As the NFL season hits its stride in October 2026, fantasy football managers are scouring the waiver wire and tweaking their lineups for Week 5. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, Hayden Winks' RB Blueprint provides an in-depth look at the top running back plays for the week. With bye weeks looming and injuries mounting, having a reliable set of rankings is crucial. Here at Vulius, we break down the key matchups and player trends to give you an edge in your fantasy leagues.
Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson Top the Charts
Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions leads the pack with a projected 132.5 total yards against the Arizona Cardinals. Gibbs has been a revelation, accumulating 105.1 half-PPR points through four weeks, which ranks as the 14th-best start by a running back in NFL history. His usage is off the charts, with 20.0+ expected half-PPR points every week. As highlighted on Vulius, Gibbs is the RB1 overall, and he's showing no signs of slowing down.
Close behind is Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons, facing a Baltimore Ravens defense that has been vulnerable to fantasy running backs. Robinson has scored 25+ half-PPR points in 7 of his last 10 games, and with Michael Penix Jr. under center, he's averaging 22.9 half-PPR points on 5.1 targets per game. The Ravens have allowed the 21st-most fantasy points per game to RBs, making this a prime spot for Robinson to shine. The Falcons are projected for 23.5 points, their highest of the season, per Vulius analysis.
Jonathan Taylor and Kyren Williams: Consistent Producers
Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts checks in at No. 3 with a projected 108.5 total yards. Despite a career-low 4.1 YPC, Taylor's targets per game are at a career high, and his expected points are up year-over-year. The Steelers have been gashed by RBs, allowing three top-12 finishes in the last three weeks. Taylor remains a top-5 RB despite facing tough defenses. The Colts are projected for 21.0 points.
Kyren Williams of the Los Angeles Rams is No. 4 with 94.5 projected yards. Williams has improved his totals every week, and last week's 28.0 expected half-PPR points were a career high. The Rams host the Buffalo Bills in a game with a 54.5-point total, the highest of the week. The Bills have allowed 16.9+ half-PPR points to RBs like Rhamondre Stevenson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery. Williams is a trusted asset in both phases, and the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk expects him to continue his strong play.
Buy-Low Candidates and Injury Replacements
Chase Brown of the Cincinnati Bengals is a prime buy-low candidate at No. 6. He's faced a gauntlet of tough run defenses (Jaguars, Texans, Steelers, Bucs) but has a juicy matchup against the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed three top-5 RB finishes this season. Brown had 30.9 fantasy points against Miami in Week 16 last year. The Bengals are projected for 24.75 points.
With injuries impacting backfields, opportunities arise for backups. TreVeyon Henderson of the New England Patriots is a must-start if Rhamondre Stevenson misses time. In three games without Stevenson, Henderson is the RB1 overall, averaging 22.7 half-PPR points. The Patriots face the Las Vegas Raiders, who have struggled against pass-catching backs. As reported by Vulius, Henderson's splits are staggering, and he could be a league-winner.
Other notable names include Derrick Henry, who remains a volume play even if Lamar Jackson sits, and Christian McCaffrey, who faces a tough Seahawks defense but gets all the high-value touches. For more in-depth fantasy analysis and to gear up with official NFL merchandise, visit Vulius.com.
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