With training camps around the NFL opening up, it means that Fantasy Football draft season is right around the corner. People have already begun putting together their draft boards, scouring depth charts around the league trying to find the next potential sleeper that turns into a league-winning player.
At the running back position, there are a few players that would fall into that category that emerge every season. With teams turning their focus away from committing big money to established veterans, younger, less heralded players are being given the chance to succeed.
In some cases, all a player needed was a change of scenery or updated game plan to have their luck and production turn around. Who could fall into that description right now? Here are three sleeper running back targets for you in your Fantasy Football drafts.
3. Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders looked like they would do everything they could to phase Antonio Gibson out of their offense last season. However, Brian Robinson Jr.’s unfortunate situation before the season when he got shot led to Gibson getting back into the mix offensively. When J.D. McKissic went down with an injury of his own, Gibson was locked into a role in the Commanders’ backfield.
With sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez being the only competition added, Gibson is in line once again for a sizable role. With Eric Bieniemy taking over as the offensive coordinator, there is a chance that the Memphis product easily outproduces his current average draft position.
Gibson has also been vocal about wanting his role to expand this season to include more reps at wide receiver, where he played collegiately. He had 46 receptions for 353 yards and two touchdowns last season.
It would not be shocking to see those numbers tick up with Bieniemy calling the shots. In the world of Fantasy Football, a pass-catching back on a team projected to lose a lot is a combination as perfect as peanut butter and jelly.
2. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have an intriguing offense that Fantasy Football managers will be keeping an eye on throughout training camp and the regular season. There is a lot of value to be found in Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth and Najee Harris.
One person that is sometimes forgotten about is running back Jaylen Warren. As an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma State, he was carving out a nice role, providing some explosiveness that Harris wasn’t.
While his standalone value may fluctuate throughout the season depending on the game script, a repeat of his 2022 and Warren could work his way into the FLEX conversation every week.
Also, the heavy workload that Harris has would go to Warren should Harris have to miss time. Opportunity is king in Fantasy Football and Warren would be in for a huge usage rate should Harris miss time. That makes the second-year player one of the best handcuffs in the league with some weekly upside.
1. Rashaad Penny, Philadelphia Eagles
The running back market has received a lot of attention this offseason given how little amount of money has been spent. While a lot of attention has been given to players who didn’t receive long-term deals, one player who signed a contract that has flown under the radar is Rashaad Penny.
Penny isn’t receiving much attention in Fantasy Football circles right now but he should be. The Eagles are a high-powered offense that saw Miles Sanders finish as one of the best players at the position last year. As long as Penny can remain healthy, which is a big if, he is going to win some people their leagues in 2023.
Penny is efficient whenever he is on the field and behind arguably the best offensive line in the NFL, that should continue. Philadelphia is a running back haven given how many games they should be icing away this season. D’Andre Swift’s presence hampers some of Penny’s upside, but staying healthy hasn’t been a strong suit of Swift’s either, so Penny should receive plenty of opportunities to shine.
