Throughout the NFL regular season, we'll meet here on Thursdays to break down the film from a fantasy football perspective. I'm looking for trends and tendencies on both side of the ball to give fantasy managers a jump when they set their weekly lineups. Schemes matter. So does offensive deployment in weekly matchups. And remember, the game tape always tells us a story.
Looking at the Week 5 slate, we'll start with a running back who looks pretty sharp on the tape and has a premium matchup. We'll also highlight an ascending wide receiver with big potential before finishing with a few question marks and players to monitor when you're watching the games this weekend.
All references to fantasy scoring are for PPR leagues unless otherwise noted.
Week 5 upgrades
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
You can play Hall as a lower-tier RB2 this week against a subpar Broncos defense. Through four weeks, the Broncos are giving up an average of 44 fantasy points per game to running backs. That's a big number. And Hall looks really fluid on the tape right now. He's a glider, with the ball carrier vision to find daylight. In Week 4, Hall saw just nine touches, which he turned into 9.9 points. But I have to believe the Jets will prioritize the run game here, while also deploying Hall underneath as a receiving option for quarterback Zach Wilson, who played good football in the Week 4 loss to the Chiefs.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
We are now seeing the receiving traits -- and explosive play ability -- of Collins because of the high-level quarterback play in Houston. Rookie QB C.J. Stroud is dialed in, the Texans are rolling with a savvy passing-game structure, and Collins is producing. In Week 4, Collins posted a breakout game, dropping 35.8 points on the Steelers, as he caught seven of nine targets for 168 yards and two scores. He also put up 27.6 points back in Week 2 and has seen at least nine targets in three of four games this season. You can roll with Collins as a mid-level WR2 on Sunday against the Falcons.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
I've moved LaPorta up to a mid-tier TE1 for this week's game versus Carolina. The route-running skills are easy to identify on the tape, and LaPorta is getting consistent target volume. He can create separation as a route-runner from multiple alignments and has the ability to rumble after the catch. Plus, he has had at least five targets and four receptions in each game this season. Trust the volume here for a player who has quickly developed a defined role in the Lions' passing game.
Players I have questions about in Week 5
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
The numbers are down for Burrow, and we can all see that his calf injury has really limited his pocket mobility. He has posted just one game of double-digit production this season, and the vertical element in the Bengals' passing game has evaporated. Through four weeks, Burrow is averaging 4.8 yards per attempt, with only 5.9 air yards per attempt. Plus, opposing defenses are starting to dial up more heat versus Burrow. I understand if you continue to start him, and he does get a positive matchup versus Arizona on Sunday. But I still have concerns here. Burrow is a fringe QB1 for me this week.
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
I drafted Gibbs in multiple leagues because of how I thought he would be deployed as a receiver. He's a dynamic talent, but through four weeks Gibbs has totaled just 70 yards receiving and topped the 10-point mark only once. Plus, in the three games played with David Montgomery, who is the clear lead back, Gibbs hasn't totaled more than eight carries. I'm all-in on the talent with Gibbs, but until he sees more volume and matchup-based usage as a receiver, we have to slide him down in the ranks. He's a flex play for me against the Panthers.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
It's a tough matchup for Jeudy versus a Jets defense allowing an average of just 25.5 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the third-lowest total in the league. He will see a mix of man coverage and defined zone schemes from New York here. Plus, Jeudy has posted double-digit production in only one of three games this season and has yet to find end zone, logging just one red zone target. Jeudy will be in the WR3 mix, but I would advise managing expectations for this one.
Players to monitor in Week 5
Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
Williams is eligible to return from suspension this week. If he suits up against the Panthers, I want to see his overall usage and how he is being deployed in the route tree. We know Williams has electric ability and big-play potential. Maybe he can emerge as a viable option as the season progresses.
Cam Akers, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Akers saw his first game action with the Vikings in Week 4, scoring 7.7 fantasy points on seven touches in the win over Carolina. Sure, Alexander Mattison is still the lead back in Minnesota, but let's see if the volume starts to climb for Akers on Sunday against the Chiefs.
Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants
Robinson is starting to creep up the ranks after catching nine of 11 targets over his past two games, and the Giants need someone to emerge from that wide receiver room. Robinson is a sudden mover who can also be schemed up on touches in Brian Daboll's offense.