X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Potential Busts for Week 5: Ranking the Top 10 for Fantasy Football

By Erik Daniel Drost (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsMilk Duds? Not a bad candy. Fantasy duds? Not a bad candy. Not a candy at all, actually. Nothing but broken dreams and ruined years (What? You don’t take fantasy football that seriously? Oh. My bad).

But really, nothing ruins a Sunday like your dudes laying an egg on you for no apparent reason.

No hamstring pulls, no twisted ankle. Maybe coach decided they were there to be a decoy, maybe no one was blocking for them, maybe they had a huge fight with their girlfriend or bootycall. Whatever reason, they weren’t up to par and you paid for it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Here’s a list of ten players that are endangered of being busts and disappointments this weekend. It is not a knock against them as players or their skill level, but reasons why I don’t like how they will perform in their upcoming game. Whether you decide to agree with me or not is, frankly, up to you. But here we go:

 

Top 10 Potential Busts & Disappointments for Week 5

Donald Brown (RB, SD) - vs. NYJ

Brown has spent the last few weeks reminding us why the Colts had no issue letting him walk during the offseason. Over the past two games, he has failed to crack 2.0 YPCand he is going up against a Jets’ front line that is allowing less than 75 YPG on the ground does not bode well for a Donald Brown slump breaker. Avoid him this week and cross your fingers that Ryan Mathews is going to come back healthy.

 

Terrance Williams (WR, DAL) - vs. HOU

The number 2 receiver in Dallas gave fantasy owners a glimpse of what he is capable of doing last week with his two touchdown receptions. It’s very important that the fluke potential is identified for the performance because nothing that Williams has done during the rest of the season makes me believe he’s going to be pulling it off again. Expect Tony Romo to look to Dez Bryant and Jason Witten as his offense approaches the endzone on Sunday.

 

Ben Tate (RB, CLE) - @TEN

What was the biggest issue coming into the season with Cleveland's new running back? The dude has a real problem staying on the field. What did we learn Week One? His injury concerns didn't just evaporate and he'll continue to take hard hits on 90% of the plays he's in. You should never expect someone to get hurt and dud it up. But yeah, I expect him to get hurt. And dud it up.

 

Knile Davis (RB, KC) - @SF

We have to remember that Davis is a back up. He may be a very talented back up but he's stuck behind an extraordinary talent in Jamal Charles (who reminded us on Monday just what he's capable of doing in fantasy football). If he gets any goal line carries, I'd be surprised and if he breaks 50 yards I'd be blown away. San Francisco is only going to allow one 100 yard rusher (if any) and no signs point to Davis being that guy.

 

A.J. Green (WR, CIN) - @NE

Call me crazy but I don’t imagine that the Patriots enjoyed being thoroughly embarrassed on Monday night, and that was followed up with Tom Brady calling out the team the next day. Something tells me that Darrelle Revis and the rest of the New England secondary is going to go at this game full force. And for a squad who is only giving up 180 yards through the air, that could be catastrophic for Bengals' passing game.

 

Demaryius Thomas (WR, DEN) - vs. ARI

Personally, I think that the Denver offense is on a new mission this season. Last year they did the record breaking thing and this year I think it’s all about keeping everyone fresh as they approach the playoffs. That’s why I think Peyton Manning has had no problem going away from his number one receiver so long as he can. And with Patrick Peterson lining up across from him, he has a good reason not to throw to Thomas that much this week.

 

Delanie Walker (TE, TEN) - vs. CLE

I'm not too high on Walker in first place and considering he's facing a defense who has Joe Haden occupying half the field and a linebacker corps that can drop into coverage on tight ends, it's not a pretty matchup. I also envision this game being the one where everyone realizes the Tennessee Titans aren't as good as we had thought they were before Week 1.

