Welcome to the first week where bye weeks come into play, with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs both on bye. Week 4 of the NFL season saw some running backs emerge as potential fantasy stars, while others continued to prove how disappointing they are, making it an ideal time to consider trades.
Injuries remain a factor, particularly for the Philadelphia Eagles. New York Jets running back Breece Hall missed last week against the Chicago Bears and is doubtful this week against the Cleveland Browns. Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love also suffered an injury.
Heading into Week 5, here are the top running back starts and sits.
Start - RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have given Harvey a few more carries after J.K. Dobbins
got banged up early in the year. While Harvey isn't getting many carries, he is getting a lot of receptions. In the past two games, he has 16 receptions for 109 yards. Especially in PPR leagues, Harvey can get you a lot of points. For example, last week he had 19.3 points in full PPR leagues. He may be flying under the radar, but he should definitely be in your starting lineup.
Start - Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
In his first game as the Seahawks' lead back, Wilson had 81 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus a few receptions for 39 yards and a receiving touchdown. Seattle tried to add Joe Mixon to the roster, but it ultimately didn't pan out. So, Wilson is still the Seahawks' top running back heading into their matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who have given up about as many fantasy points to running backs this year as the Los Angeles Chargers.
He definitely has the potential to produce similarly in Week 5.
Start - Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins
Going against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4, who have one of the best run defenses in the NFL, Gordon put up 100 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Cincinnati Bengals are not as good a run defense as the Vikings, and Gordon is set to be the starting back for the Dolphins for the rest of the year with De’Von Achane out.
He can put up decent production this week. Especially with some starting running backs on bye, including Chuba Hubbard and Kenneth Walker III, any starting running back with a decent floor, like Gordon, deserves to be started in fantasy this week.
Sit - David Montgomery, Houston Texans
After a three-touchdown performance in Week 1, Montgomery has barely done anything. He has 67 rushing yards over the past three games and only four targets in that span. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has talked about getting Woody Marks, who was their leading rusher last season, more involved in the offense.
This only spells trouble for Montgomery’s fantasy production, which is already dismal. Not only should he stay on the bench, but you should also try to trade him away while he is ranked the No. 23 running back on ESPN; you might actually get a decent player in return.
Sit - Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
Love’s injury is rather concerning for fantasy owners. His carries were cut in the loss to the New York Giants last week, and it looks like that will happen again in their Week 5 game against the Detroit Lions. Unless Love happens to score a touchdown while playing through his ankle injury, assuming he plays, he probably will not meet his projection this week.
Sit - Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles
Right now, Will Shipley is the only truly healthy running back on the Eagles’ roster, and he popped up on the injury report before their Week 3 game against the Chicago Bears. But with Tank Bigsby going to IR and Saquon Barkley considered week-to-week, it is understandable why fantasy owners with either of these players or with a back on a bye week might turn to Shipley.
However, playing the Jacksonville Jaguars is one of the worst matchups he could get, as they have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs and only one touchdown to running backs this season. If you are desperate for a running back, there are better waiver-wire options than Will Shipley, who has yet to score a touchdown despite being in his third season in the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start'em, Sit'em Week 5: RB Edition
