Now that we are four weeks into the season, fantasy football managers are starting to get an idea of which players need to be in lineups and which ones to leave on the bench. However, matchups remain essential to lineup decisions. Let’s take a look at our Week 5 RB start ’em and sit ’em plays.
Week 5 Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
Which running backs are starts heading into Week 5?
Start ‘Em | Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons (vs. NYJ)
It’s tough to advise starting a player who’s on the field for approximately 30% of a team’s offensive snaps. Yet, here we are.
I may end up looking foolish for this recommendation because something has to give between the usage not matching the production. With that being said, we have a four-week sample size of Cordarrelle Patterson. He’s currently the RB3 and WR5 in PPR formats, being eligible at both positions on most fantasy platforms. That’s hard to deny.
At the ripe young age of 30, this breakout has been over a half-decade in the making.
Patterson is coming off a week where he finished as the overall RB1 despite limited playing time. Is it sustainable? Probably not. Will he command more playing time if he keeps playing like this? I sure hope so. The Jets allow the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Start Patterson until he gives you a reason not to.
Start ‘Em | Damien Williams, Chicago Bears (at LV)
It’s quite rare that a backup RB takes over, and we’re confident he will assume the overwhelming majority of the starter’s touches. But that’s the situation we find ourselves in with Damien Williams replacing an injured David Montgomery.
We saw a glimpse of it last week as Williams commanded nearly all of the snaps following Montgomery’s exit. He briefly departed due to a thigh bruise in favor of Khalil Herbert, but all reports indicate Williams will be fine.
The Raiders are fresh off getting embarrassed on Monday night by Austin Ekeler. Williams is no Ekeler, but the Raiders allow the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Williams is in line for 15-20 touches and has proven to be an RB1 in the past. This week, he should be a reliable RB2 that you either drafted for free or picked up on waivers.
Week 5 Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
These running backs should be left on your bench in Week 5.
Sit ‘Em | Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins (@ TB)
When a running back is a seventh-round pick, these things happen. There was just never any allegiance to Myles Gaskin. In 2020, he was a workhorse. Yet, in Week 4 of the 2021 season, we saw Gaskin play just 23% of the snaps and touch the ball all of 2 times.
This season, Gaskin is the paradigm for why fantasy managers should be skeptical when drafting replacement-level talents purely based on projected situation and opportunity. When one of those two aspects goes, so does the production. With Gaskin, the opportunity is gone because the talent to retain it just wasn’t there.
The Bucs allow the seventh-fewest fantasy points to RBs. On the contrary, they are a pass funnel defense, and opposing offenses know it. If the Dolphins have any hopes of staying in this game, they will throw a lot — and it won’t be to Gaskin.
Malcolm Brown appears to have usurped Gaskin as the primary back. Not only must you bench Gaskin this week, but I anticipate his name appearing on cut lists across the fantasy community by Week 6.
Sit ‘Em | Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks (at LAR)
How does that phrase go? Once is chance, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern. In Week 2, Chris Carson saw his snap share drop from 78% to 63%. Then, in Week 3, it dropped again to 43%, and then it held steady at 45% in Week 4.
Carson is on pace for career lows in carries, rushing yards, targets, and receiving yards. Last week, he was outproduced by Alex Collins, both as a runner and receiver. Unlike Carson, Collins has seen his snap share increase since he was first active in Week 2. He was up to 39% of the snaps last week, and it feels like he might overtake Carson this week.
The Rams are middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to running backs. Given the Rams’ explosive offense, the Seahawks may not be able to run as much as they want to. Combine a lack of carries, Carson splitting time with Collins, and a short week, and this is a recipe for another bust game for Carson. Do your best to find a better option in Week 5.