Looking for fantasy football running back sleepers? Read on. The running back position doesn't get nearly as much love as it once did, especially when it comes to paying NFL rushers these days. However, that doesn't make this position any less vital to fantasy football owners, who want to find RB sleepers with their team's top pick in the draft. Let's consider these fantasy football sleepers.
While most of the first round consists of no-brainer picks at the running back position, it is typically the later rounds in which one man's trash becomes another man's treasure. It can be argued that attaining a sleeper running back later on in the draft is equally as important as securing a legitimate RB1 early on.
*Additionally, here are ClutchPoints' top fantasy football sleepers at wide receiver, quarterback, and tight end, as well as sleeper rookies*
Depth is extremely important when it comes to fantasy football running back sleepers — the NFL is no doubt a full contact league. With that being said, though, an abbreviated offseason this time around will probably put an extra emphasis on both health and depth in 2020-21.
Fantasy Football Sleepers
10. Chris Thompson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Now a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending time with the Washington Redskins, running back Chris Thompson could quickly become the ultimate compliment to starting running back Leonard Fournette. With the speedy Thompson previously serving as one of the top third-down backs in the entire league, he has the ability to bounce a run outside in addition to effectively catching passes out of the backfield as well.
9. Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers
Even with Aaron Jones still in place as the starting running back for the Green Bay Packers, fellow rusher Jamaal Williams could see an increased role in 2020-21 as he was impressive at times last season. Whether it be in the red zone or on third down, perhaps Williams can steal a few touchdowns away from Jones en route to becoming a quality bench player and even fringe starter in 2020-21. It is also worth noting that the role of soon-to-be Packers rookie running back A.J. Dillon remains unknown as his presence could devalue Williams as the season progresses.
8. Darrynton Evans, Tennessee Titans
With Dion Lewis now with the New York Giants and Derrick Henry locked up with a brand-new, long-term contract, it appears as though the Tennessee Titans drafted Darrynton Evans in order to utilize his services on third down. Even though Henry has done some serious damage when being allowed to catch passes, the arrival of Evans surely means that he will be the primary pass catcher for the Titans out of the backfield in 2020-21, which could bode well for fantasy owners if Tennessee offensive coordinator Arthur Smith truly unleashes the first-year back.
7. Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams
With Todd Gurley officially with the Atlanta Falcons, the Los Angeles Rams will need a bonafide starter in the backfield. That bonafide starter could very well be former Florida State Seminoles standout Cam Akers as the soon-to-be rookie with be competing with Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown, though the 2020 NFL Draft pick could quickly emerge as the main main in the Rams backfield.
6. LeSean McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If not for the slew of weapons currently employed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, longtime NFL running back LeSean McCoy would be even higher on this list. With former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady surely slated to dump the ball off on third down and in enemy territory, it is a pretty safe bet to think that McCoy will be the recipient of more than a few passes out of the Buccaneers backfield in 2020-21. The more targets McCoy sees, the better his chances are of scoring a touchdown as it remains to be seen as to how many carries he ultimately gets for Tampa Bay.
5. D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
Although former Georgia Bulldogs running back D'Andre Swift has yet to play a single NFL down after being selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, there is a pretty good possibility that he ultimately becomes the team's starter in the backfield before the 2020-21 campaign comes to a close. With fellow Lions running back Kerryon Johnson simply unable to stay healthy during his NFL tenure as it stands today, Swift could quickly encounter more and more touches as the regular season progresses.
4. Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
Because former Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon signed with the rival Denver Broncos this offseason, Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson will now take over on a full time basis in the backfield for the AFC West franchise. Even though Ekeler will now become the team's starting running back, Jackson will surely get his fair share of touches as the latter impressed at times last season. As Jackson has already shown that he can handle a hefty workload, expect the Chargers to utilize a tandem approach in the backfield as Ekeler can also line up all over the field, paving the way for some additional touches for Jackson.
3. James White, New England Patriots
It is currently expected that New England Patriots running back Sony Michel could miss a solid chunk of the 2020-21 regular season. If that is eventually the case, expect fellow Patriots running back James White to do what he does best — catch the football out of the backfield and score touchdowns. If White can produce with Michel around, just think what he might be able to do without his New England running mate on the field.
2. Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles
With Jordan Howard officially with the Miami Dolphins, it will be running backs Miles Sanders and Boston Scott in the Philadelphia Eagles backfield this time around. With the Eagles encountering a slew of injuries at a variety of key positions last season, Scott was able to put his skills on full display down the stretch of the 2019-20 campaign. Because he is no doubt a talented player, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson will definitely get Scott some touches to compliment the aforementioned Sanders.
1. Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Despite the fact that Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison tops this list of fantasy football running back sleepers, his presence comes with a major caveat. If current Vikings starting running back Dalvin Cook continues to hold out, it could ultimately be Mattison that sees the majority of the workload in the Minnesota backfield in 2020-21. Because the Vikings have a solid veteran quarterback leading an all-around solid offensive attack, Mattison could potentially thrive if handed the reins with Cook possibly still on the sideline come Week 1.
*Additionally, here are ClutchPoints' top fantasy football sleepers at wide receiver, quarterback, and tight end, as well as sleeper rookies*
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