Week 5 Rankings

Updated 10/5 3:15 PM ET. Removed Eric Decker and C.J. Anderson.

Updated 10/5 at 12:05 PM ET. Moved Reggie Bush up. Removed Vernon Davis. Moved Eric Decker and Ben Tate down.

Eras come and go in all walks of life. The hippie years. The Walkman generation. The age of the SUV. Comedians with weird haircuts who used props.

In sports, few eras have been as long and successful as the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick partnership in New England. Now in its 14th year, the coach/starter combo has produced 11 division titles, five conference championships, three Super Bowl titles, three Coach of the Year awards and two MVPs. In an age of parity, the world has remained flat in the AFC East.

But the dynamic duo is facing its first real crisis since Brady’s torn ACL cost him all but one quarter in 2008. The problem? Brady’s play. Brady is a 37-year-old future Hall-of-Famer, and member of the NFL’s 21st century Mt. Rushmore. That’s why it was so startling to see the Chiefs not only treat him like Chad Henne in Monday’s beatdown, but get away with it.

The film and stats are in chorus: Brady isn’t challenging defenses outside the numbers or down the field. He’s 1-of-16 on throws that have traveled 20-plus yards in the air, and averaging a comical 5.77 yards per attempt. He’s forcing passes into windows that don’t exist, and targeting the second level with about as much precision as a North Korean missile test. This has emboldened teams to bear down on the box, torpedoing not just the Patriots’ passing game, but their running attack, as well.

Yes, there are other problems at play. The Pats are getting league-worst pass blocking, while Belichick’s total inability to develop receivers who operate outside the slot has left Brady with almost no one to throw to. But these issues are a vicious circle, and a bit of a chicken/egg conundrum. Is Brady falling apart because his protectors are failing him? Or is his line under siege because defenses no longer fear Brady beating them for anything more than a five-yard pass?

It’s likely a mixture of both, but whatever it is, it has Brady playing the worst football of his legendary career, and on the outside looking in of QB1 status. That, of course, is not what fantasy owners had in mind when they made Brady the QB6 by ADP. Things will not get any easier in Week 5, when the Bengals’ elite defense rolls into Gillette Stadium. Only two teams are allowing fewer fantasy points to opposing signal callers, while the Bengals boast a league-best 5.4 YPA. They’re the only defense permitting fewer than six yards per attempt. That means Brady belongs on Week 5 benches, and the back-burner of your long-term quarterback plans. If you’re going to bet on a player to turn things around, it’s Tom Brady. But hope for the way things always were isn’t going to do you any good against the Bengals.

Week 5 Quarterbacks

QB Notes: Coming off his bye, Peyton Manning returns to an offense at full strength. Arizona boasts one of the league’s better pass defenses, but Manning will be right as rain at home with Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Julius Thomas and Wes Welker to throw to. Also working in Manning’s usual favor is the expected absence of CB Antonio Cromartie (bone bruise in knee). … For all the handwringing over his slow start, Drew Brees is still 10th in average fantasy points. That’s despite making three of his first four starts on the road, a place the Saints treat like The Road. The Bucs are surrendering a league-worst 8.7 yards per attempt, and 273 passing yards per game. The time to worry about Brees is not Week 5. … After a week of rest and relaxation against the Bears, Aaron Rodgers is back up to ninth in fantasy points per game. As judged by this ranking, I expect him to build on his huge Week 4, but it’s worth noting that the Vikings are allowing the fifth fewest fantasy points to rival QBs, while the game is taking place on fantasy wasteland Thursday evening.

