Each week, the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be started in fewer than 60% of Yahoo leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week. Scoring thresholds in .5 PPR format are — QB: 18 fantasy points, RB: 12 fantasy points (10 for shockers), WR: 11 fantasy points, TE: 10 fantasy points.
More Week 5 Flames: Quarterback | Wide receiver and tight end
Started in Yahoo | DraftKings DFS | Matchup | Vegas line | Total pts |
---|---|---|---|---|
48% | $6,000 | at Chargers | Chargers -3 | 47.5 |
For the Hunt-er gatherers in attendance, it’s the same old story in Cleveland. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is committed to a multi-back ground game, with the complementary option earning the occasional red-zone touch, but it’s anyone’s best guess when Nick Chubb or Hunt will be deployed. What is concrete is the weekly volume the latter receives. Through four weeks, he’s garnered nearly 40% of the opportunity share, netting 14.3 touches per game. He’s also carved out a formidable role inside the 20, though, again, good luck trying to figure out who will earn the very valuable goal-line carry on any given drive.
The Chargers run defense, down Joey Bosa, has come unspooled. The Bolts have surrendered a massive 6.18 yards per carry, 154.3 total yards per game, five combined scores and the fourth-most fantasy points to RBs. Knowing Cleveland features a conservative offense — the Browns run the ball 53.02% of the time, the fifth-highest amount in the league — and a top-10 run-blocking line, Hunt is sure to have a seat on the Week 5 main stage. Due to the position's already measurable injury-influenced turnover, consider him a firm RB2 in 12-team formats.
Fearless Forecast: 11 carries, 48 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 16 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 13.4 fantasy points
Week 5 Bonus Flames

New England Patriots running back Damien Harris (37) carries the ball up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Started in Yahoo | DraftKings DFS | Matchup | Vegas line | Total pts |
---|---|---|---|---|
26% | $5,600 | vs. Lions | Patriots -3 | 45.5 |
To Rhamondre Stevenson zealots, Harris is an annoying nuisance. After all, workload hogs in fantasy oink the loudest. RBBCs, though, are omnipresent throughout the league. New England is no exception. Long gone are the days of Corey Dillon obliterating the opposition some 20-25 times per game. Regardless, Harris is worth the promotion. Though somewhat unreliable on the surface, he’s performed above average underneath, as evidenced by his 3.24 YAC per attempt (RB22). The near 50-50 split with Stevenson (45% snap share in Week 4) may cause skittishness, but the Week 5 matchup is undeniably spectacular. Detroit has coughed up 5.21 yards per carry, 146.8 total yards per game, eight touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to RBs. Put some faith in the Pat.
Fearless Forecast: 16 carries, 77 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 receptions, 8 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 15.5 fantasy points

Oct 2, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins (27) rushes during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Started in Yahoo | DraftKings DFS | Matchup | Vegas line | Total pts |
---|---|---|---|---|
17% | $5,900 | vs. Bengals | Ravens -3 | 48.5 |
Easing his way back into game flow last week, Dobbins ran with conviction, earned goal-line work and largely resembled the expected three-down centerpiece in a run-anchored Ravens attack. Overall, he logged action on 35 of 70 snaps, ran 13 routes and slashed a 13-41-1-4-22-1 line against the Bills. His 2.35 YAC per attempt over two games is uncharacteristic, but his touch volume should steadily climb, continuing this week against division rival Cincinnati. The Bengals have yet to allow a 70-yard rusher. However, facing a physically limited Najee Harris, aging Zeke Elliott and split backfields of the Jets and Dolphins means they haven't been properly challenged. Baltimore's propensity for the run (No. 9 in run percentage) points to Cincy being tested. On a likely season-high workload, J.K. powers his way to a top-20 RB effort.
Fearless Forecast: 16 carries, 68 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 3 receptions, 15 receiving yards, 0 touchdowns, 15.8 fantasy points
Season record: 4-7
Last week: 2-1 (Jamaal Williams 23.4, Rhamondre Stevenson 10.9, Dameon Pierce 22.9)