Whether it’s one of the few remaining bell cow backs carrying the load for their respective teams or dynamic backs making an impact in the passing game.
Let’s look at where all 32 NFL starting running backs rank after the dust settled on another action-packed week.
Who are the top running backs in the NFL after week 5 of games?
32. Miami Dolphins: De'Von Achane (Last Week #29)
It was a tough week for De’Von Achane, who left the game with an injury. Prior to his exit, he managed just 18 yards on three carries as the Dolphins struggled to get anything on offense.
31. Las Vegas Raiders: Alexander Mattison (Not Ranked)
Alexander Mattison got most of the work with Zamir White out of the lineup, but the performance wasn’t much to behold. Mattison turned 15 carries into just 38 yards. Outside of a 40-yard run that Ameer Abdullah broke off, this Raiders team really couldn’t get anything going on the ground.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne Jr. (Last Week #23)
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Travis Etienne was super quiet this week as he took an unlikely backseat to Tank Bigsby, of all people. The former finished with just 17 yards on six carries, though he also managed to snag six catches for 43 more yards.
29. Cleveland Browns: Jerome Ford (Last Week #25)
The Browns all but entirely abandoned the running game early on Sunday, as Washington jumped out to a massive lead early. Jerome Ford looked all right, but the counting numbers aren’t going to wow you. He finished with nine carries for 47 yards.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Zack Moss (Last Week #22)
Cincinnati’s run game took a backseat to Burrow’s air show, but you would still like to see more out of Zack Moss. Nine carries for 24 yards isn’t going to cut it.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rachaad White (Last Week #28)
While the Tampa Bay rushing attack certainly isn’t its forte, Rachaad White was much improved this week, though that isn’t saying much. The struggling back took 10 carries for 72 yards in the loss.
Also Read: How Are The NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Backs Performing In 2024?
26. Houston Texans: Cam Akers (Last Week #27)
With Joe Mixon still sidelined, the Texans leaned on Cam Akers again this week. The veteran running back had a nice afternoon given his role, turning nine rushes into 42 yards and one touchdown.
25. New York Jets: Breece Hall (Last Week #18)
With Aaron Rodgers attempting an insane 54 passes, there weren’t a ton of opportunities for Breece Hall to get going on Sunday. The talented running back finished with a disappointing 23 rushing yards on nine carries.
24. Denver Broncos: Javonte Williams (Last Week #24)
Javonte Williams put forth a respectable effort on the ground in Week 5, converting 13 carries into 61 yards in the win, but where he was a real game-changer was in the passing game, as he led the team with five receptions for 50 yards.
23. Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor (Not Ranked)
Jonathan Taylor was a late scratch as he was dealing with a high-ankle sprain. Trey Sermon had a reasonable afternoon, though his usage was limited, in Taylor’s stead. Sermon got 10 carries and took them for 38 yards and a touchdown while also adding six catches for 25 yards out of the backfield.
22. Los Angeles Chargers (bye): J.K. Dobbins (Last Week #21)
J.K. Dobbins has had a nice start to the year as the full-time starter in L.A. The Chargers will need him to come off the bye hot against a Denver side with a ferocious defense in Week 6.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris (Last Week #15)
Najee Harris wasn’t great on the ground this week, taking his 14 carries for 42 yards. To his credit, he managed to have a couple of nice catch-and-runs, which he turned into another 35 yards from scrimmage.
20. Tennessee Titans (bye): Tony Pollard (Last Week #19)
The emergence of Tony Pollard has been a bright spot for Tennessee of late. He has started to show the ability to make plays both as a runner and receiver, which he put on display in Dallas, which is a major positive for the Titans.
19. Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker III (Last Week #12)
Kenneth Walker III couldn’t get the ground game going as he faced a swarming Giants’ defense. Honestly, it wasn’t pretty, as the running back followed up a big Week 4 performance with just five carries for 19 yards. To his credit, he managed to contribute to the passing game by hauling in seven of eight targets for 57 yards.
18. San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Mason (Last Week #11)
Jordan Mason had a nice game overall, turning 14 carries into 89 yards, but the back-breaking fumble that the Cardinals recovered may have cost his team the game.
17. Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones (Last Week #7)
Minnesota has to be hoping that Aaron Jones, who left Sunday’s game against the Jets early with an injury, will come back soon after the bye. Their offense looked completely different once he exited the action, as the Jets d-line was able to pin their ears back and get after Sam Darnold. Prior to his exit, he had accumulated 53 yards on eight touches.
