James Conner is one of three must-start running backs in Week 5 in fantasy football

MIAMI, Oct. 2 (UPI) — James Conner is one of my three must-see fantasy football running backs for Week 6.

Derrick Henry tops my weekly top 30 fantasy football running back rankings. Jordan Mason, Kenneth Walker, Aaron Jones and Conner are my other top five options.

Kyren Williams, Chuba Hubbard, Brian Robinson Jr., Alvin Kamara and Josh Jacobs should also be considered top-10 players for Week 4.

Hubbard and Javonte Williams are my must-see performances along with Conner. My rankings were compiled based on several factors including likely workload, opponent strength, previous matchup history, expected red zone chances and predicted game play.

Shareholders Joe Mixon, Brian Robinson Jr. and Raheem Mostert should continue to monitor their injury statuses ahead of their respective kickoffs.

Players from the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans should be benched or dropped as those teams give up byes in Week 5. Players from the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – who played on Thursday – have been removed from my rankings.

My Week 5 quarterback, wide receiver and tight end rankings are also available. My top free agent targets for Week 5 can be found here. All position rankings will be updated throughout the week. Players are removed from the rankings or adjusted in the rankings due to injuries.

James Conner

Conner recorded his second 100-yard performance of the season in the Arizona Cardinals' Week 4 loss to the Washington Commanders. He also reached the end zone for the third time in his first four games.

Conner and the Cardinals face a San Francisco 49ers defense that allowed New England Patriots running backs Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson just 141 yards rushing in Week 4. The 49ers also allowed 116 yards from field and three scores to Kyren Williams in Week 3.

Look for Conner, who averages about four targets per game, to eclipse 100 yards from scrimmage in this matchup against the 49ers, who allowed running backs about 50 yards per game through the first four weeks of the season .

Conner is my No. 5 piece.

Chuba Hubbard

According to his average draft position, Hubbard was not among the top 40 running backs selected in fantasy football drafts, but he ranks 18th in fantasy points per game over four weeks.

He surpassed 120 yards from scrimmage and scored in each of his last two outings, including a 169-yard performance in Week 3. He is also averaging 5.4 yards per carry this season.

Hope Hubbard's success continues Sunday when his Carolina Panthers take on the Chicago Bears. The Bears allowed the ninth-most fantasy points and allowed running backs the fourth-most rushing points so far this season – 1.3 per game.

I expect Hubbard to be 120 yards from the point of attack for the third straight game. He is my #7 option and can be used as an RB1 in good matchups like this.

Javonte Williams

Williams has faced inconsistent workloads in his first four games, reaching 10 touches in just two of those appearances.

In the Denver Broncos' Week 4 win over the New York Jets, who have one of the league's best defenses, he rushed for a season-high 16 carries and rushed for 77 yards.

This week, Williams and the Broncos face the Las Vegas Raiders, who have given up the eighth-most rushing yards and fantasy points to running backs so far this season.

The Raiders allowed 85 yards from scrimmage to Jerome Ford in Week 4. They gave up at least 96 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown to starting running backs in each of their first three games.

With a reasonable workload, I expect Williams to approach 90 yards from scrimmage. He also has a great chance to score a touchdown against this generous defense. Williams is my No. 15 option for Week 5 and can slot in at the RB2 or flex position.

Week 5 fantasy football running back rankings

1. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens at CIN

2. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers vs. ARI

3. Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks vs. NYG

4. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings vs. NYJ

5. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals at SF

6. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams vs GB

7. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers at CHI

8. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders vs. CLE

9. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints at KC

10. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers at LAR

11. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins at NE

12. Breece Hall, New York Jets at MIN

13. Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. IND

14. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears vs. CAR

15. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos vs. LV

16. James Cook, Buffalo Bills at HOU

17. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs vs. NO

18. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns at WAS

19. Cam Akers, Houston Texans vs. BUF

20. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots vs. MIA

21. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. DAL

22. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys at PIT

23. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks vs. NYG

24. Devin Singletary, New York Giants at SEA

25. Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals vs. BAL

26. Braelon Allen, New York Jets at MIN

27. Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders at DEN

29. Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots vs. MIA

30. Trey Sermon, Indianapolis Colts at JAX