Fantasy Football top scorers by position: NFL 2025 Week 5

Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season didn’t disappoint for fantasy managers - unless, of course, you faced one of this week’s breakout stars. From dominant running back performances to rookie wideouts proving their worth, this week delivered a mix of expected studs and surprising heroes. Let’s take a look at the players who stole the fantasy spotlight and racked up the most points across the league.

NFL Fantasy Football 2025: Week 5 top scorers

Quarterback

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans: 28.76

After a rough start to the season, Stroud exploded in Week 5, completing 27 of 36 passes for 244 yards and four touchdown passes with no interceptions in the Texans’ 44-10 win at Baltimore. Stroud was facing a depleted Ravens defense and Houston has a tough schedule coming out of the bye week, but his performance on Sunday reminded us why he was such a fantasy success last season.

Running Back

Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers: 32.40

Dowdle officially stepped into premium fantasy status this week. He piled up 206 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the Panthers’ 27-24 win over Miami. With opportunity opening due to Chub Hubbard’s injury, he cemented himself as a must-watch waiver-wire target.

Wide Receiver

Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 31.30

As Tampa Bay’s go-to option with Mike Evans sidelined, rookie Egbuka exploded in Week 5 with seven catches for 163 yards and a touchdown, plus a two-point conversion catch in the Bucs’ 38-25 win over the Seahawks. That’s his second straight big day, and his efficiency (excellent passer rating when targeted) suggests it’s no fluke.

Tight End

AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks: 24.30

Barner was the most surprising of the fantasy top scorers in Week 5. He had his best score of the season after catching all seven of his targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns in the Seahawks’ loss to the Bucs.

Kicker

Ka’imi Fairbairn, Texans: 18.00

Fairbairn had a perfect night in the Texans’ win over the Ravens, making all five of his extra point attempts and all three of his field goal attempts, two of which were made from over 50 yards.

Defense

New Orleans Saints: 18.00

The Saints’ defensive backs stole the show in their win over the Giants, with Kool-Aid McKinstry, Jonas Sanker, and Jordan Howden all standing out. The entire New Orleans secondary dominated, holding New York’s top receivers to just 61 total yards. McKinstry recorded his first two career interceptions, Sanker added key pass breakups and a 30-yard fumble return to set up a field goal, and Howden (filling in for the injured Justin Reid) sealed the game with an 86-yard fumble return touchdown.

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