Week 5 is in the books, and it’s time to separate the players who are simply going through a rough stretch from the ones who are becoming legitimate concerns for fantasy managers. At this point in the season, box scores only tell part of the story. We need to look at snap counts, touches, targets, efficiency, and whether a player’s role is trending in the right or wrong direction. There are a few names I want to focus on this week that haven’t made it on here before.
This week, we have two early drafted running backs who haven’t been living up to their draft capital, and we have two quarterbacks where one has struggled the entire year, and one is coming off his worst game of the season. Let’s get into the Week 5 Panic Meter!
Chase Brown – Panic Meter: 6/10
The talent and offensive environment are there, but the production isn’t matching the expectations.
Chase Brown is becoming a frustrating player for fantasy managers. The Bengals have an offense capable of putting points on the board, which should give Brown plenty of opportunities to produce. The problem is that he hasn’t been efficient enough with those opportunities, and the competition for backfield work is becoming harder to ignore.
Through five games, Brown has recorded 71 carries for 246 rushing yards, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, with only one rushing touchdown. His Week 5 performance against Miami was particularly disappointing: 13 carries for 39 yards, a 3.0-yard average, and just 7.0 fantasy points according to FantasyData’s scoring. He also lost a fumble in the red zone. That’s not the kind of production managers were hoping for from a back attached to an offense with scoring potential.
The other concern is the workload. Samaje Perine is in the picture, and every opportunity that goes elsewhere makes Brown’s fantasy floor less secure. Brown has shown receiving upside, including an 11-catch, 71-yard performance in Week 4. Still, we need that involvement to translate into more consistent production. His receiving role gives him a path to fantasy relevance even when the rushing efficiency isn’t there.
The good news is that the Bengals’ offense can create scoring opportunities, and Brown doesn’t need to average five yards per carry to be a useful fantasy back if he gets enough volume and goal-line chances. However, one touchdown through five games and a 3.5-yard rushing average are legitimate warning signs.
My take: I’m not ready to abandon Brown, but I’m definitely concerned. The offense gives him a chance to turn things around, but poor rushing efficiency, limited touchdown production, and Perine competing for work make this a situation worth monitoring closely. I’d hold for now rather than sell at his lowest value.
Tyler Shough – Panic Meter: 3/10
Do not panic after one ugly game against Brian Flores and the Vikings defense.
If you started Tyler Shough in Week 5, there’s a good chance you’re frustrated. A quarterback putting up -0.16 fantasy points is never what you want to see, especially if you were hoping he’d become a dependable option in your lineup. But I’m not ready to sound the alarm just yet.
The biggest factor here is the matchup. Shough faced Brian Flores’ Minnesota Vikings defense, a unit known for using pressure, disguising coverages, and forcing quarterbacks to make quick decisions. That’s a particularly difficult matchup for a year-2 quarterback who is still learning how to navigate NFL defenses. One bad performance against that kind of opponent shouldn’t erase everything we’ve seen from him.
Before Week 5, Shough was playing like a legit QB1. He entered the Minnesota matchup with 1,203 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, and three interceptions through his first four games. He had also rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown, to make things sweeter.
That rushing component matters. Young quarterbacks don’t always need to be perfect passers to help fantasy managers, especially when they can pick up yards with their legs. Shough’s early passing production also suggests that the Week 5 disaster shouldn’t automatically define the rest of his season.
I’m also encouraged by the upcoming schedule, which looks much more manageable than the Minnesota matchup. A softer stretch could give Shough a chance to settle down, make better decisions, and rebuild some confidence. The important thing is to evaluate his next few games rather than overreact to one awful result.
My take: A 3/10 panic rating feels right. I’m not saying Shough is suddenly a must-start quarterback, but I’m certainly not giving up on him because he struggled against Flores’ defense. If the struggles continue against more favorable opponents, then we can revisit the panic meter.
Jalen Hurts – Panic Meter: 8/10
This is no longer just a bad stretch. There are legitimate reasons to be worried about the Eagles’ offense.
Jalen Hurts is one of the biggest disappointments for fantasy managers through the first five weeks. When you draft Hurts, you’re expecting an elite fantasy quarterback who can win you weeks with his arm and his legs. Right now, neither part of his game is consistently delivering, and it’s really hurting your production at the QB spot.
Hurts is coming off a 17-19 loss to Jacksonville in which he completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown. He added just two rushing attempts for two yards. That followed a Week 4 performance against the Rams in which he threw for only 93 yards, despite recording two passing touchdowns. But Hurts has scored 13.5 and 13.0 fantasy points in those two games.
