Fantasy Football Week 5 Running Back Rankings

The 2021-22 NFL season has already been extremely entertaining. It has shown fantasy trends that have started to develop and show what could happen the rest of the season. Already some players have proven to be fantasy relevant while some fantasy stars have been alarmingly disappointing to this point. Injuries have started to mount up this 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 Week 5 fantasy football running back rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to reserve/COVID-19 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 isn’t likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 category.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started is 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 causes 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.

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

RB1 Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

Christian McCaffrey misses last week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys because of a hamstring injury. After returning to practice this week he has a legitimate chance to play this week. However, if McCaffrey sits out again this week Chuba Hubbard moves up to RB21 between Leonard Fournette and Antonio Gibson. Also, Rodney Smith would jump up to RB58 between Darrel Williams and A.J. Dillon.

RB4 Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott missed practice Wednesday because of discomfort with his knee. He is planning on returning to practice Thursday and playing this weekend. However, if something were to happen to Elliott then Tony Pollard would start. Pollard would move up to RB9 between Jonathan Taylor and D’Andre Swift.

RB14 Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals

Chase Edmonds didn’t practice Wednesday because of a shoulder injury. It is uncertain the extent of his injury and if he will play against the 49ers on Sunday. If Edmonds misses this week James Conner would move up to RB29 between Michael Carter and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Also, Eno Benjamin would slot in at RB56 between Carlos Hyde and Kyle Juszczyk.

RB17 Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks running back Chris Carson missed practice Tuesday because of a neck injury. If he misses Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams Alex Collins would bump up to RB22 between Antonio Gibson and Mike Davis. Travis Homer would also get a boost to RB50 between J.D. McKissic and Kenyan Drake. DeeJay Dallas would join the list at RB62 between Chuba Hubbard and Le’Veon Bell.

RB20 Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

After Thursday night’s game, Joe Mixon was diagnosed with a low-grade ankle sprain. His status is week to week so it is likely that he misses at least this week. If Mixon is out this week against the Green Bay Packers Samaje Perine would likely start and get the boost to RB26 between Elijah Mitchell and Josh Jacobs. Also, Chris Evans would become RB47 between David Johnson and Tevin Coleman.

RB26 Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

Elijah Mitchell missed the last two weeks with a shoulder injury. He was limited in practice Wednesday so it is unclear if he will play against the Arizona Cardinals or not. If Mitchell misses his third game in a row Trey Sermon would bump up to RB39 between James Conner and Javonte Williams. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk would bump up to RB43 between Mark Ingram and Alex Collins.

RB28 Jamaal Williams, Detriot Lions

Lions running back Jamaal Williams was limited in practice Wednesday because of a hip injury. If he was to miss this week it wouldn’t change D’Andre Swift’s ranking but confirm that he is a top-10 running back this week. Jemar Jefferson would emerge on the list at RB69 between Peyton Barber and Larry Rountree III.

RB33 Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos

Melvin Gordon didn’t practice Wednesday because of a lower leg contusion. If he was to miss this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers Javonte Williams would boost up to RB28 between Josh Jacobs and Jamaal Williams.

RB45 Jeremy McNichols, Tennessee Titans

Jeremy McNichols led the team in targets and catches last week. However, he was limited in practice on Wednesday with a hamstring injury. It is uncertain if McNichols will play this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars or not. If he cannot play either Khari Blasingame or Mekhi Sargent would take his role unless Darrynton Evans returns from IR this week. Either way, it isn’t recommended to start a Titans backup running back in fantasy this week.

RB48 Giovanni Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers’ running back Giovanni Bernard missed last week’s game because of a sprained MCL. He was limited in practice Wednesday. If he is inactive expect Leonard Fournette to continue to get most of the passing down for Tampa Bay.

RB49 J.D. McKissic, Washington Football

J.D. McKissic was limited in practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. If he was to miss this week against New Orleans Antonio Gibson would take a slight boost to RB19 between Kareem Hunt and Cordarrelle Patterson.

RB68 Peyton Barber, Las Vegas Raiders

On Wednesday Peyton Barber was diagnosed with turf toe. The injury is being described as a “mild case”. It is uncertain if Barber will play against the Bears this weekend or not. If Barber misses this week expect Kenyan Drake to see more work behind Josh Jacobs.