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

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

Week 5 RB fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

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