Fantasy football: 8 late round running backs with upside

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Aug 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) tries to elude Carolina Panthers cornerback Melvin White (23) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. New England wins 17-16 over the Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

Dion Lewis-New England Patriots

The deepest sleeper of my late round running backs is Patriots new acquisition Dion Lewis. Lewis didn’t play in the NFL last season with a knee injury and was cut by the Colts. The Patriots scooped him up and he’s definitely in competition for the Shane Vereen-type role as the receiving back in the Pats’ attack.

Lewis has played quite a bit this preseason and shown himself to be an elusive runner and a solid pass-catcher. In last night’s preseason week 3 contest, he totaled 12 yards on three rushes and 20 yards and a touchdown in the receiving game.

With LeGarrette Blount suspended early, Jonas Gray still a question mark, and James White and Travaris Cadet still not laying claim to the third-down job, the Patriots have tons of options and little clarity in their backfield. Drafting Lewis as one of your late-round picks is definitely a flier, but he could be on that emerges in the passing game making him a deep league option in PPR leagues.

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