This article will explore some of the top running back sleepers to target in your fantasy football draft. By analyzing their situations, skill sets and the opportunities they may encounter, we aim to help you identify the next breakout stars. With the right sleeper picks, you can gain a significant edge over your competition, turning what might have been an average team into a championship contender.
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Running Back Fantasy Football Sleepers
In the world of fantasy football, uncovering hidden gems can be the difference between a good season and a championship run. Among the most coveted of these gems are running back sleepers — players who are often overlooked in drafts but have the potential to significantly outperform their average draft position (ADP). These sleepers can emerge as key contributors, often propelling savvy managers to unexpected victories as they seize opportunities others missed.
Running back sleepers typically include players who are poised for breakout seasons but have been under the radar due to factors like limited playing time in the previous year, being part of a committee backfield or simply being on less popular teams.
However, as the season progresses, these players can benefit from injuries to starters, favorable matchups or unexpected roles in their team’s offense, suddenly transforming them into fantasy gold. Identifying these sleepers requires a keen eye for potential, a deep understanding of team dynamics and a bit of luck.
Jerome Ford (RB – CLE)
While all the focus has been on Nick Chubb and his recovery from knee surgeries and hopeful return to the team, Jerome Ford continues to fly under the radar during fantasy draft season. He is currently coming off the board as the RB40 in drafts and could become a screaming value early on during the 2024 season. Last year, in relief of the injured Chubb, he quietly turned in a solid 12.4 fantasy points per game (PPG), which resulted in a finish as RB25.
Sharing the backfield with Kareem Hunt, Ford was able to accumulate 813 rushing yards, 44 receptions and nine total touchdowns on the season. Not a bad return at all for the fantasy managers who were lucky enough to roster him late in drafts. His dual-threat ability was on full display as he was able to finish inside the top 24 at the position in both carries (204/RB23) and targets (63/RB14). His routes run (245/RB18) in limited action (53.7% snap share) was a very encouraging sign Ford may continue to be utilized in the third-down role for the Browns.
As the 2024 season draws near, Ford finds himself as an afterthought for fantasy managers during drafts, according to fantasy ADP. But the truth of the matter is he is currently the starting RB for a Browns offense that is consistently in the top half of the league in terms of run percentage (45.4% in 2023). With the health status of Nick Chubb currently in flux as he has yet to be cleared for contact, Ford could see a heavy workload during the early stages of the season.
Although D’Onta Foreman also figures to be in the mix, Ford has the clear path to receive the majority of usage in the backfield. Add in the receiving upside he offers and you have an RB that you can get late in the ninth round of drafts who could develop into an every-week Flex play.
Rico Dowdle (RB – DAL)
Figuring out the Dallas Cowboys’ backfield has been one of the biggest mysteries of the 2024 offseason. After saying the team was going “all in,” Jerry Jones proceeded to bring back what is currently left of Ezekiel Elliott, but the team also decided to re-sign last year’s backup to Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle. In limited action in 2023, there were flashes occasionally of a player that could be intriguing if allowed more usage in the backfield.
Dowdlle sported a solid 4.8 yards per touch and an eyebrow-raising 0.82 fantasy points per opportunity (RB26). But his yard created per opportunity (3.92/RB9) shows an RB that could provide significant production if worked into the game plan with more consistency. Although he saw minimal usage in the passing game (1.4 targets per game), this is an aspect of his game that has yet to be truly untapped.
If the Cowboys do intend to proceed into the 2024 season with the RB tandem of Elliott and Dowdle, expect to see more usage early on for Elliott as he comes with more reliability within the system in previous seasons. But time will quickly tell who the more athletic and explosive player is in this backfield, something the team will be in dire need of in 2024. As defenses look to focus solely on the passing attack and put more pressure on Dak Prescott, Dowdle could see plenty of running room to create space and yards after contact.
I am fully expecting Elliott to see his touches diminish as the year moves along because the team will want to keep him fresh for a potential playoff berth. That will become a positive for fantasy managers, as Dowdle could pay off big time for a player currently being drafted as the RB42 in the 11th round of drafts. Dowdle could be a player you get as your RB5 and quickly becomes someone who sneaks into your lineup as he is on the right side of the committee for a high-scoring Cowboys offense.
Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC)
I cannot let a sleeper article go by without writing about possibly my favorite running back to go through the 2024 NFL Draft cycle — none other than Kimani Vidal. The 5-foot-8, 213-pound bowling ball from Troy was one of the most prolific runners in the NCAA over the last two seasons. Rushing for over 2,700 yards and 24 touchdowns in the past two years, Vidal showed an explosive and powerful running style you rarely see in players of his stature. He is a do-it-all-back who can fit into any role he is asked to play within an offense.
Vidal has the strength for short-yardage work and the receiving ability to be on the field for third downs. But what is sometimes overlooked with Vidal’s ability is his knack for creating in the open field. He was second in the NCAA in 2023 in both yards after contact (1,056) and missed tackles forced (94). Add in his ability to adapt to either a zone or gap running scheme and you have a player that could excel beyond expectations at the next level.
After being drafted by the Chargers back in April, many people saw this as just a depth move due to the team already bringing in Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins to pair with their previous offensive coordinator Greg Roman. But, with both backs having previous bouts of inability to stay healthy, there is a window for which Vidal could see the field and prove he has the skill set to become the RB1 for the Chargers. Vidal has already drawn praise from Charger great and fantasy football legend, LaDainian Tomlinson.
Also, after rumors of potentially being cut arose during the time in which Vidal was banged up and missing practice, he has since gotten on the field to put those to bed and solidified himself as the RB3 in camp. We all know head coach Jim Harbaugh will have a desire to run the ball as much as humanly possible, which means more wear and tear on the veterans in front of Vidal. It will only be a matter of time before he assumes the role as the lead back for the team and could be a reason why many fantasy managers are pushing for a title in 2024 after drafting him at his current RB52 in ADP.
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