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

Sloan Piva

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

One of the best parts of fantasy football — and the NFL in general — is that new storylines evolve every single week. Entering the fifth week of the season, the landscape of the ever-important running back position continues to shift. We stay on top of every carry, injury, and target so we can best prepare you for important start 'em, sit 'em decisions. Our Week 5 fantasy RB rankings for standard leagues feature some surprises, but we're just working with the hand that's dealt to us.

The biggest development through four weeks is that Nick Chubb (vs. Chargers in Week 5) might be the new king of RBs. He has been an absolute stud week in and week out, making the Dawg Pound forget all about the Deshaun Watson fiasco. Derrick Henry (vs. Commanders) and Saquon Barkley (vs. Packers) are back to the dominance we came to expect from them prior to their respective injuries in years past. 

Speaking of injuries, Jonathan Taylor (@ Broncos) enters Week 5 with a "questionable" tag because of an ankle injury, and considering the Colts play on Thursday, he's a major concern. (UPDATE: Taylor is out.) Nyheim Hines would likely be the biggest beneficiary if Taylor is out, but Phillip Lindsay could see some carries, too.  Javonte Williams (vs. Colts) is also "questionable" because of a knee injury, but we don't expect to see him Thursday night. (UPDATE: Williams is out for the rest of the season due to an ACL tear.) Melvin Gordon III figures to see the biggest spike in carries, but his fumbling issues could pave the way to Mike Boone legitimacy. Consider both flexes right now, though newly acquired Latavius Murray could be involved, too.

WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

For some, injury means opportunity. Khalil Herbert (@ Vikings) had been spectacular before David Montgomery's ankle injury, and he put up another 100 scrimmage yards with Monty out; Jamaal Williams (@ Patriots) elevated from top RB2 to dominant RB1 with D'Andre Swift's shoulder sprain; and Jeff Wilson Jr. (@ Panthers) has looked sufficient as an RB2 or flex in standard leagues during Elijah Mitchell's IR stint (MCL). Latavius Murray (vs. Seahawks) even flashed in Week 4 with Alvin Kamara out with a rib injury. If Kamara is out again, Murray will be a high-end flex in a favorable matchup despite sharing carries with Mark Ingram. (UPDATE: Murray is now on the Broncos, so Ingram would be flex-worthy if Kamara is out.)

WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Of course, many players have enjoyed full health but shaky starts to the season. After a subpar opening three weeks, Austin Ekeler (@ Browns) finally came out of his shell against the Texans, and should be a strong play against a Cleveland D that has allowed four rushing TDs. Texans rookie Dameon Pierce (vs. Lions) has been phenomenal in each of the past two weeks. Rashaad Penny (@ Saints) exploded for two TDs last week, as did JK Dobbins (vs. Bengals) with the post-injury training wheels taken off. Miles Sanders (@ Cardinals) has benefited greatly from the Jalen Hurts-led Eagles offense. All are safe starters again this week. That also goes for some disappointments, like Najee Harris (@ Bills) and James Conner (vs. Eagles), who should get enough volume to pay off as flexes even in brutal matchups.

WEEK 5 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings

The two-headed backfield monsters in Green Bay, Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon (vs. Giants), and New England, Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris (vs. Lions), are must-starts at this point in both standard and PPR leagues. Both offenses rely so much on the run game, and both sets of players see enough volume to give them high floors and ceilings. We can't say the same about Cowboys backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard (@ Rams), though. They looked miserable against the Commanders and now go into L.A. to face Aaron Donald and the reigning champs. Both are low-end flexes.

WEEK 5 DFS: Best stacks | Best values

We like what we have seen from Josh Jacobs (@ Chiefs) early, continuing the touchdown production he enjoyed in 2021. We're also keen on Jets rookie Breece Hall (vs. Dolphins) and bet his usage continues to ramp up against Miami. Make sure you pick up Washington rookie Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. Titans) wherever he's available, too. Antonio Gibson has been underwhelming (as usual), and B-Rob will be all the rage if he takes over this backfield after being shot in the legs multiple times right before the season. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (vs. Raiders) keeps finding a way to have standard value even with Isiah Pacheco coming on strong.

