• Tuba Hubbard There is a possibility that Carolina Panthers starter: Jonathan Brooks is just recovering from a torn ACL, so a gradual return could allow Hubbard to play an active role.
• Bucky Irving He has the best landing spot among newcomers: Of all the running backs selected in the first four rounds, Irving was assigned to a team in need of running back help.
• Get an early start on fantasy football: use PFF Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator Get ready for your live draft by creating a real live mock draft simulation.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
These five sleepers have an ADP of 120 or higher on the consensus board and I ranked them significantly higher than their ADP. Some of these players will have an ADP below 120 on other sources with a higher percentage of expert users, but due to the variety of players selected, at least some of them could likely be considered sleepers on any site.
Last updated: Tuesday, July 9th, 7:15am
Tuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (ADP: 13.12, from ADP consensus)
Hubbard was used in a variety of situations over his first two seasons and saw his role increase significantly in 2023, playing at least 64% of the team's offensive snaps over the final seven games. He finished as at least 28th in those games, including two weeks as a top-12 running back.
The Panthers Jonathan Brooks He was a highly-ranked draft pick, but he just returned from a torn ACL. report Brooks still has a long way to go before he settles in for training camp. Hubbard has a good chance to start early in the season and the Panthers shouldn't rush Brooks. Hubbard is a big bet to be a mainstay back late in the draft.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales also has a soft spot for Hubbard, as no offensive lineman he has been a part of has had a fantasy starter season. Ratchad White, Kenneth Walker III, Chris Carson and Marshawn Lynch. These offenses give them enough volume to rank in the top 20 in most seasons regardless of the running back's talent, and it's likely Hubbard will see that volume for at least part of the season.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos (ADP: 13.10)
McLaughlin was the sixth-highest rated running back last season with an offensive rating of 86.2. His yards per carry and tackle avoidance rate were both top 10 among running backs. He also led all running backs in targets per route and was in the top 10 in yards per route (1.63).
The Broncos' usage of their running backs has been less consistent from week to week, with McLaughlin being heavily sued early in the season, being phased out in late November, and then being phased back in by mid-December. Samaje Perrine He played fewer snaps as the season went on. Javonte Williams Sean Payton also played McLaughlin's game, though he had a better season a year after his injury. This offseason's work ethicThe Broncos also Audric Estime The fifth round complicates things.
McLaughlin is 5-foot-8, which is short for a running back, but Sean Payton is used to playing shorter running backs. New Orleans Saints Over the past 15 seasons, running backs under 5'9″ played the second-most offensive snaps: Mark Ingram IIPierre Thomas and Darren Sproles. All three have been fantasy starters for multiple seasons.
Betting on Williams, McLaughlin and Estime isn't a bad idea, as there are bound to be some players with fantasy football value this season. Payton has had success as a running back for years, even without a full-time role. It's entirely possible that McLaughlin will take on a big role in the offense and make him the starter in fantasy football.
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ADP: 17.06)
Irving was selected 125th overall, giving him one of the best landing spots for a rookie running back.
Ten running backs were selected in the first four rounds, and some of those landing spots were Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Los Angeles RamsAll five teams had running backs who ranked in the top 10 in PFF offensive grade last season. Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers They acquired a big-time running back in free agency who was at one point a top-three running back as graded by PFF.
This Jonathan Brooks To Carolina Panthers, Ray Davies To Buffalo Bills Irving then went to the Buccaneers, becoming the only running back drafted close to a good landing spot. Tuba Hubbard and James Cook He finished in the top 16 in rushing last season, which gives Irving the least competition of any running back for a starting spot.
Ratchad White While he had plenty of fantasy production last season, his 68.8 rushing grade was 11th-lowest among 53 running backs with at least 300 snaps. Most of the bottom 10 are expected to see fewer snaps this season, including two unsigned free agents. The Buccaneers' other backups: Chase Edmonds and Sean Tuckerdidn't play particularly well last season, meaning Irving has the second-best chance of earning a starting spot among rookies barring injuries, behind Brooks.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs (ADP: 18.04)
The final two sleepers are handcuffs that haven't gotten enough attention and won't have fantasy value unless the starter gets injured, but the backups could have great fantasy value.
Edwards-Haley has secured a starting role in Kansas City Isaiah PachecoEven when Pacheco was injured for parts of last season, Edwards-Haler Jerick McKinnonThe veteran receiver back has plenty of experience on early downs, and McKinnon has served as the early down backup in place of Edwards-Haley at times.
MacKinnon is now 32, and the Chiefs chose not to re-sign him, at least for now, leaving the only other options left in their depth pool as veterans. Keontay Ingram And second grade Denerick PrinceTwo players and three undrafted rookies who spent most of 2023 on the Chiefs' practice squad. Edwards-Haley should be Kansas City's go-to guy if Pacheco gets injured at any time.
tank bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (ADP: 21.03)
Bigsby is Training camp talk But some costly mistakes kept him from being a key player on offense: He dropped three of his five passes, all three of which bounced off his hands and into the air, two of the three were interceptions, and he also picked up a fumble after passing the ball. Trevor Lawrence He was hit while throwing the ball. He seemed to think it was an incomplete pass, which forced the defense to fumble and resulted in a defensive touchdown. In the run game, he lost one fumble in 51 attempts.
The only bright spot was that he was an effective short-yardage runner when given the opportunity, converting 9 of his 11 first downs when he needed just a yard or two. Travis Etienne Jr.
The good news for him in 2024 is that the game Starting to slow down That should help with the ball safety issues. Etienne was the starting back for much of the first half of the season, but was more of a rotation player in the second half. They Reduce your workload The event is scheduled to return in 2024, which should give Bigsby plenty of opportunities.
It's unlikely that Bigsby will get enough playing time to be a fantasy starter on a regular basis, but he at least has a chance if he can get more consistent in short-yardage situations, especially at the goal line. Bigsby is on this list primarily because he could be the go-to running back if Etienne gets injured.
