Fantasy Football
With Trey Benson and James Conner both on Injured Reserve, Michael Carter stepped into a massive role in Week 5, handling 23 touches compared to five for Zonovan Knight and three for Emari Demercado. Demercado's costly mistake likely removed him from the coaches' trust, solidifying Carter as the trusted three-down back.
After Omarion Hampton's injury, Kimani Vidal saw more snaps and routes than Hassan Haskins in Week 5 despite similar carries. While Haskins is often listed as the backup, Vidal's usage shows he's more likely to be featured, especially as the Chargers may lean pass-heavy due to their weak offensive line. In this system, the receiving back holds more fantasy value, and Vidal appears to be that player. He offers the higher ceiling and is the top target in this backfield.
Although depth charts list Haskins as Hampton's backup, his role is tied heavily to special teams. In Week 5, Vidal out-snapped him and ran more routes, but Haskins still has potential value if given carries in a committee. He is the safer but lower-ceiling option compared to Vidal, making him a viable add in deeper leagues or as part of a strategy to own both Chargers backs.
Dowdle exploded in Week 5, finishing as the RB2 overall while Chuba Hubbard continued battling injury. His breakout performance earned him more playing time and changed his role from a handcuff to a legitimate weekly contributor. Even if Hubbard returns, Dowdle's dynamic play has likely forced the coaching staff to give him regular touches. He now has flex appeal with RB1 upside, regardless of Hubbard's status.
Doubs exploded in Week 4 with a dominant showing against Dallas: six receptions, 58 yards, and three touchdowns. He has scored four TDs in his first four games and leads the team in red-zone usage with 30% of the targets. Despite ranking fourth in passer rating when targeted, he remains available in over 55% of leagues. Doubs touchdown equity and lack of an alpha receiver in Green Bay make him Jordan Love's top red-zone option with strong weekly upside, especially in a favorable Week 6 matchup against Cincinnati.
With Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings sidelined in Week 5, Bourne stepped up with a career-high 10 catches for 142 yards. His production came with backup QB Mac Jones starting in place of injured Brock Purdy, showing immediate chemistry. Backup quarterbacks often lean on veteran receivers with precise routes, and Jones found consistency with Bourne. This dynamic makes him more than a short-term injury fill-in'he could be Jones' preferred target until the offense returns to full health.
Taylor has become the Jets' No. 2 passing option behind Garrett Wilson. In Week 5, he led the team with 12 targets, catching nine for 67 yards. His target share has grown every week, making him a reliable safety valve for a team often playing from behind. His consistent volume provides a safe PPR floor, which is rare at the tight end position.
Johnson thrives in the red zone, catching two touchdowns in Week 5 while rookie QB Jaxson Dart relied on him near the goal line. With top WR Malik Nabers sidelined, Johnson's role grew dramatically. He has nine red-zone targets this season, tied for third-most in the league, showing he's trusted when the Giants are close to scoring. He offers a boom-or-bust, touchdown-driven fantasy profile.
After a slow start, Waller has returned to form with back-to-back top-six tight end finishes. With Tyreek Hill out for the season, Waller's target volume is expected to grow further. Once left for dead by fantasy managers, he's now a must-add TE with top-tier upside in the Miami offense.
Stafford has been a top-eight fantasy QB in each of his last two games. Now in Week 6, he faces a Ravens defense riddled with injuries that has allowed 28 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs over the last two weeks. This matchup makes Stafford the top QB streaming option for managers with bye-week or injury issues.
Darnold has quietly been consistent, averaging 19.1 fantasy points over his last four games and never dipping below 15.8. He finished as QB3 overall in Week 5, proving he also has upside. His stability and recent production make him a dependable high-floor streaming option for Week 6.
The Packers defense returns from a bye into a dream matchup against the Bengals and struggling backup QB Jake Browning. Browning has been turnover-prone, and Green Bay's front excels at generating pressure. This combination creates top-tier streaming potential for Week 6, making them an excellent pickup.
