Our Running Back Sleepers and Streamers column moves on to Week 5, as Chuba Hubbard was a diamond in the rough for the Week 4 edition. Hubbard has now finished as an RB1 in consecutive weeks with 20-plus games. Najee Harris also saw double-digit points but did not live up to being a streamer in Week 4 and Braelon Allen was a non-factor in an ugly, rainy game. In Week 5, some running backs are returning, and two new faces are making their debut.
Week 5 Running Back Sleepers
Jonathan Brooks @ Chicago Bears
Fantasy managers drafted Jonathan Brooks for this exact reason. Be patient and wait until Week 5. Yes, Chuba Hubbard is still there, and Brooks might take some time to get eased in. Although this might be true, Brooks was not drafted in the second round to play second fiddle to another running back.
Brooks gets the Chicago Bears. They are allowing the tenth most fantasy ppg to the position, making it a perfect spot for Brooks’ debut. Hubbard should make it easier for Brooks to ease into his RB1 role instead of throwing him right into the fire. Andy Dalton has the Panthers playing differently on all cylinders on offense.
Chase Brown vs. Baltimore Ravens
Chase Brown had over 20 points in Week 5. He finished as a RB1, too. Brown saw his highest snap share percentage, and although it was only 40%, he had 92 total yards with two touchdowns. Moss saw a 60% snap share and finished as the RB14. The Bengals backfield played very well in Week 4 and now faces the Baltimore Ravens.
Although the Ravens have been defending running backs very well in recent years, I like Brown this week. The Bengals are 1-3 with their season on the line. They will be at their best, going up against a team that has won two straight games. A handful of running backs are on a bye, so taking a shot with Chase Brown will not be a bad idea.
Running Back Streamers
Jerome Ford @ Washington Commanders
The Cleveland Browns have a major issue. Their quarterback fell off and is one of the worst in the NFL. Therefore, Nick Chubb needs to come back ASAP. Until then, Jerome Ford is in prime position to post great numbers against a Washington Commanders team, allowing the 12th most fantasy ppg to the position. The Commanders also have allowed an RB1 in consecutive weeks. Giving up 122 ypg on the ground, I love Ford this week as a streamer for those managers missing one due to a bye in Week 5.
D’Andre Swift vs. Carolina Panthers
I gave up on D’Andre Swift after his Week 3 performance. Two weeks later, he is back as a streamer. Swift showed us just how good he can be with a Week 4 performance of 33.5 fantasy points and an RB2 finish pending Monday Night Football. Swift saw 93 rushing yards to go along with 72 receiving yards with SEVEN catches. This is the D’Andre Swift we have always expected to see coming out of the University of Georgia.
The Panthers allow the most ppg in the NFL and allow the second most fantasy ppg to running backs. The Bears’ offense continues to get chances to prove themselves and get another one in Week 5. With players like Saquon Barkley, JK Dobbins, and Jahmyr Gibbs on a bye, Swift can be forgiven for the time being. Fire him up in all your line-ups if you roster him. Another RB1 finish is on the horizon.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!