NFL Barometer: Cooper Capsizing

Another week of action brought another round of injuries, as well as performances that continued to reveal where the fortunes of various players may be headed this season. Here's a look at who's running hot and cold as we head into Week 6.

RISING

Quarterback

Jameis Winston, Buccaneers- Although the end results have sometimes been disappointing from a team perspective, Winston is enjoying an individually fruitful season thus far. The 2015 first-round pick has three consecutive 300-yard efforts for the first time in his career and a 7:3 TD:INT through the first five games. He's put up no less than 38 pass attempts in each of the last trio of contests, and the presence of a more consistent and complete rushing attack in the form of Doug Martin and Jacquizz Rodgers could open up downfield passing opportunities even further.

Kevin Hogan, Browns- It looks increasingly likely that Hogan will get a chance to helm the Cleveland offense, at least for the short term. The versatile signal caller undeniably provided a spark when he took over to open the second half against the Jets on Sunday, going 16-for-19 with 194 yards and two touchdowns while also logging four rushes for 30 yards. Hogan had also been effective in a couple of shorter relief stints in Weeks 2 and 4 and brings considerable rushing upside to the position as well.

Cam Newton, Panthers- Newton certainly appeared headed in the opposite direction three games ago, as he'd just thrown for under 200 yards for the second time in the first three contests. The light's gone on since then, as he's posted 671 yards and six touchdowns with just one interception over the subsequent two contests while clicking with legitimate secondary options Devin Funchess and Ed Dickson.

Running Back

Marlon Mack, Colts- Mack came back from a two-game absence with a bang Sunday, exploding for 91 yards and a touchdown on nine rushes over a modest 17 snaps. Now back at full health after previously dealing with a shoulder injury, Mack should see plenty of work despite sharing backfield duties with the ageless Frank Gore and could develop into the preferred choice at the goal line on many weeks.

Matt Breida, 49ers- There's been a shift in Breida's usage for the better in terms of his fantasy potential, as the speedy rookie has logged a combined 61 snaps and 23 touches in the last two games. Included in that the latter total are tallies of nine and 10 carries, respectively, a notable jump from the previous single-game high of four he'd notched over the first three contests. Breida didn't leave the field for the Niners' final three drives in the overtime loss to the Colts on Sunday, and although he won't be displacing Carlos Hyde as the lead back, head coach Kyle Shanahan certainly seems to be warming to the idea of giving the playmaker consistent work.

Andre Ellington, Cardinals- After seeing double-digit targets for the second consecutive week, the fifth-year back is clearly an integral part of an offensive system that appears to have settled on plenty of short passes out of the backfield in place of runs while David Johnson (wrist) remains sidelined. He's essentially been a non-factor on the ground, but with veteran Chris Johnson having proven completely ineffective thus far, Ellington's participation in that category may also see a boost. Although David Johnson's arrival three seasons ago largely pushed him into the background, Ellington is still the back that averaged 5.5 and 6.4 yards per rush, respectively, in the 2013 and 2015 campaigns.

Aaron Jones, Packers- Jones took full advantage of the starting opportunity afforded him by Ty Montgomery's rib injury to tear through the Cowboys defense for 125 yards and a touchdown Sunday, and he may prove to be far from a one-week wonder. The fifth-round pick closed out his college career at UTEP in 2016 with a whopping 1,773 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, and he also has a 1,321-yard sophomore season on his resume. Even when Montgomery is healthy enough to return, it's likely Jones is firmly in the conversation for a solid workload.

Orleans Darkwa / Wayne Gallman, Giants- The top two Giants early-down backs took care of business in the absence of Paul Perkins (ribs) on Sunday, and their respective performances could well help make the latter a healthy inactive even when he shakes his injury. Darkwa posted a bittersweet 23-yard touchdown scamper during which he injured his calf, but that served to open the door for Gallman, who responded with 11 rushes for 57 yards and another 25 yards on five catches. Darkwa has proven to be somewhat injury prone but much more effective than Perkins while averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Gallman has averaged 4.5 yards per tote and appears to be a solid pass-catching option as well.

Wide Receiver

Nelson Agholor, Eagles- Agholor is averaging a career-high 16.6 yards per grab and has already set a new high-water mark in touchdowns with three. The 24-year-old has been a consistent force in the passing game, serving as a viable option when starting wideouts Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith have been stymied by tough cornerback matchups (Jeffery) and drops (Smith).

Roger Lewis, Giants- A combination of sheer attrition and flat-out bad luck on the part of several Giants receivers have conspired to gift Lewis a sizable opportunity for the immediate future. He's the de facto No. 1 wideout for the moment on a New York offense that lost four pass catchers Sunday versus the Chargers. That slotting could change by game time against the Broncos in Week 6, as Sterling Shepard appears to have an outside chance of overcoming his ankle injury per latest reports. Nevertheless, it certainly appears Lewis is in for at least a couple of starts, affording him short-term fantasy viability.

Juju Smith-Schuster, Steelers- Despite the Steelers' myriad of troubles, there seems to be a little something brewing with the rookie second-round pick, who's now seen six targets apiece in two of the past three games. Smith-Schuster has also upped his reception and yardage totals in back-to-back weeks and has just three fewer catches than disappointing No. 2 option Martavis Bryant.

Mike Wallace, Ravens- An afterthought through the first three weeks (three receptions, nine targets, 21 yards), Wallace has shown a pulse over the last pair of contests with a combined nine grabs for 188 yards and a touchdown. That tally includes a three-catch, 133-yard day in Oakland on Sunday, as his emergence unsurprisingly seems to be coinciding with Joe Flacco breaking out of his own slumber.

