Welcome to the Week 5 Dynasty Risers & Fallers. I highlight which players have had a huge rise or fall in their fantasy value this week.
Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers is one of the biggest topics in dynasty every season. It’s quick & easy to understand, translates to several different league formats beyond dynasty, and, most of all, it’s SEO-friendly. This season, Fantasy Sports Advice Network has allowed me to cover the biggest movers of our beloved fantasy football space each week! So without further ado, why don’t we talk about the players that made a splash (both good and bad) in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL Season!
Week 5 Dynasty Risers
Woody Marks, RB (Houston Texans)
Rookie running back Woody Marks has quickly emerged as a fantasy football riser, especially following a breakout performance in Week 4, where he finished as the Standard RB5 and PPR RB6. His snap share has increased steadily each week, finally overtaking veteran Nick Chubb with a 57.7% share, signaling a shift in the Texans’ backfield pecking order. Marks capitalized on the opportunity with 21 touches for 119 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns—one rushing and one receiving—highlighting his dual-threat ability. In contrast, Chubb managed just 15 touches for 62 yards, continuing a disappointing trend for the veteran, who has yet to return to form after a major knee injury.
A fourth-round rookie out of USC, Marks brought an NFL-ready skillset to Houston, having rushed for over 1,000 yards with 47 receptions and nine total touchdowns in his final college season. That versatility is translating well at the pro level, especially as the Texans deal with uncertainty surrounding Joe Mixon’s mysterious injury with no clear timeline for return. Marks appears to be seizing the moment, and his expanding role suggests this isn’t a one-week fluke. With the Texans’ offense clicking and Marks showing explosiveness and reliability in both phases, he may have officially taken over the backfield—and savvy fantasy managers should take note before his stock climbs even higher.
George Pickens, WR (Dallas Cowboys)
George Pickens delivered his long-awaited breakout performance in Week 4, finishing as the Standard WR1 and PPR WR2 after torching the Packers for 8 receptions, 134 yards, and 2 touchdowns on a team-high 11 targets. With CeeDee Lamb sidelined, Pickens finally had the spotlight to himself—and he didn’t disappoint. This explosion followed two consecutive weeks of strong production, each with 60+ receiving yards and a touchdown, signaling a clear upward trajectory. Pickens has quickly become a go-to option in one of the league’s most aggressive passing offenses.
The Cowboys currently lead the NFL in pass plays per game, and Pickens is taking full advantage, leading the entire league in routes run. That level of usage, combined with growing chemistry with Dak Prescott, sets the stage for consistent fantasy production moving forward—even once Lamb returns. Pickens’ ability to win downfield, create separation, and dominate in contested catch situations makes him a perfect fit for Dallas’ high-volume aerial attack. As his role continues to expand, he’s proving he’s not just a fill-in—he’s a rest-of-season fantasy difference-maker.
Justin Fields, QB (New York Jets)
Justin Fields reminded everyone of his elite fantasy upside in Week 4, finishing as the QB4 in his first game back from a concussion. He totaled 226 passing yards and a touchdown, while adding 81 rushing yards and a score on the ground—showcasing the explosive dual-threat ability that makes him a fantasy cheat code when healthy. This wasn’t a one-off either; Fields was the QB2 in Week 1, and now with two full games under his belt, he’s compiled 2 passing TDs and 3 rushing TDs, reaffirming his status as a high-ceiling fantasy quarterback when on the field.
Despite missing nearly two games, Fields still ranks as the QB18 on the year—a testament to just how productive he can be in limited time. While the Jets are off to a winless 0-4 start, Fields’ athleticism and playmaking are shining through, giving New York fans hope they may have finally found their long-term answer at quarterback. And from a fantasy perspective, even if real-life wins are scarce, garbage time production still counts the same. If Fields can stay healthy and continue building rhythm in the offense, he’s a weekly top-10 QB candidate with league-winning upside.
Week 5 Dynasty Risers- Honorable Mentions
Jaxson Dart, QB (New York Giants)
Jake Ferguson, TE (Dallas Cowboys)
Puka Nacua, WR (Los Angeles Rams)
Quentin Johnston, WR (Los Angeles Chargers)
Week 5 Dynasty Fallers
Tyreek Hill, WR (Miami Dolphins)
Tyreek Hill has long been one of the most electric and dependable wide receivers in fantasy football, but he now finds himself as a clear faller heading into the rest of the season—and possibly beyond. While I’ve typically avoided injury-based fallers, Hill’s case is different, given his elite track record. Even before suffering a season-ending dislocated knee, the signs of decline were beginning to show. He finished last season as just the WR29 in points per game and was sitting at WR23 in PPG through the first few weeks of 2025. Tua Tagovailoa’s inconsistency didn’t help, but Hill’s own metrics—targets, separation, and explosive plays—had taken a noticeable dip.
Now with a dislocated knee that likely involves multiple ligament tears, Hill’s fantasy outlook has gone from concerning to grim. At 31 years old and turning 32 next season, a recovery from such a significant injury is far from guaranteed, especially for a player whose game relies heavily on elite speed and quick-twitch explosiveness. We may have seen the last of Tyreek Hill as a fantasy WR1, and dynasty managers in particular need to start preparing for life after “The Cheetah.”
Brian Thomas Jr, WR (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Brian Thomas Jr. was a breakout star as a rookie, but his 2025 season has been a major disappointment so far, making him a clear fantasy faller through four weeks. He has yet to post a single game with over 60 receiving yards or find the end zone, and currently sits as the WR46 in points per game. The advanced metrics paint an even bleaker picture—he’s outside the top 32 in nearly every key category, including route participation, red zone target share, receptions, receiving yards, YAC, and yards per route run. While Trevor Lawrence’s struggles have played a role, BTJ hasn’t helped himself either, reportedly running lazy routes and showing a clear hesitancy to initiate or absorb contact.
Still, there’s reason to believe a turnaround is possible. Thomas is too talented to stay quiet all year, and we’ve already seen what kind of fantasy weapon he can be when things click. His value is sinking fast, which presents a potential buy-low window for managers willing to take a calculated risk. If you can acquire him at WR2 pricing or cheaper, the upside is still there for a second-half rebound—especially if the Jaguars offense starts to stabilize.
Jameson Williams, WR (Detroit Lions)
Jameson Williams remains one of the most polarizing names in fantasy football, but through four weeks of 2025, he’s trending clearly in the wrong direction. Despite the Lions’ offense evolving into one of the league’s more dynamic units, Williams hasn’t carved out a consistent role. He has just one game with more than five targets—where he turned in a meager 2 catches for 40 yards—and while he did flash his trademark explosiveness in a 108-yard, 1-TD outing, that production came on only two receptions. He’s currently the WR45 in points per game, and his 50% catch rate underscores the inefficiency that’s plagued his season.
While Amon-Ra St. Brown is thriving as the WR2 overall and leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns, Williams is falling behind across the board—ranking outside the top 32 in targets, catchable target rate, receptions, expected fantasy points, yards per route run, and even target separation. The big-play ability is still there, but right now he’s looking more like a weekly dart throw than a reliable starter. Surprisingly, he’s still valued as the Dynasty WR24 on KeepTradeCut, and if you can get that kind of return, it might be the perfect time to sell before the gap between potential and production grows even wider.
Week 5 Dynasty Fallers- Honorable Mentions
Russell Wilson, QB (New York Giants)
James Conner, RB (Arizona Cardinals)
Nick Chubb, RB (Houston Texans)
Tee Higgins, WR (Cincinnati Bengals)
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