13 Deep Sleepers at Running Back

Footballguys Staff's 13 Deep Sleepers at Running Back Footballguys Staff Published 08/25/2022

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A fantasy draft is all about obtaining the most value with each selection. Value is available throughout a draft, and grabbing it is one of the most important keys to a successful fantasy team. This article specifically targets deep sleeper value (players that can be found very late in a fantasy draft). To point out this value, we asked our staff to look deeper than the Top 150 and identify players that should significantly outperform their late draft position. These players should be your targets after the 12th round of your draft.

Here is the player who received the most votes:

  • Brian Robinson and it wasn't even close

And here are all of the players mentioned and the reasons why.

Player Receiving 7 Votes

Brian Robinson, Washington

Anthony Amico: Robinson has the requisite size (226 pounds) to be valuable in short-yardage and scoring situations, and his pass-blocking was highly regarded during the draft process. He has contingent value to gain on an injury to either Antonio Gibson or J.D. McKissic. If Ron Rivera's commentary about him (paraphrasing) being his new Jonathan Stewart come true, there could be quite a bit of standalone value without an injury. Recently, Gibson spent some time on special teams and the third-string offense after fumbling in the first preseason game. The ice is thin, and that bodes well for Robinson.

Jason Wood: Coach Rivera can't go a day without singing Robinson's praises. The first preseason game had Robinson taking over for a fumbling Antonio Gibson and then making plays as a runner and receiver before capping off a drive with a touchdown scamper. He seems set to be a part of a running back committee, at worst, but could become the Commanders' new feature back if the dominoes fall into place.

Gary Davenport: After Robinson's preseason debut, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said that the bruiser from Alabama "showed us kind of why we drafted him" while lauding his "downhill, physical presence on the inside." Meanwhile, Antonio Gibson is getting special teams reps and spending time on the practice field with the reserves. Does this mean that Gibson's days as the No. 1 back in Washington are over? No—at least not yet. But ignoring the weather forecast because you don't like it isn't going to stop it from raining. The winds in Washington are blowing toward a committee in the backfield. And if Gibson can't stop putting the ball on the ground and Robinson continues to impress, the rookie could find himself on the right side of that committee in relatively short order.

Will Grant: When I drafted Robinson in my local league last weekend with my last draft pick, a couple of guys asked, "who the heck is that guy?" I had to smile because they said the same thing two years ago when I drafted Antonio Gibson. Camp reports have Robinson tearing it up, and he will push for more time as the season gets closer. Gibson is not having a good camp, and he was seen working with the third-team offense after fumbling the ball during the preseason opener. J.D. McKissic is also there, making Washington a good running-back-by-committee candidate, but that's great for Robinson, who could outshine the veterans when it matters the most.

Jeff Haseley: Brian Robinson is making a name for himself in training camp while Antonio Gibson is struggling to stay healthy and stay atop the depth chart. Robinson has a good chance to see some goal-line touches, but if he continues to progress, he may start to eat away at Gibson's carry-shares. Robinson's needle is pointing up while Gibson's is pointing down.

Andy Hicks: It is obvious that something is brewing in the Washington backfield. Consistent reports of Antonio Gibson failing to meet expectations must be treated seriously. The positivity surrounding third-round rookie Brian Robinson must be taken as a sign that he will have more use than expected. Add in J.D. McKissic, and it all points to a committee backfield. The one with the most upside, however, is Robinson. His cost is negligible so is more than a shot in the dark expected with his draft slot.

Jordan McNamara: I suspected something was up with Antonio Gibson in April when Washington was meeting with the heads of state of the running back draft class. They ultimately selected Brian Robinson in the third round, which did not move the fantasy market as much as it should have. Now, Gibson is returning kicks while Robinson is taking first-team snaps. I don't think Robinson has clearly won the job, but it would not surprise me if he did during the 2022 season, and he could outperform his cost.

Players Receiving 3 Votes

Khalil Herbert, Chicago

Jason Wood: Herbert acquitted himself well in David Montgomery's stead last season as an inside runner and receiver. His ability to handle all facets of the game as an undrafted rookie free agent speaks volumes and should have everyone excited about his potential entering training camp as the clear No. 2.

