Backfield Breakdowns: Week 5

If we take a break from the injury hyperfocus of fantasy football, we'd see some exceptional performances to start 2026. Kenneth Walker has the 10th most yards through 4 games in NFL history. Bijan Robinson is on pace to break Chris Johnson's record of 2,509 scrimmage yards. Jahmyr Gibbs is not far behind. Derrick Henry is attacking the career rushing yards and touchdowns list. Quinshon Judkins is continuing his journey as the least efficient rusher in NFL history.

Sorry, Browns fans. If you think about it, the most strikeouts in MLB history is a pretty impressive feat.

The backfield landscape changes weekly. Week 4 was no exception. How does the entire league stack up heading into Week 5?

Backfields Worth Noting

Some backfields saw noteworthy movement in Week 4:

• Arizona: Jeremiyah Love: Bellcow no more.
• LA Rams: A trailing game script pushed Kyren Williams to Bellcow territory, separating from Blake Corum.
• LA Chargers: Remember the hot hand approach? Keaton Mitchell seems to be the favorite in a three-headed backfield. 
• Chicago: D'Andre Swift - benched or injury? Swift fumbled and did not return as the Bears rode Kyle Monangai through the second half. 
• Seattle: Without Jadarian Price and no Zach Charbonnet yet, Emanuel Wilson carried the load for a big day. 

Bellcow Backfields

• Henry scored early to kick off his Titans revenge matchup, but was limited throughout the rest of the day. His 7 touchdowns put him on pace for 29.75. He is two touchdowns from Marshall Faulk's 136, seventh on the all-time list. Six touchdowns will tie Jamal Lewis for the Ravens franchise record. Baltimore's offense struggled without Lamar Jackson through the second half, and Jackson looks to be out for multiple weeks. Henry has been piling on usage through the first four weeks; the Ravens will need to continue leaning on him with Tyler Huntley, though Week 5's matchup is difficult against a hot Atlanta defense that plays up for primetime spots. Henry is too valuable to sit, but we need to be prepared for a lower outcome unless he can push through on volume. 

• Hubbard's 17-game pace: 1,300 rushing yards, 12.75 rushing touchdowns, 42.5 receptions, 357 receiving yards, and 8.5 receiving touchdowns. This was his second career 120+ yard, 2+ touchdown game and the 19th in Carolina history. Carolina needed running back help, but multiple backs signed elsewhere. Carolina is on a bye in Week  5, pushing Jonathon Brooks closer to return while giving Hubbard a chance to reset. 

• Cincinnati had a nightmare game. The rushing attack failed, and Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were injured. Both wide receivers are questionable for a matchup with a Miami defense that has surprised statistically. Brown's 11 receptions trailed only James Brooks 12 from 1989 for a Bengals running back. His receiving usage has trended down, but receiver injuries will force involvement. His season is mirroring 2025, when he started slow before closing red hot. He needs to remain in Week 5 lineups. 

• Judkins had his best game of the season, logging 96 scrimmage yards and helping the Browns control a lead through the second half. Six receptions were a new career high. His performance in a Primetime spot likely keeps him from being an under-the-radar buy, but as the Browns offense gels, there is ample room for improved efficiency against a Jets defense brutalized by the Bears. 

• Three rushing touchdowns combined with five receptions is the type of oddity that puts Williams on a small list. He is the 63rd player in history to do so. Gibbs and Taysom Hill are the only two to do so in the last two seasons. Goodson's involvement was minimal, but he played ahead of Emari Demercado for a second week. Dallas sees a strong Tampa Bay run game, though the Buccaneers offense will likely put Dallas in position to lean on the ground and run the clock. 

• Gibbs "only" had 77 scrimmage yards and 1 touchdown. His "down" game allowed Walker and Bijan Robinson to close the gap in running back scoring. We need to wait for next week's matchup with Arizona for the next cool thing not seen since Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson. Play Gibbs everywhere you can in Week 5. 

• From the Monday NFL Roundup: Taylor has topped 90 rushing yards with 2+ touchdowns in 3 of 4 games. LaDainian Tomlinson holds the season record of 8 in 2006. Derrick Henry (five in 2020), Bijan Robinson (five in 2024), and Saquon Barkley (five in 2024) are the only players with more than four since 2009. Taylor and James Cook III led the NFL with four each in 2025. Taylor hit the mark for the 17th time, gaining sole possession of the 11th-most in NFL history. Taylor scored his 75th career rushing touchdown, tying Clinton Portis and Cam Newton for the 27th most in NFL history. McGowan played more than in past weeks, a reminder he is the back to hold for anyone who needed it. The Colts face a Steelers defense that allowed a big day to Judkins while ranking league average. 

• Walker leads the NFL with 537 rushing yards, the 10th highest total through 4 games in NFL history. Arian Foster's 539 yards in 2010 is the only total since 2003 to approach it. Patrick Mahomes II has never played with a 1,000-yard running back; Walker is on pace to hit the mark around Halloween. The Chiefs have a bye in Week 5, giving Walker a chance to rest after his hot start. 

• Kyren Williams, in Bellcow territory? The Rams played from behind the entire second half, leaning on Williams' passing-game expertise. His big game makes him RB6 on the season. We should not expect the Rams to trail often, though Week 5 offers a potential track meet against a Buffalo defense that struggles against running backs. Corum is worth targeting if any leaguemates are growing frustrated.

• Jones continued his Bellcow usage with Jordan Mason out. His 17-game pace over the last three: 340 attempts, 1,456 rushing yards, 51 receptions, 385 receiving yards. His 391-touch pace would fly by his previous career high of 306 from 2024, his first Minnesota season.  Mason will regain a role when he returns, though Jones is one of the best parts of a struggling Vikings offense. He should continue rolling in Week 5 against a depleted Saints defense that had no answers for the Falcons and will enter off a short week. 

• Allen saw every backfield touch for the Jets. Some of that came from a lack of plays as Chicago controlled the ball and the clock, but the new coaching staff has not given Davis an opportunity this season. There has not been any news to suggest Breece Hall will be back to face a Bottom 10 Cleveland defense, making Allen a strong play in Week 5.

• Warren has been excellent the last two weeks and looks like the all-purpose back the Steelers need to support Aaron Rodgers. Mike McCarthy threw cold water on the run, saying Rico Dowdle will be back in the rotation when available. If Dowdle is inactive, Warren is a must-play against a weak Indianapolis defense. 

• McCaffrey's early-season efficiency has cratered as the 49ers have used him the same way they did in his strong 2025 fantasy season. Black has disappeared from the rotation, dampening the idea that the team could use a purposeful rotation to preserve McCaffrey. To be fair to Kyle Shanahan, Black isn't flashing the way he did in Week 1, when that hope was ignited. Seattle is on the schedule, a tough matchup for the 49ers offense as the teams battle to control the NFC West.

Committees With a Lead Back