October 6, 2016

Anthony C takes a look at the Week 5 NFL running backs (RB) depth charts for each NFL team and analyzes the potential value of starters and backups alike for your 2016 fantasy football squad.

Week 4 brought on the return of a pair of some of the top fantasy running backs from over the past few years. Both Le'Veon Bell and Jamaal Charles made their 2016 debuts in a showdown on Sunday Night Football with two completely different outcomes. Bell was a featured piece of Pittsburgh's offense while Charles only was on the field for a handful of plays as it was his first action in a regular season game in over a year. Their returns, however, will impact the fantasy values of DeAngelo Williams and Spencer Ware respectively as well as their standing on their team's depth charts.

Let's take a spin around the league and catch a glimpse at the depth charts for all 32 NFL teams for Week 5 of the 2016 season, but first, here are the clubs who are on their bye this week.

• Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 4. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

2016 Running Back Depth Charts for Week 5

AFC East

-LeSean McCoy appears to be Buffalo's primary source of offensive production right now since Sammy Watkins was placed on the injured reserve list last week. Continue to ride McCoy throughout the year and consider him as a low-end RB1. Reggie Bush was a healthy scratch in Week 4 and could be on his way out of Buffalo. Mike Gillislee appears to be standing pat as McCoy's handcuff.

-For the New York Jets, Matt Forte has been trending downward since his Week 2 explosion for 100 yards and three touchdowns. Since then, Bilal Powell has been out-producing Forte (albeit not by much) on fewer touches. Forte is an aging rusher and could begin to slow down as the season progresses which means Powell will garner more opportunities. Powell should be lingering on the fantasy benches of 12-team fantasy leagues and deeper from here on out.

-Arian Foster resumed practicing on Wednesday, which was unexpected. He had not practiced since injuring his hamstring in Week 2. Although his playing status for Week 5 remains uncertain, it is a good sign that he is back at practice. Aside from Foster, none of Miami's running backs garner fantasy value.

-A small note on the New England Patriots. Tom Brady is returning this week and could negatively effect LeGarrette Blount's production. Still, Brady could be rusty upon his return (he is human) and New England's offense may have to run through Blount for the fifth consecutive week. James White's fantasy value could begin to trend upwards as Brady is known for utilizing the pass-catching back in the offense.

AFC North

-For the second time in about six weeks, the Baltimore Ravens released Justin Forsett, but this time, it could be for good. Forsett was a healthy scratch in Week 4 while Terrance West drew the start as the team intends to utilize a younger backfield. Kenneth Dixon is on track to make his NFL debut in Week 5 and could ultimately overtake West as the No. 1 back in Baltimore. If Dixon is on the waiver wire, grab him now!

-As mentioned earlier, Bell made his return to the Steelers in Week 4 after serving his three-game suspension to start the year. He didn't seem to skip a beat following a lengthy absence from the field that dated back to 2015 and should be considered an elite RB1. DeAngelo Williams found the end zone last week but in a reduced role with Bell back on the scene. He could sit on the fantasy bench if he does not garner more than five touches a week, which is the number he received in Week 4.
AFC South

-Despite the presence of Chris Ivory in Week 4, T.J. Yeldon was by far the more productive back in Jacksonville. He out-touched Ivory 18-to-8 and out-gained him 117-to-29. Ivory was ineffective on the goal line as well against a soft Colts defense and could begin to lose work to Yeldon as the season progresses. Yeldon should be considered the No. 1 back on the Jaguars for the foreseeable future.

AFC West

-The Kansas City Chiefs saw the return of Charles on Sunday night. He only was on the field for 11 snaps and received two touches. Reports indicate that Charcandrick West's injury triggered Charles' early return as he was supposed to remain sidelined through Kansas City's Week 5 bye. Charles should be considered the No. 1 back on the Chiefs for the duration of the season as his workload will likely increase beginning in Week 6 against the Oakland Raiders.

NFC East

-Jennings was limited in Wednesday's practice as he is still dealing with a thumb injury that sidelined him for the past two games. If Jennings sits out again in Week 5, the Giants will continue to employ a by committee approach to their backfield against the Green Bay Packers. Orleans Darkwa will likely draw the start as the early-down back with Bobby Rainey and Paul Perkins sharing the pass-catching and change of pace duties.

-The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly going to continue to utilize Ryan Mathews as their starter, but he could proceed to lose touches to Wendell Smallwood and Kenjon Barner as the Eagles transition their backfield to an RBBC approach. Darren Sproles has been appropriated as the team's primary receiver out of the backfield and should continue to see increased work in that role. Philadelphia's backfield is as volatile as they come right now, but Sproles should be considered a lock for solid production in PPR scoring formats.

NFC North

-For the Minnesota Vikings, Jerick McKinnon is beginning to emerge as the primary rusher as he found limited success against a stout New York Giants defense. Matt Asiata scored a touchdown in the contest and should maintain his role as the short-yardage back in Minnesota. Despite Asiata's role in the offense, McKinnon should be considered as a mid-range RB2 with upside especially in favorable matchups for the foreseeable future.

-Jordan Howard garnered his first NFL start last week and delivered an 111-yard rushing performance in the Week 4 matchup against the Detriot Lions. With Jeremy Langford out for the next few weeks, Howard could solidify his spot atop Chicago's running back depth chart for the duration of the 2016 season if he continues to produce like he did last Sunday afternoon.

NFC South

-With Doug Martin sidelined, Charles Sims is the primary rusher for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he is dealing with a minor knee injury that is not expected to keep him out of Monday night's tough matchup versus the Carolina Panthers. Sims struggled in Week 4 against Denver's stout defense after a promising performance in Week 3, which was his first game as the starter following Martin's injury. Sims should be considered a mid-to-low end RB2 option in Monday night's encounter with the Panthers.

NFC West

-The Seattle Seahawks have their bye in Week 5, but their backfield, which was once volatile, is now stable. Christine Michael should be considered the clear-cut starter in Seattle's backfield even for when Thomas Rawls returns from his injury especially if he continues to produce at a high level. For C.J. Prosise, his presumed role as the primary receiver out of the backfield remains in question. Prosise has been inactive since Week 2 after suffering a hand injury in the season opener. In Prosise's absence, the Seahawks signed C.J. Spiller to add a healthy rusher to the depth chart. Spiller was active on Sunday and produced a receiving touchdown Seattle's victory over the New York Jets. Spiller could remain in his current role even for when Prosise is healthy enough to return to the field.

Anthony Cervino is a primary contributor for Rotoballer and a lead NFL News Desk writer. For additional content, visit his archive or follow him on Twitter @theRealnflguru.