In need of a fantasy football win? We aren’t too far from the midway point of our regular season, and you can’t afford to fall too far behind. I’m here to help you break those ties and have your team pointing in the right direction when Week 5 is all said and done. Note that throughout the article, all stats are from TruMedia unless otherwise stated.
Which Running Backs Should Fantasy Managers Start in Week 5?
Aaron Jones | MIN (vs. NYJ in London)
The Vikings made no bones about it – they wanted Aaron Jones to show out against his former employer last week. He was on the field for 82.2% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps (previous season high: 61.1%) and turned 26 touches into 139 yards.
Jones is a 29-year-old back with over 1,600 touches on his NFL résumé – I remain concerned long-term. That said, he’s been a top-16 running back in three of four games (two top 10s) and should be considered a solid start in all formats, even against the seventh-best EPA defense in the league.
Alvin Kamara | NO (at KC)
Early on, Week 4 looked like one of “those” weeks.
If you’ve rostered a Saint in recent years, you know exactly what I’m talking about — Taysom Hill. When you see him vulture a touchdown early, an eye roll is to be expected. When a second comes, I wouldn’t blame you for turning off the game.
I’ve been there.
But with nine targets and the Saints being on the field for 71 plays, Kamara was able to produce his third top-five finish at the position in the first month. I wasn’t thrilled about Hill’s usage, and Jamaal Williams even made a red-zone appearance. But at the end of the day, Kamara’s role continues to be a cheat code.
Rushing efficiency was my primary concern entering this season, but with a 15+ yard rush in all four contests (something only he, Lamar Jackson, and Jordan Mason have done), Kamara is masking some per-carry concerns with chunk gains.
The potential for the Chiefs to attempt to play slow and win the time of possession battle is a bit of a concern for me when nitpicking the very top of the RB board this week. But whether you want to rank Kamara as RB2, RB6, or RB10, you’re playing him. And you’re playing him with confidence in all formats due to his seemingly bulletproof set of responsibilities.
Breece Hall | NYJ (at MIN in London)
Really? I understand that the conditions were less than ideal last week, but 10 carries for four yards? And five targets for 14 yards?
That sort of performance was supposed to be outside of the range of outcomes with an active Rodgers. On a positive note, Hall’s snap share has remained stable (exactly 71.4% in back-to-back-to-back games), and it’s clear that his quarterback has faith in him as he’s seen a downfield target in scoring position in consecutive weeks.
Hall may only have one finish better than RB12 this season, and a talented rookie in Braelon Allen is begging for more work, but I’m not yet worried. This isn’t a great matchup (Minnesota allows the second-fewest yards per running back target), but I’m still trusting Hall’s versatility much the way I am with Bijan Robinson.
This is an above-average offense that is likely to only improve with time. If I can up my Hall exposure due to a reactionary manager, I’m pulling the trigger.
Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS (vs. CLE)
Jeremy McNichols racked up some production in the role vacated by Austin Ekeler, but Robinson has clearly been tabbed as the leader of this backfield, and that role is increasing in scoring equity with each passing week.
Robinson had a wildcat snap on the first drive last week, something that shows the willingness of his team to be creative. Their lead back capped that drive with a touchdown (he’s scored in three of four games) and has done nothing but post top-25 finishes (two top-15 weeks).
We saw not one, not two, not three, not four, but five different Raiders have a 10+ yard rush against these Browns a week ago – Robinson is flirting with RB1 status this week (though you need to watch his status on Sunday morning to confirm he is good to go) and as long as this offense can produce at a top 10 level.
Chuba Hubbard | CAR (at CHI)
Andy Dalton gets the headlines because of the position he plays, but how about Chuba Hubbard?
Consecutive games with 100+ rushing yards and 4+ catches since 2023:
- Christian McCaffrey: Weeks 15-16, 2023
- Hubbard: Weeks 3-4, 2024
The Panthers gave Hubbard four carries inside the 10-yard line on their first drive last weekend against the Bengals, a nod to their commitment to maintaining balance, even while Dalton plays well.
Hubbard was on the field for a season-high 72.9% of the snaps last week and, like it or not, has one of the top 10 roles in the NFL. That’s not to say he’s a top-10 fantasy running back, but with a rock-solid touch count in hand, he’s a top-20 option until proven otherwise.
D’Andre Swift | CHI (vs. CAR)
After reports surfaced last week that the franchise wanted to get a better look at Roschon Johnson, Swift posted the best game of his season with ease. His 36-yard score in the third quarter alone accounted for more rushing yards than he had in any of his first three games this season. And when all was said and done, Swift finished last week as the third-highest scorer at the position, his first weekly rank better than RB30 as a Bear.
Does it stick?
Long term, I’m cautiously optimistic. The offensive line can’t play worse than it has through the first month, and Williams is already showing signs of growth, which could result in something close to a respectable passing attack.
If the environment around Swift can improve, I have no doubt that he can post RB2 numbers on a consistent basis. He gets a great chance to carry over the momentum gained from last week on Sunday against a Panthers defense that has allowed the fourth-most yards per carry before contact to opposing running backs this season.
The question has never been about what Swift can do in space — it’s been about finding that space. For Week 5 at least, I don’t have major concerns on that front.
De’Von Achane | MIA (at NE)
Achane hasn’t been a top-30 running back in either game played since Tua Tagovailoa’s injury, and I wish I could bend the numbers in such a way that would make you feel good about a rebound.
I can’t.
Well, I probably could, but that’s not the point. It would require overlooking certain metrics at an irresponsible level, and that’s not helping anyone. The fact of the matter is that 133.3% of Achane’s rushing yards last week against the Titans came after contact, and that’s a tough way to make a living, no matter how talented the player is.
He remains my favorite back in Miami and will likely get plenty of opportunities in a competitive game with the Dolphins knowing that they can’t afford to rely on the pass game. Achane is in a scoring position with every touch he gets, so while he has fallen outside of my top 10, he remains a starter in all formats.
Derrick Henry | BAL (at CIN)
Crown this man.
Henry took his first carry last week 87 yards to the house, the longest in Ravens franchise history, and has worked past any learning curve that was to be expected with switching teams.
RB finishes by week:
- Week 1: RB29
- Week 2: RB14
- Week 3: RB3
- Week 4: RB1
The idea was that adding Henry would give Baltimore a better chance to experience postseason success as his big frame gets more difficult to deal with as the temperature drops. As it turns out, 6’2” and 250 pounds is pretty tough to tackle regardless of the weather.
There will be the occasional game where the script works away from Henry (though you should take note of his three receptions last week), but that risk is worth the reward that you’ll experience far more often.
James Conner | ARI (at SF)
Conner has been a top-15 running back in three of four games this season, and given that he picked up at least five yards on 40% of his rush attempts against a 49ers defense that was playing at a higher level last season, there’s no reason to think he can’t make it 4-of-5.
Through September, San Francisco allowed the third most yards after contact per carry to running backs — arm tackles aren’t going to get it done in this spot. You can worry all you want about Conner’s ability to make it through four full months — for Week 5, he’s a top-15 running back without much question.
James Cook | BUF (at HOU)
Like every other Bill, Cook was powerless last week against the Ravens. It happens. Before that, he had a 13+ yard run and a 17+ yard catch in three straight games, showcasing a versatile skill set that locks him into fantasy lineups without much thought.
I don’t think the Bills will want to get into a shootout with Stroud and Company – under that assumption, I have him penciled in for 15+ touches with scoring equity. I’m looking for Cook to give us his third top-12 finish at the position of the season.
Jerome Ford | CLE (at WAS)
I don’t consider myself a big fan of Jerome Ford, but his role is safe, and this matchup is as good as it gets. Cleveland fed its lead back the ball on three of its first four plays last week and has kept him on the field for 80% of the snaps over the past two weeks.
The per-touch efficiency can be questioned, but there’s no denying Ford’s ability to rack up the touches. Whether they are handoffs, scripted passes, or garbage-time receptions, Ford’s role is safe no matter the score.
Jerome Ford gets the @Browns in the red zone!
📺: #CLEvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/D4R5mRc44O— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
A 35-yard carry last week gave Ford a 20+ yard touch in three consecutive games.
With a wide range of skills for an offense that needs all the help it can get, he’s a strong RB2 this week and deserves your DFS attention, especially if you think the Browns will look to keep Jayden Daniels on the sideline.
Jordan Mason | SF (vs. ARI)
All reports suggest that this is Mason’s backfield for at least the next month, and nothing about his usage indicates that regression is coming our way.
Mason has finished three of four weeks this season as a top-12 running back, a streak he’ll have every chance to extend this week. No, he’s not Christian McCaffrey, but he’s assumed a similar role, and CMC tore apart this vulnerable Cardinals defense almost exactly a year ago (Week 4, 2023: 27 touches, 177 yards, and four touchdowns).
In case you’ve been living under a rock – Mason is pacing for 2,142 yards if he holds this role for the remainder of the season.
Josh Jacobs | GB (at LAR)
Jacobs doesn’t have a top-20 finish this season despite a usage rate above what I expected. The ground game was scrapped out of Week 4’s loss to the Vikings, so it was good to see him earn six targets (four catches for 27 yards).
Fantasy managers don’t need him to be Alvin Kamara — they just need a few targets per game and a continued domination of the carry count. He’s been responsible for 85.7% of Packer running back red-zone touches through four weeks — that’s a role that is in your starting lineup without much thought every week, even if the efficiency leaves room to be desired.
Kareem Hunt | KC (vs. NO)
Well, that didn’t take long. In his season debut, Kareem Hunt touched the ball 16 times, his highest opportunity count in 1,077 days — a clear indicator that he is positioned to lead Kansas City’s backfield for the foreseeable future.
Hunt wasn’t necessarily in peak form (his longest gain was just 10 yards), but he did pick up at least five yards on nine of his touches. That’s appealing for an offense that no longer holds the elevated floor that it entered the season with.
Week 4 snap shares (at LAC)
- Kareem Hunt: 43.1%
- Samaje Perine: 41.4%
- Carson Steele: 19%
Perine was essentially a third-down specialist (on the field for 81.3% of third-down snaps), making it Hunt and Steele in a battle for the fantasy-relevant role.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Chiefs’ pass rate over expectation adjusts sans Rashee Rice, but I expect it to regress a bit. With vacated targets in the short pass game, Hunt sneaks into my RB2 tier this week.
Kenneth Walker III | SEA (vs. NYG)
Walker missed consecutive games with an oblique injury, furthering the narrative that he might be a little bit of a fragile player. You can call him fragile all you want — I call him one of the more explosive players at the position.
Both things can be true, but fantasy football is a war that is won by earning victories in a bunch of small battles, and as long as Walker is getting his 15+ touches, he’s going to be winning you those battles on an awfully consistent basis.
- 1,287 rushing yards
- 270 receiving yards
- 17 touchdowns
Those are Walker’s numbers over his past six games if you extend them for an entire season. Those rushing and touchdown totals would have both ranked top three at the position for 2023, which is the level of upside we are looking at with him (top-10 producer in both of his games this season).
Of course, I’m not thrilled with the short week for Walker after a couple of DNPs, but if he looked at all hindered to you on Monday night, we aren’t watching the same game. Walker is a true threat to lead the position in scoring in Week 5 as he faces the league’s worst run defense in terms of yards allowed to running backs after first contact thus far in 2024.
Kyren Williams | LAR (vs. GB)
It’s not easy to have four straight top-20 finishes at the position despite not having a single touch gain more than 15 yards, but Williams is a rare player with an elite role. Los Angeles’ lone remaining healthy asset from the preseason has scored in seven straight games and has carved out a role that makes him one of the more reliable options in our game.
The fact that he has caught 13 of 14 targets this season also helps elevate his floor, both in general and in this specific matchup. Though four weeks, the Packers have allowed the fourth-most yards per running back target this season (8.6), giving Willimas multiple ways to pay off my top-12 ranking of him.
Players like Williams are rare, and you’re lucky to have someone who can overcome offensive limitations like this.
Najee Harris | PIT (vs. DAL)
Harris’ status as a fantasy starter would be in serious question if not for the state of the running back position league-wide. He has just one finish better than RB28 this season and split 12 carries with Cordarrelle Patterson in the first half of Week 4 (Patterson out-gained him 43-5 on those attempts). He’s averaging a career-low in yards per carry after contact and has yet to score (he opened last season with five straight scoreless games).
But with bye weeks now in effect, do you really have a better option? Harris is averaging 19.8 touches per game and has a splash play (20+ yards) in three of four games. He was on the field for a season-high 69.1% snaps last week with Jaylen Warren sidelined, solidifying a role that, regardless of what you think about the player, is in the RB2 discussion this week.
After 20 running backs, I ran out of roles with which I felt reasonably comfortable, and that’s how Harris lands at RB21. When it comes to this matchup, I still have it graded as advantageous:
Travis Etienne Jr. | JAX (vs. IND)
Was Travis Etienne Jr. really hurt last week?
The broadcast credited a shoulder injury for Etienne’s lack of usage, but he seemed to be deprioritized from the jump, and that’s a terrifying thought in an offense that is struggling to create advantageous situations.
Etienne was drafted as the RB8 this summer but has yet to finish a single week this season better than RB19. He’s no longer a lineup lock, given the explosive potential that we’ve seen from Tank Bigsby and Jacksonville’s indifference to getting him work.
Nevertheless, Etienne remains just inside of my top 20 this week in a game that I expect to be tight throughout.
Trey Sermon | IND (at JAX)
Last season, Taylor’s best game in terms of catches, targets, and receiving yards came against the Jaguars. He’s one of the very best in the game, and I like him as a top-10 running back this week, regardless of who starts at quarterback.
He has both a 20-yard rush and at least 20 receiving yards in each of the past three weeks – a role that is now in the hands of Trey Sermon with Taylor officially being ruled out on Friday.
The 25-year-old reserve only has 10 touches on his 2024 regular (31 yards and a touchdown), but should be penciled in for 15-ish this week as the clear go-to back in a game that figures to be competitive.
We saw Sermon pick up 88 yards and 17 carries against the Steelers when pressed into an extended role late last season and somewhere in the range of 8-10 PPR points is a logical projection in this spot.
That slots him outside of my top-20 at the position, but given the carnage at the position, he’s a viable option that will get opportunities for managers searching for Flex help this weekend.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG (at SEA)
Four carries for two yards.
That’s not exactly a stat line that will be on the refrigerator at Tracy’s house, but there were a few positive signs to justify holding onto him if you can as we enter bye week season.
I thought Tracy getting the second carry of the game was illuminating, as it doubled the number of first-quarter rush attempts he had through the first three weeks of his career. He also had a 19-yard catch and was targeted again deep down the field on a wheel route.
Slowly but surely. Week 4 obviously wasn’t a standout performance on any level for the rookie, but New York is going to be looking long term sooner than later. With Tracy walking into the starting role this week, any opportunity to get him o the cheap could disappear in the next 24 hours.
The value of the lead role in New York is shaky at best, but the idea of adding a potential player on the cheap now who could earn 12-15 touches is appealing, as it gives your roster the type of depth it may need as the weather flips and injuries pop up. This is a talented kid and at the running back position, the value of the unknown can be more valuable than most give it credit for.
Tracy is a low-end flex play for me this week, ranking in the tier of running backs like Kareem Hunt and Rico Dowdle.
Zack Moss | CIN (vs. BAL)
Zack Moss was pretty clearly the lead back in Cincy through three weeks. But Week 4 was enough to cast doubt in my mind and drop him outside of my top 20 at the position despite him posting top-20 numbers three times this season (he bailed you out with a one-yard touchdown reception last week).
We saw Joe Mixon earn five targets in both games as a member of the Bengals’ offense against the Ravens last season. That might well be the path for Moss to provide value for you this week (nine catches on 10 targets over the past two weeks with a 12+ yard reception in all four games).
Moss has out-carried Chase Brown 12-4 in the red zone this season, giving him access to the high-leverage touches that we chase.
Which Running Backs Should Fantasy Managers Sit in Week 5?
Antonio Gibson | NE (vs. MIA)
A 50-yard reception last week made Gibson New England’s top receiver, and it was his second straight game with three receptions, but the touch count has yet to be expanded at a high enough level to put him on Flex radars (36 touches this season).
Due to Stevenson’s ball security issues, Gibson has a path to a lead role and thus needs to be rostered, though reasonable minds can disagree on if that title is worth anything in standard-sized leagues.
With Gibson set to start this week, he’s a risky RB2.The Patriots made it clear that Stevenson will still be a part of the gameplan and that means we are likely looking at a split backfield that has struggled to return a single viable asset this season.
Austin Ekeler | WAS (vs. CLE)
The veteran touched the ball in three of Washington’s first four plays from scrimmage in the Commanders’ Week 3 upset win in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, a concussion later in that game resulted in Ekeler missing Week 4.
Traditionally, players have been able to return to action after missing a game due to concussion protocol. But not all head injuries are created equally, and the fact that he was ruled out for Wednesday’s practice worries me a bit when it comes to his Week 5 status.
Ekeler looked as good as he has in over a calendar year to open that Bengals game (57 yards and a touchdown on five touches) and is seemingly closer to carving out a viable role than I gave him credit for entering the season.
That said, I’m operating as if this is still a 2:1 backfield in Brian Robinson Jr.’s favor when it comes to touches projections, and that’s assuming reasonable health for Ekeler.
The future fantasy Hall of Famer certainly should be rostered, but even if Ekeler clears protocol in this sub-optimal matchup, I’m not ranking him as a legitimate Flex option.
Braelon Allen | NYJ (at MIN in London)
In September, the rookie turned 34 touches into 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns. As good as he looked, he’s not being rewarded with more playing time; he’s played 30-36% of New York’s offensive snaps in three straight contests.
Allen is a fantasy asset waiting to happen, I’m just not sure he will get fully unleashed any time soon. This offense runs through Hall/Garrett Wilson, and with Rodgers always milking the clock, this isn’t the type of offense that can sustain three lineup-lock skill players consistently.
Outside of an injury to Hall, I’d be surprised if Allen elevated into the top 25 at the position regularly in my rankings – selling him might be an option if there is a manager in your league who thinks he has the potential to take over this backfield.
Cam Akers | HOU (vs. BUF)
Akers was not a top-25 running back in either of his opportunities as the starter. If he were to be penciled in as the go-to option this week, he’d be a viable Flex play for me, but nothing more (he caught just one pass across those two games).
Carson Steele | KC (vs. NO)
Steele was the casualty of Hunt’s assertion into the lineup, and that seems more likely than not to stick for as long as the veteran RB is healthy.
Steele has 30 touches this season and has two more fumbles (two) than gains of at least 10 yards. The Chiefs are always in win-now mode, and Hunt simply provides more stability for an offense that is losing pieces weekly.
If you have the luxury of keeping Steele through the Week 6 bye, I would as a way to get access to Andy Reid’s creativity. Yet, cutting ties is a reasonable action if your roster requires you to do so.
Chase Brown | CIN (vs. BAL)
Chase Brown started the second half last week and racked up 37 scrimmage yards on the first drive, one that he capped with a touchdown. We are still looking at small samples, but Brown has been better than Moss this season both before and after contact, putting him in a position to earn more work with time.
I’m not comfortable in Flexing Brown just yet, but he is a strong stash.
Emanuel Wilson | GB (at LAR)
Wilson is a nice handcuff to own, but he’s a long shot to ever own projectable stand-alone value as long Jacobs is healthy. Wilson was handed the ball on the Packers’ third play last week and was on the field for 39.2% of the offensive snaps – positive trends but not nearly enough to burst into the Flex conversation.
Ezekiel Elliott | DAL (at PIT)
We first saw Ezekiel Elliott last week on the third drive after Rico Dowdle already had four carries and Dallas had schemed up a run for CeeDee Lamb.
But this team ranked 11th in red zone pass rate last season (52.1%), a relatively low rank given their pass-centric playbook. That had us thinking that Elliott could have a 2023 Gus Edwards sort of season — not efficient, but fantasy viable due to the scoring equity.
Well, through one month, the Cowboys have dropped back to pass on 70% of their red-zone snaps this season, sapping Elliott of his one path to fantasy relevance.
Elliott’s snap shares in 2024 by week:
- Week 1 at Browns: 50%
- Week 2 vs. Saints: 39.4%
- Week 3 vs. Ravens: 20%
- Week 4 at Giants: 17.6%
You’re going to have to make difficult roster decisions as bye weeks come into effect, not to mention injuries piling up. You shouldn’t feel obligated to leave the light on for this veteran.
Jaleel McLaughlin | DEN (vs. LV)
As much as we like some of the splash plays, Jaleel McLuaghlin’s peak finish this season is RB35. In theory, he’s a nice player to stash. Williams has a checkered health track record and we like to dream about what a player like this can do if given 15-18 touches every week.
I’m fine if you want to fill your bench that way, but make sure you’re doing so without the expectation of stand-alone value as long Williams is on the field.
Javonte Williams | DEN (vs. LV)
Javonte Williams has one finish as a top-30 running back and is at risk of losing reps to Jaleel McLaughlin. I prefer Williams to Zamir White in this game because he has more single-play upside, and the offense as a whole has a wider range of outcomes. That said, if you can avoid both backfields altogether, your mental state will be better for it.
Jaylen Warren | PIT (vs. DAL)
Jaylen Warren entered the season at less than full strength, and the knee injury he suffered against the Chargers in Week 3 forced him to watch from the sidelines on Sunday for just his second career DNP.
Given the injuries that the Cowboys are facing and the conservative nature of the Steelers’ offense, there’s a world in which Warren, if active, can make the most of one of his touches. But we are in the business of predicting the most likely outcomes, and through that lens, Warren shouldn’t be on your Flex radar this week — regardless of the reporting around his health.
Under Arthur Smith this season, Warren’s snap share (35.4%) is down from his career average prior (40%), and his production compared to expectation (-8.5%) has followed the same pattern (1.4%).
The time hasn’t come yet, but there’s a real chance that Warren isn’t worth a roster spot. Pittsburgh has the Giants and Commanders sandwiching a Week 9 bye, but following that, the schedule stiffens (both Baltimore and Cleveland games, not to mention a Christmas showdown with Kansas City on three days of rest in what is Super Bowl week for most leagues). If his role isn’t extended by then, there’s no chance you’re calling his number with your season on the line.
Raheem Mostert | MIA (at NE)
A chest injury has kept Raheem Mostert out for three consecutive games, though he was listed as questionable for the majority of last week. Mostert’s role as a touchdown threat is predicated on Miami being in scoring positions, and that’s not something I’m counting on happening at a high level for the next month.
Mostert deserves to be rostered in deeper leagues where the value of each bench spot is lower. In a shallow league, it’s not necessary to hold.
Rhamondre Stevenson | NE (vs. MIA)
The game script is going to work away from the Patriots more often than not, but this weekend looks like the exception. That said, are we sure that Rhamondre Stevenson will keep getting chances?
Stevenson has put the ball on the ground in all four games this season (two lost) and averaged under four yards per carry in both games against the Dolphins last season — with none of his 30 touches gaining more than 12 yards.
After fumbling in each of the first four games of the season, Rhamondre Stevenson is officially in danger of being benched 🚨 pic.twitter.com/S27LjclThD
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) October 2, 2024
If you’re in a bind, Flexing Stevenson is reasonable, though I’m not doing it with the utmost confidence. Avoiding New England’s offense is the move that winning teams in 2024 are making.
Rico Dowdle | DAL (at PIT)
Rico Dowdle started the game for Dallas on Thursday and was handed the ball on the team’s first two snaps. It’s becoming more and more clear with each passing week that the Cowboys are seeing the same thing the fantasy community is: Dowdle is the top option in this backfield.
That said, even with them seemingly committing to him, Dowdle played 43-48% of the offensive snaps for a fourth straight game. I worry that our excitement around him is more context-based than anything; he looks far more explosive than Ezekiel Elliott and that has us wishing for fantasy numbers. But is he an impactful talent when compared to all other backs?
This season, the 26-year-old doesn’t have a carry gaining more than 10 yards (34 attempts) and has seen just two targets on 21 routes run during Dallas wins (his season reception numbers have been inflated by the two one-sided losses — 10 targets on 34 routes).
If we expect this team to operate with a lead more often than not, I’m not sold that Dowdle is the most versatile of options.
We can argue about his value moving forward, but I’d rather not go Dowdle’s direction in this spot against one of the best defenses in the game that also owns a ball-control offense. I’m penciling in a very similar stat line to what we saw last week (61 yards on 15 touches and zero touchdowns), and that’s not going to get it done in most situations.
