Fantasy football season is here. Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season is the first bye week of the year, and running backs are especially affected.
Fantasy football stars like Saquon Barkley, J.K. Dobbins, David Montgomery and Jahmil Gibbs will be benched for a week.
Therefore, fantasy football managers need to decide on their lineups. Five running backs will start here, and five will be available in Week 5.
32 things we learned from NFL Week 4: Will one NFC team separate from the pack?
NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Will the rapidly rising Baltimore Ravens jump to No. 1?
NFL STATS CENTRAL: Latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats, and more.
Fantasy Football Starters: Week 5 RBs
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. Carolina Panthers)
Swift finally broke out in Week 4 against the Rams, performing as an RB3 in all formats. He might have similar luck this week. The Panthers are allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
Najee Harris or Cordarrelle Patterson, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
Patterson averaged over seven yards per carry in Week 4, so it’s doubtful he’ll be available for Week 5. He was much more effective than Harris on a per carry basis. But both should perform well against one of the league’s worst run defenses, which have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (Los Angeles Rams)
Green Bay’s offensive outburst last week was primarily in the passing game. Jacobs had the fewest carries of the season (nine), but that was largely because he was down 28-0 by the second quarter. Los Angeles just allowed 37 points to a Chicago Bears running back in a PPR league. Jacobs should be able to bounce back against one of the league’s worst run defenses.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
Williams had season-highs in carries (16 yards) and rushing yards (77 yards) last week against New York. He should have a good game in 2024 against a Raiders team that gives up the eighth-most points to opposing running backs.
Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots (vs. Miami Dolphins)
Gibson could be a great option in a pinch this week. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo is considering benching starter LaMondre Stephenson due to fumbling issues. Gibson could play a bigger role this week against the Dolphins, who have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season.
Fantasy Football Sit ’em: Week 5 RBs
Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
Moss has been in the top 20 running backs across all formats the past two weeks. But that could end in Week 5. Baltimore allows the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and boasts the best run defense in the NFL, allowing just 57.8 yards per game.
Devin Singletary, New York Giants (Seattle Seahawks)
Singletary struggled in Week 4 against Dallas, playing against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. Seattle isn’t the best, but it’s definitely more rugged. If New York is without rookie wide receiver Malik Nabors, the entire offensive line, including Singletary, could struggle.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Both Elliott and Rico Doodle played tough against the Steelers this week, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. Dowdle has more potential in the passing game than Elliott, which allows him to play slightly better.
Braylon Allen, New York Jets (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Allen had far more luck than teammate Breece Hall against the Broncos in Week 4, but that luck may not continue against Minnesota in London. The Vikings have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in the league.
Kansas City Chiefs running back (against New Orleans Saints)
The Chiefs’ backfield is hard to trust. In Week 3, Carson Steele led the team in carries, in Week 4, Kareem Hunt led the team in carries, and in Week 4, Samajeh Perine scored the only touchdown of the group. New Orleans has given up the 12th fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, but the bottom line right now is that it’s hard to pick a running back to back up on a week-to-week basis.
Fantasy Football Start, Shit, Week 5
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports covers:
โ Kickers Are Human Too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your Week 5 fantasy team.
โThe wide receiver position has disappeared this season. In Week 5, protect yourself with Start M Sit M’s advice for wideouts.
โ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and sit in Week 5.
โ Tight ends are the perfect addition to any fantasy team. Here’s who to start and sit in Week 5.