Third in fantasy points per game, Philip Rivers gets a Jets defense allowing the fourth most points to enemy quarterbacks. Boasting a much-improved supporting cast on 2013, and a devolved running game, Rivers’ hot start has no end in sight. … If there’s a “criticism” of Andrew Luck’s hot start, it’s that it has come against a relatively unimposing slate of rival defenses. It’s not valid, of course, but Luck is facing by far his stiffest test of the young season against a Ravens defense coughing up just 16.6 QB fantasy points per game (29th). Luck is matchup proof, but his league-leading 32.1 PPG should take a hit in Week 5. … Not only has Matthew Stafford led his team to victory on the road against a Rex Ryan defense, but in a game where he posted a 0:3 TD:turnover ratio. This is a quarterback discovering consistency and the ability to win close contests. The addition of a legitimate No. 2 receiver in Golden Tate has helped, of course. The Bills are not an imposing matchup.

A year ago, Jay Cutler on the road against the Panthers’ defense would have been a horror show waiting to happen. But the Panthers’ pass rush has gone missing, while Ron Rivera’s defense is allowing the 12th most fantasy points to quarterbacks one year after allowing just 17 total passing scores. RCB Melvin White has been benched for Josh Norman. With Brandon Marshall rounding back to full health, Cutler is a safe top-10 play. … Quietly sixth in the league in passing with 1,092 yards, Ben Roethlisberger gets Week 5 target practice against a team allowing the most passing yards in the league, as well as the most quarterback fantasy points. There’s nothing flimsy about Big Ben’s top-eight ranking. … Russell Wilson finds himself 12th in average fantasy points despite averaging just 29 pass attempts per game. He’s also faced three of the best teams in the NFL in the Packers, Chargers and Broncos. The Redskins are not one of the best teams in the NFL, and are more susceptible to the pass than ever after losing DeAngelo Hall (Achilles’) for the season.

Matt Ryan’s home TD:INT ratio is 6:0. Road? 4:5. Now he must travel to the Meadowlands to take on a Giants defense fresh off sending Kirk Cousins back to the stone age. He's also adjusting to life without C Joe Hawley and RT Lamar Holmes. Julio Jones, Roddy White and volume keep Ryan locked in as a QB1 on the road, but he’s not the same player he is in the Georgia Dome. … Nick Foles’ performance finally caught up with his numbers in Week 4, where he was indecisive and erratic behind Philly’s makeshift offensive line against San Francisco’s still-stout defense. In theory, the Rams are a plus matchup, but even with RT Lane Johnson returning, the Eagles could be just the opponent the Rams need to get their pass rush going. Meanwhile, Foles’ 57.8 completion percentage is a little harder to ignore after last week’s shellacking. Foles is all but guaranteed of weekly top-12 finishes in Chip Kelly’s offense, but don’t expect the sledding to be as easy as “Rams/Eagles” would suggest. … The Panthers aren’t yet ready to “unleash” Cam Newton — who’s averaging just 2.6 rushes per game — but his passing keeps him on the QB1 radar against a Bears defense that is not a benchable matchup at home.

I’ve already apologized for prematurely RIPing Eli Manning in the preseason — one of my biggest blunders in recent memory — but let me say it again: Manning is back, and living out his Philip Rivers-esque reinvention just as the Giants envisioned. He should have fun against a Falcons defense allowing 28.3 points per game, and 32.5 on the road. … Tony Romo is managing games. DeMarco Murray is the Cowboys’ quarterback now. Romo is a high-end QB2, but a QB2 nonetheless. … The Patriots may be reeling, but only the Lions are allowing fewer fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. It’s not a good road matchup for Andy Dalton. … Joe Flacco is quietly No. 15 in fantasy points per week. It’s an average he should maintain at home against the Colts. … Blake Bortles has an appealing matchup on paper, but a rookie quarterback making his second career start against Dick LeBeau? Tread lightly, no matter how banged up the Steelers’ defense is. … Don’t be surprised if Austin Davis maintains streamer appeal all season long. … Kyle Orton will be better than E.J. Manuel, but the Lions are a rude welcome for his 2014.

