Fantasy ballers: Four RBs who will exceed their Week 5 projections

He’s unlikely to see that many carries against Carolina, but he’ll beat his projected 12.08 points against a winless Panthers team allowing the fourth-most points fantasy to opposing running backs.

De’Von Achane (RB) Miami Dolphins 

The Dolphins lost to the Bills on Sunday, but they’ve found an absolute stud with their third-round draft pick. Achane followed up a 51.3-point performance against the Broncos with 101 yards and two scores on eight carries in Buffalo. The effort was worth 27 points in Yahoo leagues, where he’s projected to score 12.97 points in Week 5.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had no problem playing the hot hand as offensive coordinator in San Francisco, and after a 28-point loss to the Bills, he’ll give his rookie running back all the work he can handle against a woeful Giants defense giving up 30.5 points per game.

Jaleel McLaughlin (RB) Denver Broncos

After an excellent showing in Week 4, McLaughlin may have jumped the line in terms of Denver’s depth chart. When starting running back Javonte Williams injured his hip against Chicago, the undrafted rookie stepped up by averaging 10.3 yards per carry for a team-high 73 yards including a 31-yard run in the third quarter. He also had three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown.

Broncos coach Sean Payton was almost giddy about McLaughlin’s performance. 

“Let’s talk about Jaleel,” Payton told reporters. “He played really well. He’s one of the guys that got a game ball this morning. He was explosive in the run and the pass. He gave us some juice, so we’ll continue to look at his role."

McLaughlin set an NCAA record with 8,155 rushing yards in college and had 79 touchdowns in five seasons. Even if Williams suits up for the Jets game, Denver’s rookie running back should crush his 4.82-point projection.