Fantasy: Week 5 Rankings - Running Backs (Analysis)

Over the last two seasons, theScore's Justin Boone has finished in the top 10 in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. This year he's first overall after four weeks. Follow the links to see his rankings for Week 5. 

A final rankings update will be available on Sunday morning.

Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | K

Running Backs

• Le'Veon Bell is staking his claim as one of the best running backs in the NFL and a date with the Jaguars will only serve to further his rise to the top. He's the number one option at the position this week and I wouldn't be surprised to see his teammate LeGarrette Blount find the end zone as well on the afternoon. 

• Everyone made a big deal about Arian Foster's workload early in the season and ultimately Foster ended up missing Week 3 due to injury. DeMarco Murray is in the exact same situation, as a player with an injury history, who is averaging 27.0 touches per game through four weeks. Murray is the second-ranked back on this list, but owners should be concerned about him holding up the rest of the way. 

• Speaking of Foster, his hamstring injury has him heading towards another game-time decision. Foster played in a limited role last week, splitting carries with Alfred Blue, but it was Blue's number that was called down the stretch. Blue would be a low-end RB2 if Foster was sidelined. 

• Regardless of what Andre Williams did in a blowout victory over the Redskins, Rashad Jennings is the clear lead back for the Giants. The team was smart to limit Jennings snaps on a short week, following a 34-carry performance. Now, he will be fresh for an encounter with the Falcons. 

• Jamaal Charles looked healthy on Monday night, amassing 108 total yards and visiting the end zone three times in the win over the Patriots. The 49ers defense presents a tougher challenge, but Charles should be locked into lineups again. 

• Dear Eddie Lacy, people are worried. Yes, you ran for a touchdown last week, but you haven't eclipsed 50 rushing yards in four tries this season. If you care about the stress level of your owners, you will deliver a quality outing in front of a national audience on Thursday night against the Vikings. 

• There are far too many shared backfields out there. Ben Tate is expected to get his starting job back for the Browns, but Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell made a pretty strong case for themselves in his absence. Justin Forsett seems to be the back to own in Baltimore at the moment, but Lorenzo Taliaferro has shown glimpses and Bernard Pierce is nearing full health. Tate and Forsett are capable of putting up low-end RB2 numbers this week. 

• Reggie Bush may see an increased workload due to Joique Bell's concussion. Bush may not be durable, but if he has the Lions backfield to himself for a week, he would be an RB2 with RB1 upside. 

• While it seems wrong to endorse Matt Asiata, the Packers run defense is the league's worst, allowing 176.0 yards per game. Asiata and Jerick McKinnon should benefit, but  the health of Teddy Bridgewater has a major impact on their fantasy outlook. Defenses aren't scared of Christian Ponder's arm. 

• Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt said that Bishop Sankey would see more touches this week, specifically mentioning an effort to get him the ball early in the game. This could be Sankey's chance to become the Titans lead back, meaning your window to acquire him is rapidly closing. 

• After seeing Charles and Knile Davis tear up the Patriots defense, owners have to be excited about Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill's chances of producing similar numbers this week. Bernard is an RB1, while Hill is a solid FLEX play. 

• If you are looking for a desperation play, Darrin Reaves may be the Panthers starter on Sunday, Branden Oliver is backing up an often ineffective Donald Brown in San Diego, and Denard Robinson is splitting snaps with Toby Gerhart in the Jaguars backfield.