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Week 5 Running Backs

RB Notes: DeMarco Murray has 156 more yards rushing than any player in football. He’s on pace for 2,136, which would break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record by 31. Murray is an injury risk, but he’ll likely finish as fantasy’s No. 1 back if he can stay on the field. … Le’Veon Bell, meanwhile, is on pace for 2,280 yards from scrimmage, which would be 12th most all time. He’s yet to manage fewer than 107 total yards this season. … Matt Forte snapped out of his slow start in Week 4, and now gets a Panthers defense getting destroyed by the run one year after owning it. Carolina is silver-plattering a hard-to-fathom 5.68 yards per carry. … Marshawn Lynch is averaging 4.5 yards per carry, and 78 yards and one score per game. Beast Mode is going to Beast Mode against the Redskins’ supposedly improved run defense. … Coming off a Week 4 where he was rested against the Redskins, Rashad Jennings is ready to soak up touches against the Falcons, who are allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Andre Williams is not a concern for Jennings’ RB1 status.

Jamaal Charles returned from injury exile to lead all Week 4 running backs in fantasy points. The concern, if there was one, was Knile Davis piling up 119 yards on 17 touches. Davis has given the Chiefs almost no choice but to expand his role, but with his fumbling and passing-game issues, it won’t be in the red zone. That means even if Charles surrenders a few carries to his talented backup, he’ll still have the work that makes fantasy owners their money. … As I wrote on Monday, LeSean McCoy is off reputation scholarship. We have to go on what we’re seeing this season, and that’s a back getting abominable blocking, and averaging 1.34 yards over his past 29 carries. The return of mauling RT Lane Johnson should help immensely, but C Jason Kelce and LG Evan Mathis remain irreplaceable absences. McCoy is too talented to shed his RB1 status, but this is not going to be the walk in the park 2013 was. … If you’ve been waiting to play Bishop Sankey, now is the time. … Darrin Reaves is this week’s No. 1 shot in the dark.

Jeremy Hill remains the going concern for Giovani Bernard, but averaging 22 touches and 111 yards per game, Bernard is an RB1 until further notice. There should be more than enough work to go around for both backs on Sunday, as the Pats have largely quarantined the pass while looking softer against the run. … In a week of muddled matchups for many in the RB1 conversation, Frank Gore gets the call against a Chiefs defense surrendering five yards per carry. Thus far, rookie backup Carlos Hyde has managed only 92 yards on 27 touches. Gore is averaging 4.37 yards per tote. … Eddie Lacy didn’t explode as expected/needed against the Bears, and is becoming a growing concern. But he’s a growing concern still locked into a huge role, and a strong weekly bet for a score in Green Bay’s high-powered offense. I’m willing to admit the RB1 ghost may have to be given up at some point, but I don’t think this is the week. The Vikings are 14th in running-back points against, and allowing a middling 4.0 yards per carry. … The Donald Brown dream died a quick death.

Montee Ball finds himself in much the same boat as Lacy, though his Week 5 matchup is more forbidding in Arizona. The scoring appeal is just so immense that he can’t yet be dropped down the map, especially with many of the backs directly behind him in this week’s ranks facing tough matchups of their own. … One of those backs is Alfred Morris, who is going to find running room very tough to come by against a Seahawks defense permitting a league-low 2.8 yards per carry. Volume keeps Morris afloat, but it won’t be a glamorous week. … Hang Andre Ellington’s hat on volume, lack of competition and the fact that he’s had a bye week to rest his troublesome foot. … Arian Foster (hamstring) is again shaping up as a game-time decision. Never let go of those two weeks where he was healthy. … Khiry Robinson turned 10 Week 4 touches into 105 yards. The volume and scoring chances should be there against the Bucs. … Ben Tate is apparently returning to his starting job, but don’t be surprised if he’s on a much-shorter leash than the coaching staff has intimated. He’s a high-risk RB2.

