If there’s one thing fantasy managers love, it’s a good sleeper. In today’s fantasy football landscape, finding one is harder than ever. Leaving no stone unturned, we’re going through all 32 NFL teams to pinpoint the best sleeper running back candidate on each roster.
1 Sleeper Running Back From Every NFL Team
Arizona Cardinals: Trey Benson
For the second straight year, Trey Benson is the top sleeper pick in Arizona’s backfield. Make no mistake, James Conner is the guy. His role isn’t changing. He can play all three downs, and as long as he’s healthy, Benson won’t be much of a factor.
Still, the Cardinals made it clear they see Benson as the future. They extended Conner, but he’s now 30 and has a long injury history.
It’s hard to imagine Benson overtaking Conner outright. But if Conner misses time, Benson is clearly next up on a depth chart that also includes Emari Demercado, DeeJay Dallas, and Michael Carter. If he’s pressed into service, Benson could see a heavy workload.
As a rookie, Benson totaled just 69 touches in 13 games, but he’s only 23 and entering Year 2. There’s still upside here. He’s worth drafting as a handcuff, and his RB45 ADP feels fair.
Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Allgeier
This one’s simple. Tyler Allgeier already has a 1,000-yard season under his belt. In 2022, he averaged 10 fantasy points per game as the Falcons’ lead back.
Allgeier has been solid for a fifth-round pick. In a different scenario, he might still be starting. But the Falcons took Bijan Robinson, and there’s no reason to take touches away from him, aside from Arthur Smith’s 2023 playcalling quirks.
Allgeier has held fantasy value the past two years, finishing as an RB4 both seasons. He hasn’t been startable weekly, but he’s worth a bench spot.
The key with a backup like Allgeier is clarity. The challenge with handcuffs is figuring out: 1) Are they clearly next in line? 2) How much of the starter’s role can they replicate?
We can say with confidence that Allgeier would take over if Robinson went down. We also have a good idea of his output, likely 60-70% of Robinson’s production. That makes his RB48 ADP a decent value.
Baltimore Ravens: Keaton Mitchell
Justice Hill may be listed as the Ravens’ RB2, but he’s not much of a sleeper. Even if Derrick Henry got hurt, Hill’s role wouldn’t expand much. He’d get more work, but he’s not built to be a featured back. Keaton Mitchell is.
Mitchell was starting to break out as a rookie before a torn ACL halted his progress. That injury lingered into 2024, and he never got going.
Before the injury, Mitchell showed elite burst. He had 134 total yards in just his second NFL game.
Henry is known for his durability. Even at 31, he hasn’t shown much wear, missing only eight games in his career, all from a broken foot in 2021. His bruising style actually helps him stay on the field.
Mitchell won’t be drafted in most redraft leagues. He’s technically RB3 on the depth chart and unlikely to be fantasy relevant — unless Henry goes down. If that happens, Mitchell, not Hill, is the true sleeper in this backfield.
Buffalo Bills: Ray Davis
The Bills used a committee approach last season. James Cook is the clear RB1, but both Ty Johnson and rookie Ray Davis saw work. Johnson often got the first snaps, but Davis out-touched him 130 to 59. Buffalo brings back the same trio in 2025.
Davis looked good on limited touches as a rookie. He averaged 4.9 yards per touch (26th in the league) and ranked 14th in evaded tackles per touch.
Ray Davis vs. James Cook in 2024:
+ Cook: 0.20 MTF/Att, 2.48 YACo/Att + Davis: 0.24 MTF/Att, 2.55 YACo/Att
Davis got an abnormal amount of his carries in garbage time and w/ stacked boxes due to his role as a rookie. He saw the 2nd highest stacked box rate in the entire NFL…
— Dataroma (@ffdataroma) May 30, 2025
What really stood out was his Week 6 start when Cook sat out. Johnson started, but it was mostly ceremonial — Davis dominated. He turned 23 touches into 152 yards and scored 18.2 fantasy points despite not finding the end zone.
Cook has missed only one game in three seasons, but injuries can happen at any time. Davis probably won’t have standalone value, but he has RB1 upside if Cook ever sits. At RB46, he’s a high-confidence handcuff who can match Cook’s production when called upon.
Carolina Panthers: Rico Dowdle
Last year, Rico Dowdle took over as the Cowboys’ lead back by default. He was the only one producing. He ran for over 1,000 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Now he’s backing up Chuba Hubbard in Carolina.
Dowdle is a big upgrade behind Hubbard. Last year’s backups were Miles Sanders and Raheem Blackshear.
