DFS: Week 5 Running Back Value Rankings

by
Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Here's a look at theScore's running back value rankings for Week 5 (Thursday night game excluded):

Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE

Top 5

# NAME OPPONENT RISK
1 Matt Forte (CHI) at KC Low
2 Marshawn Lynch (SEA) at CIN Low
3 Jamaal Charles (KC) vs. CHI Low
4 Le'Veon Bell (PIT) at SD Low
5 Justin Forsett (BAL) vs. CLE Low

Forte comes at a reasonable price for an elite back who provides consistency and great benefit in PPR leagues. Bell is simply too expensive to be at the top of the list when the options below him often provide similar fantasy outputs. Forsett cracks the top five due to his moderate price, re-emergence last week, and a matchup against Cleveland in Week 5.

Next 5

# NAME OPPONENT RISK
6 Eddie Lacy (GB) vs. STL Low
7 Doug Martin (TB) vs. JAX Medium
8 Joseph Randle (DAL) vs. DAL Low
9 T.J. Yeldon (JAX) at TB Medium
10 Karlos Williams (BUF) vs. TEN Medium

Lacy has had a disappointing start to the season but this has led to a drop in his DFS pricing - time to take advantage. Both Martin and Yeldon eclipsed 100 yards in Week 4 and go head-to-head this week. Randle should see an expanded role with Lance Dunbar out for the rest of the season.

Best of the Rest

# NAME OPPONENT RISK
11 Carlos Hyde (SF) at NYG Medium
12 Mark Ingram (NO) at PHI Low
13 Legarrette Blount (NE) at DAL Medium
14 Devonta Freeman (ATL) vs. WAS Medium
15 Latavius Murray (OAK) vs. DEN Medium
16 Dion Lewish (NE) at DAL Medium
17 Chris Johnson (ARI) at. DET Medium
18 Darren McFadden (DAL) vs. NE Medium
19 Ronnie Hillman (DEN) at OAK Medium
20 Todd Gurley (STL) at GB Medium

Similar to the rest of the NFL, DFS pricing has taken notice of Devonta Freeman, and he has skyrocketed into the higher price range for running backs. Ingram is one of the most consistent backs in the league, while Blount and Lewis make predicting the New England running game quite difficult.

Nothing to See Here

# NAME OPPONENT RISK
21 Alfred Morris (WSH) at ATL Medium
22 Demarco Murray (PHI) at NO High
23 Jeremy Hill (CIN) vs. SEA High
24 Danny Woodhead (SD) vs. PIT Medium
25 Duke Johnson Jr. (CLE) at BAL High
26 Gio Bernard (CIN) vs. SEA High
27 Melvin Gordon (SD) vs. PIT High
28 Andre Ellington (ARI) at DET High
29 C.J. Anderson (DEN) at OAK High
30 Ameer Abdullah (DET) vs. ARI High

Murray and Anderson continue to define 'bust' as another week passes by. Though Hill had three touchdowns last week, he still only had 40 yards. Furthermore, the Bengals host Seattle in Week 5 and Bernard still vultures some touches from him.

The Digest

DFS: NFL Week 5 Daily Fantasy Digest

by theScore Staff
Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Here's a comprehensive breakdown of theScore's daily fantasy coverage entering Week 5 of the NFL season.

  • In The Slate (Part I and Part II), James Bisson takes a comprehensive look at the Week 5 schedule from a DFS standpoint.
  • Esten McLaren examines the week's top quarterback-receiver pairings in his weekly Combo Plays feature.
  • This week's Pigskin Panel explores the biggest surprises and disappointments of the season to date.
  • David Chernish's Counterattack looks at Week 5's top contrarian opens.
  • In this week's Debate Team, David Chernish and Josh Wegman discuss Todd Gurley's prospects of being a top-10 running back.
  • Ken Conrad's latest Deal or No Deal looks at reclamation projects from around the league.
  • Andrew Potter takes a look at how New England Patriots QB Tom Brady has performed coming out of a bye week over his career.
  • Jason Wilson's Mystery Men post highlights the week's deepest, cheapest sleeper picks.
  • Esten McLaren says DFS players shouldn't ignore obvious value at running back - even if that means rostering a high-ownership player.

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