Matt Asiata has scored rushing touchdowns in two career games. He just so happens to have tallied three each time. Asiata has developed something of a cult following, and fervent defenders. But never lose sight of the fact that this is a back who’s averaged 3.55 yards over 94 lifetime totes. Asiata has a grip on early-down duties, but Jerick McKinnon is a threat. His ability wasn’t invented by fantasy writer fanboys. McKinnon piled up more yards from scrimmage than all but three backs last week, and on only 19 touches. The Asiata dream is going to live at least another week against the Packers, while his competence guarantees weekly work. Just don’t be surprised if McKinnon starts siphoning more and more of it. … Ahmad Bradshaw has made the most of his limited work this season, but is already battling a foot nick. He’ll be active for Week 5, but the Colts have made it clear Trent Richardson isn’t going anywhere. Bradshaw will be a strong bet for touchdowns as long as he’s on the field, but the Colts may now become extra vigilant about limiting his work in the name of health.

Week 5 Receivers

WR Notes: Antonio Brown has been uncoverable this season, and now gets a Jaguars defense that can’t cover anybody. … Second to Brown in receiver fantasy points? Jordy Nelson. Mike Zimmer has improved the Vikings’ pass defense, but not by much. Nelson stung the Vikings for 11/181/2 last season even though Aaron Rodgers wasn’t active for the sides’ second meeting. … Julio Jones has made it his 2014 mission to rip the lids off opposing defenses, notching a league-best 11 catches of 20 yards or longer. The Giants have a decent secondary, but lack anything resembling an answer for Julio. … Dez Bryant may be off to a “slow” start, but is still ninth in receiver fantasy points, and isn’t feeling the effects of Big D’s newly run-heavy offense. He’ll keep heating up. … We know Calvin Johnson (ankle) will be active against the Bills, but it’s unclear how robust his role will be after he was limited to decoy duties in Week 4. For what it’s worth, Megatron says he “definitely” feels better than he did last week.

Will Demaryius Thomas’ slow start continue against Patrick Peterson and the Cardinals? Peterson is just 76-of-100 in Pro Football Focus’ cornerback ratings, while the Broncos had an entire bye week to dream up ways to get the ball into Thomas’ hands. Consider that your answer. … The Patriots may be on the ropes, but no team is allowing fewer fantasy points to opposing receivers. A.J. Green is a “mere” mid-range WR1 for Week 5. … Completely over his hamstring issue, Alshon Jeffery has a strong matchup in a Panthers’ secondary that’s already resorting to mixing and matching starters. … A sort of Rob Gronkowski in a wide receiver’s body, Kelvin Benjamin is on pace for 84/1,316/12, and has drawn at least eight targets in all four games. He’s scored in 3-of-4 contests. Only six teams are allowing more fantasy points to enemy receivers than Chicago. Despite his, umm, work-in-progress hands, Benjamin is rapidly moving into the WR1 conversation. … All that being said, I may flip flop Benjamin and Brandon Marshall if Marshall proves by Friday that he hasn’t just made progress with his ankle injury, but major progress.

Coming off a breakout 10/135 performance, Keenan Allen gets a Jets defense allowing the third most fantasy points to wide receivers. One of these weeks, Eddie Royal and Malcom Floyd are going to stop taking Allen’s touchdowns. … Randall Cobb finally surpassed 60 yards in Week 4, and he did so with another two touchdowns. His arrow is pointing back in the right direction. … Emmanuel Sanders was not only dealing with the league’s best secondary in Week 3, but the return of Wes Welker. He responded with 11 catches for 149 yards. Matching Eric Decker’s WR8 finish from 2013 is not out of reach. … Percy Harvin has been a powder keg waiting to explode this season. Washington’s “secondary” may very well be the match. … Michael Crabtree (foot) appears to have escaped Week 4 without serious injury. … Steve Smith Sr. is averaging 6/107/0.75 on 10 targets. He leads all receivers with 196 yards after the catch. It’s kind of funny waiting on someone with Smith’s pedigree to slow down, but he has to at some point, right? Right? …

