Alvin Kamara is not suffering from a sophomore slump.
The second-year running back displayed his unique fantasy football ability once again in week 4, rushing for 134 yards and catching five balls for 47 yards. In weekly fantasy football rankings, he deserves the No. 1 spot on most occasions.
However, with Mark Ingram returning in week 5, there could be some diminishing value in touches. Kamara will continue to dominate the receiving work out of the backfield for New Orleans, but fantasy owners should be worried about his rushing attempts going forward. There was plenty of value for both running backs last year, but with the start Kamara has had this season (leading all running backs in fantasy points), it’s worth keeping an eye on his usage going forward.
Kamara will earn another easy start in week 5. For the rest of the running backs, here’s the start ’em, sit ’em guide for running backs.
Start
Matt Breida vs. Arizona Cardinals
This is an opportunity to find Breida in a nice game script for a change. With Jimmy Garoppolo out with injury, the 49ers will likely not be leading too often this season.
However, against the Cardinals, that is probable, which should assist Breida in garnering several touches. Even though he’s in a timeshare with Alfred Morris, Breida is the better fantasy option. He’s averaging 7.8 yards per touch and was relied upon in a week 4 shootout with the Los Angeles Chargers.
That continued trust will propel him to a solid matchup against a Cardinals defense that is far removed from its heyday of stuffing opposing offenses. Arizona is allowing the most fantasy points per game to running backs in the NFL. Most importantly, the Cardinals are struggling to score, so this game should feature plenty of rushing attempts.
Breida hasn’t been consistent, based mostly on snap count. However, his snaps are increasing and this matchup makes sense.
Aaron Jones vs. Detroit Lions
Don’t worry if Jones doesn’t get the start again. He’s the more productive running back for Green Bay and should see more touches in week 5 against the Lions.
Jones didn’t start in week 4 against the Bills, ceding the starting position to Jamaal Williams. However, by the end of the game, Jones was the No. 1 option and he outgained Williams by 45 rushing yards.
Jones is the better option and with more touches against Detroit, he should be on the cusp of RB1 production. Detroit is one of the worst teams in the NFL at stopping the run, giving up 28.20 fantasy points per game to running backs, the third-worst mark in the NFL. Detroit also allows 5.3 yards per rush, ranking 31st in the NFL.
The Packers need to establish a better running game and that should happen against a Lions team unable to stop the run.
Derrick Henry vs. Buffalo Bills
Henry has been disappointing this season, generating very little yardage to go along with a decent amount of touches.
Week 4 was once again a disappointing week, with Henry garnering just 24 yards rushing on eight carries. His touches were the lowest of the season, thanks in large part to the Titans trailing for the majority of the week 4 matchup with the Eagles.
This week should be a much different story, though. When the game script allows it, the Titans have been comfortable with feeding the ball to Henry. He hasn’t done much in the yards per carry category, but in this matchup, the volume should drive a solid outing.
The Bills give up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. And the Titans will likely not be coming-from-behind in this one, allowing Henry to eat up the carries.
Henry isn’t a plug and play option this season, especially with Dion Lewis adding a receiving element out of the backfield. However, Henry offers a nice start in week 5 in a plus-matchup.
Sit
Adrian Peterson vs. New Orleans Saints
The Saints look like they’re improving.
For some reason, Sean Payton’s teams are slow starters. The Saints showed in week 4, though, they can win when Drew Brees is having an off day, and the defense looked much more like the unit we witnessed last season.
That’s a problem for Peterson, who will square off against a defense that allows the fewest yards per rush in the NFL.
Peterson has been one of the major surprises this season in the NFL. Even with a bye week, he has the 10th-most fantasy points among running backs this season. He’s in an offense that needs him to produce on the ground, with Alex Smith continuing to be the same dink-and-dunk quarterback we witnessed in Kansas City.
New Orleans will force Smith to beat them, so I’m not expecting much room for Peterson to run.
Kerryon Johnson vs. Green Bay Packers
Johnson should get more work in Detroit. But he’s just not getting enough carries to be a consistent fantasy football option.
Despite outperforming LeGarrette Blount, Johnson is barely out-touching the veteran. After rushing for more than 100 yards in week 3, he was limited to just 55 yards on nine carries in week 4. He’s not seeing the amount of work that I like to see out of No. 1 running backs in the league.
And despite a new coaching staff, the Lions are still obsessed with throwing the ball far more than establishing any kind of run. They abandon it too early in games when it’s not working and Johnson will pay for it.
The Packers have been one of the better teams against the run, giving up the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. I don’t trust the Lions to use Johnson in the right way, so that’s why I’m benching him in week 5.
Mark Ingram vs. Washington Redskins
Ingram returns in week 5 after a four-game suspension. As mentioned before, his return may have an impact on Kamara in the long run. However, I don’t see much of an impact right away.
Even with a Monday night game against Washington, there’s not enough time between now and then for Ingram to get back into football shape. With Kamara being comfortable in that three-down role in the first few weeks, I’d be surprised if Ingram earned much playing time right away.
Eventually Ingram will command more attention in the running game for the Saints. In this instance, I don’t trust his usage just yet.
