Running Back Sleepers

Running Back Sleepers

Jahvid Best – I am not sure I can call Jahvid Best a sleeper as I have him rated as my #12 overall fantasy back, but he is currently being drafted in the 3rd to 4th round and thus provides solid ADP value hence the sleeper label. Best will very likely finish the season as a top-12 fantasy football running back and you should draft with confidence as an RB2….if you can land him as an RB3 you should jump for joy.

Montario Hardesty – Hardesty was drafted to be the feature back in Cleveland but is still being drafted after his backfield counterpart Jerome Harrison. Hardesty will be given the #1 job as will likely amass 8+ TD’s as the Browns power back enough for high-end RB3 value. Don’t sleep on Montario…..he will make you regret it. Draft with confidence as an RB3.

Ben Tate – Ben Tate has just completed his first full practice after a hamstring injury and depsite Arian Foster currently being ahead of him on the depth chart, the smart money is still on Ben Tate to begin the season as the Texans feature back. Slaton will likely assume a 30 percent timeshare when healthy but Tate is the power back that is a perfect fit for the Texans one-cut zone blocking scheme. Ben Tate is a WMFL favorite for ROY along with Mathews and Best. He has RB2 upside but is better suited for an RB3 role.

Felix Jones – Can you really call Felix Jones a sleeper now that it is common knowledge that the Cowboys want to make him the starter? The answer is yes as the fantasy community is still cognizant of TD vulture Marion Barber and thus Felix Jones still offers solid ADP value. The jury is still out on where you should roster Felix; in 10-team leagues he is a flex player, in 12-team leagues he is an RB3.

Darren McFadden – D-Mac is going extremely late in fantasy drafts and has RB2 upside. Draft him as your 4th or 5th running back and you will be well rewarded. D-Mac is a low risk flex option and I urge you not to pass him up after you address your starting running back positions. Jason Campbell’s arrival should help open things up for both McFadden and fellow fantasy sleeper running back Michael Bush who himself should amass 8+ scores this season. Don’t be surprised if each member of this duo surpasses 1000 yards from scrimmage a piece on the season. Both are solid flex options.

KnowShon Moreno – Moreno has RB1 upside but is being drafted in the 3rd-4th round, sometimes later depending on the draft. Draft him confidently as an RB2 but if you can manage to roster him as your RB3 you will be well rewarded. He has extremely high upside and will emerge as the lead back in a 65-35 timeshare with Buckhalter. Moreno has the skills to be an every-down back if he proves he can handle the workload, draft and prepare your cheat sheets accordingly.

Cadillac Williams – Despite the fact that Derrick Ward is a serious threat to steal major carries, Caddy is the clear-cut number one in Tampa Bay and has the coaches behind him as well as their confidence. He will have to stumble hard to lose his job. He is a low-end RB2 being drafted in flex territory. See if you can land him as your RB3 and make rival G.M’s pay.

Justin Forsett – Forsett is the clear cut starter in Seattle but is still getting no love. Now until they land another running back via trade or free agency ths situation here is pretty clear..Forsett is the starter and Washington will back him up if an when healthy. Julius Jones is still on the roster but was largely ineffective last season and lost his job to Forsett; Forsett proceeded to put the fantasy world on notice.

Larry Johnson – LJ is likely to be the goal-line back in Washington and will accrue flex worthy value because of that. He is also the most talented running back on this roster and you have to believe McNabb’s passing ability will help open up the run game. With that said he is part of a dreaded Shannahan RBBC backfield so temper your expectations. We also like Ryan Torian if he makes the roster.