Michael Floyd has two 114-yard performances in three games, and leads the league in yards per catch at 22.9. The only question for Week 5 is if he’ll draw Aqib Talib. Floyd still has a strong chance at being a WR1 when it’s all said and done. … Roddy White has had trouble staying healthy this season, and corralled just 4-of-14 targets in Sunday’s embarrassing loss to the Vikings. In theory, he has immense WR2 upside, but I’m beginning to wonder if age has begun to take its toll. There’s a strong chance White will make me look stupid, I just haven’t been overly impressed with what I’ve seen thus far. … Golden Tate continues to operate as a poor man’s Antonio Brown, clearing five catches and 50 yards in all four games while putting himself on pace for 96 grabs and 1,268 yards. At least 5-6 touchdowns should eventually come. … Stuffing the stat sheet while averaging 9.5 targets, some of T.Y. Hilton’s big plays are going to start turning into touchdowns.

DeAndre Hopkins’ usage rate remains concerning — his 25 targets are tied for just 52nd in the league — but he’s been so efficient, it’s quite possible he’s played himself into more looks. There’s weekly bust potential here, but the boom has been well established. … Rueben Randle has drawn 10 targets in back-to-back games, and was inches away from two scores in Week 4. Although Larry Donnell inherited the earth against the Redskins, Randle’s time is almost here. … Kyle Orton should be an upgrade for Sammy Watkins, but it’s not as if the No. 4 overall pick suddenly has Joe Montana throwing him the ball. … Cordarrelle Patterson is off fantasy scholarship. He simply must grow more adept at creating his own space. It doesn’t matter how dangerous you are with the ball in your hands if your quarterback can’t get it there without smoke and mirrors. … The Week 5 matchup for DeSean Jackson couldn’t be much worse in a Seahawks secondary that doesn’t blow coverages. … Odell Beckham (hamstring) is not yet a consideration in 12-14 team leagues. … Brandon LaFell is worth a WR5/6 hail mary in 12-team leagues.

Week 5 Tight Ends

TE Notes: Jimmy Graham is on pace for 128 catches, 1,360 yards and 12 touchdowns. The first two numbers would both be new career highs. There’s been nothing slow about his start. … Julius Thomas led all tight ends in fantasy points before the Broncos went on bye in Week 4. The return of Wes Welker shouldn’t make much of a dent in his weekly ceiling. … Officially practicing in full after playing a season-high 62 percent of the Patriots’ snaps in Monday’s loss, Rob Gronkowski continues to move in the right direction. Even as he’s looked like a “weathered terminator,” he’s still managed three touchdowns in four games. The payoff is coming. … On pace for 116 catches, 1,180 yards and 16 touchdowns, Martellus Bennett leads all tight ends in fantasy points. That’s not sustainable, but he’ll remain a top-five option for as long as Brandon Marshall (ankle) is operating at less than 100 percent.

Even if you removed Larry Donnell’s touchdowns, he’d still be on pace for 100 catches and 944 yards. Since we’re not removing those, he’s on pace for 16 scores after boxing out and dominating in the end zone against the Redskins. The latest in a long line of tight ends Eli Manning loves to check down to, Donnell should fade a little, but not from TE1 status. … Delanie Walker’s 33 targets are third amongst tight ends. With Jake Locker (wrist) trending toward returning, Walker is out of the Charlie Whitehurst doldrums. … Jordan Cameron himself has admitted that his shoulder will be at constant threat of re-injury. He’s a TE1 whenever he takes the field, but someone who must be handcuffed. … Quietly, Heath Miller is on pace for 84/788/4. That’s bad news for a Jaguars team that’s been spectacularly inept at defending tight ends this season.

