Week 5 Running Back Fantasy Football Rankings: Welcome Omarion Hampton to the Top 5

In 2025, NFL offenses are more pass-heavy than ever, but running backs still hold the crown in fantasy football. True workhorses continue to dominate the landscape—especially dual-threat studs like Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Bijan Robinson, who rack up points in PPR formats. It’s no surprise that those names, along with Saquon Barkley, have been locked into the first round of fantasy drafts year after year.

After four weeks of the season, here are the top five running backs in PPR formats:

Christian McCaffrey: 96.0 points
James Cook: 91.0 points
Jonathan Taylor: 89.7 points
Bijan Robinson: 88.4 points
Jahmyr Gibbs: 79.0 points

Four of those five names are no shockers to see among the top backs, and even James Cook carried fringe RB1 appeal on draft day. But here in Week 5, fantasy managers face their first real test with bye weeks creating lineup landmines. The Falcons, Bears, Packers, and Steelers are all sidelined, leaving holes where studs like Bijan Robinson and Josh Jacobs usually sit. To make matters trickier, one of this week’s hottest waiver-wire adds, Kenneth Gainwell, is unavailable, while D’Andre Swift’s situation in Chicago’s backfield only adds more uncertainty.

With Week 5 underway and two incredible showings from the featured running backs -- Kyren Williams and Chrsitian McCaffrey -- let's take a look at how the rest of the NFL's halfbacks stack up in our Week 5 rankings.

Latest Running Back Rankings Updates

Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers

With Chuba Hubbard sidelined, Rico Dowdle steps into a featured role against a Miami defense that’s been vulnerable to running backs, allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to the position this season. Dowdle has already seen steady involvement, logging 28 carries and goal-line work through four games. With Hubbard out, he should absorb most of the RB1 snaps while maintaining his red-zone duties, putting him firmly in the low-end RB2 or high-end flex conversation. While his PPR ceiling remains modest, Dowdle’s projected 15+ carries make him a safe volume play in a favorable matchup.

OB Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers

Omarion Hampton vaults into top-five running back territory after a breakout performance against the New York Giants, where he eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time in his young career and found the end zone for the second straight week. He's our RB5 compared to an RB8 ECR. The rookie now faces a banged-up Washington Commanders squad missing Terry McLaurin and several key starters. If the Chargers can control time of possession, Hampton is in line for another heavy workload and could deliver back-to-back monster outings.

Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Another name to monitor is Sean Tucker (+8 vs. ECR), who could see an uptick in usage with Tampa Bay deploying a roughly 70/30 split. With Bucky Irving sidelined and Rachaad White in the lead role. Tucker has the potential to carve out closer to a 40% snap share while taking over some goal-line duties. If Tampa surprisingly falls behind early, his pass-catching skills could make him one of the sneakiest PPR flex plays of the week.

Week 5 Fantasy Football Running Back Storylines

Week 5 Fantasy Football Sleeper: Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneer — Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs as Carolina Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell (47) defends in overtime at Bank of America Stadium. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Rachaad White And Sean Tucker Fly Up Rankings With Bucky Irving Status Clouded

White brings a high-pass catching floor, but the Bucs like to rotate in a second running back. Tucker should be the goal-line runner, with an excellent chance to get double-digit touches against the Seahawks. Both players will see a significant increase in usage witt Irving sidelined.

James Cook Is Firmly Entrenched As A Top-Five Running Back

Cook was the RB3 entering Week 4 and has now moved up one spot, just behind Christian McCaffrey. In Buffalo’s Week 4 victory over the New Orleans Saints, the Bills leaned on Cook heavily. The newly paid halfback accumulated 117 rushing yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, and added three receptions for 18 scoreless receiving yards en route to an RB10 finish and 22.5 fantasy points.

In Week 5, the Bills face a New England Patriots defense that has been in the middle of the pack at defending opposing running backs. However, Buffalo opens as 7.5-point favorites at home and should lean on Cook to bleed the clock late in the game. Cook has topped 20 fantasy points in each of his first four outings (21.2, 26.5, 20.8, and 22.5) and there’s no reason to expect that trend to end in Week 5. If he gets more involved in the pass game, Cook has RB1 overall upside. Fantasy managers shouldn’t hesitate before firing him up in Week 5.

Breece Hall Skyrockets Into RB1 Discussion

Week 5 Fantasy Football Running Back Stud: Breece Hall, New York Jets — New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) at MetLife Stadium. | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Following Braelon Allen’s injury, Breece Hall could see a significant uptick in usage and production. The Jets remain a run-first offense, and when they execute on the ground, they become dangerous. Hall has already shown top-five weekly upside and remains a clear-cut RB1 with Allen sidelined. While he currently sits as the RB25 in PPR formats through four weeks, his explosive playmaking and dual-threat ability as both a runner and receiver make him especially valuable in PPR leagues.

This week sets up perfectly for a breakout, as Hall draws a soft matchup against a Dallas Cowboys defensive front that has been gashed by opposing running backs all season. Dallas is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to the position, leaving Hall with no reason not to deliver in Week 5.