Rookie Trevor Etienne is intriguing because we don’t know what he’ll be yet. If Hubbard gets hurt, Dowdle likely starts, but Etienne could mix in. If Etienne flashes, this could get messy.
Still, we’ve seen Dowdle handle a lead role. He played over 70% of snaps in five games last season and had seven games with 18 or more carries.
He’s not as dynamic as Hubbard, but at RB47, Dowdle is a cheap handcuff with clear injury-upside value.
Chicago Bears: Kyle Monangai
The Bears were linked to Ashton Jeanty for a while. There was also speculation they might target TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, or a Day 3 back. Instead, they mostly stood pat.
It wasn’t until the very last round that the Bears took Kyle Monangai. So why is he the pick here over Roschon Johnson, the current RB2 on the depth chart?
Well, haven’t we seen enough from Johnson? He backed up D’Andre Swift last year and averaged just 2.7 yards per carry. His 4.5% target share and 3.6 yards per touch weren’t much better.
Johnson is a holdover from the previous regime. He may have been a fourth-rounder, but the new staff has no ties to him. If Swift misses time, Johnson probably starts. But Monangai would also get on the field, and that might be all he needs to show he’s better.
At an RB88 ADP, Monangai shouldn’t be drafted. Just stash the name in case Swift goes down.
Cincinnati Bengals: Tahj Brooks
Last year, the Bengals had a plan in place. Zack Moss as the power back and Chase Brown as the change-of-pace guy. Brown eventually earned a larger role and outplayed Moss. But Moss was never meant to disappear entirely.
Then he suffered a season-ending neck injury. Cincinnati needed another back but didn’t have one. Brown ended up playing 100% of the snaps in some games. Great for fantasy — not ideal for real life.
Moss is back and should be the RB2, though he’s always been replacement level. The Bengals also re-signed Samaje Perine, who likely handles passing downs, but he won’t take over as the starter if Brown gets hurt.
That brings us to sixth-round rookie Tahj Brooks. He was highly productive in his final two seasons at Texas Tech and had an 8.1% target share in one of them.
We’ll need to track his camp progress, but he’s a safe bet to make the roster. His RB73 ADP is actually high for someone fourth on the depth chart, but if Brown goes down, Brooks could emerge quickly.
Cleveland Browns: Dylan Sampson
There are multiple options in Cleveland. Jerome Ford was solid last year, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and 12.4 fantasy points per game on a bad offense.
But the Browns drafted Quinshon Judkins in Round 2 and Dylan Sampson in Round 4. That tells us they weren’t content with Ford’s role. He even had to take a pay cut to stay.
Sampson is coming off a nearly 1,500-yard, 20-touchdown season at Tennessee. At 200 pounds, he’s a bit undersized, but he’s explosive and can be a solid complement to Judkins. If Judkins goes down, Ford likely steps in, but don’t count Sampson out.
Unfortunately, Sampson’s RB49 ADP is a bit steep for a potential RB3 on what could be one of the league’s worst offenses. He’s still the top sleeper here, but the price takes away some appeal.
Dallas Cowboys: Jaydon Blue
No team has embraced the “RBs don’t matter” mindset more than the Cowboys. It’s funny, given that they spent the No. 4 overall pick on Ezekiel Elliott in 2016, and for a while, it worked.
But since then, they’ve gone cheap. Last year, Rico Dowdle was the RB1. Now, after letting him walk, they waited until Round 5 to draft Jaydon Blue.
The 2025 backfield includes Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and Blue. No fifth-round rookie has a better opportunity than Blue.
Cowboys RB1 Javonte Williams last season pic.twitter.com/d1l0ooz70x
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 11, 2025
Williams was once promising, but post-injury, he’s struggled. Behind him, Sanders has averaged just 3.7 and 3.4 yards per carry the last two years and saw a 28.9% opportunity share with Carolina.
Why not Blue? Both vets are on one-year deals. At just 21, Blue should get a shot eventually. His RB50 ADP is fair. You just have to wait.
Denver Broncos: J.K. Dobbins
Some teams don’t have an appealing RB sleeper. Denver was one until the draft.
The Broncos had had enough of the Javonte Williams–Audric Estimé–Jaleel McLaughlin carousel. So, they used a second-round pick on R.J. Harvey. He’s clearly the lead back now.
But behind him, Denver signed J.K. Dobbins. We’ve seen Dobbins have fantasy value. Last season, he averaged 14.8 points per game in 13 appearances.
If Harvey misses time, Dobbins is the next man up. At RB54 (and rising), he’s one of the better handcuffs in fantasy this year.
