2024 Fantasy Football Week 5: Start or Sit Running Backs

Each week we’ll break down running backs that should start in your fantasy lineup and running backs that would be better left on your bench. There are just a few players like Saquon Barkley who are matchup proof and should be in your starting lineups every week barring a major circumstance.

Running Backs to Start in Week 5:

Jordan Mason

Currently in 2nd for rushing yards amongst all running backs, Jordan Mason has been a surprise filling in the big shoes left behind by Christian McCaffrey who is battling an achilles tendinitis injury to both his legs. He should continue tearing up the field against a Cardinals defense that ranks in the bottom 5 in rushing yards allowed.

Josh Jacobs

After putting up 151 yards in week 2 against the Colts, Jacobs has been a bit disappointing the last 2 weeks. Both of those performances were largely due to the game script with week 4 playing from behind for most of the game and week 3, it was Willis hanging onto the ball more. In week 5, Jacobs will get a chance to bounce back with a very favorable matchup against the Rams in a game the Packers should win with ease. 

Kenneth Walker

After missing weeks 2 & 3, Kenneth Walker had a monster performance in week 4 with over 100 combined yards & 3 touchdowns. He might not put up 3 touchdowns against the Giants this weekend, but he should still have another big game as the Seahawks roll over them. 

Running Backs to Sit in Week 5:

James Conner

The Cardinals have not played well against the 49ers in recent years and during those games, James Conner has not done his best either. Likely to play most of the game from behind, Conner is not going to get the carries he’s used to seeing. 

Zack Moss

Through 4 weeks, Zack Moss has only garnered 187 total yards rushing on 48 carries and Chase Brown has only 3 yards less on 19 less carries. The 3 touchdowns that Zack Moss has on the season has made him fantasy relevant thus far, but facing the Baltimore Ravens who are one of the league’s best is not going to help Zack Moss’s case much of being the starter in this offense. 

Trey Sermon

With Jonathan Taylor out, Trey Sermon gets the nod as starter. Going against a Jacksonville team that is 0-4, it’s tempting to want to start Trey Sermon. However, he has done nothing in his career to prove that he’s starting worthy and we think the Colts are going to go pass heavy in Taylor’s absence.