What running backs could sneak their way into a pivotal role in your offense this season? Who should you not be sleeping on? Let’s look at it.
A good back can make or break a fantasy season. Week 2 may be too early to dash your hopes but a strong sleeper back that you can slide in at any moment can put the whole league on notice.
What running backs should sneak on to your radar this week? Let’s look at 10 guys to watch out for.
No. 10 Corey Clement vs. Tampa Bay
The touchdown or non-touchdown. A play to forever be discussed, Clement finds himself in a rich Eagles backfield. Sproles is still questionable and Clement’s game in the passing arena can’t go unnoticed.
If Sproles can’t go then the dynamic duo that shone together last season will be back at it. Clement can run with the best of them when he wants to. Ajayi ended up with a pair of touchdowns last Thursday but Clement even with little snaps still averaged five yards a carry.
Small sample to start but if Sproles doesn’t go? Don’t sleep on this one.
No. 9 Mike Gillislee vs. Cleveland
This is a deeeeeeep sleeper pick. With Mark Ingram still suspended Gillislee is the go-to after Kamara. His debut wasn’t pretty. The Saints were playing catch up to Fitzmagic and the Bucs though so it’s not crazy to think that doesn’t happen again.
Kamara is the workhorse here but Gillislee has shown himself to be THE touchdown vulture and could scoop up some pivotal carries against the Browns this week.
James Conner in the second half was untouchable last week. Kamara was unstoppable against the Bucs. On Kamara’s off carries and in the red zone Gillislee could be really useful.
This isn’t your ‘I gotta take this guy” sleeper, this is your “I accidentally fell asleep during my draft and autodrafted four defenses” sleeper.
No. 8 Alfred Blue vs. Tennessee
Alfred Blue is a bruiser and the guy the Texans need in certain situations that could lead to a solid sleeper addition to your roster. He did, after all, score the first touchdown for the Texans last week against New England.
Red Zone killer? Absolutely could be. With Watson’s ability in the air and on the ground as well as a wealth of receiver options it’s no secret that a solid rusher who just gets yards could make the most of the least touches.
Lamar Miller is still the go to but if you really need a potential touchdown guy then look no further than Blue to finish off some Texans drives.
No. 7 Chase Edmonds vs. LA (Rams)
The Cardinals defined ultimate struggle in their loss last week. David Johnson is still getting back in the groove of things and I think having another guy like Edmonds to go tot can’t hurt.
Edmonds had minimal touches but had 24 yards on his four carries to go with 24 yards on six catches. Spooky. It’s a reprieve pick but another guy who could spell the top guy and make the most of it. Those numbers were on just 17 snaps, in the second half. Give Edmonds some more touches and do I see big numbers?
This is a fun sleeper. Edmonds is a guy you would just like to see do well. The nicest duo in the league upcoming. Edmonds should be your deepest sleeper pick up, with how much Johnson figures to be handed the ball, but extra snaps bode well for a back getting a decent start under his legs.
No. 6 Kyle Jusczyk vs. Detroit
Everything is up in the air for the 49ers rushing attack after McKinnon went down. It’s a tough call as to who’s going to make the most out of this backfield. I think Juszczyk will find the way this week against the Lions defense that looked like they didn’t want to touch any Jets backs.
*I know Juszczuk is more of a fullback*
Fullbacks deserve love too. I think carries will come his way this week and he should be a great outlet for Garoppolo out of the backfield. One catch against the Vikings for 56 yards last week. Efficient. I like it.
This is a pure PPR pick and that’s why he’s on this list. Receptions come his way. I expect a few touches as well as the 49ers try to get a running attack going.
No. 5 TJ Yeldon vs. New England
No Fournette? No problem. Well not yet. The Jaguars still found a way to get it done against the Giants in the opener and Yeldon was a big help in that.
Fournette is still a big question mark heading into a big matchup with the Patriots on Sunday. EIther way he’ll be limited and after a solid outing for Yeldon, this is a great addition to the lineup.
On the ground, the Alabama product had 14 carries for 51 yards. Yeldon will get more of the load than last week here and the Patriots may lose sight of the crafty back on some attempts. Yeldon can catch as well, adding a touchdown in the air Sunday, so in regular or PPR it’s something to keep an eye on.
No. 4 Nyheim Hines vs. Washington
Marlon Mack is still questionable and I don’t think he’s giving it a go this week. Hines and Jordan Wilkins shared carries on Sunday against the Bengals, with Wilkins getting the main share.
Hines finished with 19 yards on his five carries but hauled in seven catches for 33 yards in the loss. The pass catching is what should help Hines stand out and potentially get more snaps this week. It’s all about securing the mainstay in the run game.
Hines is out for down and distance runs and swing plays out of the backfield and I think he surprises people on Sunday against Washington. The Colts want to get back in the win column.
No. 3 Tarik Cohen vs. Seattle
Cohen finds another spot on this list after a promising open. It’s a two back tag team in Chicago and in Matt Nagy’s new offense Cohen is primed to be the target for a lot of passes out of the backfield as well as early down rushes during drives.
The Seahawks defense struggled with Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay, expect big things of Howard and Cohen.
The biggest advantage for Cohen is his elusiveness. Give him space and he maximizes it. It’s a tough call but who’s not using a flex role on this guy? Cohen takes a pass that could be four and turns it into forty. As a running back that’s nothing to keep out of the lineup.
No. 2 Derrick Henry vs. Houston
Derrick Henry isn’t the prototypical sleeper. He should be on your roster. You may have thought about benching him after last week. Hear me now, don’t.
This isn’t your waiver wire sleeper, this is your “I doubted my backs after week one” sleeper. Mariota got hurt. Delanie Walker got hurt. Yes, the Lewan injury hurts but Henry should get a ton of touches this week, a ton.
Henry can catch too and if Mariota can’t go, who’s going to ease minds? Henry out of the backfield. He can catch, to a degree, too. Dion Lewis had the better of him last week but Henry is going into a divisional matchup as the guy who doesn’t want to lose this matchup. Don’t bench him in favor of whoever you’re thinking. Make him the flex if you have to.
No. 1 Phillip Lindsay vs. Oakland
Who saw Phillip Lindsay coming? Not us. Hand up. I had Freeman on this list last week. Their number one did put up 71 yards on the ground but didn’t do anything in the pass game.
The undrafted Colorado product? Yeah he had 71 on the ground as well but also caught a couple passes for 31 yards and a touchdown. Lindsay is really quick and I mean really quick. It can’t hurt to have a pure runner like Freeman and pure speed with Lindsay.
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Going up against an Oakland defense that didn’t solve any of their own questions in a loss to Todd Gurley, I mean the Rams, I think Lindsay is a sleeper you should like this week. It’s a flex play, not a RB1 or RB2 but if he can make plays in the air as well as with his touches on the ground he’s a good one.
Comment below what you think I’m wrong on. If Henry struggles, let me know. These ten are who should have success this weekend. It’s all about discussion. Who are your sleepers?