Fantasy football: RB sleepers and stinkers for week 5

Fantasy football week 5 RB stinkers:

Myles Gaskin ESPN Week 5 Consensus RB24

Gaskin has emerged as the clear starter in the Miami backfield. That doesn’t really mean much considering it’s the Dolphins, but any starting running back is fantasy relevant. He’s getting 57% of the running back carries and 72% of the running back receptions. He’s actually second on the team in receptions.

However, I don’t like his matchup this week in San Francisco. I realize that the 49er defense has been hit hard by injuries – that new Metlife Stadium turf can be blamed for a few losses this year – but the defense is still solid, actually ranked 1st against opposing running backs thus far.

Let’s not forget when Gaskin last had a good matchup in week 3 in that drooler of a Thursday night game in Jacksonville. Miami won by 18 and Gaskin had 27 touches. Those 27 touches were one behind Derrick Henry for the most touches among running backs for the week, yet he finished as just RB21! You can’t write a better script than what he had for week 3 and he still wasn’t a top 20 back. I hope you have better options than Gaskin in this tough, low-scoring matchup on the road because he’s outside my top 30.

Le’Veon Bell ESPN Week 5 Consensus RB20

As of this writing, it looks as though Bell will be coming off the IR for this week 5 matchup against the Cardinals. The release of Kalen Ballage also points to this occurring. The 0-4 Jets offense is a dumpster fire averaging 98.5 yards on the ground (26th NFL) and 278 yards of total offense which is good for tied in last with their buddies they share a stadium with.

I don’t see it getting any smoother with Joe Flacco reportedly under center now. It’s hard to say what Bell’s touches will look like following three weeks off. I feel like Coach Gase will also get Frank the Tank some touches. It’s a solid matchup against the Cardinals but I would be nervous if I had to start Bell this week as he’s outside of my top 25. I’m going to have to see something before starting him.

Miles Sanders ESPN Week 5 Consensus RB10

ESPN’s RB30 (missed week 1) on the season travels to take on Pittsburgh Sunday. This is not a defense you want to see right now. The Steelers have given up an average of 54.0 yards rushing per game which is easily tops in the league. That has led them to being the second best defense against opposing running backs. This defense will also be fresh and juiced coming off of the COVID bye to Tennessee last week.

The Eagle’s O-line isn’t getting any healthier which is contributing to the whole offense looking sloppy. Sanders hasn’t shown me all that much, fumbling the ball (once) as many times as he’s found the end zone.

This game is also tied for the lowest projected point total on the entire week so Sanders may not be the only Eagle you’re looking to fade. ESPN has him ranked as RB10 for this matchup, a TOP TEN running back. This Steelers D may not allow a top ten running back all season! Miles Sanders is by far my stinkiest stinker of the week and won’t be sniffing my lineups. I don’t see him finishing in the top 20.