2011 NFL Fantasy Football Week 5: Running Backs (RB) Rankings/Projections

 Frank Gore vs Buccaneers

Due to an ankle injury, the 49ers actually started rookie Kendall Hunter against the Eagles, but Frank Gore responded with 15 carries for 127 yards and a game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. Gore will likely be on a pitch count again vs the Buccaneers, but he clearly showed big-play ability in Philadelphia and will face another beatable run defense at home. Hunter will get work in the offense, but Gore is a safe RB-2 going forward.

Mark Ingram/Darren Sproles at Panthers 

After Matt Forte ran all over the Panther defense for over 200 yards on the ground, this should be the breakout week we’ve been waiting for from rookie Mark Ingram. Look to Ingram and Darren Sproles as flex play options this week against one of the worst run defenses in the game.

LaDainian Tomlinson at Patriots

Don’t look to LaDainian Tomlinson as a regular flex play option, but he tends to rise up in the passing game when the Jets play against suspect secondaries with high-scoring offenses. Hopefully, center Nick Mangold will return to the field, as it would allow for respectable pass protection for Mark Sanchez, but Tomlinson should have a decent total yardage number, but games end.

Willis McGahee vs Chargers

Unless the Broncos start to talk about getting Knowshon Moreno more involved, Willis McGahee is clearly the top option in the Broncos running game, and it’s not close. Denver is going to be one of the worst teams in the league, but McGahee can still be an option for flex play use and especially during the bye weeks. The Chargers receivers will be coming into this game banged up, so Denver may have a chance to stay in this game longer than many would expect. If you’re in need of bye week help, consider McGahee this week.

More WK 5 Rankings – QB | RB | WR | TE |   Flex |

Week 5 Bye Weeks: Browns, Cowboys, Rams, Dolphins, Redskins, Ravens

1	Arian Foster	Raiders
2	Darren McFadden	at Texans
3	LeSean McCoy	at Bills
4	Fred Jackson	Eagles
5	Adrian Peterson	Cardinals
6	Ahmad Bradshaw	Seahawks
7	Matt Forte	at Lions
8	Ryan Mathews	at Broncos
9	Maurice Jones-Drew	Bengals
10	Rashard Mendenhall	Titans
11	Michael Turner	Packers
12	LeGarrette Blount	at 49ers
13	Frank Gore (I)	Buccaneers
14	Chris Johnson	at Steelers
15	Beanie Wells	at Vikings
16	Jahvid Best	Bears
17	Joseph Addai	Chiefs
18	Shonn Greene	at Patriots
19	DeAngelo Williams	Saints
20	Steven Ridley	Jets
21	Mike Tolbert	at Broncos
22	Brandon Jacobs	Seahawks
23	James Starks	at Falcons
24	Darren Sproles	at Panthers
25	Mark Ingram	at Panthers
26	Ryan Grant (I)	at Falcons
27	Jonathan Stewart	Saints
28	Marshawn Lynch	at Giants
29	Willis McGahee	Chargers
30	LaDainian Tomlinson	at Patriots
31	Bernard Scott	Jaguars
32	Thomas Jones	at Colts
33	Kendall Hunter	Buccaneers
34	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Jets
35	Pierre Thomas	at Panthers
36	Dexter McCluster	at Colts
37	Delone Carter	Chiefs
38	Michael Bush (I)	at Texans
39	Knowshon Moreno (I)	Chargers
40	Ben Tate (I)	Raiders