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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

Brandon Williams

Available Monday Night
Anthony Davis

Out Against Trail Blazers
Coby White

Questionable to Return Monday
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Suffers Apperant Knee Injury Monday
Miles Bridges

Injures Ankle Monday
Keyonte George

May Exit the Lineup Tuesday
Joel Embiid

Considered Questionable Tuesday
De'Aaron Fox

Ready to Rock Monday
Zion Williamson

Returns to Starting Lineup Monday
Ajay Mitchell

Active Against Hawks
Ousmane Dieng

Jaylin Williams, Ousmane Dieng Remain Out Monday
Isaiah Joe

Available for Monday's Action
Zach Collins

Sidelined Monday
Tyler Kolek

Active Against Pelicans
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Monday Night
Miles McBride

Cleared to Return Monday
Drake London

Active Against Rams
Josh Giddey

Good to Go Monday
Collin Murray-Boyles

Ready to Face Magic
Ziaire Williams

Active Against Warriors
Goga Bitadze

Active on Monday
Jimmy Butler III

Cleared for Action Monday
Bam Adebayo

Back for Heat Monday
Jake DeBrusk

to Miss Monday's Game as Healthy Scratch
Shane Pinto

Available Monday
Pius Suter

to Miss at Least Four Weeks
Pyotr Kochetkov

Likely Done for the Season
Josh Morrissey

Expected to Play Monday
Karel Vejmelka

Moved to Injured Reserve
Rasmus Dahlin

Expected to Rejoin Sabres Lineup Monday
Yegor Chinakhov

Penguins Acquire Yegor Chinakhov From Blue Jackets
Justin Herbert

Won't Face Broncos in Week 18
Marcus Mariota

Considered "a Stretch" to Play in Week 18
Geno Smith

Dealing With Significant Ankle Injury
Dak Prescott

Will Play in Week 18
Lamar Jackson

Week 18 Status "to be Determined"
Joe Mixon

Won't Return This Season
T.J. Watt

a Long Shot to Play in Week 18?
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
Joe Burrow

Will Play in Week 18 Against the Browns
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
Luther Burden III

Set to Undergo Additional Testing on Quad Injury
Kirill Marchenko

Scores Twice in Sunday's Win
Justin Brazeau

Pots First Career Hat Trick Sunday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Collects Season-High Three Points in Sunday's Loss
Eeli Tolvanen

Continues Scoring Surge With Three-Point Effort
Jack Eichel

to Remain Out Monday
Adam Fox

Nearing Return, Considered Day-to-Day
Josh Morrissey

Considered Day-to-Day After Missing Practice
D'Andre Swift

Finds End Zone Twice in Sunday Night Loss
Luther Burden III

Posts Season-High 138 Yards, Touchdown in Loss
Christian McCaffrey

Racks Up 181 Total Yards, Touchdown in Win Over Bears
Brock Purdy

Delivers Second Straight Five-Touchdown Performance
Parker Washington

Leads Jaguars in Targets, Receptions, and Receiving Yards
Wan'Dale Robinson

Posts Season-High 11 Receptions in Week 17
Josh Allen

Seen Limping From X-Ray Room, Says Foot Injury Didn't Affect Him
Geno Smith

Diagnosed With High-Ankle Sprain
Trey McBride

Sets All-Time Tight End Receptions Record
Geno Smith

Exits Early With Ankle Injury
Matthew Tkachuk

Returns to Practice
Linus Ullmark

Takes Leave of Absence
Travis Sanheim

Good to Go Against Kraken
Nick Foligno

Set to Return Sunday
William Nylander

Out Against Red Wings
Jared McCann

Available Sunday
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Michigan Targeting Kyle Whittingham as Next Head Coach
CFB

Texas Leading Rusher Quintrevion Wisner Set to Transfer
Pete Fairbanks

Marlins Agree on One-Year Deal
Brooks Koepka

Leaving LIV Golf

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