Liz LozaOct 1, 2025, 09:21 AM ETCloseLiz Loza is a writer for fantasy football, women’s basketball and betting at ESPN. Liz also appears on “Fantasy Football Now” and contributes to the Fantasy Focus Football podcast.
play0:57Why Loza expects Jeanty to continue to stand out in Week 5Liz Loza heaps praise on Ashton Jeanty’s big performance against the Bears and previews his Week 5 matchup against the Colts.
Liz Loza: ‘Omarion Hampton is that dude’ (0:42)Liz Loza explains why Omarion Hampton offers fantasy managers top-10 positional appeal heading into Week 5. (0:42)
Why Loza expects Jeanty to continue to stand out in Week 5Liz Loza heaps praise on Ashton Jeanty’s big performance against the Bears and previews his Week 5 matchup against the Colts.
Liz Loza heaps praise on Ashton Jeanty’s big performance against the Bears and previews his Week 5 matchup against the Colts.
Have you ever sensed something so deeply in your bones that it moved from being a hunch to unequivocal knowing?
Maybe it started as a whisper (or a drumbeat) and slowly, over time, as you listened more closely and further investigated the circumstances, a fervent assuredness began to materialize. One that you could not be dissuaded from trusting, no matter how many people looked at you sideways or doubted your thought process. Your conclusion remained indubitable. If this ship was going down then you were going down with it and Jack and Rose, too.
Conversely, have you ever sat across from a friend who was similarly steadfast in a take that made your head spin? Not because you were compelled by passionate agreement, but because they sounded absolutely bananas? The sort of opinion that turned you into a “Blinking Guy” meme. One that made you question how someone you adore, and respect so fully could possibly review the data and arrive at such an out-of-pocket decision.
It is that carefully combed and considered information that compels our argument. It is the bedrock of our belief and that which urges our forward motion. Without calculable materials and measurements our stance — and the motivations behind sharing it — are flimsy at best and selfish at worst. One stands on business. The other isn’t standing at all.
Why Loza expects Jeanty to continue to stand out in Week 5
The former North Carolina standout has delivered through the air and on the ground, registering 988 passing yards as well as 98 rushing yards, a feat no other player has yet accomplished. Almost unbelievably (especially given the talent at his avail), Maye is leading the league in completion percentage (74%). He’s also produced nine TDs (seven passing, two rushing), with only Allen and Jackson having logged more.
The benefit of being enveloped by subpar talent, of course, is that Collins remains the go-to option. His 31 looks account for nearly 27 percent of the team’s total target share. For context, his 8.3 looks per game place him 12th at the position in target share. Despite the clear obstacles, Collins has performed admirably with his chances. He’s averaged 16.2 fantasy points per game over his last three outings, ranking 11th at the position since Week 2.
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: It’s been a frustratingly topsy-turvy campaign for Brown. Despite drawing 28 looks, the veteran wideout has collected just 14 receptions (WR38). Admittedly, Philly has played conservatively when leading, which has suppressed the receiving opportunities. Given the team’s 4-0 record, it’s also been a constant theme (and a formula that’s unlikely to change).
The matchup additionally softens significantly for Benson heading into Week 5. Tennessee’s defense has allowed an average of 29.5 fantasy points per game to opposing runners. Specifically, each lead back to face the Titans has managed double-digit fantasy stats.
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks: Cue Harry Styles because Seattle’s backfield is the same as it ever was. Despite concerns regarding a foot injury, Charbonnet played second fiddle (albeit an exuberant one) to Kenneth Walker in Week 4. The Wally Pipp narrative was strong on the heels of an eye-opening Week 1. That story isn’t likely to fade away after Charbs found the end zone again last Thursday night. However, a deep dive of the data should temper the tales of a looming takeover.
Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants: Effectively streaming the tight end position has quickly become one of my favorite pastimes within a pastime. Since Mason Taylor shined as fantasy’s TE11 in Week 4 (11.5 FPTS), I’m motivated to identify this week’s under-the-radar star.
Selected in the fourth round of last year’s NFL draft, Johnson was lauded for his speed (4.57), separation skills and blocking ability while at Penn State. As a pro, he managed a pair of double-digit fantasy outings before his rookie campaign was cut short due to a foot injury on Thanksgiving. Now back to health, the second-year TE has drawn at least five looks in two of four games. He also happened to be on the receiving end of Jaxson Dart’s first TD last Sunday.
The first we consider conviction. The second we dub delusion. The two live dangerously close to one another, seemingly separated only by perspective and ego. But there’s more to it than that. True conviction is (or should be) borne out by an exhaustive amount of research. Acquired via fact-checking and dot-connecting, not stumbled upon like bumper sticker wisdom or, worse, a persuasive Insta. Delusion, on the other hand, appears the result of rosy-colored hearsay. A destination realized out of desire, rather than veracity. Something we devotedly daydreamed.