Travis Kelce is still a part-time player in the Chiefs’ offense, but he’s very much in the process of being unleashed, and staking his claim to every-week TE1 status. A truly unique athlete, Kelce’s Rob Gronkowski comparisons are merited. Kelce has as much upside as anyone at the position not named Jimmy Graham. … Vernon Davis (back) is day to day. … Zach Ertz is averaging just 4.75 targets. Although he’s on pace for 52/880/4, that’s a hard way to make a TE1 living. … Garrett Graham is a nice streaming option against a Cowboys defense that’s allowed more fantasy points to tight ends than any other team. … Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a player to keep a very close eye on after he played all 71 snaps in last week’s upset of the Steelers. … Eric Ebron still isn’t getting enough looks to make an impact in re-draft leagues.

Week 5 Kickers

Week 5 Defense/Special Teams

- 2 Jordy Nelson vs. MIN - 3 Julio Jones at NYG Probable (ankle) 4 Dez Bryant vs. HOU Probable (shoulder) 5 Calvin Johnson vs. BUF - 6 Demaryius Thomas vs. ARZ - 7 A.J. Green at NE Probable (toe) 8 Alshon Jeffery at CAR - 9 Kelvin Benjamin vs. CHI - 10 Brandon Marshall at CAR Probable (ankle) 11 Keenan Allen vs. NYJ - 12 Randall Cobb vs. MIN - 13 Emmanuel Sanders vs. ARZ - 14 Jeremy Maclin vs. STL Probable (hamstring) 15 Steve Smith Sr. at IND Probable (-) 16 Victor Cruz vs. ATL - 17 Percy Harvin at WAS - 18 Vincent Jackson at NO - 19 Michael Floyd at DEN - 20 Michael Crabtree vs. KC Probable (foot) 21 Roddy White at NYG - 22 Andre Johnson at DAL Questionable (ankle) 23 Golden Tate vs. BUF Probable (hamstring) 24 Julian Edelman vs. CIN - 25 T.Y. Hilton vs. BAL - 26 Brandin Cooks vs. TB - 27 Pierre Garcon vs. SEA - 28 DeAndre Hopkins at DAL - 29 Wes Welker vs. ARZ - 30 Rueben Randle vs. ATL - 31 Brian Quick at PHI - 32 Reggie Wayne vs. BAL - 33 Sammy Watkins at DET Probable (ribs) 34 Marques Colston vs. TB - 35 Cordarrelle Patterson at GB Probable (hip) 36 Larry Fitzgerald at DEN - 37 Markus Wheaton at JAC Probable (groin) 38 Eddie Royal vs. NYJ - 39 Terrance Williams vs. HOU - 40 Andrew Hawkins at TEN - 41 Allen Hurns vs. PIT - 42 Eric Decker at SD Questionable (hamstring) 43 Kendall Wright vs. CLE - 44 Greg Jennings at GB - 45 DeSean Jackson vs. SEA Probable (shoulder) 46 Torrey Smith at IND - 47 Dwayne Bowe at SF - 48 Allen Robinson vs. PIT - 49 Anquan Boldin vs. KC - 50 Justin Hunter vs. CLE - 51 Miles Austin at TEN - 52 John Brown at DEN - 53 Jordan Matthews vs. STL - 54 Jerricho Cotchery vs. CHI - 55 Mohamed Sanu at NE - 56 Malcom Floyd vs. NYJ - 57 Brandon LaFell vs. CIN - 58 Doug Baldwin at WAS - 59 Jarius Wright at GB - 60 Devin Hester at NYG Probable (ankle) 61 Riley Cooper vs. STL - 62 Kenny Stills vs. TB - 63 Jeremy Kerley at SD - 64 Davante Adams vs. MIN - 65 Louis Murphy at NO - 66 Stevie Johnson vs. KC - 67 Robert Woods at DET - 68 Mike Williams at DET - 69 Donte Moncrief vs. BAL - 70 Hakeem Nicks vs. BAL - 71 Stedman Bailey at PHI - 72 Andre Roberts vs. SEA - 73 Ace Sanders vs. PIT - 74 Odell Beckham vs. ATL Questionable (hamstring) 75 Aaron Dobson vs. CIN - 76 Greg Salas at SD - 77 A.J. Jenkins at SF -