Tight End

George Kittle, 49ers- Kittle's Week 5 breakout consisted of seven receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown, putting the talented rookie on the map for the first time. However, there'd been signs of life in Week 4 as well, when he'd averaged 17.5 yards on his two catches. Kittle has no true competition for the top tight end job and should only become more involved as the season unfolds.

David Njoku, Browns- Much of the above also applies to Njoku, who set a new career high in receiving yards Sunday as well while getting into the end zone for the third time this season. The athletic 21-year-old could be in line for a boost in production if Kevin Hogan has an opportunity to start in place of the inconsistent DeShone Kizer over the next several games. and he's notably seen a boost in snaps in each of the past two weeks.

Ed Dickson, Panthers- The 30-year-old journeyman has turned back the clock over the last two games, notching eight catches (on nine targets) for 237 yards, a haul that includes receptions of 25, 57 and 64 yards. While he's not going to necessarily make anyone forget the sidelined Greg Olsen (foot), Dickson certainly seems to have Cam Newton's trust and a consistent role in the passing game.

Tyler Higbee, Rams- Second-round pick Gerald Everett looms behind him on the depth chart, but Higbee has proven he can get downfield and make plays as the top tight end over the last two weeks. The 2016 fourth-rounder has seven receptions for 145 yards during that stretch and could certainly continue building on his numbers in what has proven to be a dynamic Rams offense.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Hunter Henry, TE, Chargers- Considerable boost in snaps and targets Sunday and has scored in each of last two games.

Bryce Treggs, WR, Browns- Speedy second-year man could see more action in makeshift Browns receiving corps in coming weeks, especially if Kenny Britt continues to struggle.

Bruce Ellington, WR, Texans- Playing plenty of snaps and has averaged no less than 14.7 yards per grab in any game; has surpassed Braxton Miller as full-time third receiver.

Kenny Stills, WR, Dolphins- Could see boost in playing time if DeVante Parker's ankle injury lingers.

Nick O'Leary, TE, Bills- Charles Clay's multi-week absence and a lackluster receiving corps opens up opportunity for sure-handed third-year player.

FALLING

Quarterback

Tyrod Taylor, Bills- Taylor has thrown for no more than 224 yards in any contest and has been under 200 yards in three games overall. His rushing yards, often a significant part of his fantasy production, have also fallen from 13 to 12 to three over the last trio of contests, and he's thrown one or fewer touchdowns in three games as well. The losses of Jordan Matthews (thumb) and Charles Clay (knee) only serve to further dim his fantasy prospects.

DeShone Kizer, Browns- Kizer may have well lost his starting job for the time being after Sunday's halftime benching, especially with Kevin Hogan coming in to lead the Browns to a pair of scores. The rookie has mostly looked lost while completing under 50 percent of his passes for four consecutive games and compiling a 49.5 QBR that is the worst in the NFL for qualifying quarterbacks. He'll certainly be back under center eventually even if he does drop a notch on the depth chart, as the organization still views him as their QB of the future, but his fantasy standing has taken a serious hit for the moment.

Running Back

Chris Johnson, Cardinals- Johnson has been written off before and proven doubters wrong, but things could be different this time around. The 32-year-old hasn't been able to log a run of longer than 11 yards and is averaging 2.5 yards on his 45 totes while attempting to fill the lead-back role in the absence of David Johnson (wrist). While the fact that the Cardinals don't seem too enamored with any of the options behind him outside of Andre Ellington – who's more receiver than runner thus far – may continue affording Johnson a decent workload, that's yet to equate to anything resembling meaningful production.

Jamaal Williams, Packers- The Packers opted to give Aaron Jones the bulk of the backfield workload Sunday in Dallas in the absence of Ty Montgomery (ribs), leaving Williams with just two snaps and one carry. The rookie has no more than four totes in any of his first five games, and given Jones' performance, it appears the latter will be the complement to Montgomery for the foreseeable future.

Wide Receiver

Amari Cooper, Raiders- Cooper has eight catches for 56 yards combined over the last four games, with half of that total having come back in Week 2. EJ Manuel's inconsistent accuracy isn't solely to blame, as Cooper's struggles well predate the latter's brief starting stint. Derek Carr (back) will apparently be back in Week 6, but it remains to be seen if that will spell success for Cooper.

Brandon LaFell, Bengals- LaFell is a clear second fiddle to A.J. Green, but that should still equate to more than 15 receptions through five games. The veteran had a solid 64/862/6 line last season in the same No. 2 role, so perhaps a slight age-related decline is at play.

Marqise Lee / Allen Hurns, Jaguars- Both players appear to have the talent to be annual 1000-yard candidates in almost any other situation, but that appears to be a pipe dream on a team with subpar quarterback play and a decidedly run-first mentality. Blake Bortles threw just 14 passes Sunday, and although that number is an outlier, head coach Doug Marrone seems content to lean as heavily as possible on Leonard Fournette and the team's solid running game.

Tight End

Julius Thomas, Dolphins- Thomas' breakout 2013 campaign in Denver – one in which he put up a 65/788/12 line -- is a distant memory, as he's seemingly become less explosive with each subsequent season. He may be in for new lows across the board in 2017, as a combination of playing with Jay Cutler and perhaps advancing age have led him to net just nine catches for 86 yards and zero touchdowns through five games.