Nobody has a more stacked lineup of fantasy analysts and NFL team reporters than ESPN. It's the rare backfield by committee that's actually a good thing for fantasy managers. Every Tuesday, we'll ask our NFL Nation reporters a series of burning questions to help inform your waiver-wire pickups and roster decisions.
In case you needed a reminder of how unpredictable fantasy can be, the three leading scorers in Week 5 were wide receivers Chase Claypool, Travis Fulgham and Brandin Cooks (who had zero catches a week earlier).
The good news is that you can now grab these guys off the waiver wire in many leagues if you're thin at receiver -- along with a handful of others we have highlighted below.
But which ones can you actually trust moving forward? As always, our NFL Nation crew is here to help.
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers' second-round draft pick (8.8% rostered in ESPN leagues) became the first rookie in NFL history with three receiving touchdowns and one rushing TD in a game -- finishing with seven catches for 110 yards and three rushes for 6 yards. His 11 targets was seven more than his previous high.
Of course, it's fair to be skeptical since the Steelers like to spread the ball around. We were just talking about Diontae Johnson's breakout potential a couple of weeks ago, and we're still waiting for JuJu Smith-Schuster to heat up. But Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor thinks Claypool's breakout is sustainable because of the trust he has earned from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
"It depends on whom you listen to," Pryor said. "To hear Mike Tomlin tell it, the strength of the Steelers is in their wide receiver depth, and Claypool was just the better matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. With that explanation, it seems the Steelers will continue to spread the ball around, and Claypool might not be the guy next week. But to Roethlisberger, Claypool exploded for four touchdowns because of his own talent and smarts.
"At the very least, Claypool is a more reliable option than Johnson for fantasy managers because he's been able to stay healthy and on the field. Johnson's injuries have also resulted in more snaps for Claypool. He's able to make midgame adjustments, run new plays on the fly and build trust with Roethlisberger with third-down catches. He's a worthy waiver-wire claim and maybe even a starter, one who will keep producing the rest of the season (even if it's not four touchdowns a game)."
Travis Fulgham, Philadelphia Eagles
Based on Fulgham's roster percentage in ESPN leagues (0.2% rostered), nobody really paid attention when the Eagles' second-year journeyman caught a key fourth-quarter touchdown after being promoted from the practice squad in Week 4. But that should change now after his 10 catches for 152 yards and another TD on Sunday.
"Fulgham is worth taking a shot on," Eagles reporter Tim McManus said. "Carson Wentz either trusts you or he doesn't -- there's not much gray area when it comes to his ball distribution. And clearly Fulgham has earned his trust in short order. Targets will continue to come his way.
"He has the mystery factor going for him right now. As he continues to get reps on tape, defenses will learn to account for him better. He won't go for 10 catches and a buck-fifty every Sunday. But he has an intriguing skill set and might just end up being a diamond in the rough. It's worth betting on that being the case."
Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
Cooks (60.9% rostered) is more of a known commodity in his seventh NFL season. But his fantasy value remains a mystery after a slow start with his fourth different team, the Texans. Cooks was dropped in more than 13% of ESPN leagues after he had zero catches on three targets and 61 snaps played in Week 4. Then he exploded for eight catches, 161 yards and a touchdown in Week 5.
So is this a case where we're just never going to figure out what to expect from Texans wide receivers from week to week (like when teammate Will Fuller had a random zero-point outing in Week 2)? Maybe, but the upside is probably worth it.
"I'd expect more consistent production," Texans reporter Sarah Barshop said. "Cooks will be the first to tell you that it's just an excuse to blame the lack of offseason reps on the Texans' slow start. But even during training camp, he was in and out of practice while dealing with a quadriceps injury. So it has taken some time for Cooks and quarterback Deshaun Watson to build chemistry. But as that develops, Cooks should be more involved.
"The hardest thing for Cooks to overcome on a consistent basis is that Watson is so comfortable with Fuller. But as the season goes on, I expect the targets to even out more between the two receivers."
Preston Williams, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins reporter Cameron Wolfe has been preaching patience with the second-year pro (36.8% rostered) for the past couple of weeks. So Wolfe certainly didn't change his tune after Williams finally broke through with four catches for 106 yards and a TD on Sunday.
"It's time to get back on the Preston Williams train if you understandably hopped off (or never were on)," Wolfe said. "Williams talked a lot about the 'year mark' from his Nov. 3 torn ACL as his target for being close to his normal self, and we are just a few weeks away. He mentioned that he's finally getting into game shape and hopes that Sunday's game is a sign of what's to come. It was actually Williams' first 100-yard game of his career -- and while the Dolphins can't play the 49ers' secondary every week, it is noteworthy that Ryan Fitzpatrick loves throwing to him.
"I'd imagine that Williams will have more consistent fantasy performance and target share than Claypool and Fulgham through the rest of the season. So if I'm looking for a long-term pickup rather than just a one-week fill-in I'm taking Williams over those two."
Henry Ruggs III, Las Vegas Raiders
Fantasy managers were starting to lose faith in the 12th pick in this year's NFL draft. The Raiders rookie (48.6% rostered) was dropped in nearly 10% of ESPN leagues after missing two games with knee and hamstring injuries. But then he flashed his potential Sunday with two catches for 118 yards and a touchdown in an upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
When I asked ESPN Raiders reporter Paul Gutierrez if Ruggs would be too "boom or bust" to trust in starting lineups, he joked, "That's fancy -- er, fantasy -- talk for risk-reward, right?"
