Week 5 Takeaways

New York Tight Ends Emerging

If you’re searching for tight end help, look no further than Mason Taylor and Theo Johnson, both likely still sitting on your waiver wire.

• Mason Taylor has posted back-to-back games with 65+ receiving yards, logging a 26% target share in each and running routes on 75%+ of dropbacks. He’s clearly the Jets’ No. 2 target behind Garrett Wilson.

• Theo Johnson has been equally impressive. After a 25% target share in Week 4, he tied for the team lead in targets this week and caught both of Jaxson Dart’s TD passes, maintaining a 76% route rate. Dart seems more comfortable leaning on Johnson than Russell Wilson was earlier this year.

Breece Hall Gets His Workload Back

Without Braelon Allen, Breece Hall reclaimed full control of the Jets' backfield:

• 14 carries for 113 yards, plus 4 catches for 42 yards

• 93% rushing share, 62% snap share, and 4/4 goal-line snaps

  
  

Hall has now logged four straight games with 4 receptions and 30+ receiving yards in four of five. With a favorable schedule ahead, Hall solidifies himself as a high-end RB2 moving forward.

New-Look Browns Offense

With Dillon Gabriel under center, the Browns leaned heavily on Quinshon Judkins and David Njoku:

• Judkins: 23 carries for 110 yards (and a 50+ yard TD called back), totaling 128 yards on 24 touches

• Njoku: 6 catches for 67 yards and a TD, commanding a 27% target share and 89% route rate (season-high)

As long as the Browns’ defense keeps games close, Judkins should remain their offensive engine. Isaiah Bond (7 targets) saw involvement but only caught two balls. Njoku, meanwhile, has re-entered the TE1 conversation.

Roles Reverse in the Texans' Backfield

A week after Woody Marks led the team with 21 touches, Nick Chubb took over:

1. Chubb: 11 carries, 61 yards, and a TD

2. Marks: 7 carries for 24 yards

   
   

Marks actually out-snapped Chubb 48% to 42% before garbage time, but Houston didn’t ride the hot hand this week. The Texans now head into a bye, and Marks remains a risky flex play until usage stabilizes.

Kendre Miller Trending Up

Kendre Miller continues to quietly carve out a role:

• Week 4: 32% snap share → Week 5: 39%

• 10 carries for 41 yards, plus one reception

• Kamara: 8 carries for 27 yards, 4 catches for 28

  
  

Miller out-carried Kamara and could continue to earn touches — especially if the Saints explore trading Kamara before the deadline. He should be rostered in all leagues.

Juwan Johnson Still Holding Value

Despite the return of Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau, Juwan Johnson’s 81% route rate held steady. He only saw 3 targets while playing through an injury, but he remains startable, especially next week against New England’s TE-friendly defense.

RJ Harvey Loses Ground Again

JK Dobbins reclaimed the Denver backfield with 20 carries, while RJ Harvey saw just 4 on 20% of snaps (down from 41%). Tyler Badie briefly worked ahead before leaving with a shoulder injury.

Unless the Broncos face negative game scripts, Harvey can’t be trusted in fantasy lineups.

Waddle & Waller Step Up

With Tyreek Hill sidelined, Jaylen Waddle and Darren Waller dominated targets:

• Waddle: 9 targets, 6 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD (WR8 finish pending MNF)

• Waller: 5 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD — 3 TDs in his last 2 games

Waddle has reclaimed WR2 status, while Waller is officially back in the elite TE mix.

Rico Dowdle’s Breakout Game

With Chuba Hubbard out, Rico Dowdle exploded for:

• 23 carries, 206 yards, 1 TD, plus 3 catches for 28 yards

  
  

That’s 26 touches for 234 yards — even against a weak Miami defense, that’s elite volume. If Hubbard remains sidelined, Dowdle is a strong RB2 next week against a Dallas defense that has struggled vs. RBs.

Rachaad White Controls Bucs Backfield

80% snap share, 18 touches (14 carries, 4 catches), 2 TDs

White continues to hold complete control of Tampa’s backfield. His efficiency remains subpar, but volume + goal-line work keeps him in the RB2 range, especially with Bucky Irving still out.

Emeka Egbuka Is Him

7 catches, 163 yards, 1 TD — Emeka Egbuka has arrived.

• Chris Godwin: 3 catches, 26 yards

• Tez Johnson: 4 catches, 59 yards

  
  

With Mike Evans sidelined, Egbuka has clearly separated as the alpha in Tampa’s WR room. He’s been a league-winning draft pick through five weeks.

Kenneth Walker Still Fighting Charbonnet

Even as Zach Charbonnet continues to out-snap him (34-26), Kenneth Walker keeps producing:

• Walker: 10 carries, 86 yards

• Charbonnet: 9 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD

  
  

Walker has outgained Charbonnet 167 to 75 rushing yards over the last two weeks. He’s playing too well to be limited much longer — patience should pay off soon.

Classic Calvin Ridley

Of course, Calvin Ridley exploded right after being benched by fantasy managers:

• 5 catches on 10 targets for 131 yards

  
  

After averaging 35 yards per game for three weeks, Ridley looked like his old self. Cautious optimism is warranted heading into next week vs. the Raiders.

Michael Carter’s Strong Start for Arizona

23 touches, 73 total yards, 1 TD, 5 receptions, and 57% of snaps.

Carter led the backfield in routes (49%) and targets (5) while Emari Demercado fumbled away a big-play TD. With Trey Benson sidelined, Carter has earned low-end RB2 status.

Omarion Hampton Injury Update

Omarion Hampton left Sunday’s game in a walking boot after his third straight 5+ catch performance.

If he misses time, expect a Hassan Haskins–Kimani Vidal committee — Haskins on early downs, Vidal in passing situations. That would cap both players’ upside heading into Week 6.

Bill Breaks Out

Bill finally had his statement game:

• 14 carries for 111 yards and 2 TDs, plus 2 catches for 39 yards

• 47% snap share, up from 31%

Bill’s 150-yard, 2-TD performance cements his place as a weekly RB2 option, even with Chris Rodriguez (5 carries) still involved.

Deebo Samuel Dominating

8 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD, 42% target share

Deebo is WR7 on the season, tied with George Pickens.

After being written off by many, he’s proven to be a fantasy steal and a core piece of the 49ers’ offense. Keep him locked in as a must-start WR1.

Ja’Marr Chase Delivers in Garbage Time

Two fourth-quarter TDs saved Chase’s day — 6 catches, 110 yards, 2 TDs.

While the performance was mostly in garbage time, it’s still encouraging to see volume and red-zone involvement. If you can sell high, now’s a reasonable window before tougher matchups.

Stefon Diggs’ Revenge Game

In his first game vs. Buffalo, Stefon Diggs erupted for 10 catches, 146 yards on 12 targets, despite running routes on just 64% of dropbacks. Expect that to climb back near 90% going forward.

Even without a TD, Diggs looked like a true WR1 again — and Drake Maye quietly had a great game, even without scoring.