Week 5 Fantasy Football Recap: Rookies Chase Claypool and Justin Herbert erupt

Four nights of football. Four! The Thursday night game was followed by an action packed Sunday. We had a Monday night overtime thriller and ended our week with a Tuesday night treat.

Through all the madness, Week 5 is behind us. So, now the book immediately flips towards Week 6. Make sure to keep track of the schedule going forward. A handful of games and bye weeks were shuffled due to COVID-19. This upcoming week, the Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Chargers are all on bye. The Chargers were not originally supposed to be on bye, but saw their rest week moved up as a result of the Patriots-Broncos Week 5 matchup being pushed back a week.

So with that, let’s get into the fantasy. As usual, we’ll hit on everything you need to know to recap Week 5 and look ahead.

Quarterbacks

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Stud: Ryan Fitzpatrick (366 total yards, 3 TDs, 27.6 fantasy points)

Fitzmagic is in full force! Fitzpatrick completed 22-of-28 passes for 350 yards and three touchdown against the 49ers. It was a brutal day for the banged up San Francisco secondary, as six different Dolphins had at least one reception longer than 15 yards. Fitzpatrick has now put up back-to-back 300 yard games as his job security is in no doubt. He has another great matchup against the Jets next week.

Dud: Matt Ryan (225 total yards, 1 INT, 6.94 fantasy points)

Without Julio Jones not on the field, Matt Ryan is just not a productive fantasy quarterback. After his clunker this week, Ryan is averaging under 11 fantasy points per game the last three weeks without Jones. With Dan Quinn now out, we will see if Atlanta’s offense changes at all, but Ryan has just been bad this season. He’s tough to trust going forward and should be cemented on benches with Julio out.

Injuries: Dak Prescott, Baker Mayfield

Despite Tony Romo’s hope of Prescott’s injury being a cramp, it was in fact not. Prescott is done for the season after he underwent surgery Sunday night on a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle. It was an ugly and unfortunate injury for Prescott, who is playing on the franchise tag for the second straight season. The good news is his surgery reportedly went “very well” and he should be ready to go for next year’s training camp, hopefully with a new, lucrative contract.

Baker suffered a ribs injury during the fourth quarter of the Browns win over the Colts. He visited the medical tent but returned for the next possession. He told reporters he’ll be ready to go for next week against the Steelers. Scott Petrak of the Chronicle-Telegram’s reported Sunday night that Mayfield’s X-rays came back negative, so there appears to be little concern here.

Waiver Wire: Andy Dalton (111 yards, 2.44 fantasy points)

Rostered: 0.2 percent

With Prescott going down, all eyes turn to Dalton, who the Cowboys brought in this past offseason as insurance. Dalton enters a situation now with the best supporting cast he’s ever seen in his career. He is certainly not Prescott, but he has streaming appeal moving forward.

Teddy Bridgewater (316 total yards, 2 TDs, 20.82 fantasy points)

Rostered: 42.5 percent

Bridgewater has now passed for two touchdowns while posting 20-plus fantasy points in back-to-back weeks. Gelling with receivers Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore, Bridgewater has been extremely accurate while adding value on the ground. The Panthers have won three straight games and will look for Bridgewater to continue his strong play next week against a tough Bears defense.

Justin Herbert (272 total yards, 4 TDs, 27.36 fantasy points)

Rostered: 35.6 percent

The Chargers might have blown another lead and lost another close game (sorry Charger fans), but it appears they have found their franchise quarterback. Herbert did more than impress Monday night, flashing his athleticism and playmaking skills on a highlight reel touchdown to Keenan Allen. Herbert tossed two other scores in the first half before adding his fourth on a 64-yard bomb to Mike Williams, becoming the first rookie quarterback to throw for four touchdowns on Monday Night Football. Herbert again found Williams on a beautiful play to set up what would be a game winning field goal as time expired. He's thrown seven touchdowns over his last two contests and has piled up over 20 fantasy points in three of his four starts this season.

