Fantasy Football RB Sleepers

(FOX Sports)

Every year when it’s late in the draft and all you see on your screen is a flood of names including mainly wide receivers and running backs. At this point, you’re tired and you start to pick whoever because the draft is almost over and it won’t make a difference. Well if you really care about fantasy football, then you’ll be as attentive as possible in these last few rounds, because if you draft the right guy then your season could be saved.

For example, before the “Muscle Hamster” Doug Martin was a star, I figured that in some point during the season he would do well because of the Tampa run-first game, the lack of a QB, and the fact that he was a short well centered guy with good speed. Therefore, I drafted him in the late rounds based on those factors and he would eventually save my season by scoring 54 points in one game and sending me to a first round playoff seeding. That being said, certain intangibles increase the value of many sleepers, and all factors need to be accounted for.

First off, I think one of the most underrated and sleeper running backs in the game is the Seahawks Thomas Rawls. At 5’9” 215lbs Rawls’ best assets are his speed and his shiftiness, although he will run defenders over and break tackles. Not as physically imposing as a Mark Ingram or Trent Richardson, Rawls has big legs that allow him to be just as powerful. A good comparison to Rawls would be Maurice Jones-Drew. Also, with the departure of Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, Rawls could be the next standout running back and fill out the rushing game. You can wait until maybe the 5th round to take him, but at the earliest snag him in the 4th to make sure he’s secure.

Second, the other RB that’s a mid to late round sleeper is Derrick Henry of the Titans. Yes he will be splitting time with Demarco Murray, but I still truly believe Henry will be able to rack up points, and here’s why:

1. He’s a big goal line back, meaning he’ll score touchdowns
   
2. He’ll catch passes out of the backfield for yardage
   
3. Eventually we could see him transition to more touches in early downs
   

I suggest snagging him in after 7th round, but if you see the name Derrick Henry in the later rounds then you need to take him.

All in all, drafting sleepers comes with patience, and weighing in every draft pick in the late round of the draft


Alex Reimold
@reimolda15