Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 5: Where do Alvin Kamara, Javonte Williams and Woody Marks Sit?
Morgan gives his week 5 fantasy football rankings for running backs.
After going over my top-30 fantasy football wide receivers for week 5, let's now go over running backs.
We'll approach things from a PPR perspective. Check back soon for the tight end and quarterback rankings!
Check out week 5 fantasy football projections for running backs on FantasySP as well.
1. Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs gets the No. 1 spot for week 5 as he prepares for the Bengals.
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Cincy has been the second-most favorable test for a fantasy back, so this won't be the last Detroit back you see in this article.
The Niners could be without several players on Thursday night, so CMC should really shoulder the workload (more than he already does).
The matchup against the Rams is tough (actually the toughest possible), but on volume, CMC should deliver plenty of fantasy points still.
Achane is the No. 3 back for a second straight week.
He will be even more involved than usual after the Tyreek Hill injury. Achane's matchup against the Panthers is already slightly above average, so I'd trust Achane in week 5.
Taylor has been good this season, and should continue delivering in week 5 against the Raiders.
Las Vegas is actually a bit tougher matchup for a running back, but Taylor will get enough touches to keep his strong start to the season rolling.
5. Alvin Kamara
I am high on Kamara for week 5. He has a great matchup against the Giants, and in a game that should stay close enough, Kamara could rack up fantasy points on a ton of touches.
This is one of those must-start situations for Kamara.
I'm taking Williams over some really talented backs, but he deserves some love after how he's performed so far.
Williams has a pretty average test against the Jets, so I expect him to deliver yet again.
7. James Cook
Cook has been really good to kick off the season, but has a bit stiffer test against the Patriots this week, so he falls to No. 7.
If he finds the end zone a time or two, he could easily finish near the top of the position again.
Hampton has emerged as the Chargers' workhorse back, and that has him as a high-end fantasy option - that should continue the rest of the season.
Hampton has the Commanders in week 5, which is another below-average matchup, but with a big workload, I expect Hampton to rack up plenty of fantasy points.
It's weird to have Barkley ranked this low, but it's more than fair after the start to the season that he's had.
He has a tougher test against the Broncos, so I expect Barkley to underwhelm again.
10. Breece Hall
Hall has a very favorable matchup against the Cowboys coming, so he lands a top-10 spot for week 5.
Hall is coming off a nice fantasy showing, so that should give fantasy owners enough confidence to utilize him a bunch this week.
11. Bucky Irving
Irving lands just outside the top 10, with an injury concern playing a role in that.
He'll have an average matchup against the Seahawks if he's able to play in week 5.
12. Cam Skattebo
Skattebo looks like the team's new lead back, but the return of Tyrone Tracy could complicate things a bit.
A very favorable matchup against the Saints is why I still have Skattebo ranked pretty highly. In a week where byes start, Skattebo should be started in just about every league.
13. Derrick Henry
This is a low ranking for Henry, but I'm still not sure I love him at this spot.
He's underwhelmed this season, and now could be without Lamar Jackson next to him, which would allow defenses to key in on him. In a pretty average test against the Texans, I think Henry delivers one of his better fantasy showings of the season.
14. Kyren Williams
This also seems very low for Williams, but he's got a tough Thursday night test against the Niners.
Williams usually gets enough touches to deliver good fantasy scores still, and I see that happening again this week.
15. Quinshon Judkins
Judkins has looked very good since taking the field back in week 2.
He should be heavily involved for the Browns' offense, who are starting Dillon Gabriel in week 5. The matchup against the Vikings is just above average, so I see Judkins delivering a nice fantasy total.
16. Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty got going a bit in week 4, but has a tough test against the Colts in week 5.
I want to believe in Jeanty, but I'm just not fully there yet. He's still a good starting option for the upcoming week.
17. Trey Benson
Benson will look to get rolling as the Cardinals' lead back in a very favorable matchup against the Titans.
He's dealing with a knee ailment, so his status will be one to watch as the week progresses. Drop him a couple spots if the injury is reportedly going to limit him in any way.
UPDATE: Benson has been placed on IR, so he's no longer a week 5 option.
18. Chuba Hubbard
Hubbard has a very favorable clash against the Dolphins in week 5.
Hubbard struggled a bit in week 4, but was dealing with an ailment of his own. That's why I have him ranked where I do this week.
19. Tony Pollard
Pollard has a slightly above-average matchup coming against the Cardinals.
With the Titans' offense still struggling to get going, I expect Pollard to get plenty of touches, and that should help him put up a decent fantasy total.
20. Travis Etienne
Etienne has a pretty favorable test against the Chiefs in week 5.
The reason I have Etienne lower this week is because this contest could become lopsided, and then Etienne's value drops off a bit.
21. Woody Marks
After breaking out in week 4, Marks gets the most favorable fantasy matchup for a back against the Ravens.
I see Houston relying on its running backs to take down a Jackson-less Ravens' team. That means big things for Marks and maybe someone else too.
22. David Montgomery
Montgomery has a chance to get back on track in the favorable matchup against the Bengals.
I'd be happy to start the Lions' No. 2 back this week, especially because four teams are on byes, and others don't have nearly the favorable matchup that Montgomery does.
23. Kenneth Walker
Walker has a pretty average test coming against the Buccaneers.
I want to rank him higher, but his backup steals a bit too much work for that.
24. J.K. Dobbins
Dobbins goes up against the Eagles in week 5. It's actually an above-average matchup for fantasy backs so far.
With RJ Harvey lurking though, I'm not comfortable putting Dobbins any higher than 24th.
25. Jordan Mason
Mason still leads the Vikings' backfield, but I do not like his matchup against the Browns in week 5.
That's the second-hardest fantasy matchup so far, so I'm doing what I can to avoid him in standard leagues.
26. Chase Brown
Brown has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments early in 2025, and things could continue in week 5, as a tough test against the Lions awaits.
He could finish way above this if the Bengals' offense moves the ball even for a couple drives, but I just don't trust that unit right now.
Stevenson is still splitting the workload with TreVeyon Henderson for the Patriots. That holds him back some.
Stevenson has an average matchup coming against the Bills, but not knowing the backfield breakdown for touches, this is as high as I want to take him.
28. Nick Chubb
Chubb might have lost the backfield lead to Marks last week, but this extremely favorable matchup is a chance for both backs to deliver good fantasy scores.
This game is a lot more winnable without Jackson around, so I'd be willing to start Chubb if my options were limited in a standard league; however, I'd prefer to only start him in deeper leagues.
29. Zach Charbonnet
I'm going to double-dip with the Seahawks' backfield too.
The average matchup is fine, but it's the off chance that Charbonnet steals enough touches, and maybe a score, that gets him in my top 30 for week 5.
30. Justice Hill
For as down as I am on Henry, I think Hill is a sneaky sleeper option for week 5.
He turned his limited touches into a ton of yards and two scores last week, and in an average matchup with a backup QB likely leading his offense, it makes some sense to try Hill, especially in deeper leagues.
