tyler-allgeier-falcons.jpg
USATSI

With Cordarrelle Patterson and Damien Williams both in injured reserve, rookie Tyler Allgeier has an excellent opportunity in a Falcons offense that has been surprisingly good running the ball. They rank top six in rush attempts, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and yards per rush attempt despite playing two of their four games against very good run defenses in the Saints and the Rams.

Just don't think Allegeier is quite a plug-n-play addition just yet. This week they'll face a Tampa Bay defense that hasn't been very good against the run, but we think they'll be better. Next week they face a 49ers defense that may just be the best in football.

The matchups are one reason for uncertainty, the workload is a second. Allgeier played in a near even split with Caleb Huntley after Patterson went down in Week 4. We expect Allgeier to lead the backfield, but it's still a question how big that lead will be. For that reason, both Falcons backs are better stashes than starts in Week 5. 

Now let's get to the rest of the Week 5 RB Preview:

Week 5 RB Preview
RB Preview
Who's Out

The following players are not being projected to play Week 5 at this time. Here's what it means:

IND Indianapolis • #28
Age: 25 • Experience: 5 yrs.
We expect Nyheim Hines to lead the Colts backfield.
PIT Pittsburgh • #84
Age: 33 • Experience: 12 yrs.
Expect Tyler Allgeier to lead the Falcons rushing attack, but Caleb Huntley will have a role as well.
DEN Denver • #33
Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs.
Melvin Gordon is a low-end No. 2 and Mike Boone is a speculative add.
RB Preview
Numbers to know
  • 0 -- Zero carries for Texans running backs not named Dameon Pierce in Week 4.
  • 51.7% -- Snap share for Tyler Allgeier in the second half Sunday after Cordarrelle Patterson went down. 
  • 56% -- Snap share for Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Week 4, a season-high.
  • 21.5 -- PPR Fantasy points per game for Saquon Barkley, first among running backs.
  • 14.9 -- The Rams have allowed 14.9 PPR Fantasy points per game to running backs, the lowest number in the league.
  • 67% - Breece Hall's snap rate in Week 4, up from 41% through Weeks 1-3.
  • 0 -- Targets for Najee Harris in Week 4.
  • 32.8 --  The Texans have allowed the most PPR Fantasy points per game to running backs this season. 
RB Preview
Matchups that matter
Matchups that Matter
Projections powered by Sportsline
DAL Dallas • #15
Age: 29 • Experience: 9 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ LAR LAR -4.5 O/U 43.5
OPP VS RB
1st
PROJ PTS
10.7
RB RNK
29th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
227
REC
5
REYDS
27
TD
1
FPTS/G
9.3
TEN Tennessee • #20
Age: 27 • Experience: 6 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ LAR LAR -4.5 O/U 43.5
OPP VS RB
1st
PROJ PTS
9.8
RB RNK
33rd
YTD Stats
RUYDS
162
REC
7
REYDS
71
TD
1
FPTS/G
9.1
NO New Orleans • #26
Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs HOU JAC -7 O/U 44.5
OPP VS RB
32nd
PROJ PTS
14.9
RB RNK
15th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
259
REC
6
REYDS
33
TD
4
FPTS/G
14.8
PIT Pittsburgh • #22
Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ BUF BUF -14 O/U 47
OPP VS RB
9th
PROJ PTS
13
RB RNK
23rd
YTD Stats
RUYDS
202
REC
10
REYDS
48
TD
2
FPTS/G
11.3
BUF Buffalo • #22
Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs DET NE -3 O/U 46.5
OPP VS RB
31st
PROJ PTS
11.8
RB RNK
18th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
246
REC
7
REYDS
29
TD
3
FPTS/G
13.2
NE New England • #38
Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs DET NE -3 O/U 46.5
OPP VS RB
31st
PROJ PTS
10.7
RB RNK
21st
YTD Stats
RUYDS
211
REC
11
REYDS
57
TD
1
FPTS/G
11
RB Preview
Waiver Wire Targets
Week 5 Adds (RB Preview)
WAS Washington • #23
Age: 31 • Experience: 7 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs TEN TEN -2.5 O/U 42.5
OPP VS RB
5th
RB RNK
37th
ROSTERED
40%
YTD Stats
RUYDS
65
REC
19
REYDS
122
TD
0
FPTS/G
9.9
McKissic is now RB33 on the year in full PPR leagues and the only Washington running back you can feel good about knowing his role moving forward. If you're in a pinch this week and can't get Ingram or Allgeier, then McKissic is your next best bet for flex production. We expect Brian Robinson to impact Antonio Gibson much more than McKissic.
NO New Orleans • #5
Age: 34 • Experience: 13 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs SEA NO -5.5 O/U 46
OPP VS RB
29th
RB RNK
46th
ROSTERED
51%
YTD Stats
RUYDS
128
REC
6
REYDS
17
TD
1
FPTS/G
5.6
We expect Alvin Kamara to return in Week 5, but we also thought he'd play last week. Even when he's back, he'll share with Ingram, who may just be the short yardage and goalline back. Ingram is a low-end RB2 if Kamara is out and a touchdown-dependent flex if Kamara plays.
Stashes (RB Preview)
PIT Pittsburgh • #30
Age: 26 • Experience: 3 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ BUF BUF -14 O/U 46.5
OPP VS RB
9th
RB RNK
NR
ROSTERED
33%
YTD Stats
RUYDS
52
REC
2
REYDS
3
TD
0
FPTS/G
2.5
Warren has looked more explosive than Najee Harris, and while that won't matter as long as Harris stays healthy, it does highlight just how much upside he could have if Harris goes down. We'd expect 20 touches per game for the rookie, and league-winning potential. if you have an extra roster spot, there are few better ways to use it.
TB Tampa Bay • #1
Age: 25 • Experience: 3 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs ATL TB -9 O/U 47
OPP VS RB
11th
RB RNK
41st
ROSTERED
68%
YTD Stats
RUYDS
21
REC
7
REYDS
57
TD
1
FPTS/G
4.7
There are up to a dozen running back stash candidates available on the waiver wire, and White is one of our favorites. He showed juice in Week 4 against the Chiefs and it says something that Tom Brady already trusts him in the passing game. If something happens to Fournette, White could be a top-12 back in Fantasy.
RB Preview
DFS Plays
Top DFS Play
Projections powered by Sportsline
MIA Miami • #23
Age: 28 • Experience: 7 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
@ CAR SF -6.5 O/U 39
OPP VS RB
15th
PROJ PTS
12.6
RB RNK
20th
YTD Stats
RUYDS
255
REC
7
REYDS
58
TD
1
FPTS/G
10.6
Wilson has handled 72% of the 49ers rush attempts over the past two weeks and he's still priced like a flex. Wilson should see 20-plus touches in a game we expect the 49ers to dominate against the Panthers. He's my top running back value on both FanDuel and DraftKings.
Contrarian DFS Play
Projections powered by Sportsline
NE New England • #38
Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs.
Weekly Breakdown
MATCHUP
vs DET NE -3 O/U 45.5
OPP VS RB
31st
PROJ PTS
10.8
RB RNK
23rd
YTD Stats
RUYDS
211
REC
11
REYDS
57
TD
1
FPTS/G
11
Whether it's Brian Hoyer or Bailey Zappe under center for the Patriots, their Week 5 matchup against the Lions profiles as one in which Stevenson and Damien Harris could combine for 40 touches, 300 yards, and four scores. Stevenson is cheaper on both sites even though he's played more snaps each of the past two weeks.
RB Preview
Heath's Projections