WR Notes: Antonio Brown has been uncoverable this season, and now gets a Jaguars defense that can’t cover anybody. … Second to Brown in receiver fantasy points? Jordy Nelson. Mike Zimmer has improved the Vikings’ pass defense, but not by much. Nelson stung the Vikings for 11/181/2 last season even though Aaron Rodgers wasn’t active for the sides’ second meeting. … Julio Jones has made it his 2014 mission to rip the lids off opposing defenses, notching a league-best 11 catches of 20 yards or longer. The Giants have a decent secondary, but lack anything resembling an answer for Julio. … Dez Bryant may be off to a “slow” start, but is still ninth in receiver fantasy points, and isn’t feeling the effects of Big D’s newly run-heavy offense. He’ll keep heating up. … We know Calvin Johnson (ankle) will be active against the Bills, but it’s unclear how robust his role will be after he was limited to decoy duties in Week 4. For what it’s worth, Megatron says he “definitely” feels better than he did last week.

Will Demaryius Thomas’ slow start continue against Patrick Peterson and the Cardinals? Peterson is just 76-of-100 in Pro Football Focus’ cornerback ratings, while the Broncos had an entire bye week to dream up ways to get the ball into Thomas’ hands. Consider that your answer. … The Patriots may be on the ropes, but no team is allowing fewer fantasy points to opposing receivers. A.J. Green is a “mere” mid-range WR1 for Week 5. … Completely over his hamstring issue, Alshon Jeffery has a strong matchup in a Panthers’ secondary that’s already resorting to mixing and matching starters. … A sort of Rob Gronkowski in a wide receiver’s body, Kelvin Benjamin is on pace for 84/1,316/12, and has drawn at least eight targets in all four games. He’s scored in 3-of-4 contests. Only six teams are allowing more fantasy points to enemy receivers than Chicago. Despite his, umm, work-in-progress hands, Benjamin is rapidly moving into the WR1 conversation. … All that being said, I may flip flop Benjamin and Brandon Marshall if Marshall proves by Friday that he hasn’t just made progress with his ankle injury, but major progress.

Coming off a breakout 10/135 performance, Keenan Allen gets a Jets defense allowing the third most fantasy points to wide receivers. One of these weeks, Eddie Royal and Malcom Floyd are going to stop taking Allen’s touchdowns. … Randall Cobb finally surpassed 60 yards in Week 4, and he did so with another two touchdowns. His arrow is pointing back in the right direction. … Emmanuel Sanders was not only dealing with the league’s best secondary in Week 3, but the return of Wes Welker. He responded with 11 catches for 149 yards. Matching Eric Decker’s WR8 finish from 2013 is not out of reach. … Percy Harvin has been a powder keg waiting to explode this season. Washington’s “secondary” may very well be the match. … Michael Crabtree (foot) appears to have escaped Week 4 without serious injury. … Steve Smith Sr. is averaging 6/107/0.75 on 10 targets. He leads all receivers with 196 yards after the catch. It’s kind of funny waiting on someone with Smith’s pedigree to slow down, but he has to at some point, right? Right? …

Michael Floyd has two 114-yard performances in three games, and leads the league in yards per catch at 22.9. The only question for Week 5 is if he’ll draw Aqib Talib. Floyd still has a strong chance at being a WR1 when it’s all said and done. … Roddy White has had trouble staying healthy this season, and corralled just 4-of-14 targets in Sunday’s embarrassing loss to the Vikings. In theory, he has immense WR2 upside, but I’m beginning to wonder if age has begun to take its toll. There’s a strong chance White will make me look stupid, I just haven’t been overly impressed with what I’ve seen thus far. … Golden Tate continues to operate as a poor man’s Antonio Brown, clearing five catches and 50 yards in all four games while putting himself on pace for 96 grabs and 1,268 yards. At least 5-6 touchdowns should eventually come. … Stuffing the stat sheet while averaging 9.5 targets, some of T.Y. Hilton’s big plays are going to start turning into touchdowns.

