MIAMI, Oct. 6 (UPI) — Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry, James Robinson and Aaron Jones top my Week 5 fantasy football running back rankings for 2021.
Darrell Henderson, Alvin Kamara, Nick Chubb, Austin Ekeler and Kareem Hunt round out my Top 10 options for Week 5.
Damien Williams and Alex Collins are among the other running backs to consider for your weekly lineup if you are in a league that features at least 14 teams.
Plenty of other running backs with great matchups this week are available aside from the elite names. Try to find a player who will get a lot of carries, targets in the passing game or goal line work and has a good Week 5 matchup.
TOP SHELF
Ezekiel Elliott disappointed many fantasy football team owners to start the season, but bounced back with pristine performances over the last three weeks. The Dallas Cowboys star tops my Week 5 rankings as he heads into an NFC East division game against the New York Giants.
Elliott ran for 143 yards and a score on 20 carries in Week 4. He gained at least 97 yards from scrimmage in each of the Cowboys’ last three games, which were all wins.
Look for the Cowboys to hand the ball to Elliott even more this week when they face a Giants team that allowed the 10th-most rushing yards to running backs through four weeks. The Giants also allowed running backs to score in three of those four games.
I expect Elliott to run for more than 125 yards and score for a second-consecutive week. He is an elite RB1 going forward, regardless of matchup.
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is the No. 2 player in my Week 5 rankings. Cook returned from an injury absence in Week 4 and struggled against the Cleveland Browns, but I expect a strong performance this week when the Vikings host the Detroit Lions.
The Lions allowed the most fantasy points to running backs through the first four weeks this season. They also allowed a league-high six rushing scores and nine touchdowns overall to the position.
Cook should expose this unit for at least 120 rushing yards and find the end zone.
SNEAKY PLAYS
Los Angeles Rams running back Darrell Henderson received at least 16 touches in each of his three appearances this season.
He used those touches to pile up an average of 95 yards from scrimmage per game and scored twice.
This week, the Rams face a Seattle Seahawks defense that allowed the most rushing attempts, most rushing yards and third-most fantasy points to running backs to start the season.
Henderson lands at No. 6 in my rankings and can be used as a low-end RB1 this week, regardless of your league’s format. Look for at least 100 yards and a score from the Rams running back.
Kareem Hunt might be listed as the Cleveland Browns’ second-string running back, but he can be used as an RB1 this week in fantasy football.
Hunt ranks 14th amongst running backs in fantasy points per game. He scored touchdowns in three of the Browns’ four games this season.
Hunt received 16 touches and scored in each of his last two games. Look for the Browns to split the workload between Nick Chubb and Hunt again in Week 5.
The Browns face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif. The Chargers held Josh Jacobs to 40 yards in Week 4, but allowed at least 100 yards from scrimmage to running backs in their first three games this season.
Look for Hunt to gain at least 100 yards and score in this AFC matchup. He is my No. 10 option.
LONGSHOTS
Chicago Bears running back Damien Williams was my top waiver wire addition this week. He will assume lead running back duties due to starter David Montgomery’s expected month-long injury absence.
Williams is a matchup-based play until Montgomery returns. He can be used as a low-end RB1 or a high-end RB2 in Week 5, when the Bears battle the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders just allowed 145 yards from scrimmage and two scores to Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler in Week 4. I expect the Bears to use Williams in a similar way, as a runner and pass catcher, against the same defense.
Williams should gain close to 100 yards from scrimmage. He is my No. 14 play in Week 5.
Seattle Seahawks running back Alex Collins is an only-use-if-you’re-desperate play, but should find success in a Thursday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams rank in the middle of the pack in points allowed to running backs, but I see the Seahawks using Collins enough this week to warrant RB2 or flex consideration.
Collins received 12 touches and gained 78 yards from scrimmage and a score in a Week 4 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Starter Chris Carson received 14 touches, but gained just 31 yards.
Look for the Seahawks to increase Collins’ workload going forward. I expect him to receive at least 15 touches in what should be a shootout Thursday in Seattle.
Collins, who also was one of my top waiver wire pickups, is my No. 28 option in Week 5.
Week 5 fantasy football running back rankings
1. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys vs. NYG
2. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings vs. DET
3. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans at JAX
4. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TEN
5. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers at CIN
6. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams at SEA
7. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints at WAS
8. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns at LAC
9. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. CLE
10. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns at LAC
11. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts at BAL
12. D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions at MIN
13. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants at DAL
14. Damien Williams, Chicago Bears at LVR
15. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers vs. PHI
16. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. DEN
17. Damien Harris, New England Patriots at HOU
18. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. MIA
19. Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills at KC
20. Mike Davis, Atlanta Falcons vs. NYJ
21. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders vs. CHI
22. Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals vs. SF
23. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks vs. LAR
24. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs vs. BUF
25. Latavius Murray, Baltimore Ravens vs. IND
26. Trey Sermon, San Francisco 49ers at AZ
27. Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team vs. NO
28. Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks vs. LAR
29. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos at PIT
30. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys vs. NYG
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