Running Backs

Stud: Mike Davis (149 total yards, 1 TD, 29.9 fantasy points)

It’s been three games since Christian McCaffrey went down with a high-ankle sprain. The Carolina Panthers are 3-0 in those games, largely thanks to Mike Davis. Davis has stepped in and dominated in replacement, posting over 20 fantasy points every week. McCaffrey is expected to miss one more week, so Davis will be right back at the top of the running back leaderboard. He seems to have earned playing time even when McCaffrey returns, even though his production will decline.

Dud: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (80 total yards, 11.0 fantasy points)

Helaire had a plus matchup against the Raiders defense, but managed just 40 yards on the ground on 10 carries. He chipped in three catches for 40 yards, the 13 touches marking for a season-low. He had a touchdown which was called back due to an offensive pass interference, continuing his scoreless streak to four games. His usage is high, but he just can't seem to find the end zone. Better days will be ahead.

Injuries: Dalvin Cook

Cook left Sunday nights matchup early with what was deemed a groin injury. He immediately came up hobbled after a run, limping right to the locker room. Cook made his way back to the sideline but just could watch as Alexander Mattison carried the load for the Vikings. According to Mike Zimmer, his Monday MRI “went well”, but a rest Week 6 before their bye would give Cook plenty of time to get fully healthy.

Waiver Wire: Alexander Mattison (136 total yards, 16.6 fantasy points)

Rostered: 41.6 percent

If Cook is forced to miss time, Mattison become an immediate RB1 and should be at the top of the waiver wire. Mattison played 81 percent of the snaps in relief, finishing with 112 rushing yards while adding three receptions for 24 yards. He’ll be the Vikings bell-cow if Cook is out.

Chase Edmonds (92 total yards, 1 TD, 20.2 fantasy points)

Rostered: 46.5 percent

For the second straight week, Edmonds put up double digit fantasy points and outscored Kenyan Drake. Despite Drake out touching Edmonds 19 to 8, Drake only saw one target and struggled to find room on the ground. Edmonds meanwhile caught five-of-six targets and scampered his way to a 29-yard touchdown on Arizona’s opening drive. With Drake struggling, Edmonds will keep getting more and more playing time.

Wide Receivers

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Stud: Chase Claypool (7 catches, 116 total yards, 4 total TDs, 42.6 fantasy points)

After recording nine targets through the first three games, Claypool exploded in Week 5 against the Eagles. The rookie recorded seven receptions on 11 targets for 110 yards and three touchdowns, adding six yards on the ground and another score. His trio of scores came from 35, 32 and five-yards out, just dominating the game when Diontae Johnson exited earlier. He’ll be the top waiver wire addition this week and needs to be in lineups if Johnson remains sidelined.

Brandin Cooks (8 catches, 161 yards, 1 TD, 30.1 fantasy points)

After a goose egg in Week 4, Cooks responded in a big way Week 5. Cooks looked like his old self, catching eight of his 12 targets for 161 yards and a score. Watson continuously targeted him downfield, as the speedster recorded five receptions over 20-yards, including his 28-yard touchdown. With the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers now on the forecast, Cooks should be able to build off his best outing of the season.

Dud: Amari Cooper (2 catches, 21 total yards, 4.1 fantasy points)

After averaging 12.7 targets per game, Cooper saw just four this weekend, catching two for 23 yards. Cooper was on the field for just 63 percent of the snaps against the Giants, his lowest total of the season. His snap count percentage has now dropped weekly, decreasing from 94 percent, to 91, 79, 76, and now 63. With Prescott also done for the year, expect a drop in Cooper’s production going forward.

Injuries: DJ Chark Jr, A.J. Green, Sammy Watkins, Keenan Allen

Several receivers saw their days end early this past week. DJ Chark limped off the field in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. He did not return. Both A.J. Green and Sammy Watkins saw their days end with hamstring injuries. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Watkins’ injury will sideline him “a couple weeks”. There has been no word on Green, but its worth noting he missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury.

