy points and could be worth a look for fantasy teams if he gets another start next week.
DUD: Bijan Robinson. This game wasn't a complete disaster for Robinson, but he didn't perform at the level fantasy owners have come to expect. He rushed for 86 yards and caught four passes for 32 yards. Robinson finished with 15.8 fantasy points, his lowest total since Week 2. He had scored at least 27 points in each of his previous two games. It wasn't a terrible performance, but you simply expect more from Robinson.
News and Notes: Michael Penix was injured late in the game, leaving with what appeared to be a rib injury after taking a huge hit. Before exiting, Penix completed 19-of-32 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown without a turnover.
Drake London reached the 100-yard mark for the second time in three games. He caught seven passes for 118 yards on 10 targets.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
The Los Angeles Chargers worked out free-agent wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Tuesday, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Quentin Johnston (chest) missed the Week 5 loss to the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sunday, and although Ladd McConkey (foot) was active, he was only available in an emergency situation and did not play a single offensive snap. Injuries to the wideout position continued in Sunday's loss, too, as Tre' Harris left with a hamstring injury and did not return. He is considered week-to-week with a Week 7 divisional tilt on the road coming this Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs. With all of the injuries at the position, tight end Charlie Kolar led the Bolts in receiving in the 23-17 loss to Denver. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Theo Wease Jr. were forced into significant snaps last weekend and could be forced to do so again if Harris and Johnston do not play. The 29-year-old Smith-Schuster continues to look for another chance to play in 2026, and it could come in L.A. The former Pro Bowler in 2018 played in 17 games (12 starts) with the Chiefs last year and caught 33 of 45 targets for 345 yards and one touchdown. Smith-Schuster becoming fantasy-relevant in standard 12-team fantasy leagues is likely a long shot if he lands in L.A.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady said on Tuesday that star running back James Cook III could be in danger of losing carries in the backfield if his ball-security issues continue, according to Bills insider Alex Brasky. "We're putting the ball in harm's way. It's negating all the positive. I have confidence in him. At some point there has to be consequences. It's gotta improve or the carries are gonna decrease," Brady said. The 27-year-old had a big night in the overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night in Week 5, carrying the ball 10 times for 121 yards and a touchdown while adding one catch for seven yards, but he put the ball on the ground twice, losing one in overtime that luckily did not cost the Bills the game. Cook continued to pick up chunk gains on the ground for Buffalo against an underperforming Rams defense, and he is already up to five rushing TDs through five games after scoring 28 times on the ground in the last two years. He has three straight 1,000-yard seasons and already had reached the 100-yard mark in three of five games in 2026. Cook is a must-start RB1 in fantasy, but Ty Johnson and Ray Davis could steal more work away if the fumbles continue to happen.
From RotoBaller
Reports have surfaced this week that free-agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) is close to signing with a team, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Josh Moser that "it's a fluid situation." "I think a deal could happen anytime." Hill and Rosenhaus have been taking their time in trying to find his next team, and health-wise, the Cheetah is feeling good after he played in just four games last year for the Miami Dolphins before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Rosenhaus said Hill is looking to play for a contender that needs help at the receiver position, which describes his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Some folks around the league believe that if Hill resurfaces in the NFL this year, it will be with the Chiefs, who drafted the 32-year-old speedster in the fifth round in 2016 from West Alabama. Making his potential return even more cloudy is an off-the-field situation that the NFL is still investigating. Despite all of that, Hill is a worthy waiver-wire pickup going into Week 6 action, even though he still remains unsigned. Rosenhaus does not know that Hill is 100% on Tuesday, but "he's close."
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills head coach and play caller Joe Brady said, "I have not done a good enough job of getting him the ball," when asked about tight end Dalton Kincaid's limited usage on Tuesday. Kincaid got off to a red-hot start in 2026, recording 12 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets across his first two games. However, the 26-year-old's production has come crashing back down to earth lately, as he's logged just four catches for 52 yards on seven targets across the last three weeks. Kincaid has been a very efficient receiver on a per-target basis for most of his NFL career, but he's also had long stretches of minimal usage during his time with the Bills. Still, it appears as though Brady and the Bills' decision-makers are going to make an intentional effort to get Kincaid more involved. Despite his disappointing production in recent weeks, Kincaid remains a high-upside tight end option for fantasy managers heading into Week 6.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns have placed running back Raheim Sanders (hip) on Injured Reserve, per a team announcement. Sanders has served as the primary backup running back in Cleveland behind RB1 Quinshon Judkins (ankle) this season, recording 117 scrimmage yards on 20 touches across five games. However, Sanders will now miss the Browns' next four games at least. Judkins' availability for Week 6 is also in question, as he's dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered in Week 5. The Browns signed running back Audric Estime to replace Sanders on the active roster. If Judkins is forced to miss time, Estime and veteran back Jaleel McLaughlin could handle Cleveland's backfield work in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Jaleel McLaughlin has played a minimal role in his team's offense so far in 2026, recording just two carries for 31 yards and a touchdown across four games. However, the 26-year-old could be poised for a significant workload increase in Week 6 and beyond. The Browns placed RB2 Raheim Sanders (hip) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, guaranteeing that he will miss Cleveland's next four games. Additionally, starting running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) suffered an ankle injury in the Browns' Week 5 loss to the New York Jets, which could threaten his availability in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. Particularly in deeper league formats, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing McLaughlin off the waiver wire just in case he ends up leading the Cleveland backfield in Week 6.