Detroit Lions: Craig Reynolds
Honestly, there may not be a true sleeper here.
Craig Reynolds has been Detroit’s RB3 for a while. He’s serviceable, and when David Montgomery was out with an MCL injury last year, Reynolds mixed in behind Jahmyr Gibbs.
But Reynolds isn’t next in line for touches. When Gibbs missed time in 2023, Montgomery handled 75% of the snaps and 25 touches in one game. When Montgomery was out, Gibbs took on full workloads with 27, 22, and 28 touches.
Reynolds needs both backs to get hurt to be fantasy relevant.
Green Bay Packers: MarShawn Lloyd
Let’s try again with MarShawn Lloyd. The Packers’ 2023 third-rounder was supposed to be the RB2 behind Josh Jacobs but had a nightmare rookie year.
Lloyd missed camp with a hip injury, strained his hamstring in preseason, sprained his ankle after returning, then had an appendectomy. Brutal.
Still, the Packers made no RB additions this offseason. They’re going with Jacobs, Lloyd, Emanuel Wilson, and Chris Brooks.
Wilson was the RB2 for most of last year. Brooks got some late-season reps. But Green Bay wants Lloyd to be the guy.
If Jacobs misses time, Lloyd has the highest upside. His RB61 ADP puts him on the draft bubble, but if he stays healthy, there’s potential.
Houston Texans: Nick Chubb
Houston plans to ride Joe Mixon. But at 29, Mixon is nearing the end. He’s still productive but missed three games last year.
When Mixon was out, Houston struggled. Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale weren’t the answer. Pierce may not even make the team.
Enter Nick Chubb. Yes, he’s also 29 and looked washed after returning from injury last year. But he’s still a capable runner and should handle early-down work if Mixon gets hurt.
Rookie Woody Marks has a strong receiving profile and could carve out the passing-down role.
Chubb has an RB60 ADP and could have short-term value. He’ll get carries early, and we’ll find out fast if he has anything left.
Indianapolis Colts: DJ Giddens
The Colts have tried and failed with backups like Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson. Now, they’ve added fifth-round rookie DJ Giddens.
He’s technically behind Khalil Herbert, who barely played for Chicago and then managed just four carries in six games with the Bengals.
If Jonathan Taylor misses time, Herbert likely starts, but not as a three-down back. Giddens would get opportunities and could take over if he outplays Herbert.
Giddens has a lead-back’s size (212 pounds), a 92nd percentile speed score, and target shares of 9.9% and 9.5% in his final two seasons at Kansas State.
His RB52 ADP is steep, but he’s still a better stash than Herbert or Goodson.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Bhayshul Tuten
Is Bhayshul Tuten even a sleeper? He, Travis Etienne, and Tank Bigsby all have ADPs within five spots.
Tuten qualifies the most because he’s a rookie fourth-round pick. Etienne was an RB1 in 2023, but regressed. Bigsby looked like the best back in Jacksonville last year.
Tuten has a few things going for him. He was drafted by the current staff, but Etienne and Bigsby weren’t. Etienne looked like he didn’t belong on the field by season’s end.
Jaguars run game was tough late last year pic.twitter.com/hIQrnumevW
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) May 30, 2025
Bigsby is one-dimensional and weak in the passing game (2.4% target share). Tuten had a 12.1% target share in 2023 at Virginia Tech and an elite 98th percentile speed score.
If you’re betting on a Jags RB to beat his ADP, Tuten is your guy.
Kansas City Chiefs: Everyone Behind Isiah Pacheco
There’s a case for every backup here.
Pacheco was red hot early in 2024 before breaking his leg. When he returned, he didn’t look right and couldn’t reclaim the lead role.
That opened the door for Kareem Hunt, who had a run of RB2 production. Hunt’s back, and it wouldn’t shock anyone if he opened as the 1B again.
However, Hunt is 30 and averaged just 3.6 yards per carry last year.
Elijah Mitchell is another option. He’s flashed before but can’t stay healthy. When he did get volume in 2023, he posted 14.0 and 14.7 points in two games with 12+ carries.
Then there’s sixth-round rookie Brashard Smith. He’s only 194 pounds but had an 11.7% target share and an 80th percentile speed score. He could be the best pass catcher of the bunch.
All three have ADPs outside the top 60 RBs. Hunt is the best bet for standalone value. Mitchell has the highest early-down upside if Pacheco goes down. Smith is the wildcard.
Las Vegas Raiders: Sincere McCormick (But really no one)
The Raiders had one of the worst backfields in football last year. Head coach Antonio Pierce played musical chairs, just trying to find someone who could handle the job.
