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Fantasy Football 2018: 10 RB sleepers to target for Week 13

By Kevin Parvizi

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 30: T.J. Yeldon #24 of the Jacksonville Jaguars fights off the tackle of Darryl Roberts #27 of the New York Jets during their game at TIAA Bank Field on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 30: T.J. Yeldon #24 of the Jacksonville Jaguars fights off the tackle of Darryl Roberts #27 of the New York Jets during their game at TIAA Bank Field on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 25: Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens on November 25, 2018, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 25: Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens on November 25, 2018, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Grabbing two running backs on the same team in fantasy football is rarely advisable, but the Oakland Raiders anemic passing attack provides an exception to the rule. Without Amari Cooper, Derek Carr has essentially nobody to throw it to, and this has generally entrenched Jalen Richard as his most reliable pass-catching target, as uninspiring as that is.

Richard did almost nothing last week against the Baltimore Ravens defense, but the Ravens defense is arguably the stingiest in the NFL. So Richard’s 16 yards from scrimmage on a meager three touches are likely an outlier, especially since he had 93 yards from scrimmage in the Raiders preceding game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona’s run defense more closely mirrors the Kansas City Chiefs unit than the Ravens, and that makes Richard a strong Week 13 play despite being nestled in as Doug Martin’s backup in Oakland.

Richard has five games this season with at least five receptions, and he’s averaging over 50 yards from scrimmage per game. His role in the offense, outlier against Baltimore aside, has generally grown, and Raiders head coach Jon Gruden seems to be high on him. The Chiefs give up 70 receiving yards per game to running backs, 13 rushing touchdowns, and 5.0 yards per carry, so Richard could have himself a solid day.

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