 

Pierre Garcon (RB, WAS), Kirk Cousins (QB, WAS), Alfred Morris (RB, WAS) - vs. SEA

Please refer to my (soon to be published) Week 5 DFS article, under the section entitled "Seattle is going to eat the Redskins alive on Monday night" to understand why I don't like these guys. In short, just avoid anyone wearing burgundy and gold on Monday.

 


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nick Lodolo

Reds Place Nick Lodolo on Injured List With Finger Blister
Alvin Kamara

Won't Play in Preseason Opener
Teddy Bridgewater

Buccaneers Officially Sign Teddy Bridgewater
Michael Pittman Jr.

Returns on Tuesday
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

is 100 Percent the RB1 in New York
Chris Brooks

Packers Have Confidence in Chris Brooks as RB2
Matthew Golden

Still Running With Starters in Two-Receiver Sets
Tucker Kraft

Back on the Field on Tuesday
Jayden Higgins

Listed as Starter on First Unofficial Depth Chart
Mike Gesicki

Won't Play in Preseason Opener
Marquise Brown

Still Not Practicing
Baker Mayfield

Back at Practice on Tuesday
Kyren Williams

Rams, Kyren Williams Agree to Three-Year Extension
Jordan Mason

a "Massive" Part of Minnesota's Offseason Plan
A.J. Brown

Not Practicing on Tuesday, Eagles Remain "Cautious"
Mason Taylor

Dealing with High-Ankle Sprain
Green Bay Packers

Nate Hobbs Will Miss the Rest of the Preseason
Matthew Stafford

has Not Practiced, but Rams Not Concerned
Joe Burrow

Will Play Several Series on Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Listed as Steelers Starting Running Back
DeMario Douglas

Has Been Patriots Second-Best Receiver in Training Camp
Cade Otton

Missing Practice on Tuesday
NHL

Jimmy Vesey Moves Abroad
ANA

Sam Colangelo Signs Two-Year Extension
NYI

Matthew Schaefer Signs Entry-Level Contract With Islanders
NBA

Brandon Boston Jr. Inks Deal with Fenerbahce
NBA

Jeff Dowtin Jr. Joins Six-Time EuroLeague Champions
NBA

Lonnie Walker IV Agrees to Three-Year Contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv
Neemias Queta

Working Back From Knee Surgery
Johnny Juzang

Links Up with Timberwolves
Ricky Council IV

Joins Nets on One-Year Contract
Aaron Judge

To Return To Yankees On Tuesday
Michael King

Could Make Next Start With Padres
Michael Soroka

To Go On Injured List
Nick Lodolo

Exits Early With Blister
Roman Anthony

Dealing With Back Tightness
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Not a "Buyout Candidate"
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Still Undecided About Future in Milwaukee
Max Muncy

Activated and Starting on Monday
Grayson Rodriguez

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Isaac Paredes

Won't Have Surgery, Hoping to Return This Year
Daniss Jenkins

Agrees to Two-Way Deal Wth Detroit
Washington Wizards

Jaylen Martin Waived by Wizards
De'Aaron Fox

Inks Extension With Spurs on Monday
Tatsuro Taira

Gets Submission Win
HyunSung Park

Undefeated No More
Mateusz Rębecki

Mateusz Rebecki Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 108
Chris Duncan

Wins Three In A Row
Elves Brener

Loses Three In A Row
Esteban Ribovics

Returns To The Win Column
Nora Cornolle

Gets Dominated At UFC Vegas 108
Karol Rosa

Outclasses Nora Cornolle
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 23rd at Open Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for 34th at Open Championship
Xander Schauffele

Finishes Tied For Seventh at Open Championship
Hideki Matsuyama

Finishes Tied for 19th at Wyndham Championship
Si Woo Kim

Misses The Cut at Wyndham Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Finishes Tied for 16th at Open Championship
Wyndham Clark

Finishes Tied for 12th at 3M Open
Sam Burns

Finishes Tied for 61st at 3M Open
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Suffers TKO Loss
Austin Riley

