Week 4 produced a quieter fantasy quarterback slate than usual, with Drake Maye’s 26.16 points leading the position and no passer reaching 30. As managers weigh favorable matchups for the coming weekend, Jacoby Brissett’s matchup with Detroit has become one of the most debated streaming decisions, while several wide receivers have built strong cases for immediate lineup roles.
Brissett matchup draws attention, but streaming risk remains
Brissett has become a popular option against the Lions, a defense widely viewed as a favorable quarterback matchup. Still, the recent history of heavily promoted streamer plays offers a warning. Marcus Mariota was a popular choice last week but left his game early because of injury, although he nearly matched Justin Herbert’s weekly output.
The concern is not Brissett’s opportunity alone, but the tendency for consensus fantasy “smash spots” to fall short of expectations. That makes him a volatile decision despite his high ranking in several weekly projections.
Quarterback decisions for Week 5
- Drake Maye: Maye led all quarterbacks in Week 4 with 26.16 fantasy points. Las Vegas has been roughly average in fantasy points yielded to quarterbacks and ranks among the league’s top 12 defenses in DVOA, but Maye remains a viable starting option.
- Jalen Hurts: Hurts is becoming a tougher weekly evaluation after throwing for only 93 yards last week. Philadelphia also struggled on third down and traded offensive lineman Cam Jurgens. Hurts’ rushing workload still gives him a meaningful floor, even as the passing game searches for consistency.
- Trevor Lawrence: Lawrence has played well in real football terms but has not consistently produced like a top fantasy quarterback. His track record in London is particularly concerning: across seven appearances there, he has averaged 14.2 fantasy points and has not topped 20 points in any of those games. His only London victory with more than one touchdown pass came against the Bears in 2024, a game in which he also threw two interceptions.
Wilson surges as Cardinals receivers gain traction
Michael Wilson has emerged as one of the hottest wideouts in fantasy. Over the last two weeks, he has totaled 42.4 points, a pace that would place him sixth among receivers over that span. He also leads the NFL during those two games with 30 targets and eight red-zone targets.
Wilson should be in starting lineups, particularly with Arizona facing Detroit. Marvin Harrison Jr. also has an attractive matchup, though his recent production has not established that he has fully recaptured expectations attached to his talent.
Harrison and Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. are worth monitoring as potential trade candidates. Both have the ability to benefit if a move places them in a more receiver-needy offense, and their underlying talent remains appealing despite uncertain current situations.
Other receiver trends and emerging options
- Carnell Tate: Tate posted 21.5 fantasy points in Week 4 and has claimed nearly 30 percent of Tennessee’s target share this season. His role is trending upward, making him a receiver to consider before his value rises further.
- Malik Washington: Washington has delivered at least 10 fantasy points in consecutive games. He is a possible fill-in for managers without Chiefs or Panthers pass catchers because of their bye weeks. Miami faced an unusually difficult opening schedule, and a softer stretch could also help running back Ollie Gordon II.
- Roman Wilson: Wilson has scored 31.4 points over his last two games and has seen six or more targets in each of the Steelers’ four games. The individual usage is encouraging, although Pittsburgh’s overall offensive reliability remains a concern.
- Drake London: Atlanta’s offense has looked markedly different with Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback. Penix has helped London become the high-volume receiver many expected, strengthening London’s weekly fantasy outlook.