Will Grant: Nothing excites me about the Chicago offense this season, and I think the Bears will struggle to win six games this year. However, Herbert had a couple of solid games as a rookie and is the clear #2 now with Damien Williams in Atlanta. David Montgomery will still get the bunk of the touches in Chicago, but you can bet that Herbert will get his fair share as well. Herbert will go undrafted in many fantasy leagues, and he's the perfect guy to grab with your last pick or have on waiver wire speed dial once the season starts.

Christian Williams: Luke Getsy has brought the wide zone to Chicago, and Khalil Herbert is the back on the roster with the most upside on such runs. Herbert's blend of decisiveness and burst off his first cut offer a tad more than David Montgomery, and even if Montgomery assumes the No. 1 role, Herbert could produce. Getsy has traditionally operated committee backfields dating back to his time at Mississippi State and most recently to his stint with the Packers in 2021. Herbert could see the field a ton, and at RB54, he's well worth the risk.

Isaih Pacheco, Kansas City

Jason Wood: Ronald Jones II has failed miserably in his attempt to carve out a role and may not even make the 53-man roster. Meanwhile, 7th-round rookie Pachecho has stood out since the first day of camp. Pacheco has all the tools to be an NFL contributor but was unfairly discounted because he played at Rutgers and had to run behind a bad offensive line against elite Big Ten defenses.

Jeff Haseley: The Chiefs running back room is not set in stone. Clyde Edwards-Helaire has disappointed compared to expectations, while others have thrived. Enter Isaih Pacheco. The 7th-rounder from Rutgers has 4.3 speed and is the ideal size for a running back at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds. He has impressed at camp and shows signs of being used more among the starters. He is worth a flyer anytime after all of your position starters have been selected.

Jordan McNamara: Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the best bet to be the starter in Kansas City. But rookie Isiah Pacheco appears to have passed Ronald Jones II in the backfield and set himself up with a chance to be the injury-away player behind Edwards-Helaire. In the event Edwards-Helaire misses time, Pacheco could fill in one of the best offenses in the league.

Players Receiving 2 Votes

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Marlon Mack, Houston

Gary Davenport: Understandably, Mack doesn't inspire a ton of confidence in fantasy managers after carrying the ball just 32 times over the past two seasons combined. But Mack isn't some over-the-hill back clinging to the last shreds of a fading career. He's a 26-year-old who has drawn praise from Lovie Smith this offseason. A running back who has said he finally feels like himself after tearing his Achilles in 2020. A back who topped 1,000 total yards and finished inside RB2 territory in both 2018 and 2019. And a back who (for now at least) is atop the depth chart in Houston. The vast majority of fantasy managers are drafting rookie Dameon Pierce with the expectation that it's an inevitability he will overtake Mack to start. The wiser (and far less expensive) investment may well be to wonder what happens if he doesn't.

Christian Williams: Marlon Mack was being discussed as a potential league winner four years ago, and an Achilles injury severely deteriorated public perception of his talent. From 2018-19, Mack accumulated 1999 yards, 17 touchdowns, and averaged over 4.5 yards per carry. He finished as a low-end RB2 in each of those years, and his talent was apparent. Now nearly two years removed from the injury, Mack has a chance to seize the starting role for the Texans. His competition primarily consists of Rex Burkhead and rookie Dameon Pierce, and it's not unreasonable to believe he could emerge as the leader of that pack despite Pierce's early successes. Pierce has certainly been the most impressive of the group early in camp, but Mack is being drafted at RB53, well behind Pierce, and could be one of the best value selections in drafts this fall.

Zamir White, Las Vegas

Anthony Amico: What Robinson is for Gibson, White is for Josh Jacobs in Vegas. After not picking up Jacobs' fifth-year option, the new regime for the Raiders selected White in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He was fast and explosive at the combine while weighing in at 214 pounds. If not for two different ACL tears in his football career, the five-star prospect likely would have gone even higher. If he can stay healthy, the talent is a real threat to this backfield at a cheap cost.

Jeff Haseley: The only thing keeping Zamir White from being a blue-chip running back prospect is his two ACL tears (on both knees). If he can overcome that obstacle and be effective, the sky is the limit for him. He already has shown signs of success in the preseason. His involvement in the offense could be much greater than we anticipate, especially if he continues to raise eyebrows.

