clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs for Week 5

I’m expecting BIG things from Najee Harris this week.

Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

About 176 years ago Neptune was discovered by Johann Gottfried Galle. Well here in 2021, I have discovered a running back that I am quite optimistic about for the foreseeable future. His name is Javonte Williams and I speculate the second half of this season will be his to take a hold of. I say this as someone very bullish on Melvin Gordon III. Denver is currently in the top half of the league in rushing attempts, average yards per carry, longest rush (70 yards), and rushing touchdowns (and yet they only have two fumbles). Javonte’s 2021 rookie season has been a progression – 7 carries in Week 1, 12 in Week 2, 13 in Week 3, and 14 last week. The North Carolina product is rewarding Denver with some epic runs.

Notes for Week 5

  • New York Jets vs. Atlanta looks like it could showcase a lot of running.
  • Injuries to Darrell Henderson, David Montgomery, Joe Mixon, and Damien Williams have me concerned.
  • My gut feeling tells me Tennessee, Arizona, Buffalo and Denver all go run-heavy this week.
  • We should see some tandem work with Nick Chubb/Kareem Hunt, Ezekiel Elliott/Tony Pollard, Jonathan Taylor/Nyheim Hines and Javonte Williams/Melvin Gordon III.

Week 5 RB Rankings Fantasy Football

Rank Player Team Opponent Notes
Rank Player Team Opponent Notes
1 Derrick Henry Ten @Jax Always solid
2 Alvin Kamara NO vs.Was Always solid
3 Austin Ekeler LAC vs.Cle Favorable matchup
4 Najee Harris Pit vs.Den Favorable matchup
5 Dalvin Cook Min @Det Tough matchup
6 Saquon Barkley NYG @Dal Fully Healthy?
7 Aaron Jones GB @Cin 15+ touches in three of four games
8 Nick Chubb Cle @LAC TDs or 100+ Rush Yards seems the norm
9 Ezekiel Elliott Dal vs.NYG Four TDs in last three games
10 Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC vs.Buf Favorable matchup
11 D'Andre Swift Det @Min Solid workload
12 James Robinson Jax vs.Ten Stock is ticking up
13 Darrell Henderson Jr. LAR @Sea Tough matchup
14 Jonathan Taylor Ind @Bal 100 yards and 1 TD last week
15 Leonard Fournette TB vs.Mia Tough matchup
16 Antonio Gibson Was vs.NO 10+ fantasy points in three of four games
17 Joe Mixon Cin vs.GB Ankle sprain
18 Chase Edmonds Ari vs.SF First 100+ rush yard game of the year last week
19 Kareem Hunt Cle @LAC Solid last 2 weeks
20 Javonte Williams Den @Pit Favorable matchup
21 Damien Harris NE @Hou Formulating into a pass catching RB
22 Chris Carson Sea vs.LAR A committee is starting to form with him and Alex Collins
23 Chuba Hubbard Car vs.Phi Darnold stealing his TDs
24 Kenyan Drake LV vs.Chi Only 1 Rush attempt last week
25 Cordarrelle Patterson Atl vs.NYJ Tough matchup
26 Melvin Gordon III Den @Pit Favorable matchup
27 David Montgomery Chi @LV Doubtful to play
28 Nyheim Hines Ind @Bal Hines shines every other game
29 Josh Jacobs LV vs.Chi Somewhat TD dependent these days
30 Latavius Murray Bal vs.Ind Rush TDs in three of four games
31 Jamaal Williams Det @Min Beast mode run last week
32 Mike Davis Atl vs.NYJ Tough matchup
33 James Conner Ari vs.SF Increased usage
34 Zack Moss Buf @KC 3 Rush TDs in 3 weeks of playing
35 Damien Williams Chi @LV Knee Injury
36 Tony Pollard Dal vs.NYG 60+ rush yards in three of four games
37 Miles Sanders Phi @Car Favorable matchup; feeling like a lost cause though
38 Devin Singletary Buf @KC Tough matchup
39 Michael Carter NYJ @Atl Showed some potential last week
40 Eli Mitchell SF @Ari Shoulder injury
41 Trey Sermon SF @Ari Up and down
42 Christian McCaffrey Car vs.Phi Injury has me cautious
43 Kenneth Gainwell Phi @Car Favorable matchup