Braves Place Austin Riley Back on Injured List
Neil Magny

Gets Back In The Win Column
Danny Silva

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Kevin Vallejos

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Charges Back to Sixth at Iowa
Chase Briscoe

Finished Second Despite Being Trapped a Lap Down and Causing Two Wrecks
Brad Keselowski

Arguably Had the Best Drive at Iowa but Finished Third
Austin Dillon

Earns a Quiet Top Ten at Iowa
Kyle Larson

Poor Pit Strategy and Clash with Teammate Foil Kyle Larson at Iowa
William Byron

Stretches His Fuel to His Second Victory of 2025 At Iowa
Ryan Blaney

Continues A Strong Run of Success At Iowa
Ryan Preece

Eventful Race at Iowa Results In A Top-5 Finish
Denny Hamlin

Struggled Massively At Iowa
Tommy Edman

Likely Going on 10-Day Injured List
Austin Riley

Leaves With Abdominal Pain
Aaron Judge

on Track to Return Tuesday
Max Muncy

Could Return as Early as Monday
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Play for Iowa Lineups?
Denny Hamlin

Is A Top Driver to Consider for DFS At Iowa
Ryan Blaney

Is A Favorite to Go Back-To-Back With Iowa Victories
Tyler Reddick

has Plenty of Upside for Sunday's Race at Iowa
Carson Hocevar

What Should Fantasy Players do with Carson Hocevar at Iowa?
Chris Buescher

Is Chris Buescher Worth Rostering For Iowa DFS Lineups?
Ty Gibbs

Could Be A Solid DFS Option for Iowa
Logan Henderson

Recalled, Starting Sunday
Jacob Misiorowski

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Ryan Preece

Offers Plenty of Upside For DFS Lineups At Iowa On Sunday
NASCAR

A.J. Allmendinger Will Start in the Top 10 for the Second Week In A Row at Iowa
Austin Dillon

Could Austin Dillon Be A Decent DFS Option for Iowa?
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell Worth Rostering for Iowa DFS Lineups?
Zane Smith

Should DFS Players Roster Zane Smith At Iowa?
NHL

Jakub Lauko Returns to Czechia
Nicholas Robertson

Signs One-Year Contract with Maple Leafs
Alex Laferriere

Kings Re-Sign Alex Laferriere to Three-Year Deal
Duop Reath

Has Salary Guaranteed by Portland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Agrees to Contract Extension with the Lakers
William Contreras

Goes Deep in Five-Hit Night
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Exits Early Friday, Expects to Play Saturday
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez Named New Giants Closer
Jaden Springer

Signs Exhibit-9 Deal with New Orleans
Julian Champagnie

has Salary Guaranteed by San Antonio
Jackson Chourio

Could be Out a Month
Aaron Judge

Yankees Eyeing Return for Aaron Judge Next Week
Conor McGregor

Enters UFC Testing Pool
HyunSung Park

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Tatsuro Taira

Set For UFC Vegas 108 Main Event
Mateusz Rębecki

Mateusz Rebecki Looks For His Second Consecutive Win
Chris Duncan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Elves Brener

Looks For His Fourth UFC Win
Esteban Ribovics

Set For UFC Vegas 108 Main Card Bout
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos Aims To Bounce Back
Karol Rosa

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mikal Bridges

Signs Extension with Knicks
Connor McDavid

Oilers Hope to Finalize Connor McDavid's Contract Extension Soon
BUF

Devon Levi Re-Signs With Sabres for Two Years
Martin Pospisil

Signs Three-Year Extension
Dario Šarić

Dario Saric Hoping to Have Meaningful Role with Kings
Donte DiVincenzo

to Skip EuroBasket Due to Injury
Ayo Dosunmu

Set to Remain in Chicago
Malevy Leons

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Thunder
Daeqwon Plowden

Kings Pick Up Daeqwon Plowden on Two-Way Deal
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF