Ohio backs are dominating the PPR landscape! Nick Chubb (vs. Chargers in Week 5) and Joe Mixon (@ Ravens) have been great and comprise the cream of the crop this weekend in plus-matchups. Even Kareem Hunt merits flex consideration in PPR leagues, as the Browns rely so heavily on their backfield weapons. Saquon Barkley (vs. Packers) and Derrick Henry (vs. Commanders), each formerly regarded as the No. 1 RB in years past, look like they’re in vintage form, and Austin Ekeler (@ Browns) awakened his inner beast in Week 4 after a slow start.
It will be paramount to monitor the injury status of some of the big dogs, though Jonathan Taylor (@ Broncos) figures to be “questionable” for Thursday night’s game after suffering a late ankle injury, and Alvin Kamara (vs. Seahawks) will also likely be “questionable” after missing Weed 4 with a rib injury. (UPDATE: Taylor is out.) Nyheim Hines (@ Broncos) should get the bulk of the RB snaps and be worth a PPR flex spot if Taylor can’t go, while Latavius Murray, who’s now on Denver, showed his flex value last week against Minnesota. For now, Taylor and Kamara are in our rankings.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
We don’t have as much optimism about Javonte Williams (vs. Colts). The second-year stud left Sunday’s game early in the second half with what looked like a bad knee injury. (UPDATE: Williams is out for the year due to a torn ACL.) Melvin Gordon III’s stock obviously rises, but his fumbling issues may force Nathaniel Hackett to establish more of a timeshare with Mike Boone. Both have low-end flex value against Indianapolis, but newly acquired Latavius Murray could also be involved.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Injuries have led to opportunities for many PPR stars. Khalil Herbert (@ Vikings) has been steady as she goes this year, and David Montgomery’s ankle paved the way for the second-year back to mount another 100 scrimmage yards in Week 4. Jamaal Williams (@ Patriots) has stepped up big time for the Lions, and he found the end zone twice with D’Andre Swift (shoulder) out. Both will continue to be must-starts as long as Montgomery and Swift are out, and they will have flex value even when those starters return.
WEEK 5 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
PPR goodness remains in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The two-headed backfield monster formed by Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon (vs. Giants) continues to wreak havoc on opposing defenses, even putting up 183 ground yards on Bill Belichick’s Patriots last weekend. New England’s running game has been solid, as well — Damien Harris (vs. Lions) racked up 86 yards and a TD while Rhamondre Stevenson added 89 scrimmage yards. Stevenson remains the superior PPR back, but both warrant RB2 consideration in a highly favorable matchup against Detroit. We like all of these backs ahead of unquestioned starters Najee Harris (@ Bills), who apparently no longer catches passes, and James Conner (vs. Eagles), though both still have high-end flex value.
WEEK 5 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
The committee we will likely shy away from for now hails from Arlington, Texas. Cowboys backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard (@ Rams) looked dreadful against the Commanders and now go into L.A. to face Aaron Donald and the reigning champs. No bueno. We’re also not huge fans of the committee on the other side of that game, Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers (vs. Cowboys) given the matchup. The Dolphins duo of Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds (@ Jets) is also risky this week despite a decent matchup. Edmonds is scoring while Mostert is playing more, but this situation will likely be unpredictable every week.
WEEK 5 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em
Of course, with the bad comes some good. We like what we have seen from Josh Jacobs (@ Chiefs), continuing the touchdown production he enjoyed in 2021. We’re also enthused by the steady progression from Jets rookie Breece Hall (vs. Dolphins) and predict he will take over the RB1 duties from Michael Carter sooner than later. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (vs. Raiders) also finds a way to continue producing despite Isiah Pacheco stealing touches and ruining Jerick McKinnon’s value. (UPDATE: Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley form another confusing committee now that Cordarrelle Patterson is out because of a knee injury. Consider both low-end flexes against Tampa.)
Perhaps the biggest storyline this week is the return of Washington rookie Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. Titans). Antonio Gibson has been underwhelming (as usual), and B-Rob will be the story of the year if he takes over this backfield after being shot in the legs multiple times right before the season. He’s a PPR stud waiting to happen, though Gibson and J.D. McKissic will still be involved – perhaps enough this week to still have low-end flex value.
Note: We’ll be updating these RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for analysis and the latest player movement.
Week 5 fantasy RB PPR rankings
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring leagues
Week 5 RB PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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