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Joey Pollizze's five fantasy football bold predictions for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season. Expert predictions for Justin Fields, Rachaad White, Ladd McConkey, and more.
We are at the point of the fantasy season where the depth on your roster is being tested. With injuries starting to pile up and bye weeks taking place, fantasy managers might have to turn to some unexpected players in Week 5. However, some of these unexpected players could be in for a strong game.
In this article, we will look at five of my boldest predictions for Week 5. These bold predictions are definitely long shots, but there are reasons why these might happen this weekend.
So, let's dive in and look at my five bold predictions for Justin Fields, Rachaad White, Rico Dowdle, Emeka Egbuka, and Ladd McConkey.
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Justin Fields Finishes as the Overall QB1
Fields has started three games for the Jets this season. In two of those three contests, Fields scored over 27 fantasy points. Although the passing numbers haven't quite been there, his rushing continues to give him a higher fantasy ceiling each week. The 26-year-old currently ranks first in rush yards per game (59.3) among all QBs through the first four weeks.
Now, he'll go up against a Cowboys defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to the position. Caleb Williams finished as the overall QB1 against this secondary back in Week 3, and Dallas has let up at least three passing touchdowns in each of the past three games.
JUSTIN FIELDS TO THE HOUSE
NYJvsMIA on ESPN
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/92RkeGy7qF— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2025
Given that the Cowboys also rank 27th in rush yards allowed to the position, Fields has a great shot to finish as the overall QB1 this week. He has both a solid floor and a high ceiling to finish that high in fantasy this weekend.
Rachaad White and Rico Dowdle Finish Top-12
Both backups (White and Dowdle) are expected to start for their respective teams this weekend. Bucky Irving is dealing with a foot injury that will give White his first start of the season, and Chuba Hubbard has already been out due to a calf injury, paving the way for Dowdle to get the majority of snaps in Week 5.
With both running backs starting, they have the potential to finish top-12 at the position this week. We saw what White can do when he has this backfield to himself. With a matchup against the Seahawks in Week 5, he has RB1 upside. Seattle has allowed the second-most receptions and the most receiving yards to running backs through the first four weeks.
RACHAAD. WHITE.
📺: #TBvsHOU on ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/QBTShD87Cs
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 16, 2025
As for Dowdle, he should assume that RB1 role in Carolina's backfield. In that RB1 role, Hubbard has totaled at least 15 touches in three of four games. Since Dowdle will have that job this week, a top-12 finish is certainly possible. This matchup against the Dolphins is favorable, considering a running back has scored over 16 PPR fantasy points against them in three straight contests.
Emeka Egbuka Totals Under 40 Receiving Yards
Egbuka has been the best rookie wide receiver through the first four weeks. He has 18 catches for 282 yards and four touchdowns to begin his career. However, the former Ohio State star could struggle in the receiving game in a Week 5 matchup against the Seahawks.
Seattle hasn't allowed many big games through the air this year. Ricky Pearsall did have a 108-yard performance back in Week 1, but since then, this Seahawks secondary has held DK Metcalf (20 yards), Chris Olave (57 yards), and Marvin Harrison Jr. (66 yards) all under 70 yards.
3rd touchdown in 2 games for Emeka Egbuka!
TBvsHOU on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/XaloB7gM4S— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2025
Given that Egbuka ranks toward the bottom of the league in separation score, this spells disaster for him in Week 5. The Seahawks have allowed the second-fewest receiving yards to WRs this year. So, my bold prediction is that the rookie will total under 40 receiving yards in a tough matchup.
Ladd McConkey Finishes Higher Than Both Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen
This one might be the boldest prediction yet. McConkey has been awful for fantasy managers to begin the season and currently ranks third on the team in catches, receiving yards, and targets. However, this might finally be the week that the second-year playmaker outscores both Johnston and Allen.
For starters, Johnston will likely be matched up against Marshon Lattimore for most of the game. Even though Lattimore has strictly played the right side this year, that's where the 6-foot-2 playmaker plays 60% of his snaps. The Commanders have also struggled a bit against slot WRs in the early going. Washington ranks 29th in fantasy points allowed to slot WRs this year.
So, McConkey could be in for a big game in Week 5. He has played more slot snaps than Allen this year, and this could finally be the game where he explodes.