From RotoBaller
Across five games so far in 2026, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy has recorded 16 catches for 194 yards on 27 targets. Flournoy has flashed upside, but his usage in Dallas is limited by the presence of star Cowboys wideouts George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb (quad). Lamb exited Dallas' Week 5 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a quad injury, but he is expected to be able to play in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers. Still, Flournoy's production upside if either Lamb or Pickens misses any time is clear. Even with Lamb playing a chunk of the game against Tampa Bay, Flournoy recorded 90 receiving yards on three catches. Particularly with Lamb already a little bit banged up, Flournoy profiles as a priority stash candidate for fantasy managers in most league formats.
From RotoBaller
Across five games so far in 2026, Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel has recorded 13 catches for 227 yards and one touchdown on 17 targets. The 24-year-old's production has trended positively of late, as he's hauled in eight catches for 126 yards and a score over his last two games. Houston acquired wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, which could push Noel back down the team's depth chart. However, Noel provides an explosive element from the slot that gives him a different skill set than Harrison Jr. and Texans WR1 Nico Collins. Houston's passing offense has also been effective so far this season, with quarterback C.J. Stroud averaging 37 pass attempts and 280 yards per game. In deeper league formats, Noel could be worth stashing off the waiver wire.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (hip, knee) is battling hip and knee injuries that limited his usage in the second half of his team's Week 5 loss to the Green Bay Packers, per Bears insider Ben Devine. Green Bay was blowing out Chicago, which may have influenced the team's decision to give Swift just one carry in the second half. Still, it appears as though the veteran running back's availability for the Bears' Week 6 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons could be in question. Fellow Chicago running back Kyle Monangai (toe, thumb) missed Week 5 with turf toe and could also be at risk of being sidelined in Week 6. With Swift and Monangai's health status in doubt, Bears RB3 Roschon Johnson could be a worthwhile deep-league waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) is back on the practice field, but there is still too much uncertainty surrounding his role to consider him a priority waiver addition for Week 6. Houston opened his 21-day practice window on October 6, and Dell was limited Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out Friday's practice and being ruled out against Tennessee. He hasn't played since suffering a severe knee injury in December 2024, though his first two NFL seasons demonstrated his potential with 98 receptions for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns across 25 games. The receiving corps awaiting him looks considerably different, however, after Houston acquired Marvin Harrison Jr. from Arizona on Monday. Nico Collins remains a prominent part of the passing attack, while Jaylin Noel strengthened his case for additional opportunities by catching five passes for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Titans in Week 5. Dell's eventual workload remains difficult to project, especially after such a lengthy absence. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues with an available IR spot can justify stashing him while Houston determines when he's ready to return and how he fits into its crowded receiving rotation.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat is being suspended for two games for violating the NFL's Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, per Bears insider Ben Devine. Sweat has recorded two sacks and four QB hits across the first five games of 2026. The 30-year-old is in the second-to-last season of a four-year, $98 million extension he signed with Chicago ahead of the 2024 season. Sweat recorded 10 sacks for the Bears in 2025 and has been a key piece of his team's defense in recent seasons. Through five weeks, Chicago's defense currently ranks 11th in the NFL with 12 sacks. With Sweat sidelined, the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots will have an easier task against Chicago over the next two weeks.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Bills running back James Cook had 111 rushing yards, one catch, seven receiving yards and two touchdowns in a win against the Rams. Dynasty Analysis: He also fumbled twice, including one late gaffe that nearly cost Buffalo the game. Cook was distraught on the sidelines after his second mistake but was saved when the Bills blocked an overtime field goal. On the plus side, the Bills stuck with him in overtime and he posted huge numbers in dynasty leagues. The fumbling needs to stop but Cook will continue being an elite RB1 moving forward.
Dynasty | Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 12-of-19 passes for 210 yards with one touchdown and one interception and added 121 rushing yards and another rushing touchdown in a win against the Rams. Dynasty Analysis: Few quarterbacks have ever been able to do what Allen can in fantasy and reality. While the Bills passing attack was off most of the night, Allen was able to find rushing lanes repeatedly and took advantage by bullying his way for big gains. Allen will remain an elite option in dynasty leagues for the foreseeable future.
Dynasty | Rams receiver Puka Nacua caught 17-of-24 targets for 138 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Bills. Dynasty Analysis: The 24 targets were tied for third most in NFL history for a single game behind only Brandon Marshall (28) and Chris Chambers (26). You can say Nacua is healthy again. Matthew Stafford just locked onto his top target and seemingly threw him the ball every time. While this kind of volume isn't sustainable, Nacua left the game healthy and should resume his role as an every week start.
