Fantasy Football Week 5 Running Back Rankings

The 2023-24 NFL season has been outstanding so far. Already there have been a ton of breakout players and fantasy duds that have made the game so entertaining. Bye weeks are starting to take place. This means that running backs like Austin Ekeler and Kenneth Walker III will be out this week. On top of that injuries have started to mount up at this point of the season. It is always a great idea to evaluate backup options so that way fantasy managers are prepared if star players miss time. Here are the fantasy football week 5 running back rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to the Injured Reserve List

(Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting RB1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

High-End RB2- a player who may not be likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 territory.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started because of their consistency and moderately high floor

Low RB2- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not. Their production may not be pretty or win a person their lineup but the production is consistent enough to make a fantasy owner comfortable starting them.

Flex- a player who could float around the territory of being benched, but is started due to the potential to play better than their point projection. However, this player has the potential to flop and cause a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deep League Flex- a player who is more of a Hail Mary throw at the position. There are enough reasons to leave this player on the bench, but their upside makes them an attractive option. Desperate times may call for a player like this to be inserted into starting lineups.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Rankings

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

RB2 Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Saquon Barkley has missed the past two games with an ankle sprain. There is a chance he returns this week. If Barkley misses Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins Matt Breida will become the RB22 between Raheem Mostert and Alexander Mattison. Gary Brightwell becomes the RB50 between Rico Dowdle and Jeff Wilson Jr.

RB6 Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Kyren Williams suffered a bruised hip in last week’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. It is unclear what this injury means for his status this week. If Williams misses Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles Ronnie Rivers moves up to RB26 between Javonte Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs. Zach Evans becomes the RB53 between Tank Bigsby and Kyle Juszczyk.

RB19 Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor could return from the PUP list this week after missing the first four weeks of the season with an ankle injury. Taylor is also in the middle of a public dispute over a contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts. If Taylor does not return this week Zack Moss moves up to RB22 between Raheem Mostert and Alexander Mattison.

RB26 Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

Javonte Williams suffered a hip flexor injury last week against the Chicago Bears. It is unclear if this injury will hold Williams out of Denver’s game next week. If Williams misses Week 5 against the New York Jets Jaleel McLaughlin moves up to RB27 between Jahmyr Gibbs and Najee Harris. Samaje Perine moves up to RB34 between Gus Edwards and Rochon Johnson.

RB49 Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys

Rico Dowdle suffered a hip contusion last week against the New England Patriots. It is unclear whether Dowdle will be healthy enough to play next week. If Dowdle misses Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers Deuce Vaughn will become the RB50 between Jeff Wilson Jr. and Ronnie Rivers.

RB50 Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami Dolphins

Jeff Wilson Jr. started the season on injured reserve because of a knee injury. He could make his season debut this week. If Wilson Jr. misses Week 5 against the New York Giants Salvon Ahmed will become the RB51 between Ronnie Rivers and Elijah Mitchell.

RB52 Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

Elijah Mitchell missed last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with a knee injury. He is currently considered day-to-day with the injury. If Mitchell misses Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys Jordan Mason becomes the RB52 between Ronnie Rivers and Tank Bigsby.

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