Players Receiving 1 Vote

Eno Benjamin, Arizona

Ben Cummins: Eno Benjamin's sophomore and junior seasons at Arizona State were impressive. During those two seasons, he totaled 2,725 rushing yards, 26 rushing touchdowns, 77 receptions, 610 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns. Recent reports have stated Benjamin is the No. 2 running back in Arizona, not Darrel Williams. If this is true or coming to fruition during the season, Benjamin could destroy his ADP in one of the most running back-friendly offenses in football. Benjamin could get there by handling the Chase Edmonds role from last season or from a James Conner injury.

Chris Evans, Cincinnati

Ben Cummins: Chris Evans was utilized as a pass-catcher last season, and reports this summer have stated Evans has a chance to win the #2 role behind Joe Mixon. Evans could post usable weeks even without a Mixon injury thanks to his receiving skillset and projected elevated usage in that area in year two. But a Mixon injury would skyrocket Evans up rankings boards.

DOnta Foreman, Carolina

Jason Wood: Foreman joins his third team in five seasons and has less than 1,000 career rushing yards. But don't let the journeyman status confuse his upside as the presumptive backup to Christian McCaffrey. Foreman stepped into a key role in Tennessee last year when Derrick Henry got hurt and put together three 100-yard rushing games. The Panthers have no choice but to build the offense around McCaffrey, and yet he's a massive injury risk. Foreman could find himself in the same emergency savior role he played a season ago.

Mark Ingram, New Orleans

Andy Hicks: Mark Ingram may well be 32 but appears to have well and truly beat off the competition to secure the backup role behind Alvin Kamara. Kamara has always struggled to carry a large load running the ball. Used heavily in 2021, he struggled. Ingram should see a consistent role carrying the ball with red zone carries heavily on the radar. This would allow Kamara to excel as a pass catcher while absorbing fewer runs up the middle. Ingram may not have the upside he used to have, but he will be fantasy useful to many a fantasy manager.

DErnest Johnson, Cleveland

Ben Cummins: Kareem Hunt isn't happy in Cleveland. He recently requested a trade, was reportedly told "no" by the team, and quickly went back to practice. However, that doesn't mean the Browns aren't working on a trade behind the scenes, and there have also been rumors Hunt could be cut. Adam Schefter recently discussed how full the Browns' running back room is since they reportedly like their fifth-round pick, Jerome Ford, as well. If Hunt isn't on the team come week 1, Johnson will assume the Hunt role as the #2 RB in Cleveland.

Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City

Christian Williams: While most fantasy managers are pivoting to Isaih Pacheco at the end of their drafts, Jerick McKinnon is quietly receiving similar work in practice. McKinnon was brought back for 2022, indicating the team was pleased with his performance in seven games last year. His role will primarily be as a pass-catching, third-down back, the most valuable type of fantasy role. Pacheco has flashed pass-catching ability in practice and could take the role entirely, but McKinnon is going as RB65, making him a worthy last-round flier.

Sony Michel, Miami

Andy Hicks: The Dolphins appear to have a crowded backfield. Chase Edmonds has the money and the explosiveness. Raheem Mostert is now 30 and often injured. Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed are carryovers from the previous regime. That leaves Sony Michel as the likely workhorse back. Over the last six regular-season games with the Rams, Michel logged over 500 rushing yards and three touchdowns. At his current draft price, Michel offers bottom-end RB2 possibilities.

Damien Williams, Atlanta

Will Grant: Tyler Allgeier is the guy most folks are targeting from the Atlanta backfield after Cordarrelle Patterson, but I think Damien Williams is the sleeper option you want to keep an eye on from this team. After skipping the 2020 season due to Covid, Williams was nearly shut out of the Chicago offense last season, posting just 56 touches all season, most of them while David Montgomery was out due to injury. he still averaged 4.1 YPC and three touchdowns. Williams is a solid option in the short passing game and will fit in nicely with the Falcons who used Patterson as a 'combo' player last year. I like Willaims to have 100+ touches this season and reach the end zone four or five times.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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