Zamir White started the year. Then it was Alexander Mattison. Then Sincere McCormick, who got hurt. That left Ameer Abdullah. It was the island of misfit running backs.
This year, there will be a rotation. Ashton Jeanty is the RB1 and should see three-down usage unless he needs a breather. But someone has to back him up.
The team signed Raheem Mostert, who looked gassed last year. At 33, he’s the oldest running back in the league. He brings veteran presence, but probably not much else if Jeanty goes down.
McCormick, meanwhile, actually flashed a little juice. He had games with 65 and 89 total yards, posting 8.5 and 10.9 fantasy points, without scoring a touchdown.
He’s not being drafted (RB100+ ADP), nor should he be. But if Jeanty gets hurt, don’t assume Mostert’s the guy. Keep McCormick’s name in mind.
Los Angeles Chargers: None
Sometimes the right answer is: no one. The Chargers simply don’t have a sleeper running back.
They drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round. It’s clear he’s the future lead back. He may not start Week 1, but it’s just a matter of time.
Until then, Najee Harris will hold down the fort. He’s been durable (never missed a game) and productive enough to maintain that role for now.
If one gets hurt, the other is likely a three-down workhorse. If both get hurt? Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are next, but neither profiles as fantasy-relevant. Only Hampton and Harris need to be on the rosters.
Los Angeles Rams: Blake Corum
There seems to be more buzz around Jarquez Hunter than Blake Corum this year. That’s probably because Corum was hyped last year as a potential threat to Kyren Williams and didn’t deliver.
Corum touched the ball just 65 times, usually playing one series a game, only returning when Williams needed a breather.
Naturally, fantasy managers are frustrated — and now they’re hoping Hunter is McVay’s new favorite. But Hunter is a fourth-round rookie and sits third on the depth chart. There’s no real sign he’s a threat to Corum’s RB2 role.
Neither back has standalone value while Williams is healthy. But if Williams goes down, Corum is likely the one to step in.
Corum’s RB60 ADP is just three spots ahead of Hunter — that’s too close. If you want a handcuff in a great fantasy offense, take Corum.
Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Wright
This backfield is messy behind De’Von Achane. There’s no clear answer if he gets hurt.
Jaylen Wright is the favorite to take over. But the team added Alexander Mattison and drafted Ollie Gordon II.
If Achane misses time, we’re probably looking at a full-blown committee. Wright between the 20s, Mattison near the goal line, and Gordon on passing downs.
Wright’s RB57 ADP is fair. Gordon at RB66 is a reach. If you’re taking a shot, it’s Wright — but there’s limited upside without injury.
Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Mason
Calling Jordan Mason a sleeper might be generous. Fantasy managers know what he brings to the table.
The Vikings didn’t want to give 29-year-old Aaron Jones another 250+ carry season. They just didn’t have anyone else.
That’s why they added Mason, who proved last year he could handle a lead role filling in for Christian McCaffrey.
Mason checks every box: locked-in next man up, capable of 80-90% of the starter’s production, and even has RB3 value while Jones is active.
With an RB35 ADP, he should be on as many of your rosters as possible.
New England Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson
It’s rare for a team’s starting RB to be its sleeper, but that’s the case here.
TreVeyon Henderson is the future, no question. He’s the Patriots’ back on the roster long-term. But fantasy managers have completely written off Stevenson — and they shouldn’t.
Even if just ceremonial, Stevenson will open the year as the starter. Henderson might outscore him, but Stevenson still has a role.
He’s a 231-pound back with goal-line duties, and he’s had a top-four target share in the past. Last year, he averaged a career-high 13.8 carries per game.
With Henderson healthy, Stevenson should still see 10–12 touches a game and goal-line work. If Henderson goes down, Stevenson becomes a full-time starter again.
At RB37, he’s a strong value.
New Orleans Saints: Devin Neal
Alvin Kamara is now 30. Eventually, it’ll catch up to him. The Saints are projected to be one of the league’s worst teams. How long will they keep feeding a veteran if their season spirals?
That leaves us with Kendre Miller or Devin Neal. Miller had his chances and couldn’t stay healthy. Neal is a sixth-round rookie, but with more upside.
Neal played four years at Kansas and posted a college-best 10.9% target share. He’s versatile, if not flashy.
His RB56 ADP is a bit rich, especially since Miller is technically the RB2. But Neal is the back worth stashing here.
New York Giants: Devin Singletary
The sleeper here probably should be “none.” Tyrone Tracy Jr. has already passed Devin Singletary. Then Cam Skattebo was drafted in the fourth round, giving him more capital than Tracy had last year.