Roschon Johnson | CHI (vs. CAR)
Rumors swirled ahead of Week 4 that Johnson would be given the chance to impress against the Rams, and while he wasn’t featured, he did cash in a first-half goal-line carry. Sadly, for his 2024 prospects, Swift looked good and likely did enough to hold onto the lead role for the foreseeable future.
Johnson didn’t earn a target last week, but the passing game is his path to fringe PPR Flex value. The team has been impressed with his pass-blocking savvy since they drafted him, and those are the situations in which he’ll likely be on the field. If he can continue to succeed in short-yardage spots and be efficient as a route runner, there’s a world in which he’s on Flex radars in the second half of this season, but that time is not here yet.
At the very least, Johnson is a short-term stash. The Bears get the Panthers this week, the Jags in Week 6, and the Commanders/Cardinals following the Week 7 bye. That’s a strong stretch that he is one injury away from getting exposure to.
Tank Bigsby | JAX (vs. IND)
Tank Bigsby handled the first carry for the Jags last week and again was ripping off chunk plays. For the season, he’s only been handed the ball 21 times, but he’s managed to pick up 172 yards, fueling committee talk for the final winless team in the NFL.
A lack of versatility is going to cap Bigsby’s upside (and Travis Etienne’s downside). His impact on our game might not be for himself but to completely negate our confidence in Etienne.
For now, Etienne is a fringe starter while Bigsby is a stash. But almost nothing from this backfield would surprise me this weekend, and that’s an uncomfortable spot to be in.
Ty Chandler | MIN (vs. NYJ in London)
The Vikings led for 58 of their 64 plays on Sunday against the Packers, creating a script that, in theory, would give Chandler a chance to produce
- Four touches
- 13 yards
Chandler has come in under 20 rushing yards in three of four games this season as the undefeated Vikings have proven more than happy to lean on Jones (41 carries and 50 touches over the past two weeks).
This offseason, I had dreams of Chandler working his way into a role that would allow him to garner Flex consideration by the time bye weeks came around. Heck, after Week 2 (10 carries for 82 yards in an upset win over the 49ers), I still believed that.
I no longer do. That doesn’t mean Chandler is an automatic cut, but you need to adjust your view of him — he’s now strictly a handcuff. There’s value in that role behind a 29-year-old Jones who missed six games last season, it’s just not one that requires our attention at the moment.
Tyler Goodson | IND (at JAX)
Talk out of Indy is that Goodson will see work as part of a committee in an effort to patchwork together the Taylor role. The Iowa product has yet to be handed the ball this season (13 career carries for 87 yards), but he was productive during his collegiate career and showed reasonable levels of versatility for the system the Hawkeyes ran.
He’s not a must add, but with Taylor at risk of missing significant time, Goodson is the type of player worth stashing if you have the space. The Colts don’t have their bye until Week 14 and with a favorable run of games in the short-term (Titans-Dolphins in Weeks 6-7), it’s very possible that this team takes a cautious approach with their All-Pro RB.
Goodson is a high-risk flex this week without much clarity on his role, but there is certainly the potential for his ranking to improve (my RB40 this week) by this time next week.
Zach Charbonnet | SEA (vs. NYG)
After playing 85% or more of the snaps in consecutive games as the lead in Seattle’s backfield, Charbonnet saw his participation (41% of snaps) trend toward what we saw in the first week (33.3%) with Walker at full strength.
Charbonnet has totaled 17 touches in those two Walker games, usage that puts him on the fringe of usable in deeper formats. The rushing efficiency hasn’t been there (3.7 yards per carry this season with none of his 42 carries gaining more than 13 yards) on the ground, but with 15 catches on 17 targets for 115 yards and a score, there’s a level of versatility that is interesting.
In most leagues, Charbonnet is more of a strong handcuff than a Flex option. However, with carnage continuing to happen at the position and the Seahawks’ offense proving capable of scoring, that could flip sooner than later, especially in a positive game script.
I’ve got Charbonnet ranked in the mid-30s at the position, putting him alongside the likes of Jaleel McLaughlin and Chase Brown.