Good fantasy performances don't always necessarily have to come from players on winning teams. Such was the case in Week 5 of the NFL season. Every player but one who made the Week 5 fantasy stars who were likely unowned list came from guys on teams who were defeated.

In order to make this weekly list, the player must have been owned in less than 25 percent of ESPN fantasy football leagues heading into their game. Each week, one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, and one tight end are highlighted.

Quarterback

  • Case Keenum, Broncos (377 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 1 interception)

Keenum was an excellent fantasy option at quarterback with the Vikings but was off to a slow start in his first year with Denver.

In their first four games, he had just three touchdown passes (all in the first week) and six interceptions. He put up a big passing yardage game on Sunday as the Broncos were trailing through much of their game against the Jets.

Running backs

  • Wendell Smallwood, Eagles (27 rushing yards, three receptions, 44 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown)

This is Smallwood's second time making the weekly team as he also made the team in Week 3. For the third straight game, he caught three passes and secured his first career touchdown reception on Sunday. According to ESPN, Jay Ajayi tore his ACL which could allow Smallwood to stay fantasy relevant.

  • Mike Davis, Seahawks (68 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, 2 receptions, 7 receiving yards)

For the second straight week, Davis makes the weekly fantasy stars team.

Last week, Chris Carson was out, but this week Davis performed well even with Carson receiving more carries. He now has 169 rushing yards in the last two games.

Wide receivers

  • Tre'Quan Smith, Saints (3 receptions, 111 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns)

Smith, a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, had been an afterthought in the Saints' vaunted pass offense entering Week 5.

He had just one catch for 18 yards. The rookie had his coming out party on Monday Night Football as he caught touchdown receptions of 62 and 35 yards.

  • Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers (7 receptions, 68 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown)

A fifth-round pick in April, Valdes-Scantling took advantage of both Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison being out on Sunday.

The rookie receiver entered the game with just two catches for 41 yards.

Tight end

  • Niles Paul, Jaguars (7 receptions, 65 receiving yards)

Entering Sunday’s game, Paul had 71 receptions in 86 career games. He caught three passes for 33 yards in Jacksonville’s first four games. So to say his seven receptions on Sunday was unexpected would be an understatement. According to CBS Sports, Jacksonville's starting tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is heading to injured reserve with a core injury which should help Paul receive more game action.
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