Of course, not every well-researched “start” will be blessed by 33 points. And, undoubtedly, some “sits” will still blow-up benches. That’s the deliciously frustrating part of this game that keeps us coming back. The work we do is directly proportional to our surety. It informs our patience and our willingness to let go of situations (and players) that no longer serve us (or our teams). Better to lose with conviction than be led by delusion. If we happen to win, well then that’s further confirmation of our process… and our person.
Undeniably, Maye has impressed as a passer. His rushing production, however, has substantially boosted his stock. Clearing 45 rushing yards in three consecutive efforts, Maye has recorded 24 rushing attempts, tying him for fifth at the position with Justin Fields and Caleb Williams. With an average of nearly two designed runs per game (QB11), it appears that Maye’s mobility is a conscious piece of the offensive plan, one that figures to be thoroughly utilized at Orchard Park on Sunday night. The Bills can’t stop the run, allowing an average of 6.0 YPC to rushers while additionally having given up the most rushing yards (199) to QBs. With the Patriots being 7.5-point road dogs, Maye’s challenge won’t be easy, but his toil should reward gamers with QB8 numbers.
Regardless, Olave remains the WR1 in a pass-friendly offense. His matchup at the Giants only betters his odds of delivering a top-20 fantasy WR finish. Admittedly, New York’s defensive line got after Justin Herbert last weekend. As such, the squad figures to, well, rattle The Rattler this Sunday. However, the G-Men’s secondary has been regularly picked on, remaining generous when tested. Not only have No. 1 WRs registered double-digit targets when facing Big Blue (10, 11, 9, 13), but each top wideout scored 18 or more fantasy points in the process. Consider Olave a solid WR2 for fantasy purposes in Week 5.
Yet, digging a bit deeper, Jalen Hurts’ accuracy has waned, as he’s completed 70 of 101 passes (69.3%, QB9). His efficiency hit a season low at Tampa Bay (62.5%), where he went 0-for-8 in the second half of last week’s contest (the most attempts without a completion in a half by any QB since 2008). He struggled to connect with Brown, tossing five of nine balls off-target to his No. 1 WR. That’s in stark contrast to the prior three weeks, in which Hurts threw just one off-target pass (out of a total of 20) Brown’s way.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals: There were high hopes for Benson heading into TNF last week. The second-year back had flashed behind James Conner, ripping off two runs of more than 20 yards just three efforts into 2025 and averaging nearly 6.0 yards per touch. While his debut as the team’s primary ball carrier underwhelmed, there remains room for optimism. He did, after all, record double-digit touches in a contest fraught with negative game script. For context, Benson’s eight carries accounted for over 40 percent of the team’s rushes. Add in his five grabs (on five targets), and his opportunities made up nearly 30 percent of the Cardinals’ total touches. Moreover, Benson’s numbers heartily outweighed those logged by Emari Demercado (4) or Michael Carter (1).
Walker maintained marginal control of Seattle’s backfield, staying on the field for 52 percent of the team’s snaps while Charbonnet was active for 45 percent of the offensive plays. Interestingly, Charbonnet ran more routes (12) than Walker (9), but the incumbent back logged seven more carries (and drew the same number of targets) than the second-year rusher. Like it or not, this is a committee, and Walker is serving more upside per touch, as evidenced by his superior efficiency metrics and his +2.6 EPA (RB19).
Both backs figure to face an uphill batter versus Tampa Bay in Week 5. The Buccaneers run defense did an admirable job of holding Saquon Barkley to just 43 rushing yards on 19 attempts last Sunday. In fact, the Bucs have allowed the second-lowest YPC (3.3) to rushers all season. Given the time share split and the matchup, Walker presents RB2 appeal while Charbs projects as a TD-dependent flex option. Continue to stash and start Charbonnet as needed, understanding that he’s more of a trusted 1B than a soon-to-be-exalted 1A (as long as KW3 stays healthy).
With Malik Nabers (knee) out for the remainder of the season, Johnson’s opportunities should increase. His connection with Dart also figures to work in his favor, especially when noting Dart’s mobility. Since Dart can run, he’s more likely to dump the ball off to Johnson when looking downfield, as opposed to throwing to fellow rookie Cam Skattebo (whom he can out-pace). Fold in the matchup at New Orleans, and Johnson is giving top-15 TE fantasy appeal. The Saints have allowed two scores to the position and two games of 10 or more fantasy points to TEs since the start of 2025. Johnson is currently available in 97% deepest of ESPN fantasy leagues.