Fantasy Football Takeaways from Week 5 Sunday Games: Rico Dowdle, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and More

Another NFL Sunday is in the books. There were several notable fantasy football performances yesterday, so let's go over some of them here.

Check back soon for an IDP roundup, and more fantasy football coverage!

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Dowdle Shines in Lead Role

Rico Dowdle was the lead back for the Panthers with Chuba Hubbard out with an injury, and Dowdle took advantage of the opportunity, to say the least.

He attempted 23 rushes in the team's win over the Dolphins. Dowdle gained 206 yards and scored a touchdown. His lone run was 53 yards. Dowdle also had 28 receiving yards on three receptions and four targets.

Dowdle dominated the backfield touches, with fellow running back Trevor Etienne only getting four carries and five touches overall. He produced 29 total yards.

The backfield belonged to Dowdle, and for as long as Hubbard is out, Dowdle should be the Panthers' lead back. He's worth adding in all leagues until Hubbard returns to the field. Dowdle's strong play might have earned him a decent role for the entire season, so there's a chance he remains at least a deep-league asset.

Egbuka Keeps Delivering

Emeka Egbuka just keeps shining for the Buccaneers.

He went for 163 yards and a score on seven receptions and targets on Sunday.

Egbuka now has back-to-back 100-yard games, which coincides with Mike Evans being out. He has 445 yards and five scores on the season, so it's not like Evans' presence early in the season slowed the rookie much.

Without Evans around though, Egbuka is a high-end fantasy asset every week. Even when Evans returns, Egbuka still should be starting in all leagues. 

His fantasy value is sky high right now, and some might want to sell, but I'd really only consider that if you are stacked at receiver otherwise. I'd much rather roster and utilize the rookie the rest of the way than look to cash in on his hot start to the season.

Stroud Leadings QBs

C.J. Stroud was stellar against the Ravens in a lopsided win on Sunday.

He was 23-of-27 passing for 244 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Stroud added a 30-yard run on his only attempt.

Stroud now has six touchdowns and no picks over the past two games, and the Texans have gotten rolling overall, so the quarterback's fantasy value is rising. Expect him to keep being added in more fantasy leagues, and to be a bit more popular trade asset (moreso in deeper leagues).

After Stroud, there's several other quarterbacks who had big showings in week 5.

Dak Prescott delivered great numbers again and is QB2 going into the Monday night game. Sam Darnold was great despite his team losing, but fantasy owners aren't going to complain with a QB3 finish (potentially) for him.

Baker Mayfield was next up in fantasy points, while Justin Fields was after him (Fields' performance came in a loss). Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff also had 20+ fantasy points

Croskey-Merritt Steps Up

Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a top-five fantasy back so far in week 5.

He turned 14 carries into 111 yards and two scores, with a long run of 27 yards. He added 39 receiving yards on two catches and targets. JCM's great day was dampened a bit with a lost fumble.

Still, the rookie easily had his best game as a pro. Even better, he dominated the Washington backfield. Chris Rodriguez had five carries and touches, while Jeremy McNichols had one carry and one catch.

Croskey-Merritt still only played 28 offensive snaps, which was 47% of the team's total. Rodriguez and McNichols had 15 snaps each (25%).

It was a step in the right direction for Croskey-Merritt, but I'm still not all in on the rookie. He's still losing too many snaps and touches to other backs on the team to feel super confident about starting him in all leagues every week.

After this performance though, it will surely be a lot easier to fire up JCM. I'm sure we'll cover Croskey-Merritt more in the leadup to the team's next game, so be sure to check back for those articles.

Diggs Emerging?

For a second straight week, Stefon Diggs had a great fantasy showing.

In week 5, Diggs had 146 yards on 10 receptions and 12 targets in the Patriots' win over the Bills. He had 101 yards on six grabs and seven targets in week 4.

Diggs still hasn't scored this season, but he looks to clearly be the team's No. 1 wide receiver now. What's wild is that Diggs only played 30 offensive snaps on Sunday night, which was 50% of the team's total.

Diggs is producing enough when he's on the field to have fantasy value in all leagues. His low snap percentage makes him a bit more risky a fantasy asset, but until his production slows on the field, I'd be happy to start him in most fantasy leagues.

TE Leaders

The wild and unpredictable tight end spot was led by AJ Barner in week 5.

The Seattle tight end had 53 yards and two scores on seven receptions and targets. That outing will make Barner a big waiver wire target going into week 6.

Jake Ferguson is TE2 after hauling in seven of his nine targets for 49 yards and two scores. He's been a stellar fantasy option over the past several weeks, and I'm not so sure the return of CeeDee Lamb is going to slow him much.

Theo Johnson had 33 yards and two scores on six catches and seven targets and currently sits as TE3. He'll be another big waiver wire add going into next week.

Sam LaPorta finally got going again with 92 yards and a score on five receptions and six targets. This outing will make it easier to start him going into week 6, and beyond.

Darren Waller delivered for a second straight contest, and saw his usage increase. He went for 78 yards and a score on five catches and targets. Waller will be added in more leagues and be an even better fantasy option for the team's next game.