Bold Predictions for Week 5 Fantasy Football

Last week, our Fantrax fantasy football contributors hit big with bold predictions citing big performances from Josh Jacobs, Evan Engram, and even Josh Palmer! So, let’s keep the momentum heading into Week 5! These bold predictions won’t always have a 100% success rate, but should at least help sway decision-making for your dynasty, redraft, or even Daily Fantasy Sports lineups.

2023 NFL Week 5 Bold Predictions for Fantasy Football

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

Bold Prediction: 20 carries, 125 yards, 1 touchdown; 4 receptions, 40 yards

26.5 fantasy points

Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT

I may have gotten carried away with some of these bold prediction numbers. However, after seeing what Miami Dolphins running backs, Raheem Mostert and rookie De’Von Achane, did to this Denver Broncos defense just two weeks ago, I’m not ruling out this stat line for Breece Hall.

Earlier this week, New York Jets head coach, Robert Saleh, claimed Hall is “no longer on a pitch count“, meaning he’s ready to handle a full workload. This should be music to the ears of those with Breece Hall on their fantasy football rosters. He has just 30.2 points on a meager 28 total touches this season.

Just when you’re feeling like you should bench Breece Hall, this bold prediction is meant to convince you otherwise. In fact, last season, Breece Hall ripped off a 62-yard touchdown in Denver against the Broncos. Unfortunately, soon after on a following drive, he succumbed to his season-ending ACL injury. That said, this is a revenge game of sorts for Hall as he has unfinished business in Denver. Start him with confidence in Week 5.

Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints

Bold Prediction: 4 receptions, 80 yards, 1 touchdown

18.0 fantasy Points

Fantrax Writer: Michael Reedy, @MikeReedyFF

Michael’s Breakdown: The Patriots have suffered some serious injuries on defense, especially in the secondary. Jack Jones still isn’t back from Injured Reserve and Christian Gonzales just joined him there this week. The Saints and their quarterback, Derek Carr, like to throw deep.

Shaheed has a lot of speed and is a downfield threat. He averages just under five targets per game, but this looks like a spot for him to break out. Right now Rashid averages 15.4 yards per reception, he has a 25% of the air yards share and is third on the team in targets. If we know one thing about the Patriots, they would try to take away the number one offensive player. For the Saints, that’s Chris Olave. Shaheed is going to eat in Week 5.

Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Bold Prediction: 5 receptions, 60 yards, 1 touchdown

17.0 fantasy points

Fantrax Writer: Mark Strausberg, @MarkStrausberg

Mark’s Breakdown: I have a league I’ve been in now for over 20 years. It is my auction keeper league. The reason I mention it is because when I drafted Josh Downs this year at the auction, I heard a rival manager next to me distinctly groan. I actually play that same manager this upcoming weekend and I suspect he will be more than groaning as we all witness the Josh Downs breakout game that fits my bold prediction.

Will he outproduce fellow Colts wide receiver and current top target, Michael Pittman? Probably not. However, eight different wideouts have caught at least five balls versus the Tennessee Titans. So, Downs doesn’t even to have exceed what Pittman Jr. does this weekend. But I expect both to have decent games given that Tennessee has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.

Downs doesn’t even have to catch a ton of passes to produce. His average depth of target (aDot) has gone up over the short season already, currently at 8.4 yards. He’ll likely be squaring off against Roger McCreary who is allowing a 72% catch rate and a 91.4 passer rating.

Predicting a player to score a touchdown is always risky. However, I think Downs will do it this weekend and he will also see his highest yardage total, especially against the porous Titans secondary.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bold Prediction: 275 passing yards, 3 touchdowns; 45 rushing yards

27.5 points

Fantrax Writer: Ray Kuhn, @Ray_Kuhn_28

Ray’s Breakdown: The Buffalo Bills have a strong defense. In fact, by some measures, they are the best defense against fantasy quarterbacks through the first four weeks of the season. Considering Buffalo allows just 169.5 pass yards and 13.8 points per game so far this season, should we even be surprised?

But then why am I advocating for Trevor Lawrence?

From a roster management perspective, Lawrence was drafted with the intention of being in your starting lineup each week. In a lot of these cases, a backup wasn’t even drafted. So, the first thought, is that especially in a bye week, are you really going to find a better option than Lawrence?

Next, we move to the specific circumstances surrounding Sunday’s game. If it was taking place in Buffalo, we would still be having this general conversation, but instead, it would be about a different player. Instead, the Bills are traveling across the ocean to London in order to take on a Jacksonville team that has made England their second home.

However, we might have buried the lead. This is the second straight game in England for Jacksonville, so they have a clear advantage from that perspective.

Last week, Lawrence threw for an unremarkable 207 yards and a touchdown while picking up the victory. It was another week in which he failed to throw an interception. The fact that Lawrence picks up a few extra fantasy points with his legs also helps here.

I like the Jaguars to make things interesting, and potentially pull off an upset, so why not target their quarterback here? This way, we also aren’t trying to guess which receiver to target as it’s likely Lawrence spreads the volume out.

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2023 NFL Bold Predictions 2023 NFL Week 5