DeAndre Hopkins’ usage rate remains concerning — his 25 targets are tied for just 52nd in the league — but he’s been so efficient, it’s quite possible he’s played himself into more looks. There’s weekly bust potential here, but the boom has been well established. … Rueben Randle has drawn 10 targets in back-to-back games, and was inches away from two scores in Week 4. Although Larry Donnell inherited the earth against the Redskins, Randle’s time is almost here. … Kyle Orton should be an upgrade for Sammy Watkins, but it’s not as if the No. 4 overall pick suddenly has Joe Montana throwing him the ball. … Cordarrelle Patterson is off fantasy scholarship. He simply must grow more adept at creating his own space. It doesn’t matter how dangerous you are with the ball in your hands if your quarterback can’t get it there without smoke and mirrors. … The Week 5 matchup for DeSean Jackson couldn’t be much worse in a Seahawks secondary that doesn’t blow coverages. … Odell Beckham (hamstring) is not yet a consideration in 12-14 team leagues. … Brandon LaFell is worth a WR5/6 hail mary in 12-team leagues.

Week 5 Tight Ends

TE Notes: Jimmy Graham is on pace for 128 catches, 1,360 yards and 12 touchdowns. The first two numbers would both be new career highs. There’s been nothing slow about his start. … Julius Thomas led all tight ends in fantasy points before the Broncos went on bye in Week 4. The return of Wes Welker shouldn’t make much of a dent in his weekly ceiling. … Officially practicing in full after playing a season-high 62 percent of the Patriots’ snaps in Monday’s loss, Rob Gronkowski continues to move in the right direction. Even as he’s looked like a “weathered terminator,” he’s still managed three touchdowns in four games. The payoff is coming. … On pace for 116 catches, 1,180 yards and 16 touchdowns, Martellus Bennett leads all tight ends in fantasy points. That’s not sustainable, but he’ll remain a top-five option for as long as Brandon Marshall (ankle) is operating at less than 100 percent.

Even if you removed Larry Donnell’s touchdowns, he’d still be on pace for 100 catches and 944 yards. Since we’re not removing those, he’s on pace for 16 scores after boxing out and dominating in the end zone against the Redskins. The latest in a long line of tight ends Eli Manning loves to check down to, Donnell should fade a little, but not from TE1 status. … Delanie Walker’s 33 targets are third amongst tight ends. With Jake Locker (wrist) trending toward returning, Walker is out of the Charlie Whitehurst doldrums. … Jordan Cameron himself has admitted that his shoulder will be at constant threat of re-injury. He’s a TE1 whenever he takes the field, but someone who must be handcuffed. … Quietly, Heath Miller is on pace for 84/788/4. That’s bad news for a Jaguars team that’s been spectacularly inept at defending tight ends this season.

Travis Kelce is still a part-time player in the Chiefs’ offense, but he’s very much in the process of being unleashed, and staking his claim to every-week TE1 status. A truly unique athlete, Kelce’s Rob Gronkowski comparisons are merited. Kelce has as much upside as anyone at the position not named Jimmy Graham. … Vernon Davis (back) is day to day. … Zach Ertz is averaging just 4.75 targets. Although he’s on pace for 52/880/4, that’s a hard way to make a TE1 living. … Garrett Graham is a nice streaming option against a Cowboys defense that’s allowed more fantasy points to tight ends than any other team. … Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a player to keep a very close eye on after he played all 71 snaps in last week’s upset of the Steelers. … Eric Ebron still isn’t getting enough looks to make an impact in re-draft leagues.

Week 5 Kickers

Week 5 Defense/Special Teams