Week 5 of the NFL season is done, and we are over a third of the way through the regular season. Teams are sitting pretty, in full panic mode or somewhere in between. Rosters are being flipped as managers adjust to the ever-changing fantasy football landscape we see.
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Fantasy Football Roster Trends
Key Injuries
- Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC): Omarion Hampton suffered an ankle injury and was placed on injured reserve (IR). He will miss a minimum of four weeks, though the extent is not fully known.
- Brenton Strange (TE – JAX): Brenton Strange suffered a hip injury and was placed on IR. He will be out for a minimum of four weeks, though the extent is not fully known.
- Darius Slayton (WR – NYG): Darius Slayton suffered a hamstring injury and is week-to-week. He was one of last week’s must-adds to replace Malik Nabers. Slayton now finds himself joining Nabers in street clothes.
Most Added Players
Hassan Haskins (RB – LAC)
As the running back injuries continue to pile up, managers scramble to find replacements. Hassan Haskins is my pick to lead the Chargers’ backfield during Omarion Hampton’s absence, especially with his college familiarity with head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC)
A 2024 sleeper pick who disappointed, Kimani Vidal is in line for an expanded role but could be the Emari Demercado to Michael Carter equivalent, where the hype is real, but usage is not.
Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ)
The rookie tight end has quickly blossomed into a key feature of the Jets’ offense, leading the team in targets in Week 5 with 12 and snagging nine of them for 67 yards. Mason Taylor’s usage has grown every week, making him a must-start at a struggling tight end position.
Kendrick Bourne (WR – SF)
With the 49ers continuing to deal with injuries all over their wide receiver room, the former Patriot stepped up in a big way in Week 5, catching 10 balls for 142 yards in a surprise upset of the Rams. While the likes of Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall continue to be out, Bourne should continue to shine in this pass-heavy offense.
Most Dropped Players
Emari Demercado (RB – ARI)
If gaining only three carries to Michael Carter‘s 18 wasn’t a good enough reason to drop him after he was a must-add last week, the bonehead fumble of the week must be. Emari Demercado will clearly take the back seat to the practice squad. Add Carter and even the little-known Bam Knight, who out-touched him in Week 5.
Jalen Tolbert (WR – DAL)
Managers hoped Jalen Tolbert would step up in the absence of CeeDee Lamb, but Week 5 showed us he is nothing more than a gadget player who is not going to be featured in the Cowboys’ passing game.
Most Traded Players
Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)
Who would have thought the Ravens would start the year 1-4? Injuries, especially on the defensive side of the ball, have led the run-first Ravens to adopt a pass-first approach thus far. With Derrick Henry not seeing that work, managers are selling low to get out of a team whose playoff hopes are fading.
A.J. Brown (WR – PHI)
Another week, another Dud… However, some managers saw the signs of hope as Brown commanded eight targets and the Eagles threw for a season-high 38 times in Week 5.
Chase Brown (RB – CIN)
Will Joe Flacco save the day for the Bengals’ offense, which has looked lethargic since Joe Burrow‘s departure? One thing many are betting on is the improvement in the checkdown passing game, making Chase Brown a weekly starter again.
Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA)
The Seahawks are looking like a full-blown committee between Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, as they split the carries 10-9 last week. While Walker did more with his workload, Charbonnet vultured the high-value goal-line carries, falling into the end zone.
Final Thoughts
Injuries are piling up, and players are showing which breakouts are legit and which disappointments are true. Only the tough will survive as the 2025 season continues to bring surprise after surprise to fantasy managers. Will you stand tall, or crumble under the pressure? Only time will tell as the decisions today will decide your fate tomorrow.
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