Now Skattebo’s ADP is just three spots behind Tracy’s. On some sites, he’s even going ahead.
But don’t forget about Singletary. He has history with Brian Daboll, and if one of the young backs stumbles and the other gets hurt, Singletary could step in.
At RB89, you don’t need to draft him, but don’t forget he’s still there.
New York Jets: Braelon Allen
In his ACL comeback year, Breece Hall ramped up slowly, then saw massive volume in the second half. But even last year, Hall shared work with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis.
Allen had an up-and-down rookie year, but he’s the favorite for RB2 duties. Hall played through injuries and wasn’t especially efficient.
If Hall struggles again, Allen could see more work. And if Hall gets hurt, Allen is the likely starter.
His RB54 ADP is fair. But keep in mind: even in that case, Allen would still split with Davis.
Philadelphia Eagles: Will Shipley
If Saquon Barkley stays healthy, no one else in this backfield matters. He played 75.8% of snaps and had a 78.7% opportunity share last season. He led the league in carries, rushing yards, and fantasy points per game (22.2).
With Kenneth Gainwell gone, the only notable addition was A.J. Dillon, who missed all of last year with a neck injury. When we last saw him, he was inefficient and slow.
Shipley, meanwhile, has real upside. He’s got the speed and pass-catching chops to fill the void. That’s why his ADP is RB58 — 33 spots ahead of Dillon.
If Barkley gets hurt, Shipley’s the back to roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenneth Gainwell
The Steelers have too many viable running backs. Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson are locked into fantasy roles, so they aren’t sleepers.
That leaves Kenneth Gainwell, recently signed. Cordarrelle Patterson is also here, but at 34, he’s not a real threat.
If either Warren or Johnson goes down, one of Gainwell or Patterson could become fantasy-relevant. We’re betting on Gainwell — but it could go either way. Neither should be drafted right now.
San Francisco 49ers: Isaac Guerendo
Any running back can thrive in Kyle Shanahan’s system. With Jordan Mason gone, Isaac Guerendo has the inside track to be the RB2.
He’s a Day 3 pick, but he was productive when called on last year. He had three games with 11.5, 13.9, and 26.8 points as the lead back, plus a 19.2-point outing when Mason got hurt.
He’s going off the board at RB43, pricey for a pure handcuff, but with good reason. If Christian McCaffrey gets hurt, Guerendo becomes a high-end RB2.
Seattle Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet
Charbonnet probably shouldn’t qualify as a sleeper, but here we are. Seattle refuses to give him work when Kenneth Walker III is healthy, but they trust him when Walker’s out.
In six games without Walker, Charbonnet averaged 19.2 fantasy points. With Walker active, that number dropped to 6.5.
He’s one of the few true handcuffs we know can take over the full role. At RB36, he’s expensive for a backup, but well worth it.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sean Tucker
In a world where true sleepers are rare, Sean Tucker qualifies.
Bucky Irving is the starter. That’s clear. But who benefits if he gets hurt?
The market says Rachaad White. Are we sure about that?
White fumbled away a win vs. Dallas last year, and his touches vanished. From Weeks 16–19, he had 10 total carries. And only three targets over the final two games.
If Irving misses time, fantasy managers will rush to add Tucker. With an RB74 ADP, you don’t need to draft him, but don’t waste a pick on White at RB46. His time in Tampa may already be over.
Tennessee Titans: Tyjae Spears
The Titans nearly earned a “none,” but Tyjae Spears’ RB41 ADP is too low.
Tony Pollard had a 73% opportunity share last year. Head coach Brian Callahan says he wants that closer to a 60/40 split, meaning Spears could have real standalone value.
In Week 17, Spears handled 20 carries and saw four targets on a 65% snap share before exiting with a concussion.
If that 60/40 split happens, Spears is an RB3. If Pollard gets hurt, Spears is a must-start RB2. And there’s no one behind them worth mentioning.
Washington Commanders: Austin Ekeler
Ekeler’s RB53 ADP kind of makes sense — he’s 30, banged up last year, and no longer the RB1.
But is he not a lock to outperform that price?
He had a 12% target share and still averaged 11.0 PPG, good for RB29. Who wouldn’t take that return from a guy being drafted outside the top 50?
There’s buzz around Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but he’s a seventh-round pick who wasn’t even invited to the combine.
Brian Robinson Jr. is the starter. Ekeler will handle passing downs. McNichols and Chris Rodriguez round out the room. Ekeler has a safe role and a safe floor and is being overlooked.