Branden Oliver, Arian Foster big games on the ground help lead fantasy owners in week 5. The first year rookie out of Buffalo took over on the ground after Donald Brown left with a concussion. Despite the backup role on the team many fantasy owners in deeper leagues as well as one week leagues had Oliver starting.

The high risk, high reward paid off as he finished with 19 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown helping lead the San Diego Chargers over the New York Jets. Oliver also pulled in four catches for 68 yards and one touchdown reception. This marked the second straight game the rookie finished with at least four catches.

Now that he showed up big in week 5, Oliver’s name won’t be featured on waiver wires but he should be still a great play for weekly leagues. The Chargers head to Oakland to take on the Raiders in week 6.

Oliver wasn’t the only running back to have a big week as he was joined by Arian Foster of the Houston Texans. Despite his two previous 100 yard games on the ground, Foster wasn’t used as much in weekly leagues but he helped deliver one lucky fantasy owner a million dollars on DraftKings 2.2m Millionaire Maker one week event.

The Texans running back carried the ball 23 times against the Dallas Cowboys finishing with 157 yards and two touchdowns. The performance earned him 34.2 points on DraftKings and 30.2 fantasy points on FanDuel.
 

Here are some of the other top fantasy performances on the ground from week 5.

Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers: The Packers running back put together his best start of the season rushing for 105 yards on 13 carries. Lacy also found the end zone twice on the ground and added three catches for 27 yards.

FanDuel – 26.7 points / DraftKings – 31.2 points

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears: Forte continues to be one of the top dual threat running backs in the league as he finished with 17 carries for 61 yards. The seventh year star also added 12 catches for 105 yards and one touchdown reception.

FanDuel – 26.6 points / DraftKings – 36.6 points

Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals running back led the team both on the ground and in the passing game. Ellington finished the game rushing for 32 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown and added a team high 112 yards receiving on four catches and one touchdown.

FanDuel – 28.4 points / DraftKings – 33.4 points

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys running back continued his hot start finishing with over 100 yards on the ground for the fifth straight game. Murray finished with 136 yards on 31 carries along with six catches for 56 yards. Despite failing to reach the end zone Murray still delivered for fantasy owners.

FanDuel – 20.2 / DraftKings – 27.2