This season the running back position has a clear drop off point. Following Sproles, Mathews, Bradshaw etc there isn't many options you can go with that are guarenteed touches. Rest asured as we highlight several players that will be good value if selected in the right position. Check here for 613u.com's Sleeper RB's and find out who to take and when to take them. Sleepers are listed in order of overall rank. The deeper the sleeper the lower he is on the list.
Look for Ingram to produce TD's at a higher rate this season. 1. Darren McFadden - Raiders - It usually isn't a good idea to draft any Raiders on your roster however this year may be different. McFadden has a history of injuries and is usually over drafted due to his potential. What's different this year? Not much, besides one key ingredient - money! McFadden turned down the option to extended his contract prior to the season meaning this man is running for his life-lihood. Pay attention to how far he slips and be sure to have some decent depth at RB if you draft him as McFadden could make or break your fantasy season. Expect: McFadden to finish Top 10 in Fantasy Points Per Game (FPG) for RBs.
2. Ben Tate - Texans - Tate is a name pretty well known to the fantasy community. This time last year Tate was the ultimate handcuff to Arian Foster with the chance of being a RB1 if Foster did go down. He was in most cases over drafted last year, due to the potential he had, and owners paid the price. (Too bad they didn't pick Alfred Morris in that spot!) Whats different this year? Money is on the table, as Tate is in his contract year, and Arian Foster is coming off another 300+ touch season making him more likely to get dinged up during the season. If he ever is going to have breakout season this is the year for Tate. Target Mr. Tate in the late 9th or early 10th round as a low end RB3 with great upside. Expect: Tate to become a viable RB2/Flex play by mid season as Foster slows in production. 750 rush yards and 6 TDs.
3. Mark Ingram - Saints - Remember Alabama running back? Eddie Lacy? No. Trent Richardson? No. Oh, Mark Ingram? Yes! Try and remember him come draft day because Mark has a few things working for him this year; Sean Payton (the man who drafted him) is back, Chris Ivory is gone, and guess what - it's contract time! Another man sure to be motivated by money this season Ingram has every reason to have his most succesful season yet. Ingram should last long enough to be drafted as your RB4 or RB5. We suggest you wait it out and reep the rewards. Expect: Ingram to rush close to 900 yards and score 6 - 8 TDs.
4. Danny Woodhead - Chargers - Theres the guy we all think we could be if we would've; "just stuck with it", "not had that injury", "had the right opportunity", or whatever. Truth is Danny is a good football player and he is in a great situation with a great opportunity. Already having a defined role as the 3rd down RB guarentees Woodhead will see the ball on a weekly basis. Add that to the fact that he plays behind Mr. Made of Glass Ryan Mathews and Woodhead only seems to get more touches. San Diego seems destined for the celllar this season which is bad news for Chargers fans but good news for owners with Woodhead. As the team should trail often Rivers will be forced to throw more and as the O-Line struggles he should have to dump the ball off even more to Woodhead. Draft two stud RBs, get Danny as your (RB3 in PPR leagues) RB4. Expect Woodhead to get 60-80 total yards per game and finish with 6 - 8 TDs.
5. Fred Jackson - Bills - Now why does everyone want to forget about Fred? Two years ago he was the best RB in fantasy football heading into Week 9. A few injuries later and C.J. Spiller is the talk of the town and ol reliable Fred is the forgotten man right? Wrong! Not in Buffalo he's not. He is still a vital part of the team not only from a leadership perspective but in terms of gameplan as well, Fred should get close to 10 touches per game, which is enough for a bye week option, but one injury to C.J. Spiller and he is the feature guy in a run heavy offense. Take a gamble on a RB3 and draft Jackson as a safe RB4. Expect: Fred to get stronger as the season goes on and to have a couple big games mid-late year. (Seaon Totals: 600-800 rush/rec yards + 8 TDs)
2. Ben Tate - Texans - Tate is a name pretty well known to the fantasy community. This time last year Tate was the ultimate handcuff to Arian Foster with the chance of being a RB1 if Foster did go down. He was in most cases over drafted last year, due to the potential he had, and owners paid the price. (Too bad they didn't pick Alfred Morris in that spot!) Whats different this year? Money is on the table, as Tate is in his contract year, and Arian Foster is coming off another 300+ touch season making him more likely to get dinged up during the season. If he ever is going to have breakout season this is the year for Tate. Target Mr. Tate in the late 9th or early 10th round as a low end RB3 with great upside. Expect: Tate to become a viable RB2/Flex play by mid season as Foster slows in production. 750 rush yards and 6 TDs.
3. Mark Ingram - Saints - Remember Alabama running back? Eddie Lacy? No. Trent Richardson? No. Oh, Mark Ingram? Yes! Try and remember him come draft day because Mark has a few things working for him this year; Sean Payton (the man who drafted him) is back, Chris Ivory is gone, and guess what - it's contract time! Another man sure to be motivated by money this season Ingram has every reason to have his most succesful season yet. Ingram should last long enough to be drafted as your RB4 or RB5. We suggest you wait it out and reep the rewards. Expect: Ingram to rush close to 900 yards and score 6 - 8 TDs.
4. Danny Woodhead - Chargers - Theres the guy we all think we could be if we would've; "just stuck with it", "not had that injury", "had the right opportunity", or whatever. Truth is Danny is a good football player and he is in a great situation with a great opportunity. Already having a defined role as the 3rd down RB guarentees Woodhead will see the ball on a weekly basis. Add that to the fact that he plays behind Mr. Made of Glass Ryan Mathews and Woodhead only seems to get more touches. San Diego seems destined for the celllar this season which is bad news for Chargers fans but good news for owners with Woodhead. As the team should trail often Rivers will be forced to throw more and as the O-Line struggles he should have to dump the ball off even more to Woodhead. Draft two stud RBs, get Danny as your (RB3 in PPR leagues) RB4. Expect Woodhead to get 60-80 total yards per game and finish with 6 - 8 TDs.
5. Fred Jackson - Bills - Now why does everyone want to forget about Fred? Two years ago he was the best RB in fantasy football heading into Week 9. A few injuries later and C.J. Spiller is the talk of the town and ol reliable Fred is the forgotten man right? Wrong! Not in Buffalo he's not. He is still a vital part of the team not only from a leadership perspective but in terms of gameplan as well, Fred should get close to 10 touches per game, which is enough for a bye week option, but one injury to C.J. Spiller and he is the feature guy in a run heavy offense. Take a gamble on a RB3 and draft Jackson as a safe RB4. Expect: Fred to get stronger as the season goes on and to have a couple big games mid-late year. (Seaon Totals: 600-800 rush/rec yards + 8 TDs)