The biggest concern is that this doesn’t look like a problem with Hurts alone. The offensive line has been dealing with significant personnel issues, and the offense has lost key pieces along the way. Losing two offensive linemen this season has made an already difficult transition into a new offensive system even more challenging.
The supporting cast also isn’t giving Hurts the same margin for error. With the offense struggling to establish its identity, the passing game has looked disconnected, and the rushing attack has been nowhere compared to their 2024 campaign. Philadelphia managed just 22 rushing yards as a team against Jacksonville. That’s a bad number for an offense that has traditionally relied on its ability to control games on the ground.
Hurts’ recent passing numbers are especially concerning. He has thrown for 153, 93, and 220 yards over his last three games, with just three passing touchdowns during that stretch. The Jacksonville game was an improvement in yardage, but completing only 52.5% of his passes shows that the passing game still has plenty of work to do.
And here’s the real issue for fantasy managers: Hurts’ rushing upside is one of the biggest reasons he has been such a valuable fantasy asset, but if the Eagles can’t sustain drives or create scoring opportunities, that ceiling becomes much harder to reach.
I don’t think you can simply bench a quarterback with Hurts’ talent, but I would be much more concerned about his outlook than I was a few weeks ago. The coaching staff needs to find a way to simplify the offense, improve protection, and get the run game moving again.
My take: An 8/10 panic rating is warranted. I’m not saying Hurts is washed or that you should sell him for pennies on the dollar. However, the offensive line issues, growing pains in the new system, and inconsistent passing production are real problems. I’d still look to start him in some formats because of his upside for a rushing TD, but he is no longer someone I’d consider an automatic weekly starter.
Ashton Jeanty – Panic Meter: 6/10
The workload is still worth investing in, but the efficiency, injury concerns, and backfield competition are becoming difficult to ignore.
Jeanty is another player who has left fantasy managers wanting more through the first five weeks. The year 2 running back entered the season with massive expectations, but his early production hasn’t matched the hype. Now, between an ongoing ankle issue, disappointing efficiency, and a potential increase in work for Mike Washington Jr., there are legitimate reasons to be panicking.
Before Week 5, Jeanty had recorded 78 carries for 264 rushing yards, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry, with no rushing touchdowns. He had also caught 19 passes for 165 yards and two receiving touchdowns. That receiving involvement has helped keep his fantasy production relevant, but the rushing numbers are concerning for a player expected to be a centerpiece of the Raiders’ offense.
The most alarming development is his usage. Jeanty played his lowest snap total of the season in Week 5. The blowout played a role in that reduced workload, so I wouldn’t automatically interpret one game as proof that he’s losing his job. Still, when a player is already dealing with an injury and struggling to produce efficiently, any decrease in opportunities deserves attention.
The ankle injury he suffered in the summer also remains. Jeanty has been battling ankle and foot issues, including plantar fasciitis, and was listed as questionable before the Patriots game. Even if he continues to play, it’s fair to say he’s not 100%. A running back who isn’t completely healthy may struggle to create explosive plays, particularly behind an offense that hasn’t consistently opened up running lanes.
Then there’s Mike Washington Jr. Washington has already shown that he can contribute, recording 120 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries through his first four games. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak has also discussed getting him more involved after their loss this weekend. That’s worth monitoring because Jeanty’s fantasy value depends heavily on maintaining a strong share of the backfield opportunities.
To be clear, Washington’s presence doesn’t mean Jeanty is losing his lead role. Jeanty’s receiving production gives him an advantage in PPR formats, and his draft capital suggests the Raiders have plenty of incentive to continue developing him. But if Washington begins taking more carries, particularly in valuable situations, Jeanty’s path to consistent RB1 production becomes risky if this were to ever become a committee.
The good news is that the opportunity is still there for Jeanty to turn things around. He has already demonstrated that he can contribute as a receiver, and an improvement in health and rushing efficiency could change the outlook quickly. The concern is whether he can put together a stretch of games where the volume and production finally match the expectations.
My take: A 6/10 panic rating feels appropriate. I’m not ready to give up on Jeanty, especially because of his receiving role and long-term talent. However, the ankle issue, lack of rushing touchdowns, 3.4 yards per carry, and Washington’s potential involvement make this a situation worth watching closely. I’d hold Jeanty rather than sell low, but I’d be paying very close attention over the next couple of weeks.
