Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 5: Who to start, sit at running back in fantasy football

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 5: Who to start, sit at running back in fantasy football image

Let's all take a minute to appreciate the fact that our Week 5 fantasy RB PPR rankings aren't affected by bye weeks. It will be the last time that's the case until December. We know injuries are going to be a constant threat to our start 'em, sit 'em decisions (see David Montgomery), but not having to deal with scheduled PTO creates more sleepers and must-starts.

Of course, it also creates more potential busts. That's slightly mitigated in PPR leagues, as some of the guys with tougher matchups are at least slightly better served to provide points through the air. This week, that includes borderline starters Clyde Edwards-Helaire (vs. Bills) and Miles Sanders/Kenny Gainwell (@ Panthers). Gainwell might actually have more value than Sanders in PPR at this point. The most worrisome backs with bad matchups are the Broncos duo of Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon (@ Steelers). Both are still potentially in play, but Gordon gets the slight bump in PPR to get into the flex range.

WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

The favorable matchups spawn many PPR sleepers this week, as some classic receiving backs are in good spots, at least based on early-season RB defensive stats. Chase Edmonds (vs. 49ers), Cordarrelle Patterson and Mike Davis (vs. Jets in London), Nyheim Hines (@ Ravens), Kareem Hunt (vs. Chargers), and Devin Singletary (@ Chiefs) all look like decent flexes in PPR. Even Giovani Bernard (vs. Dolphins), if active, has some upside, but he's best left on benches for at least one more week.

WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

J.D. McKissic (vs. Saints) seems to be back to usual pass-catching ways after a slow start, so he can still be considered a flex this week. Damien Williams (@ Raiders) and Chuba Hubbard (vs. Eagles) should both see every-down work with the injuries to David Montgomery (knee) and Christian McCaffrey (hamstring), but they have even more juice in PPR formats. 

WEEK 5 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo

Myles Gaskin (@ Bucs) was always seen as having a high PPR floor, but after last week, he can't be trusted, especially against the Bucs top-ranked run defense. David Johnson (vs. Patriots) is also in that boat.

MORE WEEK 5 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder

Running back is about as calm as it can get right now, but things are about to get much more turbulent. As we said before, things are always a little easier in PPR, but not much. Stock up on depth and handcuffs now. You're gonna need it. 

WEEK 5 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

Note: We'll be updating these RB PPR rankings as needed during the week, so check back for the latest player movement. For individual analysis of key RBs, click here.

Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 5: Who to start at running back

Rankings are based on full-point PPR scoring

Rank Player
1 Derrick Henry, TEN @ JAX
2 Dalvin Cook, MIN vs. DET
3 Alvin Kamara, NO @ WAS
4 Ezekiel Elliott, DAL vs. NYG
5 Jonathan Taylor, IND @ BAL
6 Austin Ekeler, LAC vs. CLE
7 Nick Chubb, CLE @ LAC
8 Aaron Jones, GB @ CIN
9 Saquon Barkley, NYG @ DAL
10 Joe Mixon, CIN vs. GB
11 James Robinson, JAX vs. TEN
12 Antonio Gibson, WAS vs. NO
13 D'Andre Swift, DET @ MIN
14 Chris Carson, SEA vs. LAR
15 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC vs. BUF
16 Najee Harris, PIT vs. DEN
17 Damien Harris, NE @ HOU
18 Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL vs. NYJ
19 Damien Williams, CHI @ LV
20 Zack Moss, BUF @ KC
21 Josh Jacobs, LV vs. CHI
22 Kareem Hunt, CLE @ LAC
23 Chase Edmonds, ARI vs. SF
24 Darrell Henderson, LAR @ SEA
25 Chuba Hubbard, CAR vs. PHI
26 Leonard Fournette, TB vs. MIA
27 Devin Singletary, BUF @ KC
28 Elijah Mitchell, SF @ ARI
29 Miles Sanders, PHI @ CAR
30 Mike Davis, ATL vs. NYJ
31 Jamaal Williams, DET @ MIN
32 Melvin Gordon, DEN @ PIT
33 Nyheim Hines, IND @ BAL
34 JD McKissic, WAS vs. NO
35 James Conner, ARI vs. SF
36 Latavius Murray, BAL vs. IND
37 Kenneth Gainwell, PHI @ CAR
38 Tony Pollard, DAL vs. NYG
39 Javonte Williams, DEN @ PIT
40 Ronald Jones II, TB vs. MIA
41 Mark Ingram, HOU vs NE
42 Michael Carter, NYJ vs. ATL
43 Myles Gaskin, MIA @ TB
44 Sony Michel, LAR @ SEA
45 Alexander Mattison, MIN vs. DET
46 Trey Sermon, SF @ ARI
47 Darrel Williams, KC vs. BUF
48 Malcolm Brown, MIA @ TB
49 AJ Dillon, GB @ CIN
50 Tevin Coleman, NYJ vs. ATL
51 Giovani Bernard, TB vs. MIA
52 David Johnson, HOU vs. NE
53 Kenyan Drake, LV vs. CHI
54 Jeremy McNichols, TEN @ JAX
55 Ty Johnson, NYJ vs. ATL
56 Alex Collins, SEA vs. LAR
57 Samaje Perine, CIN vs. GB
58 Rhamondre Stevenson, NE @ HOU
59 Phillip Lindsay, HOU vs. NE
60 Royce Freeman, CAR vs. PHI
61 Peyton Barber, LV vs. CHI
62 Devonta Freeman, BAL vs. IND
63 J.J. Taylor, NE @ HOU
64 Brandon Bolden, NE @ HOU
65 Larry Rountree III, LAC vs. CLE
66 Justin Jackson, LAC vs. CLE
67 Carlos Hyde, JAX vs. TEN

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.