Here are the biggest studs and duds from Week 5 of the 2023 fantasy football season. Noteworthy highlights include Kyren Williams’ impressive scoring in a tough matchup, C.J. Stroud’s explosive outing, and Sam Darnold’s season-best performance. On the other hand, Geno Smith’s clunker game put a scare into his fantasy owners and many others picked right back up where they were struggling.
Kyren Williams’ star power was undeniable on Thursday night. Despite his team suffering the most recent loss to their worst 49er enemy, he scored a season high score of 31.1 points. With that performance, he further established himself as an important addition to fantasy rosters. New England Patriots Mac Jones put up the best score of the week, putting up 22.18 points in a Thursday night win over the Los Angeles Rams. He tied for the team lead in targets.
Standout Performers
C.J. Stroud passed his first test as one of the week’s best quarterbacks. He took the league by storm in his first start, posting a gaudy 28.76 fantasy points against the Baltimore Ravens. Stroud made his Heisman case by throwing four TDs. That remarkable performance helped his team secure a commanding victory and increased his value among fantasy quarterbacks. His explosive performance on a bad Ravens defense showed that he has the upside to be an elite fantasy player going forward.
Kyren Williams’ performance on Thursday was just as impressive. Even in the loss to the 49ers, he showcased their versatility and skill putting up a season-high 31.1 points. His ability to find gaps and make plays was evident, making him an attractive option for fantasy managers looking for reliable running backs.
Sam Darnold followed suit, as he had a season-high with 27.64 points. His performance continued to show league-leading consistency and effectiveness while helping lead his team to the playoffs, both adding up to a fantasy owner-boosting season. If Darnold can steer the Panther ship smoothly, he’ll be trusted by more fantasy managers, heading into future weeks.
Disappointments in Fantasy Lineups
For every overperforming player, there was one who did not live up to the hype. Geno Smith was awful in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts, totaling only 5.92 points. His three interceptions called his decision-making and overall performance into question, most of fantasy’s owners who took the chance on him all but crushed at his lackluster production.
Jakobi Meyers faced challenges, catching four of six targets for only 32 yards, resulting in a mere 7.2 points. Meyers has now had a three-game slump, unable to score in double digits in each game. This puts his future involvement in the offense in question.
Also, for how good he’s been, Trey McBride couldn’t even crack that most coveted of fantasy thresholds, 10 PPR fantasy points, coming up with only 9.1 points. Aside from quarterbacks, tight ends are the most important positions when structuring fantasy lineups. Such a disappointing performance is worrying for any managers who lean on McBride as a steady source of contribution.
Injury Impacts and Future Considerations
Injuries have drastically altered this fantasy football season so far and they remain a major factor going forward. Jonathan Taylor will continue to be a focal point as the high-end RB1 he’s always been once he returns from injury. His expected return will be watched very closely by dynasty managers looking to get an early jump on a potential high-end asset.
As teams continue to deal with various injuries and surging and declining player performance, changes are going to be required in fantasy lineups. The next few weeks will be pivotal for those on the bubble, including Smith and Meyers. They have some bouncing back to do after recent letdowns to regain their worth in fantasy leagues.
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