NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
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Before we head into Week 5 for fantasy football, check out these RB rankings. You will find a brief note about each player listed followed by some general commentary to sum up my thoughts for the week.
Let’s dive in!
Week 1 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
1. Bijan Robinson – Atlanta’s Robinson gets a cupcake matchup against the Houston Texans, and the Falcons are committed to the running game.
2. Brian Robinson – Let’s go back-to-back B-Rob this week. The Bears have a defense this Robinson should easily pick apart, especially since he’s already had three touchdowns so far this season.
3. Josh Jacobs – The Green Bay Packers aren’t much better against the run than the Bears, and Josh Jacobs finally had a huge outing last week.
4. Christian McCaffrey – If you have him, you’re starting him, but Dallas has surrendered the fewest fantasy points to running backs so far this season. Last week, McCaffrey broke slates and made opposing fantasy managers weep.
5. Derrick Henry – Speaking of best outings yet this season, Derrick Henry had his against the Bengals, going for 122 rushing yard and a score while tossing his fourth career touchdown pass. I doubt the Colts defense frightens Henry.
6. Kyren Williams – Williams doesn’t have a great matchup against Philadelphia this week, but he’s put up some big numbers of his own this year.
7. David Montgomery – Coming off of injury, Montgomery made up for lost time, scoring three times against the Packers. This week, he’s up against the hapless Carolina Panthers.
8. Devon Achane – The rookie out of Texas A&M is averaging 11.4 yards per carry and looks to carry on against an underwhelming Giants rush defense.
9. Tony Pollard – Pollard was on the right side of a blowout against New England last week, which resulted in his worst fantasy score of the year; a game against a more competitive team in the 49ers likely won’t make that an issue.
10. Joe Mixon – The Bengals are off to a poor start this season. Drawing a Cardinals’ defense that just coughed up four scores to McCaffrey should give them (and Mixon) and chance to get going in the right direction.
11. De’Andre Swift – With 56 yards and a touchdown last time out, Swift remains a solid start heading into Week 5 against the Rams.
12. Alexander Mattison – Mattison finally got going in a big way the past two games, totaling 37 carries for 188 rushing yards. The Vikings look committed to feeding him.
13. James Cook – Despite Cook not feasting at the supper table in the Bills’ Week 4 blowout of Miami, don’t forget that he had 98 and 123 rushing yards the two games before.
14. Khalil Herbert – Herbert finally got going last week, proving himself the lead back for the Bears. Washington is middle of the road against running backs.
15. Saquon Barkley – While he’s been out a while, Barkley should be an incredible fantasy asset against the Dolphins this week if he suits up.
16. Breece Hall – Hall hasn’t been much to write home about so far this season, but a date with the Denver Broncos and their abysmal rushing defense could change that this week.
17. Isiah Pacheco – Despite the crowded backfield, Pacheco is establishing himself, having averaged over 82 rushing yards per game across the last three weeks.
18. Travis Etienne – Etienne disappointed across the pond. Don’t forget that he posted over 100 yards total in two of his four games this year.
19. Raheem Mostert – Mostert gets the same matchup as his teammate Achane.
20. Alvin Kamara – New England may have held Tony Pollard to a terrible fantasy score by being, well, terrible, but it’s a new week, isn’t it?
Fantasy Football Running Back Notes
Christian McCaffrey isn’t going to put up a thousand fantasy points every week, but that doesn’t mean anyone is sitting him as long as he is healthy. Even against this Dallas Cowboys defense, he has massive upside. I mention this as a reminder that fantasy football is a volatile game, and that if you’re up against McCaffrey this week, don’t despair. You can only control what you can control, and that’s your own lineup each week.
That brings me to this: Now that we’re in Week 5, it makes more sense to really pay attention to stats allowed by particular defensive units. We’re starting to have the luxury of something resembling a sample size. Use that to your advantage when looking at machups and considering new additions to your roster.
Finally, remember to monitor the news and scour the list of available players to give yourself an edge. You never know when a fraction of a point could make a difference.
Good luck in Week 5!