Dynasty | Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 40-of-54 passes for 383 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in a loss to the Bills. Dynasty Analysis: Stafford's 383 passing yards led the league this week as he found Puka Nacua a whopping 17 times and Davante Adams in the end zone twice. When he has his full complement of players, Stafford can put up video game numbers on any given week and did so on Monday night. He remains an elite-level QB1 option for contending dynasty teams as we know any season could be his last.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling could see another substantial snap share in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs, although his fantasy appeal remains limited to deeper leagues. With Quentin Johnston (chest) and Brenen Thompson (quadriceps) sidelined, Ladd McConkey (foot) available only for emergencies, and Tre' Harris (hamstring) exiting early, Valdes-Scantling played 75% of the offensive snaps in Sunday's 23-17 loss to Denver. Despite the expanded playing time, he caught just two passes for 22 yards on three targets and has only five targets across three appearances this season. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh indicated Monday that McConkey could begin working back into the mix this week, while Johnston may remain limited in practice. Valdes-Scantling could continue seeing significant playing time if those injuries persist, but his lack of targets makes him difficult to trust in fantasy lineups. Managers in leagues with 14 or more teams can consider him for temporary receiver depth, although there's little incentive to invest heavily in a player who could see his opportunities disappear once the Chargers get healthier. Los Angeles also has a Week 7 bye approaching.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals veteran running back James Conner (foot) is getting close to a return but is not quite ready yet, sources told John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. The Cardinals already have rookie first-rounder Jeremiyah Love, Tyler Allgeier, and Bam Knight on their active roster at the position, so it will be hard to find a spot for Conner and get him any run when he is ready for his 2026 season debut. Gambadoro writes that Conner is basically an insurance policy coming off injury. He can practice, but he is unlikely to get 10 carries a game upon his return. Gambadoro believes that it is more likely that Conner is not moved at the Nov. 10 trade deadline. The Cardinals are not expected to open the 31-year-old's 21-day practice window this week, so he is unlikely to return for the Week 6 contest against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. Conner played in only three games last year before suffering a season-ending right-foot injury that required surgery. Unless injuries strike Arizona's backfield or Conner gets traded to a more favorable situation, the odds of him carving out any fantasy value in 2026 appear remote right now.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders (hip) has a potential opportunity for additional work in Week 6 against Baltimore, but his own health could prevent him from taking advantage. Sanders exited Sunday's 17-12 loss to the New York Jets after recording three carries for 12 yards and one reception for one yard. Quinshon Judkins (ankle) was also seen wearing a walking boot following the game, although head coach Todd Monken described him as day-to-day Monday and did not rule him out against the Ravens. Sanders has operated as Cleveland's primary backup with Dylan Sampson (knee) on injured reserve, catching 11 passes for 74 yards through five games while handling just nine carries. The Browns could open Sampson's practice window this week and are reportedly adding Audric Estime, further complicating the backfield alongside Jaleel McLaughlin. Sanders would become more interesting if Judkins misses time, provided his hip injury doesn't limit him. For now, he's a speculative stash in deeper PPR leagues rather than someone fantasy managers should count on starting in Week 6.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson caught five passes in Sunday's 31-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers, but all five receptions came in the fourth quarter with Chicago trailing by 24 points. Johnson finished with 34 receiving yards on seven targets and added just six yards on five carries, making his receiving production considerably less encouraging than the box score might suggest. He played a season-high 27 offensive snaps while Kyle Monangai (toe) was sidelined, although D'Andre Swift remained the primary option in Chicago's backfield. Monangai is considered week-to-week, potentially keeping Johnson in the backup role for Sunday's matchup against Atlanta. There is still little evidence of reliable standalone fantasy value, with Johnson managing only nine carries for 22 yards through five games. His increased playing time could lead to additional opportunities if Monangai remains unavailable, but counting on another seven-target outing would be risky. Rostered in just 5% of leagues according to RotoBaller's Week 6 waiver rankings, Johnson is worth considering in 14-team formats as a speculative depth option rather than an immediate fantasy starter.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar returned from a fractured forearm to lead the team with 37 receiving yards in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Denver Broncos, although his performance wasn't without problems. Kolar caught three of four targets, but lost a fumble following a 19-yard reception on Los Angeles' opening possession that helped set up Denver's first touchdown. The veteran has now caught six passes for 58 yards without a touchdown across three appearances this season. His increased involvement came with Quentin Johnston (chest) and Brenen Thompson (quadriceps) sidelined, leaving the Chargers short on receiving options. David Njoku remains on injured reserve, although Oronde Gadsden II continues to compete for playing time, and Hayden Rucci caught the team's lone passing touchdown against Denver. Kolar has an opportunity to build on Sunday's production against Kansas City in Week 6, but his limited receiving history makes him difficult to trust. Rostered in just 1% of leagues, he's an emergency streaming consideration in 14-team formats, particularly with the Chargers heading into their Week 7 bye.
From RotoBaller