Week 5 fantasy starts – Running back sleepers

Let me paint a scenario for you: 

It’s Week 5 of the NFL and you need a running back. Maybe they’re injured. Maybe they’re on a bye. Maybe you drafted Najee Harris. Either way, that position that most fantasy leagues require you to start two ball carriers is staring you in the face because you know it’s a big weakness. Don’t tell me you need a win this week. We all need a win, even if you’re 4-0. 

This article is to help you get that W based on the scraps on the waiver wire. These are far from locked-in options. These are the dart throws, but week after week these dart throws show out in big ways. The trick is to have them in your lineup when they do. 

Week 11 fantasy advice: Player rankings | Players to add | WRs to start

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Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers)

His touches are going up in each game, and so are his yards-per-carry. More importantly, he is arguably the better ball carrier on the team and his snap count has increased while his counterpart’s, the aforementioned Najee Harris, has gone down. He’s trusted on third downs as he’s a reliable check-down target, and that’s what truly matters this week against the Ravens. Kenny Pickett is dealing with a knee injury, which will limit his mobility, and his main short-field target, TE Pat Freiermuth, is going to miss Sunday. To keep drives moving they’ll need to rely more on Warren, and he’s a solid play in PPR.

Tyjae Spears (Tennessee Titans)

Just look at what’s on the other side of the ball in a divisional matchup: backups! DeForest Buckner, Shaquille Leonard, Kwity Paye, and Tyquan Lewis are all dealing with injuries. Those are the best players on their defense, people, and it’s the strength of the defense. This was exploited last week by Kyren Williams and the LA Rams, and Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears will look to continue this.

There’s no need to fear that stout Colts line for at least one more week. Spears is behind Henry on the depth chart, but he’s been electric whenever he’s had his chances. Remember that it’s only these two backs handling the ball in the backfield, so Spears is getting everything that’s not given to Henry. 

Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson (Atlanta Falcons)

This is a gamble on a touchdown, as are most running backs when you get into this territory. Houston’s weakness, although they’ve been better this season, is against the run and that’s the one thing this Atlanta offense excels in. Allgeier’s snap counts have gone down to 26% last week—that’s a far cry from the 56% he got in week 1. But there’s still a chance for red zone work in what should be a run-heavy day for the Falcons.

Patterson on the other hand is a dart throw of a dart throw. One has to be intrigued by his role of the “Joker” in this offense, and we are yet to see it. He looks to be healthy coming back from injury, and everyone (maybe even Arthur Smith) is aware the passing attack needs a jolt. Patterson has had wild success in this offense before, so you cannot rule him out. 

Dalvin Cook (NY Jets)

A lot has been made of Breece Hall being relieved of a pitch count, but don’t overlook Cook against the Broncos. He’ll still probably see 5-10 chances, and he’s capable of housing a run against this putrid defense. This is a desperation roll of the dice, but you could be rewarded with a long touchdown. 

Latavius Murray (Buffalo Bills) and Ezekiel Elliott (New England Patriots)

These are the old, boring guys who we’ve all had on our rosters in years past. Even though they do not elicit excitement I am going to let you in on a secret: backup veteran running backs can have good weeks, especially earlier in the season. Murray’s snap counts are going up, and he averaged 8.0 yards/carry last week. He’s always in the mix for a red zone look, and you could have a high-scoring game against the Jags overseas. 

Elliott, for his part, has more favorable metrics in almost all categories than the starter, Rhamondre Stevenson. If the Patriots are able to stick around with the Saints—just like they were able to against the Jets and the Eagles—then Elliott can have a decent game as a plug-in player. The Saints are looking pretty bad right now with Derek Carr’s injury, and the Pats may see this as a last chance to save their season. I expect them to come out of the gate strong, and there are no other running backs on the team to share this ball with. 

Alec Ingold (Miami Dolphins)

This is a play if you truly detest your opponent and you expect to win big—put in the Dolphins fullback and body your opponent when the Dolphins are up by 30 points and give the rock to Ingold. We see this in blowouts—take last week for example with the Cowboys’s FB Hunter Luepke.

What better way to reward a player who does the dirty work than a touchdown when the defense is gassed and wants nothing more than to go home? Only a handful of teams utilize a fullback getting as much as Ingold does, and they are currently 11-point favorites over the Giants. Now’s the time to call your shot, and when he scores you can let the ridicule flow. 

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