Fantasy Football 2011: Week 5 Running Back Rankings

What a weird weekend for running backs. You have to check out my Waiver Wire Scoops from Tuesday as I discuss the value of red-hot Stevan Ridley and Ryan Torain. Well, it's bye-week season and there is probably at least one team in your league that is in a jam. As I always say, the most desperate owners make the best trade partners. If you can swing some of your bench, then send out some offers in the next few days. Teams that are 0-4 and 1-3 are going to be really desperate.

For some asinine reason these rankings go all the way to 70 backs. It's completely pointless outside of the fact that we like claiming they're the deepest rankings on the net. Seriously, who is starting Danny Ware this week?

Notable Injuries

Rashard Mendenhall- Mendy is dealing with a hamstring and this has game-time decision written all over it. The Steelers will likely give him a questionable tag all week and his owners need to grab Isaac Redman. Mewelde Moore could also miss time with a high-ankle sprain. Redman would be a top-15 option this week with Mendy out of the picture. Moore is ranked at 57. Yes, that is a pure coincidence for Heinz 57.

Michael Bush- Bush messed up his ankle in the Week 4 loss to the Pats and he is highly questionable. This is music to McFadden owners' ears since Bush has been a vulture for the goal-line touches. Marcel Reese might get some carries at the goal line and the Raiders might turn to Taiwan Jones a little as well.

Frank Gore- The Inconvenient Truth had a global warming effect on the bench of a lot of owners' benches. He looked very healthy after the news came out Sunday morning that he wouldn't be starting. Start him with confidence and keep Kendall Hunter as his handcuff.

Ryan Grant- Grant has been cleared to play after bruising his kidney. A bruised kidney could affect the glomeruli (filters in the kidney) and cause them not to function properly due to scarring, which leads to hematuria (red blood cells in urine). We bring the knowledge here at faketeams.com, folks. No smooth transition from that one... Grant and Starks are going to spilt carries and one would think that Starks gets most of the work and Grant should be eased back to his old role. This is going to be a hot-hand tandem and it's best to sell high on either when they have a big game.

Shonn Greene- Well, I'm about as fed up as a fat boy. Shonn Greene is questionable.... a questionable talent that is! Zing.  He looks terrible and he's not the answer. I wouldn't be surprised if Joe McKnight usurps a larger chunk of carries/snaps against the Pats.

Daniel Thomas- The Dolphins don't play this week, but Thomas did say that he will suit up for Week 6 against the Jets. He is a borderline RB2 in most formats and it's all systems go on trying to get him on the cheap from his owner. Don't bother with Lex Hilliard and trade Reggie Bush for a pizza. You might be able to get some wings in a 2-for-1 deal, too.

Recent News

Willis McGahee- Coach John Fox said Willis McGahee is the guy for now. "What have you done for me lately," Fox said as he named the Miami product as his featured back. McGahee is at RB2 status right now, but don't forget he is 29 and suffered one of the most gruesome injuries in NCAA history (DO NOT click this). Knowshon Moreno is still worth owning as a handcuff in most leagues, but his value dropped behind guys like Stevan Ridley and Ryan Torain.

Cedric Benson- Benson should be able to play this week against the Jaguars (according to John Clayton). Bernard Scott should be owned in all competitive leagues and it's very unlikely that Benson's appeal will get him off the hook for all three games.

You can follow me on Twitter for updates throughout the week and a ton of instant analysis on Sunday.

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