Allen was injured Monday night while hauling in a touchdown on an incredible throw by Justin Herbert. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Allen had spasms after pinching his lower back on the play. He was originally deemed questionable to return as trainers tried to stretch him out on the sideline, but never found his way back out on the field. With Los Angeles’ bye being moved from Week 10 to Week 6, Allen will have plenty of time to get healthy.

Waiver Wire: Travis Fulgham (10 catches, 152 yards, 1 TD, 31.2 fantasy points)

Rostered: 0.2 percent

If it wasn't for Claypool, Fulgham would have been the talk of the fantasy world this week. After an impressive touchdown catch in Week 4, Fulgham followed it up with a monstrous outing. He saw a team-high 12 targets while leading the Eagles in receiving yards (152) and receptions (10). In his first two games with Philadelphia, Fulgham has 209 receiving yards and two touchdowns, the most in an Eagles’ first two games since Terrell Owens. The second-year receiver has earned a role in this offense, but it could be limited when DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery return.

Preston Williams (4 catches, 106 yards, 1 TD, 20.6 fantasy points)

Rostered: 36.8 percent

Coming off an ACL tear, Williams looked like himself on Sunday posting a career high 106 yards. Miami’s first play of the game was a 47-yard pass to Williams, who later added a 32-yard touchdown. He out-targeted Isaiah Ford five-to-two, so hopefully this is the start of Williams’ breakout.

Henry Ruggs III (2 catches, 118 yards, 1 TD, 19.8 fantasy points)

Rostered: 48.6 percent

Ruggs returned from injury and immediately showed why the Raiders made him the first receiver off the board in April. Both of his receptions were on throws more than 20 yards downfield, as he took one 72-yards to the house. Even with just three targets, Ruggs proved how dangerous he can be. He has a Week 7 bye to get his knee completely healthy.

Tight Ends

Stud: Travis Kelce (8 catches, 108 yards, 1 TD, 24.8 fantasy points)

Kelce saw a game high 12 targets in his first 100-yard game of the season. His seven-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was his third on the season. Mr. Consistent at the tight end position has now put up double digit fantasy points every game this season as he averages 9.2 targets per game.

Dud: Zach Ertz (1 catch, 6 yards, 1.6 fantasy points)

With the Eagles receivers banged up and Dallas Goedert still on injured reserve, Ertz has been in a prime position to succeed. However, he has found zero success, seeing just 10 targets over the past two weeks, converting them into a measly five catches for 15 yards. He has just one game of more than 45 yards this season. Hopefully the return of DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery can open things up for Ertz’s and help his production.

Hayden Hurst (2 catches, 8 yards, 2.8 fantasy points)

Hurst has been one of the most frustrating fantasy players this season. He’s seen five or more targets in every game but one, yet has struggled to constituently produce. Hurst has failed to even break 10 yards in two of his last three games. To add to the frustration, Matt Ryan missed Hurst twice in the red zone last week. If he can start capitalizing on his usage, better days will be ahead.

Injuries: Tyler Eifert

Eifert suffered a stinger in Sunday’s loss to the Texans, exiting the game after catching three-of-seven targets for 16 yards. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Eifert is not expected to miss time going forward.

Waiver Wire: Trey Burton (5 catches, 33 yards, 8.3 fantasy points)

Rostered: 0.2 percent

Trey Burton has become the TE1 in the Colts offense, leading their tight ends in targets (6) and routes run (18). His six targets were the second most on the team, as he hauled in five of them for 33 yards. He seems to be carving out a solid role in the offense and has a favorable matchup next week against the Bengals.

Honorable Stud

Baltimore Defense (1 TD, 1 INT, 2 FR, 7 SCK, 3 points against, 25.0 fantasy points)

The Ravens defense dominated this matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Rookie quarterback Joe Burrow was constantly under pressure, as Baltimore was able to bring him down seven times. Cincinnati did not even get points on the board until there was under a minute left in the game. Baltimore’s touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a 53-yard fumble return by Patrick Queen. The 25.0 fantasy points was tied for the 15th highest scoring in Week 5.

Questions about your fantasy team going forward? Reach out on Twitter @iambrianhines or leave a comment below!