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Top 5 Boom or Bust Plays Week 5

The Boom or Bust play is one of the most talked about aspects of fantasy football each week. Boom or Bust players can be used in the deep lineup leagues, when it appears you are a heavy underdog in your head-to-head matchup or even in Guaranteed Prize Pool Tournaments in DFS.

In this article, I will cover five of my favorite boom or bust plays for Week 5 of the fantasy football season.

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Quarterback

Carson Wentz, Eagles QB @ DET

Carson Wentz has been one of the most impressive rookie quarterbacks in recent memory so far this season with 769 passing yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions in the first three games, good for QB16 in points per game. With a bye week to prepare, Wentz and the undefeated Eagles will go on the road to face a Lions defense that has been matchup dependent to start the season, allowing 35 and 34 points to the Colts and Packers respectively, while only allowing 16 and 17 points to the Titans and Bears.

While some may not consider Wentz a bust possibility because he has yet to throw an interception in the NFL, he is still a rookie going on the road with the pressure of being on an undefeated team early in the season. However, Wentz is a road favorite at -3.5 with a team total of 24.5, which is why I think he is a boom play this week.

Verdict: Boom

 

Running Back

Kenneth Dixon, Ravens RB vs WAS

Last week, I cautioned against starting Jordan Howard because he was an unproven rookie heading into his first career start, that didn't work out great for me as Howard finished as RB16 with 16 PPR points, continuing to prove how it is all about touches at the running back position. This week, I am returning to the “fade rookie running back” well with Kenneth Dixon.

Dixon is expected to make his NFL debut this week against Washington, but that doesn't mean he is an instant insert into your fantasy lineups. Unlike Howard last week, Dixon doesn't have as clear of a role to RB1 touches with Terrance West and Javorius Allen, who was active for the first time this season in Week 4. Dixon is likely the superior talent in the bunch, but I think we need to see his usage before inserting him into our lineups.

Verdict: Bust

 

Wide Receiver

Travis Benjamin, Chargers WR @ Oakland

Between the Keenan Allen season ending injury and Benjamin's 29 PPR point performance in Week 2, Benjamin's fantasy value was skyrocketing with little sign of stopping. However, the following two weeks have not been as fruitful for him as he only put up 21 points in those two games combined.

Benjamin's decreased performance on the stat sheet isn't even the main worry for his fantasy value this week. Over the course of the season, the biggest issue with Benjamin has actually been getting on the field. Despite the Allen injury, Benjamin has still been third on the team in wide receiver snaps the last two weeks. So while the juicy matchup against Oakland may entice you to start Benjamin this week, he may not be on the field enough for it to matter. I see Tyrell Williams as the better and more intriguing play this week.

Verdict: Bust

 

Tight End

Jacob Tamme, Falcons TE vs DEN

This week Jacob Tamme is the classic example of situation versus matchup. Tamme is in a pass heavy Atlanta offense with a hobbled Mohamed Sanu and not much behind Julio Jones, but the matchup against the Broncos is far from ideal. However, Tamme is averaging 5.5 targets per game in the first four games and has reached the end zone in two of those contests.

Falcons/Broncos projects to be one of the higher scoring matchups of the week with an over/under of 47. This means that Tamme will likely get some chances at red zone targets. A touchdown is really all you need for a tight end waiver target to be a boom.

Verdict: Boom

 

Hail Mary of the Week

In the Hail Mary of the Week, I will choose a Boom/Bust candidate who is available on the waiver wire in most fantasy football leagues and could have a big week:

Wendell Smallwood, Eagles RB @ DET

Wendell Smallwood was one of the most hyped rookies early on in training camp, although much of that hype went by the wayside when Smallwood sustained a preseason injury. Smallwood only got three carries in the first two weeks of the season, but did get his opportunity in a blowout against the Steelers in Week 3 and took advantage of that opportunity with 17 carries for 79 yards and one touchdown.

Smallwood is a good Hail Mary play this week because we will find out whether or not his solid play in Week 3 will earn him any snaps over Ryan Mathews. Yes, there is a chance that his Week 3 performance was solely a result of a blowout, but if he does get the touches in Week 5, he could boom once again.