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

Will Cam Akers (vs. Cowboys) ever get it going this season? Probably not this week against a filthy Dallas defense. Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. both strike us as fades, as are rookies Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks @ Saints) and Tyler Allgeier (Falcons @ Buccaneers), the latter of whom ceded a lot of carries to fellow handcuff Caleb Huntley last week. We're also staying as far away from Chase Edmonds (@ Jets) as possible. Raheem Mostert has more value, even in PPR leagues. (UPDATE: With Cordarrelle Patterson out because of a knee injury, Allgeier and Huntley both have low-end flex value.)

Note: We'll be updating these RB rankings throughout the week, so check back for analysis and the latest player movement.

Week 5 fantasy RB rankings for standard leagues

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring leagues

Rank Player
1 Nick Chubb, Browns vs. Chargers
2 Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Commanders
3 Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Packers
4 Dalvin Cook, Vikings vs. Bears
5 Joe Mixon, Bengals @ Ravens
6 Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. 49ers
7 Khalil Herbert, Bears @ Vikings
8 Austin Ekeler, Chargers @ Browns
9 Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Seahawks
10 James Robinson, Jaguars vs. Texans
11 Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers vs. Falcons
12 Aaron Jones, Packers vs. Giants
13 Jamaal Williams, Lions @ Patriots
14 Miles Sanders, Eagles @ Cardinals
15 Dameon Pierce, Texans @ Jaguars
16 Damien Harris, Patriots vs. Lions
17 Rashaad Penny, Seahawks @ Saints
18 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Chiefs
19 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Lions
20 AJ Dillon, Packers vs. Giants
21 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs vs. Raiders
22 Devin Singletary, Bills vs. Steelers
23 Najee Harris, Steelers @ Bills
24 James Conner, Cardinals vs. Eagles
25 Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers @ Panthers
26 JK Dobbins, Ravens vs. Bengals
27 Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys @ Rams
28 Breece Hall, Jets vs. Dolphins
29 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Jets
30 Melvin Gordon III, Broncos vs. Colts
31 Tyler Allgeier, Falcons @ Buccaneers
32 Nyheim Hines, Colts @ Broncos
33 Mike Boone, Broncos vs. Colts
34 Tony Pollard, Cowboys @ Rams
35 Michael Carter, Jets vs. Dolphins
36 Cam Akers, Rams vs. Cowboys
37 Caleb Huntley, Falcons @ Buccaneers
38 Kareem Hunt, Browns vs. Chargers
39 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders vs. Titans
40 Darrell Henderson Jr., Rams vs. Cowboys
41 Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. Titans
42 Chase Edmonds, Dolphins @ Jets
43 Phillip Lindsay, Colts @ Broncos
44 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Saints
45 Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles @ Cardinals
46 Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars vs. Texans
47 Mark Ingram, Saints vs. Seahawks
48 Justice Hill, Ravens vs. Bengals
49 Rachaad White, Buccaneers vs. Falcons
50 J.D. McKissic, Commanders vs. Titans
51 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Raiders
52 Dontrell Hilliard, Titans @ Commanders
53 Zack Moss, Bills vs. Steelers
54 Jordan Mason, 49ers @ Panthers
55 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs vs. Raiders
56 Samaje Perine, Bengals @ Ravens
57 Rex Burkhead, Texans @ Jaguars
58 Eno Benjamin, Cardinals vs. Eagles
59 Alexander Mattison, Vikings vs. Bears
60 Trestan Ebner, Bears @ Vikings
61 Justin Jackson, Lions @ Patriots
62 Craig Reynolds, Lions @ Patriots
63 Jaylen Warren, Steelers @ Bills
64 Joshua Kelley, Chargers @ Browns
65 Brandon Bolden, Raiders @ Chiefs
66 Sony Michel, Chargers @ Browns
67 James Cook, Bills vs. Steelers

Week 5 RB fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

We're proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings every week. To see Draft Sharks' Week 5 3D floor-to-ceiling projections for running backs -- plus get access to all of Draft Sharks' industry-leading tools -- become a Draft Sharks' member today at the link below!

TRY DRAFT SHARKS FREE: Dominate with exclusive tools, including Free-Agent Finder & Trade Navigator!

Sloan Piva

Sloan Piva Photo

Sloan Piva is a content producer for The Sporting News, primarily focused on betting, fantasy sports, and poker. A lifelong New Englander, Sloan earned his BA and MA in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts and now lives in coastal Rhode Island with his wife and two kids.