😴 17 Sleeper RBs for fantasy football 2023

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Happy Thirsty Thursday, fellow fantasy fanatics! Have a post-draft-draught for me!

Today in 5 minutes or less, you’ll learn:

• Deep fantasy sleepers 🛏

• Zero-RB Draft Targets 0️⃣

• Fresh-faced rookies with skill 👶 

• The latest NFL news 🏈 

James Cook (BUF), ADP 95.9, RB30:

Dalvin’s little brother still has a team, and was explosive for them last season.

• 2nd in true yards per carry (5.3)

• 1st in breakaway run rate (12.1%)

Devin Singletary and his 53 targets have left Buffalo, so Cook’s 31.2% opportunity share should rise a little higher.

Damien Harris was brought in as a bigger, physical goal-line back.

Cook being established helps his outlook here, and he can be drafted at ADP.

Zach Charbonnet (SEA), ADP 101.8, RB32:

He may not get early-down work over Ken Walker right away, but he can catch:

He earned an 11.2% target share at UCLA in ‘22, catching 37 balls for 321 yards.

It paired nicely with 1,329 rush yards.

Recently, the coaching staff has been impressed with Charbonnet in workouts.

(per Rotoballer)

Charbonnet projects to slot in as Seattle’s RB2, and could increase his role as the 2023 season wears on.

Antonio Gibson (WAS), ADP 106.4, RB34:

Brian Robinson is probably the starter.

Even though Gibson lost some of his efficiency, he was good in some key areas:

• 9th in yards per route run (1.66)

• 12th in yards per reception (7.7)

J.D. McKissic had 40 targets in his 8 games in ‘22, and a 13.9% target share.

That means Gibson’s 12% target share could rise, making him a PPR value.

Samaje Perine (DEN), ADP 107, RB34:

The fantasy community is up on Perine lately and it’s for really good reasons.

Check out his 3rd-down skill set:

• 14th in yards per reception (7.6)

• 15th in yards per route run (1.34)

• 11th in fantasy points per opp. (0.97)

With Javonte Williams’s health still a question mark, Perine can step up.

He scored 23.6 points per game over 3 weeks as the main guy in Cincinnati last year.

Even if Williams is healthy, Perine is a later-round draft pick with serious upside.

Rashaad Penny (PHI), ADP 115.5, RB38:

Penny will compete with D’Andre Swift to be Philadelphia’s RB1. Tough to know how it might shake out.

Swift’s ADP is 40 spots earlier.

Penny has been an efficient runner:

• 1st in true YPC in 5 games in ‘22

• 2nd in true YPC in 10 games in 21

He doesn’t have the same receiving chops as Swift, but can carve out a role for Philly.

Ditto for your fantasy squad.

PrizePicks doesn’t have Penny yet for season props, but they do have Swift listed for 599.5 yards (I like him to surpass it).

Considering Miles Sanders rushed for 1,269 last season, they probably believe Penny has a significant role to play.

Devon Achane (MIA), ADP 117.5, RB39:

Achane’s elite speed and his competition will give him a shot to contribute right away.

He’s competing with 31-year-old Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr, who’s never had more than 600 rushing yards.

Achane caught 60 balls for 457 yards over the last 2 years at Texas A&M.

He had a 38-215-2 game against LSU.

If Miami can get him in the right spots to utilize the elite speed, he’ll be worth a pick.

I expect he’ll see the field.

Elijah Mitchell (SF), ADP 123, RB41:

He’s one of the premiere backups in football as Christian McCaffrey’s handcuff.

As a rookie in ‘21, he nearly reached 1,000 yards on the ground, and was:

• 17th in breakaway runs (8)

• 3rd opportunity share (80.8%)

• 16th in true yards per carry (4.5)

• 14th in fantasy points per game (15)

CMC touched the ball nearly 330 times last season, so the 49ers would be wise to ease his workload to keep him fresh.

If they do, Mitchell could be in line to produce at the level the he’s flashed.

Jaylen Warren (PIT), ADP 138.8, RB45:

As Najee Harris’s backup, Warren was:

• 5th in juke rate (40%)

• 16th in breakaway run rate (6.5%)

And had a respectable 1.47 yards per route run, albeit on not many total routes.

Harris has a lock on the bell cow role, but Warren has been an OTA standout and may force the coaching staff’s hands.