 




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ayo Dosunmu

Won't Play Wednesday Night
Jaylon Tyson

to Miss Third Straight Game
Keon Ellis

Joins Starting Lineup Against Heat
Max Strus

Won't Play on Wednesday
Dylan Harper

Moves Into First Unit Wednesday
Kyshawn George

to be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Dean Wade

Won't Play Wednesday
Larry Nance Jr.

is Available on Wednesday
Jalen Duren

Available Against Hawks
Deandre Ayton

Won't Play Wednesday, Jaxson Hayes Starts
Pascal Siakam

Will Play Against Lakers
Jalen Johnson

Cleared for Action Wednesday
Joel Embiid

Available Wednesday
Nicolas Roy

to Be Out For "a Little Bit"
Anton Lundell

Likely Out for Rest of Regular Season
Anthony Mantha

Day-to-Day With Lower-Body Injury
Evgeni Malkin

to Remain Out Thursday
Mattias Samuelsson

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Quentin Grimes

Cleared for Wednesday
Jonathan Quick

Remains Unavailable Wednesday
Victor Hedman

Takes Leave of Absence
Jake Bates

Lions Officially Re-Sign Jake Bates
Patrick Mahomes

Chiefs "Optimistic" That Patrick Mahomes Can Take Part in Offseason Practices
Jordan Miller

Sidelined on Wednesday
Najee Harris

Visits With Seahawks
Tristan Vukcevic

Out Against Jazz
Bilal Coulibaly

Set To Suit Up Wednesday
Sean Murphy

Lands on 10-Day Injured List
Bryce Miller

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Lars Nootbaar

Will Begin the Season on 60-Day Injured List
Jackson Holliday

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
New York Jets

Ty Simpson to Hold Private Workout With Jets on Friday
Ronnie Rivers

Rams Re-Sign Ronnie Rivers to One-Year Deal
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Raiders to Host Fernando Mendoza for a Top-30 Visit in Two Weeks
Tua Tagovailoa

Open to Being a QB Mentor in Atlanta
Zay Flowers

Ravens Want to Extend Zay Flowers Soon
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena on the Astros Opening Day Roster
Blake Snell

Dodgers Place Blake Snell on 15-Day Injured List
John Carlson

Sets Up Three Goals Tuesday Night
Joel Hofer

Picks Up Sixth Shutout of the Season
John Tavares

Records Three Assists in Tuesday's Win
NJ

Arseni Gritsyuk Scheduled for Imaging Wednesday
Jordan Mason

Could Benefit from Quarterback Change
Tony DeAngelo

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Tuesday
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Would Welcome an Aaron Rodgers Reunion
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Enters Concussion Protocol
Ryan Fox

a High-Upside Value in Houston
Barrett Hayton

Sustains Upper-Body Injury Tuesday
Dak Prescott

Remains Egregiously Undervalued
Marco Penge

a Boom-or-Bust Option in Houston
Cedric Coward

Returns From Three-Game Absence
CeeDee Lamb

Cowboys' Offensive Cohesion Could Lead to Another Big Year from CeeDee Lamb
Jaylen Wells

Won't Play Against Spurs
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Jeremiyah Love Does Not Participate at Notre Dame Pro Day
Ty Jerome

Unavailable Wednesday
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Resting on Wednesday
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Luther Burden III

Ascending Into Major Role on Offense?
Jason Day

a Volatile Option at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Joe Mixon

Remains a Free Agent as April Approaches
Kirby Yates

Angels Place Kirby Yates on 15-Day Injured List
Elijah Moore

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Eyes a Bounce-Back at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Ben Griffin

Looks for Turnaround at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Kirk Cousins

an Option as Backup Quarterback in Green Bay?
Zach Wilson

Saints Sign Zach Wilson to a One-Year Deal
Rickie Fowler

Brings Strong Form Into Texas Children's Houston Open
Brady Tkachuk

Collects Two More Points on Tuesday
Martin Necas

Scores Twice Against Penguins
Nick Lodolo

Will Open 2026 on the Injured List Due to Finger Ailment
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Returns to Sharks Lineup
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Good to Go Tuesday
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Logan O'Connor, Ross Colton Available Tuesday
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Marvin Mims Jr.