"Sure, it took Ruggs until Week 5 to score his first touchdown after he was the surprise first receiver taken in a historically deep draft for receivers. Plus, he grabbed only two passes at Kansas City. But he did torch the Chiefs for 118 yards on those two catches," Gutierrez said. "He might be boom or bust -- and the Raiders are on their bye week -- but the 'boom' outweighs the alternative.
"Or, as Jon Gruden mused, 'We did not bring him in here to run hitch routes. He can really run, and I think we have to be better about getting him the ball in other areas, because he is a great route runner.'"
Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
The production from the rookie (32.0% rostered) keeps going up each week (a season-high seven catches on a season-high eight targets Sunday for 79 yards). Although he hasn't scored since Week 1, Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco expects the upward trend to continue.
"Shenault has yet to get double-digit touches in a game, but that will change because offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has said the Jaguars need to use Shenault more," said DiRocco, who pointed out that Shenault already leads the Jaguars in receptions (23) and receiving yards (270) and ranks second in scrimmage yards (323) and targets (28, one behind leader Keelan Cole).
DiRocco also said Shenault's role would have been even bigger as both a receiver and part-time runner if running back James Robinson had not exceeded expectations.
Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions
The ninth-year veteran (72% rostered) was on a bye in Week 5 and hasn't had a breakout moment yet (12 catches for 138 yards and one TD on the season). But I lumped him into this group because he was dropped in 14% of ESPN leagues and shouldn't be ignored as a waiver-wire pickup option if available in your league.
"Jones has always had these types of stretches in his career -- and then bounces back with a 100-yard game or a stretch where he catches touchdowns by the week. So what's happening now isn't too uncommon," Lions reporter Michael Rothstein said. "Facing Jacksonville and Atlanta in back-to-back weeks could help boost his numbers, too. But he's clearly the No. 2 option in the passing game behind Kenny Golladay, and T.J. Hockenson will also receive looks. So it just depends how deep your league is.
"For fantasy purposes -- and definitely in dynasty leagues -- Claypool would be a stronger play. But I still need to see more out of Fulgham (who was initially drafted by the Lions) before I would go with him over Jones."
Here are a few non-receiver options to consider:
QB Andy Dalton, Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys reporter Todd Archer said it's too soon to predict whether Dalton will have a preferred target in Dallas' receiving corps now that the veteran backup has taken over for Dak Prescott. But Archer did point out that Dalton spread the ball around pretty evenly after replacing the injured Prescott on Sunday.
"The benefit of having a veteran quarterback who has seen as much as Dalton is that he won't lock on a receiver," Archer said. "Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb were each targeted three times. Lamb had two catches for 22 yards, Cooper had two catches for 23 yards, Gallup had three catches for 65 yards.
"Do I think the Cowboys will have the same passing game with Dalton as with Prescott? No. But it can still be effective even if they don't make as many chunk plays."
TE Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
Higbee's numbers continue to plummet each week since his breakout three-TD performance in Week 2. Higbee caught just two passes for 12 yards Sunday while fellow Rams tight end Gerald Everett outscored him for the second consecutive week.
"Any week, it's anyone's guess who the Rams' top playmakers will be. This is not your 2018 Sean McVay offense, when he strictly relied on 11 personnel and rarely inserted any skill players beyond his starters," Rams reporter Lindsey Thiry said. "So don't rule out another big game from Tyler Higbee. However, Jared Goff is spreading the ball around consistently with three running backs, four receivers and two tight ends who have all proved their playmaking ability. So it's nearly impossible to predict when Higbee will have his next big game."
RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
The second-year running back broke out with 20 carries for 112 yards and three catches for 24 yards Sunday after starter Dalvin Cook left early with a groin injury. The immediate fantasy repercussions are obvious: Mattison is a must-add on the waiver wire if it looks like there is a chance Cook will be sidelined again in Week 6. And he is a must-start if Cook is inactive. However, Vikings reporter Courtney Cronin has also wondered if Mattison's workload might increase as the season goes on if Minnesota (1-4) doesn't quickly get back into playoff contention.
"Will they want to preserve Cook for 2021 in what could eventually be deemed a lost season (he's got 108 touches through five weeks, so he's on pace to eclipse 320 this season, which is a lot for a player with injury concerns)?" Cronin said. "If that's the case, then I could see Mattison's workload increasing significantly, especially later on in the season. There's no point in wearing Cook down if the losses continue.
"Minnesota drafted Mattison not only to be a backup but to take on a starter's workload if needed. And obviously if Cook has to miss a couple of games (the Vikings play Atlanta in Week 6 and then have a Week 7 bye), Mattison will assume that role."
RB La'Mical Perine, New York Jets
While writing about the rocky marriage between the Jets and running back Le'Veon Bell, Jets reporter Rich Cimini suggested an interesting potential stash in deeper leagues -- rookie Perine. Cimini said he expects the fourth-round draft pick's role to increase during the second half of this season -- especially if the Jets wind up trading Bell. However, Cimini cautioned that the Jets' run game has been a struggle all season no matter who is running the ball. So he said Perine would be an "ultimate sleeper pick."
RB J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
Fantasy managers are starting to lose faith in the rookie Dobbins, who was dropped in 10% of ESPN leagues last week. And his high-and-low box score from Sunday probably won't help define his role very much (just one carry -- for 34 yards -- and three catches for 21 yards). But Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley said, "It's too soon to give up on Dobbins.
"John Harbaugh has always talked about players earning more playing time, and Dobbins has certainly done that," Hensley said. "Can I envision a scenario where Dobbins becomes the lead back? That's probably a year away. But you can't discount it if he continues to produce. The suggestion here is wait a few more weeks and see if the rotation changes after the Ravens' Week 7 bye."