Sleepers: 5 Running Backs to Target

Photo: USA Today Sports

A fantasy draft is all about obtaining the most value with each selection. Value is available throughout a draft; 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 later 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 in the second half of your draft.

RELATED: See Undervalued Running Backs here >>>
RELATED: See Overvalued Running Backs here >>>

Here are the players who received the most votes:

• Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas
• Blake Corum, LA Rams

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

Sleeper Receiving 6 Votes

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas

Jason Wood: I completely understand being unexcited by Ezekiel Elliott's return to Dallas. He was clearly on the decline two seasons ago, which is why the Cowboys felt comfortable moving on in favor of Tony Pollard. Elliott landed in New England and was a marginal contributor. But sometimes, there are just good fits where 1+1=3, and Elliott's return to Dallas is an example. The Cowboys let Pollard walk in free agency and did absolutely nothing in free agency or the draft to keep Elliott from resuming the lead-back role. While he can't be expected to rack up 100-plus yards rushing on a regular basis anymore, he still can reasonably punch in 10+ touchdowns, given the Cowboys' offensive potency.

Gary Davenport: This may be a sign that I need an intervention more than any sort of fantasy advice. But—what if Elliott isn't washed? In 2023, he was admittedly bad—3.5 yards per carry, the second straight year he failed to hit four yards a pop. But a Cowboys team with (allegedly) Super Bowl expectations not only brought Elliott back after his year in offensive purgatory in New England, but handed him the keys to the backfield. Either Jerry Jones has completely taken leave of his senses, or Elliott is undervalued. OK—it could be both, but an Elliott rebound helps fantasy managers more.

Corey Spala: Dallas let Tony Pollard depart and replaced his vacancy with Elliott. Pollard was eighth in the NFL in carries inside five yards, yet only converted 25% of those carries for a touchdown. Elliott is familiar with the organization and may provide what Dallas will need him to do, run it for two or three yards at the goal line for a touchdown. For reference, Elliott converted 56% of those carries (third in NFL) for a touchdown in 2022 with Dallas. The current depth chart has the opportunity for Elliott to earn high-volume-touches, and I am betting on the potential touchdown upside at this price (RB39). 

Andy Hicks: If Dallas had added another back of any decency, Ezekiel Elliott would be considered lower. Rico Dowdle is a clear backup, despite the coaching staff stating it will be a committee, Elliott is a hall of fame calber back that at age 29 has plenty of quality life left. He may have lost a yard, but his vision and determination remain. If we see better run blocking than in New England, he is an easy choice later in drafts.

Ryan Weisse: It's been a few years since anyone truly wanted Ezekiel Elliott on their fantasy team, but you cannot ignore his opportunity this season. Dallas running backs had 100 redzone opportunities last year, the third-most in the league, but scored the 12th most fantasy points. Tony Pollard struggled, and Elliott scored the same amount of redzone touchdowns despite 47 fewer touches in the redzone. This Cowboys offense is great for fantasy, and Elliott should fare far better than Pollard did last season.

Chad Parsons: The two important usage situations for running backs are near the goal line and in the passing situations. Expect Ezekiel Elliott to have the edge (and likely decisively so) in both categories over Rico Dowdle in Dallas. Elliott may not have elite upside anymore, but finding a solid weekly play with RB1 moments from deeper in the draft is outstanding value.

Sleeper Receiving 4 Votes

Blake Corum, LA Rams

Phil Alexander: Everyone on the hunt for this year's Kyren Williams should start by looking in the same backfield. Williams was the cover boy for our staff's Overvalued Running Backs article. If us Footballguys are correct, Williams' backup is under-valued by definition. Corum won't wow you with size or speed, but he is a better overall athlete than Williams. Like Williams, Corum's ability to hit gaps quickly and get to the second level is tailor-made for the gap scheme running game Sean McVay's Rams transitioned to in 2023. He also shares the competitive streak, pass protection skills, and ability to play on all three downs found in Williams' profile. Corum is essentially a more durable version of Williams. He'll likely have low-end stand-alone value to start the season, but Williams' injury history is well-documented. If Corum ever gets this backfield to himself, he'll prove every bit the league-winner Williams was last year.

Jason Wood: Blake Corum doesn't have the measurable or relative athletic score that gets draft pundits salivating, but discounting his rookie outlook would be a grave error. He lands in a perfect spot, because the Rams system plays to his strengths. While Corum doesn't have the explosiveness many want from fantasy stars, he has vision, patience, and a nose for the end zone. In many ways, Corum landed in one of the few situations where he may actually be the most dynamic tailback on the roster. Kyren Williams did everything the coaches could've asked for last year and then some, but it wasn't long ago fantasy analysts disregarded Williams for the same concerns they're heaping upon Corum now. If Williams gets hurt, Corum is a plug-and-play every week fantasy asset; but the real allure is that he might end up being the Rams' starter at some point this year regardless of Williams' health.