(The Athletic)

Tank Bigsby (JAX), ADP 141.3, RB46:

Over the last two seasons at Auburn:

• 402 carries

• 2,069 yards

• 20 total TDs

Perhaps most impressively, he was 6th in yards after contact per attempt (4.13)

(@AndrewErickson_)

Travis Etienne scored just 5 total TDs despite 45 red zone touches in ‘22.

It’s possible Bigsby will slide into that role for the Jags, raising his ceiling.

Roschon Johnson (CHI), ADP 149.2, RB47:

Neither Khalil Herbert nor D’Onta Foreman are known for their pass-catching abilities.

Johnson graded highly as a pass-blocker and had 128 receiving yards in ‘22, so he could earn 3rd-down work for da Bears.

It doesn’t hurt that PlayerProfiler names Josh Jacobs as his closest comparison. As we know, he’s a huge fantasy asset.

Jerome Ford (CLE), ADP 158.6, RB50:

RB coach Stump Mitchell recently praised Nick Chubb’s presumable backup.

Reports are he will get some receiving work out of the backfield.

(per FantasyPros)

Ford had a tremendous college season in ‘21, rushing for 1,315 yards and adding 220 more through the air with 20 total TDs.

If Chubb goes down, he’ll inherit the work in Deshaun Watson’s offense.

Chase Brown (CIN), ADP 188.7, RB58:

Brown was a workhorse for Illinois in 22:

• 2nd in total carries (328)

• 4th in total rush yards (1,643)

He had over 100 yards in 10 of 12 games.

And, he ranked 5th at his position for athleticism score (PlayerProfiler).

Joe Mixon’s efficiency took a hit last season, and if that continues, the Bengals may possibly turn to Brown to put in work.

Gus Edwards (BAL), ADP 190.1, RB59:

I prefer J.K. Dobbins.

But, if he succumbs to injury woes again, Edwards is the next guy in line.

He ranked 11th in true yards per carry (4.8) and Baltimore’s been top-3 in rushing yards every year since he’s been a pro.

Plenty of opportunities for production in Baltimore, especially for a late pick.

Kareem Hunt (FA), ADP 203.1, RB61:

He still needs a team, but we’ve seen him produce as a pass-catching back.

In an injury-shortened ‘21:

• 10th in true yards per carry

• 6th in fantasy points per opportunity

It’s been floated recently that the Commanders have interest in Hunt. If that happens, it will affect the ceilings of a few other guys.

Pierre Strong (NE), ADP 206.3, RB63:

Rhamondre Stevenson can’t get ALL the carries in New England, as much as we in the fantasy world want to see it.

James Robinson didn’t make Belichick’s cut, and Ty Montgomery is 30 years old.

Strong’s speed keeps him in the conversation; he’s got a 4.37 40-time and a 95th-percentile speed score from PlayerProfiler.

If he earns the role as Rhamondre’s backup, he’s got fantasy upside.

Kyren Williams (LAR), ADP 215.6, RB75:

OTAs are not reliable for making predictions, but Williams got first team reps while consistently rotating with Cam Akers.

Akers was expected to be the workhorse.

Sean McVay called Williams “one of the bright spots” of the offense over the course of those workouts (Sports Illustrated).

He may need to beat out other guys like Sony Michel, but the Rams’ offense isn’t the worst place to find fantasy relevance.

Sean Tucker (TB), ADP 215.8, RB79:

Rachaad White said Tucker is called “Baby Nick Chubb” due to his look and running style.

(per Pewter Report)

While a nickname does not a playing comparison make, Tucker did run for 2,556 yards on 452 carries and 27 total TDs for Syracuse the last 2 years.

He added 56 receptions.

Tampa’s RB room will have to shake itself out before we give Tucker a serious look, but he’s worth monitoring this summer.

💪 Justin Fields' Passer Progress: Fantasy Goldmine or Fool's Gold?

🐬 Tyreek’s Trouble: Assault Allegations Rock Miami

🐎 Broncos' Secret Weapon Ready to Shine

🚫 Steelers Release Enigmatic Wideout

🏃‍♂️ Journeyman RB Joins Rams: Akers' Backup or Challenger for the Throne?

💎 Giants WR Getting First Team Reps: Surprise Fantasy Gem?

😡 Jamison Crowder's Roster Snub: Will He Find a New Home?

😱 Surprise TE Emerging in Jets' Offense: Sleeper Alert!

✈️ Jets' Crowded Receiving Corps Clouding Mims’ Future

🩼 Zonovan Knight's Injury Woes: Jets' RB Depth Question Mark

Cheers for today. May your victories be plentiful!

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