Week 5 Running Back Preview: Teammate Injury Saves Swift

Top 50 Fantasy RBs for Week 5

Here are the top Week 5 running backs, with usage and matchup takeaways powering our Week 5 RB rankings. 

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs

DETRB1onSun 4:25 PM @ ARI

It apparently doesn’t even matter than Gibbs is down to a career-low 1.4 yards after contact per carry. That ranks just 43rd among RBs with 20+ carries this season. We’ll keep an eye on that factor, but Gibbs’ heavy workload and strong offense keep propelling his top-shelf fantasy production. Even if rushing proves difficult against an Arizona D that ranks 10th in rush DVOA, Gibbs can make up for it with receiving (career-high 5.5 receptions per game so far).

2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Bijan Robinson

ATLRB2onSun 8:20 PM vs BAL

Robinson finished with 27.7 PPR points in Week 4, landing in RB1 territory for the third time this season. His 123.5 rushing yards per game trails only Kenneth Walker, and he’s accomplishing it on a 12th-ranked 63% carry share. He holds RB1 overall upside every week and is projected as a high-end RB1 in Week 5 against the Ravens.

3. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

Christian McCaffrey

SFRB3onSun 4:25 PM @ SEA

McCaffrey gets a stout Seattle run defense that’s limited opposing RBs to 3.4 yards per carry this season. The Seahawks have allowed the third-most catches to RBs, though, after allowing the most last season. McCaffrey racked up 15 catches for 107 yards across two meetings with Seattle last year.

4. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor

INDRB4onSun 1:00 PM @ PIT

Taylor bounced back in Week 4 with 20 carries for 95 yards and 2 TDs, finishing as RB10. His 77.5% carry share ranks second among RBs, and he is averaging 21.6 PPR points per game (RB6). Pittsburgh has been the ninth-most favorable RB matchup, allowing 24.6 PPR points per game. Even with the Colts as 2.5-point underdogs, Taylor is a must-start RB1.

5. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase Brown

CINRB5onSun 1:00 PM @ MIA

Brown’s yet to post a run of more than 12 yards, which is reflected in his low 3.6 yards per carry. But he’s coming off an 11-target game and should have more pass-game opportunities with Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (adductor/neck) banged up. Stick with him as an RB1 at Miami.

6. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Kyren Williams

LARRB6onMon 8:15 PM vs BUF

Williams is one of five RBs to account for at least a 50% carry share and 16% target share this season. His rushing usage has increased every week, while his receiving volume has each of the past two on his way to producing a 66.7% carry share and 26% target share against the Eagles. Williams projects as an RB1 facing a Bills defense allowing the sixth-most points to RBs.

7. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Henry

BALRB7onSun 8:20 PM @ ATL

Henry concluded Week 4 with 22.7 PPR points per game to rank as the RB4. He’s handling 73% of the Ravens’ rushing attempts, a mark only topped by three other RBs. His 93.5 rushing yards per game sits fourth-highest in the league. The Falcons defense does present a challenge, allowing the NFL’s fewest rushing yards to date.

8. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears

D’Andre Swift

CHIRB8onSun 1:00 PM @ GB

Swift missed practice on Wednesday with hip and knee injuries but returned for a limited Thursday and full Friday. Chicago benched him last week after a fumble but will need him this week with Kyle Monangai out.

9. James Cook, Buffalo Bills

James Cook

BUFRB9onMon 8:15 PM @ LAR

Cook is accounting for a 66.7% carry share that ranks eighth among RBs on a Bills offense producing more points than any other team. He’s yet to have a game handling less than 60% of the team’s rushing attempts, which keeps him projected as a fringe RB1 despite a Rams defense allowing the fourth-fewest points to RBs.

10. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Jones

MINRB10onSun 1:00 PM @ NO

Even with no TDs since the opener, Jones has gotten enough work to make him a fairly easy start since Jordan Mason went down. The veteran has tallied 22+ touches in three straight games, including a 20-carry, 4-catch line last time out. It was his second straight outing with 4+ catches and 34 receiving yards. The Saints enter as the eighth-friendliest matchup for RB scoring by our adjusted fantasy points allowed.

11. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders

Ashton Jeanty

LVRRB11onSun 1:00 PM @ NE

Jeanty hits Week 5 ranked sixth league-wide in rushing attempts (78). He’s averaging only 3.4 YPC and has yet to record a rushing TD, though. Next comes a Patriots defense sitting 21st in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Jeanty remains a low-end RB1, boosted by an active role in the passing game.

12. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys

Played Thursday night

13. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaylen Warren

PITRB13onSun 1:00 PM vs IND

Warren ran 17 times for 93 yards and caught 3 of 6 targets for 33 yards in Week 4, finishing as RB22. He has a 67.9% carry share and 5 targets per game, seventh among RBs. That receiving role matters in a Steelers offense that has run on just 33.9% of plays. Indianapolis has been the 10th-most favorable RB matchup, allowing 24.2 PPR points per game. Warren is a locked-in RB1 this week.

14. Braelon Allen, New York Jets

Braelon Allen

NYJRB14onSun 1:00 PM vs CLE

Allen ran 14 times for 59 yards and caught two passes for 8 yards in Week 4, finishing as RB33. He has a 34.4% carry share on the season, which ranks just 39th among RBs, but Breece Hall being out another game should make him a fantasy start this week. The matchup looks tough, in that Cleveland has allowed the fifth-fewest adjusted fantasy points to RBs. But that’s primarily because no RB has scored a TD on the Browns yet. They’re also allowing 4.8 yards per rush to the position. So it’s not actually a defense that should alter your lineup plans.

15. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants

Cameron Skattebo

NYGRB15onSun 1:00 PM @ WAS

Skattebo is averaging 19.0 touches per game, with at least 16 in all four outings. His 3.5 yards per carry have muted the fantasy production, but that volume should keep him in starting lineups. Skattebo gets a Commanders defense that ranks fourth in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs but just 20th in our run-defense power rankings. Consider it a neutral matchup.

16. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

Quinshon Judkins

CLERB16onSun 1:00 PM @ NYJ

Judkins had his best game of the season in Week 4, totaling 96 yards and a TD on 23 touches to finish as RB11. He has a 61.5% carry share and a 13.9% target share, which ranks 11th among RBs. The production has lagged behind that role, as he is scoring 3.3 fewer PPR points per game than expected. The Jets have been the fourth-most favorable RB matchup, allowing 27.3 PPR points per game. Judkins is a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside this week.

17. Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love

ARIRB17onSun 4:25 PM vs DET

Love finds nothing scary in his Week 5 matchup with the Lions, but his ankle situation looks a bit worrisome. After the Week 4 loss to the Giants, he said in part: “It’s not really just my ankle. It’s more of just the whole thing. It’s been a long year for me. Body sometimes is down, body sometimes is tired. So it’s just managing those things.” Love’s not in danger of missing the game, but we could see his touch count and efficiency limited a bit. That positions the rookie in mid-RB2 range for an otherwise positive fantasy setting.

18. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bhayshul Tuten

JACRB18onSun 9:30 AM vs PHI

Philly shows as a slightly negative matchup for RB scoring so far but ranks just 22nd in run-defense DVOA. The Eagles allowed a monster game to Kyren Williams last week. Tuten doesn’t come close to Williams’ receiving upside but has showed explosiveness on the ground. He’s scoring fantasy points above expectation so far, despite losing a pair of TD runs to holding calls against the Bengals last week.

19. Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Emanuel Wilson

SEARB19onSun 4:25 PM vs SF

Wilson is coming off a huge Week 4, totaling 120 yards and 2 TDs to finish RB6 on the week. He handled 64% of Seahawks carries and surprisingly drew 4 targets on a 20% share. We’re not banking on that target volume going forward, especially considering Wilson ran a route on just 35% of dropbacks last week. But he should control carries again Sunday against the 49ers’ 28th-ranked RB defense.

20. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson

NERB20onSun 1:00 PM vs LVR

Stevenson’s officially questionable for Sunday’s game with a knee issue, but he said Friday he’s “ready to go,” according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Stevenson split carries near-evenly in Week 4, actually trailing TreVeyon Henderson by one. The Raiders have also performed well against the run, ranking eighth in adjusted fantasy points allowed.

21. RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

Harvey caught all 10 of his targets for 68 yards in Week 4, finishing as RB12 with just 7 carries for 25 yards. He leads all RBs in targets per game (7.0) and target share (21.9%). His 19.7% carry share limits his rushing upside, but the receiving role gives him a strong PPR floor. The Chargers have been the 11th-most favorable RB matchup, allowing 22.9 PPR points per game. Harvey is a low-end RB2 who makes more sense in PPR leagues.

22. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Played Thursday night

23. TreyVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

TreVeyon Henderson

NERB23onSun 1:00 PM vs LVR

Henderson trailed Rhamondre Stevenson in snap share (38% to 64%) and route rate (29% to 57%) but beat him 14-13 in carries. Stevenson is dealing with a knee injury that’s not expected to keep him out against the Raiders but adds some in-game risk. That helps Henderson climb into low-RB2 territory in a rough week at the position overall.

24. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

Tony Pollard

TENRB24onSun 1:00 PM vs HOU

Pollard’s best games have been his two most recent, averaging 13.3 PPR points. His 70.2% carry share and 12.7% target share rank eighth and 11th respectively among RBs over that span. But Pollard is attached to an offense producing the fewest yards and faces a Texans defense allowing the eighth fewest points to RBs, leaving him with a fringe RB2 projection in Week 5.

25. David Montgomery, Houston Texans

David Montgomery

HOURB25onSun 1:00 PM @ TEN

Among 68 RBs with 10+ rushing attempts this season, Montgomery ranks 63rd at 2.7 yards per carry. But he’s still handling 52.2% of the Texans’ carries, which ranks 22nd among RBs in carry share. Woody Marks’ 58th-ranked 3.1 yards per carry isn’t challenging that workload, leaving Montgomery with a fringe RB2 projection in a Week 5 clash with the Titans.

26. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers

Omarion Hampton

LACRB26onSun 4:05 PM vs DEN

Hampton salvaged his Week 4 with a TD, finishing as RB23 on 9 carries for 45 yards. He has a 52.2% carry share but averages just 1.25 targets per game, giving him a low receiving floor. Denver has been the seventh-most favorable RB matchup, allowing 25.8 PPR points per game. The Chargers being 3.5-point home underdogs could cut into his carries. Hampton is an RB3 who will need another TD to pay off.

27. Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles

Here’s the thing: We just don’t know much about Shipley to this point. He has reached 10 carries in a game once and never exceeded that number. He has never reached 35 rushing yards in an NFL game and averages just 3.1 per rush for his career. He has only once caught more than two balls in a game but was a high-volume college receiver. Shipley should lead the backfield against a difficult Jacksonville defense. How many touches that means, we won’t know until it’s happening. We do know he’ll play behind a tattered O-line that lost RT Lane Johnson to retirement and C/G Cam Jurgens via trade.

28. Ollie Gordon, Miami Dolphins

Ollie Gordon II

MIARB28onSun 1:00 PM vs CIN

Gordon topped Jaylen Wright in snap share (59% to 30%), carry share (53% to 29%) and route rate (35% to 15%) in last Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. Gordon also delivered 100 yards. The risk is that Miami falls behind the Bengals as 6.5-point home underdogs, which would likely limit the rushing volume. Gordon is merely a flex option.

29. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

WASRB29onSun 1:00 PM vs NYG

Croskey-Merritt carried a season-low 9 times last week in a game that found Washington trailing for the entire second half. Game script should be better this Sunday with the Commanders getting QB Jayden Daniels back. They’re 4-point favorites over the Giants, who sit 19th in our run-defense power rankings and 15th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Minimal passing-game work is still a problem, but JCM is a fine RB3 or flex in Week 5 fantasy lineups.

30. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos

J.K. Dobbins

DENRB30onSun 4:05 PM @ LAC

Dobbins ran 11 times for 40 yards and caught 2 passes for 12 yards in Week 4, finishing as RB38. He has a 53.5% carry share, but just 1 target per game and is scoring 3.75 fewer PPR points per game than expected. The Broncos are 3.5-point favorites, which could mean more carries late in the game. The Chargers have been the 11th-most favorable RB matchup (22.9 PPR allowed per game). Dobbins is a TD-dependent RB3.

31. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara

NORB31onSun 1:00 PM vs MIN

Kamara might be the best bet among Saints RBs, but he led Kendre Miller by just one carry and watched Miller and CJ Donaldson combine for 23 pass routes to his 19. That split lowers the floor and ceiling for a difficult matchup against the No. 2 defense in DVOA. Minnesota even limits the receiving upside, having allowed just 13 RB receptions through four games (tied for fifth-fewest).

32. Woody Marks, Houston Texans

Woody Marks

HOURB32onSun 1:00 PM @ TEN

Marks has been the second back for a Texans rushing attack that ranks 29th in yards per carry. He’s handling a 31.1% carry share that ranks 44th among RBs and trails fellow RB David Montgomery’s 52.2% for the team lead. Marks has found the end zone twice, accounting for a red-zone carry in each of the past three weeks, leaving him with an RB3 projection in Week 5.

33. Keaton Mitchell, Los Angeles Chargers

Keaton Mitchell

LACRB33onSun 4:05 PM vs DEN

Mitchell ran 10 times for 39 yards and caught 5 of 6 targets for 24 yards in Week 4, finishing as RB27. He has a 23.9% carry share and an 8.5% target share this season. The receiving work could grow with the Chargers as 3.5-point home underdogs. Denver has been the seventh-most favorable RB matchup, allowing 25.8 PPR points per game. Mitchell is an RB3 who works best as a PPR flex.

34. Rachaad White, Washington Commanders

Rachaad White

WASRB34onSun 1:00 PM vs NYG

White is set to return from his shoulder injury for Sunday’s game vs. the Giants. We’ll see exactly how he fits in a backfield that added Austin Ekeler and got rid of Kaytron Allen since we last saw White, but we’re expecting him to retain a significant role. White averaged 7.3 carries and 3.0 targets over the first three games of the season, which makes him an emergency-only fantasy start.

35. Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals

Tyler Allgeier

ARIRB35onSun 4:25 PM vs DET

Allgeier finds some touch upside in Jeremiyah Love dealing with a second ankle sprain and what he deemed more general physical issues after the Week 4 loss to the Giants. Still, that provided Allgeier just 10 touches against the Giants. So don’t overrate his viability unless we see a downturn in Love’s outlook.

36. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

Blake Corum

LARRB36onMon 8:15 PM vs BUF

Corum is handling a 33% carry share behind RB Kyren Williams, and it looks even worse over the past two weeks. The Rams’ No. 2 RB has averaged just a 23.4% carry share over that span, 48th in the league, while his 4.5% target share ranks 56th among RBs. Even facing a Bills defense allowing the sixth-most points to RBs, Corum projects as a fringe RB3 in Week 5.

37. MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers

MarShawn Lloyd

GBRB37onSun 1:00 PM vs CHI

Green Bay’s backfield remained messy last week, with Lloyd seeing 7 carries to Kaleb Johnson’s 8. Lloyd held the clear edge in the passing game, with 5 targets and 5 catches. His bigger role in the passing game makes him the preferred fantasy play, but Lloyd remains no more than a low-end flex vs. Chicago.

38. Brian Robinson Jr., Atlanta Falcons

Brian Robinson Jr.

ATLRB38onSun 8:20 PM vs BAL

Robinson accounted for a TD in each of the final three quarters in Week 4. It marks his third career game with multiple TDs and his first with three. He’s handling a 29.4% carry share behind fellow RB Bijan Robinson with just a 3.2% target share that ranks 67th among RBs. He’s clearly a TD-reliant fantasy play.

39. Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers

Rico Dowdle

PITRB39onSun 1:00 PM vs IND

Dowdle’s officially questionable with the toe injury that kept him out the past two games. But RBs coach Ramon Chinyoung made it sound Friday as though the veteran will return. He also spoke about him in a way that indicates Dowdle will regain plenty of the workload share: “Rico’s dynamic. He’s explosive. … I’m looking forward to seeing him run the ball and explode through the line of scrimmage. He’s very dynamic in space, and he has great hands.” We’re projecting Warren a good bit higher for Dowdle’s (expected) return game, but there’s a chance this split gets close to even whenever Dowdle’s fully ready.

40. George Holani, Seattle Seahawks

George Holani

SEARB40onSun 4:25 PM vs SF

Holani was Seattle’s clear No. 2 RB last week, tallying 7 carries and 1 target on a 37% snap rate. Even in this Sunday’s plus matchup against the 49ers’ 28th-ranked RB defense, Holani doesn’t project for enough volume to be a bankable fantasy play.

41. Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints

Kendre Miller

NORB41onSun 1:00 PM vs MIN

Miller logged just 6 carries and 2 catches for 19 total yards in the first game after Travis Etienne landed on IR. His 3.0 yards per touch this season aren’t likely to earn him larger shares, and the Week 5 matchup with Minnesota figures to challenge the whole offensive operation.

42. Kaleb Johnson, Green Bay Packers

Kaleb Johnson

GBRB42onSun 1:00 PM vs CHI

Johnson has already fumbled twice as a Packer, drawing the ire of HC Matt LaFleur. That adds risk to his Week 5 outlook against the Bears. Even if Chris Brooks (ankle) can’t play, Johnson will remain a low-floor fantasy option.

43. Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders

Mike Washington Jr.

LVRRB43onSun 1:00 PM @ NE

Washington’s explosive speed gives him upside on every touch, but he has averaged just 6.25 touches through four weeks, including just 1 reception. He’s a straight handcuff behind one of the league’s biggest workload dominators.

44. Chris Rodriguez, Jacksonville Jaguars

Chris Rodriguez

JACRB44onSun 9:30 AM vs PHI

Rodriguez popped in a TD for the second straight week last time out but has averaged just 6.5 carries per game with no receptions. He has exceeded 6 attempts just once and has yet to reach 40 yards in a contest.

45. Kenneth Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Played Thursday night

46. Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals

Samaje Perine

CINRB46onSun 1:00 PM @ MIA

Perine’s PPR totals have gone 3.2, 2.4, and 0.7 over the past three weeks. He gets a small bump against a bad Miami defense but remains off the fantasy radar.

47. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans

Tyjae Spears

TENRB47onSun 1:00 PM vs HOU

After producing a 23.3% carry share over the first two weeks, Spears’ rushing workload drastically dropped to just 10.6% the past two. That low-volume workload on an offense that’s producing the fewest yards of any team leaves Spears with a fringe RB4 projection in a Week 5 matchup against the Texans.

48. Najee Harris, New York Giants

Najee Harris

NYGRB48onSun 1:00 PM @ WAS

Harris has emerged as the Giants’ No. 2 RB, carrying nine times in back-to-back games. He has yet to see a target, though, and remains stuck in a low-efficiency offense. That leaves Harris as a desperation fantasy start at best.

49. Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers

Kimani Vidal

LACRB49onSun 4:05 PM vs DEN

Vidal caught a TD in Week 4, which pushed him to an RB26 finish on 5 carries for 25 yards and 2 catches for 11 yards. That production came in a small role, with just a 5.3% carry share this season. Denver has been the seventh-most favorable RB matchup (25.8 PPR allowed per game), but Vidal would need another TD to pay off. He’s an option for deep leagues only.

50. Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears

Roschon Johnson

CHIRB50onSun 1:00 PM @ GB

Johnson should step into a limited role with Kyle Monangai (turf toe) expected to miss Week 5. Still, Johnson’s projected for only 6.1 carries, making him a risky fantasy option.

Time to Set Your Lineup

Before you check your Team Dashboard, check out the start-sit recommendations Jared and Matt deliver in this Week 4 preview video.