Now a Trade Candidate in Denver?
Francisco Lindor

Likely to be Ready for Opening Day
Ryan Gerard

Can Continue Rolling at Texas Children's Houston Open
Pierceson Coody

Bounces Back at Valspar Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

Trying to Get Back on Track at Texas Children's Houston Open
Michael Thorbjornsen

Playing Well Heading to Texas Children's Houston Open
Harry Hall

Looking for Consistency at Texas Children's Houston Open
Brooks Koepka

Continues Building Momentum
Roki Sasaki

to Stick in Rotation Despite Spring Struggles
Kevin McGonigle

Makes Tigers Opening Day Roster
Scottie Scheffler

Withdraws From Texas Children's Houston Open
Ryan Pepiot

Placed on Injured List to Open the Season
J.J. Wetherholt

JJ Wetherholt Likely to Hit Leadoff on Opening Day
Connelly Early

to Make First Start on Sunday
Luke Clanton

Might Have a Problem in Houston
Sam Stevens

Happy to See Houston This Week
Keith Mitchell

Tries to Rebound After The Players Championship
Will Zalatoris

Returning This Week at Houston
Wyndham Clark

Trending in the Wrong Direction Heading to Houston
Shane Lowry

Seeking Better Luck in Houston This Weekend
Kurt Kitayama

Poised to Bounce Back at the Houston Open
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong Finalizing Long-Term Extension
Blake Snell

Targeting a May Return
Hunter Greene

Reds Place Hunter Greene on 60-Day Injured List
J.J. Wetherholt

JJ Wetherholt Makes Cardinals Opening Day Roster
Nick Pivetta

to Start on Opening Day for Padres
Brandon Woodruff

Makes Brewers Opening Day Rotation
Lerone Murphy

Suffers His First Loss
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Edges Out Lerone Murphy
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Notre Dame Ranks No. 1 in Returning Production for 2026
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Michael Aswell

Luke Riley Outclasses Michael Aswell Jr.
Sam Patterson

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Michael Page

Wins Lackluster Decision
Austen Lane

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Iwo Baraniewski

Delivers 28-Second TKO
Tyler Reddick

Overcomes Adversity for Fourth Victory of the Season At Darlington
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Darlington Victory Despite Domination
Ryan Blaney

Recovers From Pit-Road Struggles to Score Career-Best Darlington Finish
Carson Hocevar

Rallies to Finish Fourth at Darlington
Kyle Larson

Decent Performance Ends with Technical Issues At Darlington
Tyler Reddick

the Clear Favorite at Darlington
Kyle Larson

a High-Risk, High-Reward Driver at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Is Getting Better at Darlington
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not Slowing Down at Darlington
Chris Buescher

Should be a Top-10 Contender at Darlington
Austin Cindric

a Sleeper at Darlington
Erik Jones

Quickest in Practice at Darlington
Denny Hamlin

Qualifies Ninth for this Week's Cup Race at Darlington
Chase Briscoe

Is One of the Top DFS Options of the Week for Darlington
William Byron

Is William Byron A Playable DFS Option for Darlington Lineups?
Christopher Bell

Could Christopher Bell be Considered A Decent DFS Option for Darlington?
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott Worth Rostering At Darlington This Week For DFS?
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May Not Have the Speed to Warrant A Darlington DFS Lineup Spot
Ross Chastain

Should DFS Players Trust Ross Chastain at Darlington?
Kyle Busch

Could Kyle Busch Be A Worthy DFS Option for Darlington?
Brad Keselowski

May be A Contriarian DFS Tournament Option At Darlington
Lerone Murphy

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Movsar Evloev

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
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Jr. An Underdog At UFC London
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Set For UFC London Co-Main Event
Sam Patterson

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Michael Page

Set For Welterweight Bout
Austen Lane

In Dire Need Of Victory
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A Favorite At UFC London
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