Ben Tate, Terrance West, Isaiah Crowell's Instant Fantasy Reaction After Week 5

The pecking order in the Cleveland Browns backfield is as convoluted as ever from a fantasy standpoint after the team's Week 5 encounter with the Tennessee Titans.

Ben Tate returned from injury and resumed his role as the lead back and was effective against a Titans defense that entered the game surrendering the ninth-most points to running backs. Tate found 100 yards on 16 carries for a 6.3 per-carry average going into the fourth quarter.     

More disappointing, though, was his output through the air. As one of the reasons many were willing to take the risk on the oft-injured Tate, he struggled in this regard through three frames with one reception on as many targets for negative yards.

In somewhat predictable fashion, rookie Terrance West worked alongside Isaiah Crowell as the spell to Tate. The two alternated the duty by drives, with the former carrying the rock five times for 20 yards and the latter getting five totes for 18 yards by the start of the fourth quarter.

The final numbers showcase a sure No. 1 lead back, with a pair of younger player who are plenty effective when called upon:

	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	REC	YDS	TD	TGTS	Fantasy Points
B. Tate	22	123	5.6	0	1	-2	0	2	12
T. West	7	31	4.4	0	0	0	0	0	3
I. Crowell	6	19	3.2	0	0	0	0	0	1

It is safe to presume that Sunday was merely a case of the Cleveland coaching staff monitoring Tate's touches. With how effective he was on a pitch count, though, it is difficult to not see him getting more touches as the season wears on, should he stay healthy.

Tate remains a solid RB2 play. Based on the matchup he could see that status elevated. He has an iffy encounter with Pittsburgh next week, but then gets to beat up on Jacksonville and Oakland in consecutive weeks, two teams that rank among those that surrender the sixth-most points to running backs.

As for Crowell and West, the two should be owned in all leagues. Not only is Tate a major injury risk, but both are also proven RB2 contributors if Tate is on the sideline with an ailment.

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.