It is always rewarding to pick an under-the-radar type of player who surprises and rewards some major fantasy points later down the road. Even better is selecting this type of player in late draft rounds.
Here are five running backs who should be available in later draft rounds who may surprise us as “sleepers” this season.
1. David Cobb, Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ second-season running back Bishop Sankey was terribly ineffective last season as a fantasy option. He ranked 43rd overall in fantasy points scoring a total of only 78.10 over the course of the season. Additionally, he scored just two measly touchdowns.
This is why Cobb makes a great grab and stash pick late in drafting. He is coming off of an excellent college season where he tallied 1,646 yards and 13 touchdowns while maintaining 5.2 yards per carry. His size and speed could have the Titans testing him out in certain plays. The team’s other rusher Shonn Greene was less impactful than Sankey in 2014 and also scored only two touchdowns.
When a team’s two lead running backs can only muster up four total rushing touchdowns combined, it is time to explore other options. This is surely the reason the Titans picked up Cobb in this year’s draft.
2. Joseph Randle, Dallas Cowboys
At this time it would appear that fellow running back Darren McFadden will head the team as the lead rusher this season while the Cowboys use their other running backs in mixed doses. We all know McFadden has a horrendous past with becoming injured on the job. He’s reportedly dealing with a minor hamstring tweak right now and it is only June.
Another Cowboys’ running back worth picking up later in drafting is Randle. In his limited plays last season, he averaged 6.7 yards per carry, tallied 343 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns. He possesses incredible speed and at only 23-years-old, he could display enough potential that the team eventually begins to lean on him more as the season progresses. At the very least, pick up Randle as McFadden’s handcuff.
3. David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals need another back to share the duties with their current starter Andre Ellington. Ellington began the 2014 season with a bang then fizzled out towards the end. His lackluster season as a starter left his fantasy owners short-changed and he only managed to score a total of five touchdowns. His health and durability were issues also which does not make him a reliable option as an every-down back entering into the 2015 season.
This is where drafting Johnson could come in handy. He’s sure to give Ellington some competition when training camp gets started. The team may also rely on him in late down situations which is where Ellington failed to excel. If Johnson can prove to be more resilient down the road he may just edge Ellington out of the driver’s seat and surprise those who chose him late in drafting.
4. C.J. Spiller, New Orleans Saints
Spiller makes for a sneaky fantasy prospect in PPR leagues where players are awarded extra points for receptions. He could certainly be lined up to catch short-yardage passes in the Saints’ offense. Think back to the role Darren Sproles had in New Orleans a couple of seasons ago.
Spiller possesses fabulous speed and has maintained an average of 5.0 yards per carry over his five-year NFL career. While the Saints will rely on Mark Ingram for the majority of their rushing plays, Spiller’s shifty quickness after catching a pass will be something that makes him worth owning as a flex in certain fantasy scoring formats.
5. Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sims showed flashes of potential prior to the start of the regular 2014 season before he broke his leg. He was limited last year upon his return, however he is healthy now and looks to be in the running to compete for the team’s starting job.
The Bucs’ first-round pick from 2012, Doug Martin who earned the nickname "Muscle Hamster" should be renamed "Muscle Turtle." From being a fantasy first-overall pick in 2013 to sitting on the waiver wire come the end of 2014, Tampa Bay needs to turn to other options this year. Bobby Rainey was not much more productive than Martin in 2014 managing only two total touchdowns from 94 attempts.
Sims could certainly give these two a run for their money as the summer preseason competition plays out making him a handy draft pick to own down the road.