Fantasy football RB: 13 Rookies ready for impact

Other Late-Round Sleepers

If you’ve made it to this slide of the post, here’s your reward. It’s time for the late-round, final pick sleepers who are a swing for the fences that will either boom or bust.  I wouldn’t take these guys in a draft slot you can get someone more reliable, but I do think they have definite potential to cross the fantasy radar at some point this season.  If you have them stashed on your bench, they’ll be either like getting the hottest waiver wire pickup or instant trade-bait to fix another issue on your team. They are listed in the general order that I would draft them, but they are all fliers, so pick the one you think has a chance to stick.

Javorius “Buck” Allen-Baltimore Ravens: Allen has a similar story to the “Blindside” story of Michael Oher and was also drafted by the Ravens. He was taken in the fourth round out of USC, and he seems to be the perfect fit for Marc Trestman’s scheme. Justin Forsett had a breakout season last year, but he had never been viewed as feature-back material.  Allen and Lorenzo Taliaferro will likely split backup duties early in the season, but my guess is that Allen will be fantasy relevant this season at some point.

Jay Ajayi-Miami Dolphins:  The Dolphins stole Ajayi in the fifth round of last year’s draft due to concerns about his blocking, ball security, and concerns about his knee issues long term.  He has struggled so far in Dolphins camp according to reports out of Miami, but he is a solid pass-catcher and can be a nice replacement for Lamar Miller if Miller struggles in his first full season as Miami’s feature-back.  Even when he’s healthy, Miller has always needed a supplemental ball-carrier, and I think Ajayi will ultimately beat out Damien Williams for the #2 back job.

David Cobb-Tennessee Titans: Cobb could earn a share of the Titans backfield and was even rumored to lead the Titans in carries at one point this offseason.  He was a fifth-round pick out of Minnesota, and he should challenge Bishop Sankey for early-down action if last year’s rookie flavor-of-the-draft continues to struggle in his sophomore season.

Mike Davis-San Francisco 49ers: With Frank Gore signing this offseason with the Colts, there is opportunity in the San Francisco backfield.  While Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush will get most of the work, Davis could earn a role as the season progresses in the ‘Niners run-heavy offense

Kenny Hilliard-Houston Texans: With Arian Foster’s injury uncertainty, Kenny Hilliard could only have to beat out his former teammate at LSU Alfred Blue.  Hilliard tumbled in the draft due to a poor 40 time, but it’s worth watching to see if he makes the Houston team out of camp. He doesn’t need to be drafted, but monitoring him based on the rest of the Houston backfield injuries makes sense.