16. New England Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson (Last Week #26)
Rhamondre Stevenson had himself a great day on Sunday in spite of the rest of the Patriots’ offensive woes. He turned just 12 carries into 89 yards and a touchdown, albeit in a losing effort.
15. Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs (Last Week #16)
Week 5 was a gutsy performance for Josh Jacobs, as the running back pounded out 73 yards on the ground and secured a touchdown, his first as a Packer! He also chipped in a nice catch-and-run with a 21-yarder from Love.
14. Buffalo Bills: James Cook (Last Week #20)
James Cook was a top contributor for Buffalo on Sunday in a tough loss to the Houston Texans. He turned his 20 carries into 82 yards and a touchdown while also adding two catches for 17 yards in the air.
13. New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara (Last Week #1)
Alvin Kamara came back to earth this week, as the former All-Pro couldn’t get much of anything going on the ground against a strong Chiefs defensive front. Fortunately, he was able to at least serve as an outlet for Derek Carr during the passing game.
12. Carolina Panthers: Chuba Hubbard (Last Week #13)
Chuba Hubbard was a bright spot for the Panthers, once again proving he’s capable of producing big plays. His 38-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was pretty much the Panthers’ offense for the day, and he ran for 97 yards overall.
11. Dallas Cowboys: Rico Dowdle (Not Ranked)
With Rico Dowdle giving Dallas’s struggling run game the spark it needed, tallying 87 yards on the ground and even contributing in the passing game with a sliding 22-yard touchdown catch, it looks like Ezekiel Elliott is officially out as the lead back in Dallas. Considering he managed just 17 yards on six carries Sunday, that is probably the right call.
10. Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson (Last Week #10)
Bijan Robinson had a modest Thursday night compared to some of his teammates, but it was still respectable. The dynamic second-year back turned 15 touches into 77 yards from scrimmage.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Kareem Hunt (Not Ranked)
While he may not have been quite at the same level he was the first time he was on the Chiefs, Kareem Hunt was still a monster in his return to Kansas City, going for over 100 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
8. Detroit Lions (bye): Jahmyr Gibbs (Last Week #9)
Despite splitting time with David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs will certainly enjoy the week off, as the dynamic back has been running hard all season to the tune of 285 yards and three touchdowns on 54 attempts.
7. New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy (Not Ranked)
Tyrone Tracy made his mark in Devin Singletary’s absence, racking up 129 yards on just 18 carries for an impressive 7.2 yards a pop. It will be interesting to see if he can keep his level and usage up once Singletary returns.
6. Chicago Bears: D'Andre Swift (Last Week #14)
Things have really been trending upward for D’Andre Swift of late, who looked like the explosive weapon the Bears envisioned when they brought him in from Philly this offseason. His patience and vision on the ground were huge for him and enabled a 73-yard performance and a touchdown, while his ability as a receiver shined in the form of two catches for 47 yards.
5. Arizona Cardinals: James Conner (Last Week #8)
James Conner ran with authority again this week, taking 19 carries for 86 rushing yards. His presence was essential for the Cardinals, as he churned out tough yardage to keep the offense moving, particularly in the critical moments of the second half. Conner also chipped in two catches for 14 yards.
4. Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson Jr. (Last Week #6)
Brian Robinson Jr. was a monster in the red zone for the Commanders on Sunday. He only got seven carries, as he was used primarily in short-yardage situations, but he turned that into two touchdowns.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (bye): Saquon Barkley (Last Week #4)
With the exception of his critical dropped pass a couple of weeks back, Saquon Barkley has been exactly what the Eagles were hoping for when they signed him away from the rival Giants. Barkley gets a well-deserved chance to recover in Week 5 before facing off against a Cleveland side with a tough defensive line.
2. Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams (Last Week #5)
Week 5 marked another big week for the Rams’ star running back, Kyren Williams, who was one of the few constants for Los Angeles over the past couple of weeks. Williams racked up 102 yards and a touchdown on 22 rush attempts, nearly willing the Rams to victory.
1. Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry (Last Week #2)
Even at his advanced age, Derrick Henry continues to prove what a beast he is. Week 5 was a great example, as the bruising back tallied 92 rushing yards and a touchdown. And more importantly, his 51-yard burst in overtime was the play that set up the game-winning field goal.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams Running Backs After Week 4 Games Of The 2024 Season