Gary Davenport: As a resident of Columbus, Ohio and a lifelong Ohio State fan, saying nice things about a running back who made the past two years miserable for me is—discomforting. But Kyren Williams being drafted as a Top-10 back while Corum is available this late just cannot be ignored. Williams was fantastic last year. But it was one year from a back who missed five games playing for a coach who has known to be, um, lets go with fickle at the position. At some point this year, opportunity will knock with Corum. And as much as it pains me to say it, the third-rounder (also not exactly a thundering endorsement of Williams) is going to take advantage of it. 

Chad Parsons: Blake Corum is one of the few legitimate league-winning backup running backs. Sean McVay loves a foundational running back and Kyren Williams, while not considered serious yet, already got dinged up this offseason. Williams is one of the smallest starters in the NFL and will likely see a strong workload to start the season. Corum is an upside hand grenade waiting on fantasy benches with strong RB1 potential any week Williams misses this season.

Sleepers Receiving 2 Votes

Chase Brown, Cincinnati

Bob Harris: Joe Mixon is out, and Zack Moss is in. But the Bengals still have Brown, and fantasy managers shouldn't overlook him. The 2023 fifth-round pick began carving out a role in Cincy's offense during the second half of his rookie season, securing the No. 2 spot for himself during the final six games. Brown finished the season with just 44 carries for 179 yards, with another 156 yards and his lone touchdown coming on 14 catches. He delivered 54 yards (and the touchdown) on a screen pass where he hit 22.05 miles per hour. According to Next Gen Stats, that was the second-highest speed in the NFL last year. DK Metcalf, who hit 22.23 mph on a 73-yard touchdown catch, led the way. Given all that, it's no surprise The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. believes the Bengals want to expand Brown's role even with the addition of Moss.

Jason Wood: Unless you think Zack Moss is the real deal, Chase Brown is a perfect target in the later rounds. Moss is a journeyman who effectively parlayed a four-game streak -- that was far outside the body of his career -- into a new deal with Cincinnati. Moss may get the first crack at the lead role in camp, but Brown is the better runner in nearly every respect. If this is genuinely a fair fight in camp to replace Joe Mixon, Brown should have a better than 50% chance of being the team's new bellcow.

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina

Andy Hicks: Hubbard has more than earned his keep with the Panthers. First as injury cover for Christian McCaffrey in 2021, then when McCaffrey was traded in 2022 and finally when Miles Sanders was an absolute flop in 2023. Can he make it four years in a row? Jonathan Brooks is this year's obstacle. Drafted highly it is expected that Hubbard keeps the seat warm until Brooks is ready. Hubbard has proven to be more than capable and could have another surprise in store for 2024.

Chad Parsons: Jonathon Brooks is coming off of a significant knee injury. While the second-round rookie may take over the depth chart as the season goes along, Chuba Hubbard has the inside track to be the Week 1 starter and likely RB2 value for a stretch early in the season. Hubbard was one of the rare cases where he overtook the incumbent/planned starter last season, lapping Miles Sanders as the season progressed despite a quality contract handed out to Sanders.

Jaylen Wright, Miami

Bob Harris: I have no idea what kind of role Wright might carve out behind De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert. For that matter, it's hard to know how the workload will be divided between Achane and Mostert. When it comes to the Dolphins, the only way we'll genuinely gain clarity is by attrition. Even if everybody is healthy, there's an argument to be made for Wright: It's price. The rookie is RB48 in current Underdog drafts, going well after Achane and Mostert. At 210 pounds, Wright had the second-fastest 40-yard dash out of all the running backs who ran at the combine this year. Like Achane and Mostert, Wright is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He's a solid receiving asset who catches passes in stride, adding to the big-play possibilities. If you're burning a late-round pick on upside, Wright isn't a bad choice.

Sigmund Bloom: Wright is a perfect fit in the Dolphins' running game with decisiveness and long speed to exploit the space created in defenses scared of the deep passing game. Miami wanted him so badly that they gave up next year's third-round pick to get him. Raheem Mostert is in the autumn of his career and is not known for his durability. De'Von Achane missed six games with injuries last season. It's not difficult to picture Wright getting significant touches in one of the most productive running games in the league.

Bonus Sleeper Running Backs

In addition to the five sleepers listed above, these players got a single vote each.