Fantasy Football Heat Index: Buy or Sell Surprise Performances

Every Monday of the NFL regular season, we look at breakout performances from the weekend and analyze their potential for sustained success. We will rank these performances from 1-5 based on whether we believe they are momentary or long-term options for your fantasy teams.

Fantasy Football Heat Index

Quarterback

Drake Maye (QB – NE)

Stats:

18-of-26 for 261 Passing Yards
3 Passing Touchdowns
9 Rushing Attempts
28 Rushing Yards

Position Rank (pre-MNF): QB2 (27.2 fantasy points)

Analysis: Drake Maye delivered another standout performance in the New England Patriots’ Week 5 victory over the New Orleans Saints, throwing for 261 yards and three touchdowns while completing 69% of his passes. He spread the ball to seven different receivers, highlighted by a deep strike to DeMario Douglas and two short touchdowns to Kayshon Boutte. Maye showed tremendous poise and accuracy, guiding New England to its third straight victory.

With 12 total touchdowns on the season and a growing command of the offense, Maye is emerging as one of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks. He has surpassed 250 passing yards in three of his last four starts and ranks among the league leaders in completion percentage during that stretch. For fantasy managers, Maye’s combination of volume, efficiency and red-zone success makes him a weekly difference-maker and a must-start option across all formats.

Heat Index: 5

Running Back

Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC)

Stats:

18 Rushing Attempts
124 Rushing Yards
3 Receptions
14 Receiving Yards
1 Touchdown

Position Rank (pre-MNF): RB6 (21.3 fantasy points)

Analysis: Kimani Vidal stepped up in a big way following Omarion Hampton ‘s injury, recording 138 total yards and a touchdown in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 29-27 win over the Miami Dolphins. His explosive runs, including a 38-yard third-down conversion and a 27-yard burst, helped sustain drives and shift momentum against one of the league’s weakest run defenses.

With the Chargers’ backfield in flux, Vidal has emerged as a short-term fantasy solution for managers seeking running back help. He out-touched Hasaan Haskins 21 to seven and showed strong dual-threat ability with 124 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown. A recent report from NFL Network says Hampton will likely miss more than four weeks, giving Vidal a clear path to continued volume in upcoming matchups against the Colts, Vikings and Titans.

Heat Index: 3

Wide Receiver

Josh Downs (WR – IND)

Stats:

6 Receptions
42 Receiving Yards
1 Touchdown

Position Rank (pre-MNF): WR15 (13.2 fantasy points)

Analysis: Josh Downs caught six passes for 42 yards and scored his first touchdown of the 2025 season in the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Even with Alec Pierce back in the lineup, Downs remained a central part of the passing attack, consistently converting short-yardage opportunities and helping sustain drives. His quick separation and timing with Daniel Jones were evident, especially in third-down situations.

With Pierce resuming his role on the outside, Downs maintained steady volume and saw red-zone involvement, which bodes well for his fantasy outlook. Downs offers dependable production and emerging upside for fantasy managers in PPR formats, making him a strong Flex option in deeper leagues and a name to watch as the Colts’ offense evolves.

Heat Index: 3

Tight End

Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI)

Stats:

9 Receptions
110 Receiving Yards
1 Touchdown

Position Rank (pre-MNF): TE1 (21.5 fantasy points)

Analysis: Dallas Goedert has quietly become Jalen Hurts ‘ most trusted target in the passing game. On Thursday night, the veteran tight end caught nine passes for 110 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants, marking his fourth straight game with a score and pushing his season total to five. Goedert led the Philadelphia Eagles in targets and receiving yards, showing increased involvement while other pass-catchers whine about their usage.

For fantasy managers, Goedert’s recent stretch moves him into locked-in TE1 territory. He’s averaging over 13 half-PPR points per game and continues to see consistent red-zone usage. While he’s unlikely to continue scoring touchdowns every week, he remains a strong start in all formats.

Heat Index: 4