5 sleeper running backs to track this preseason
These running backs have been the most-hyped by fantasy football experts so far this summer, and are worth keeping on your radar.
I joked in my last post that if you read enough fantasy advice articles, every quarterback gets the sleeper label at some point. But when it comes to running backs, this is even more true, as I quickly realized as I continued my little curation experiment.
After reading just four articles, I was already on 20+ backs, no joke! But I kept on going until a small group of favorites emerged from the masses. Here are the five getting the most hype from experts as August kicks off and we near the heart of NFL training camp action.
ADP source: fantasypros.com, 12-team PPR drafts
Jaleel Mclaughlin, Denver Broncos (ADP: 159, RB52)
No back has been cited more as a sleeper by experts than Jaleel McLaughlin, who many like to emerge in his second NFL season from Denver’s crowded backfield as the team’s fantasy back to own in 2024. As The Athletic’s Jake Ciely writes, “If you’re taking a chance on a muddy backfield, do so with the pass-catcher; in this case, McLaughlin seems to have Sean Payton’s eye.”
If you’re a fan of PFF.com’s player grades (if you’re not, why the hell not?), McLaughlin proved his value last season. He “was the sixth-highest-graded running back last season,” and he “led all running backs in targets per route, leading to a top-10 yards per route run figure (1.63),” PFF.com’s Nathan Jahnke points out.
Who else likes him: RotoBaller’s Mike Fanelli; CBSSports’ Heath Cummings, Jamey Eisenberg, & Dave Richards; ProFootballNetwork’s Derek Tate; ESPN’s Tristan H. Cockcroft & Liz Loza; Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling; FantasyPros Staff
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (ADP: 106, RB37)
Benson, the second running back taken in this year’s NFL Draft, is the clear backup to James Conner in Arizona, but there are reasons to find a spot on your fantasy bench for the rookie runner. “Conner has never been super durable … so I wouldn’t be shocked to see Benson start a few games,” writes SI.com’s Michael Fabiano.
In fact, Conner has never played a full season, as ESPN’s Field Yates points out. “If a situation occurs in which Benson is needed for spot duties for a few games, I have zero doubt he'll shine as a starter,” he writes.
Who else likes him: Football Guys’ Julia Papworth; Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling; FantasyPros Staff
Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants (ADP: 173, RB53)
If you’re drafting the rookie Tyrone Tracy, it’s not because you expect him to beat out Devin Singletary in camp as the Giants’ new lead back, it’s for his expected pass-catching prowess. “Even though he’ll likely be listed as a running back, Tracy’s versatility should give him tons of touches as both a runner and a receiver, giving him PPR value for fantasy managers, ” writes Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling.
Others have pointed to Singletary’s extensive 2023 workload as a potential soft spot that the explosive Tracy could exploit. “Singletary’s career-high 216 carries in 2023 was coupled with a career-low 4.16 yards per carry. If Tracy can provide a spark to the Giants’ offense early in the season in a complementary role, it’s not that farfetched to suggest his role could expand exponentially throughout the season,” writes ProFootballNetwork.com’s Derek Tate.
Who else likes him: Draft Sharks’ Matt Shauf; Fantasy Life’s Christopher Allen; CBS Sports’ Dave Richards
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (ADP: 100, RB35)
Tony Pollard was brought in this offseason to replace Derrick Henry in the eyes of many, and that is why he’ll get drafted ahead of Tyjae Spears in most fantasy drafts. But as DraftSharks’ Matt Schauf points out, “Titans HC Brian Callahan has called Pollard and Spears “interchangeable” at multiple points this offseason, while also deeming their skill sets different.”
As FootballGuys.com’s Julia Papworth sees it, “Whenever a coach says something like that, I will target the running back with more upside talent-wise, going later in drafts, and tada! That is Spears.”
Who else likes him: SI.com’s Michael Fabiano; ESPN’s Eric Moody; fantraxHQ’s Nick Skrip
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (ADP: 118, RB42)
This is another backfield situation where the free-agent brought in to replace the starter, in this case, Zack Moss in, Joe Mixon out, may not end up being the best fantasy back to own. “While Moss was great filling in for Jonathan Taylor last year in the first five weeks of the season, Moss struggled to stay healthy when given chances to start in Buffalo at the beginning of his career. And it might not take an injury to Moss for Brown to prove he's the best running back for the Bengals,” writes CBSSports’ Jamey Eisenberg.
Jamey’s CBSSports colleague Dave Richards is also optimistic: “A good preseason could put Brown in great position to lead the Bengals backfield and become a 15-plus PPR Fantasy back.”
Who else likes him: Draft Sharks’ Matt Shauf; SI.com’s Michael Fabiano
Honorable Mentions
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (ADP: 143, RB45)
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings (ADP: 141, RB44)
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (ADP: 151, RB51)
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ADP: 201, RB58)
