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Fantasy Football Sleepers 2016: Top 5 Undervalued RBs

By Zachary Thompson

May 18, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson Jr, (29) runs with the ball during official training activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson Jr, (29) runs with the ball during official training activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 31, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) carries the ball as running backs coach Bernie Parmalee supervises at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) carries the ball as running backs coach Bernie Parmalee supervises at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

DeAndre Washington-Oakland Raiders

If you’re looking for a deep sleeper to grab at the end of your draft who has some nice upside, check out Raiders’ rookie RB DeAndre Washington.  Washington is typically being ranked in the high-40’s or low-50’s coming into the preseason, but the Texas Tech product looks like he’ll have a chance to carve out a role for himself in an offense that looked like it was headed in the right direction last year behind the continued development of Derek Carr.

Washington will have some work to do in camp and throughout this preseason since Latavius Murray is still expected to be the workhorse in the Oakland backfield.  Last year, Murray ended up with over 1,000 yards on the ground and added 232 yards on 41 catches. He’s set up to be the main back behind an improved offensive line (mainly the addition of Kelechi Osemele) and a great fantasy option if you can get him outside the top 15 RB off the board.

Murray is a great option, but he hasn’t ever come into a season with the expectations he’s carrying this year. Coach Jack Del Rio usually likes to share the workload in the backfield, and he’ll be on the lookout for a complementary back to Murray this preseason. Murray is a big, physical, downhill runner, so a smaller but quick pass-catching back like Washington would seem to be an ideal change of pace.

Washington is coming out of a pass-heavy Texas Tech attack, but the 5-foot-8-inch, 205-pound  back has taken little time to make an impression this training camp.  He’s opened eyes with his running ability and continues to be a solid receiving-down option as well.  The Raiders look ready to give Washington every opportunity after releasing Roy Helu leaving Washington and fullback Taiwan Jones as the two primary backups at the position with UDFA Jalen Richard also in the mix.

Washington’s fantasy value all depends on how much of a role he can carve out for himself in the Oakland backfield. I think he’ll be a great sleeper if he secures a good percentage of the snaps in an emerging offense.  Watch the Raiders’ backfield this preseason and be ready to stash Washington as your draft winds down since I think he could end up being a very nice option who emerges from my fantasy football sleepers 2016.

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