Everyone knows to draft Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley in the first round of fantasy football drafts. Leagues are won by finding those under-the-radar guys who significantly outperform their cost. With training camp and preseason underway, player values are starting to solidify. Based on current average draft position (ADP), here are my favorite RB sleepers for this season.
Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have made it abundantly clear what they think of the running back position. Before the draft, Jerry Jones claimed the offensive line was the reason the running game struggled — not the personnel.
I understand Jaydon Blue was a fifth-rounder for a reason. But Rico Dowdle was an unexpected RB2 in fantasy last season, playing in this offense. There is a fantasy upside here.
Blue has a chance. He comes with 4.43 speed and a solid receiving profile, earning an 11.3% target share in his final season.
Most importantly, he needs an opportunity. Blue is stepping onto a roster with two replacement-level options ahead of him in Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.
I would argue Sanders is sub-replacement-level. Yet, Sanders has been outplaying Williams in camp.
I do not buy the reports that Blue was “lazy.” He is an explosive runner who offers this offense far more than either Williams or Sanders.
Blue could immediately carve out a role as the receiving back. If Williams and Sanders perform to their skill levels, we could easily see Dallas push more work Blue’s way. If they were willing to make Dowdle a three-down back due to a lack of alternatives, they can do it with Blue.
Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Once you get past the clear and likely starters, it’s time to take chances on backups. Jordan Mason is going to back up Aaron Jones. But there’s a lot of upside here.
Jones has been mostly durable throughout his career. However, he’s now 30 years old. He’s said himself that “age is just a number.” But we look at age 30 a different way for a reason.
The years 2024-2026 may end up going down as a strong stretch for old running backs. Yet, betting on history is still a good move to make.
Jones didn’t miss a game last year, but he did play through a couple of injuries. The lack of talent behind him forced the Vikings to give him a career-high 255 carries at age 29. It was this exact situation that prompted them to trade for Mason, who thrived filling in for Christian McCaffrey.
From Weeks 1-4, Mason averaged 18.6 fantasy points per game. He was a strong RB1. While he never hit double-digit fantasy points again, he battled injuries for the majority of the remainder of the season.
Jordan Mason pic.twitter.com/VCoeDQeoRK
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 21, 2025
Mason should have deeper-league standalone value right away as an RB3/4. The Vikings have hinted that he may be the primary goal-line back.
Then, of course, there’s the contingent upside should something happen to Jones. Mason can handle a heavy workload. There’s RB1 upside. Mason is the exact type of back fantasy managers should be throwing a dart at in the mid-to-late rounds of drafts.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
For the second year in a row, I am all in on Tyjae Spears. Last season, head coach Brian Callahan indicated the Titans’ backfield would be a split between Spears and Tony Pollard. As the incumbent who had shown flashes as a rookie, I expected Spears to outplay an underwhelming Pollard. Not only was I wrong, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
While Spears was far from bad, this wasn’t a split. It was Pollard’s backfield. His 73% opportunity share was ninth in the league. Meanwhile, Spears played fewer snaps than he did sharing a backfield with Derrick Henry the year prior.
I am once again buying into the talk that this will be more of a split backfield. Pollard is another year older and wasn’t all that efficient last season. His 4.4 yards per touch ranked 44th, and his 3.12 yards created per touch ranked 46th.
Meanwhile, Spears is entering his prime and showcased his three-down upside when he got a chance to fill in for Pollard late in the season.
With an RB42 ADP, Spears will be the fourth or fifth running back you select in fantasy drafts. He is all upside and zero downside. I am pushing that button every time, especially in PPR.
Obviously, Spears’ high ankle sprain puts a damper on this. His ADP is sure to plummet. I still believe he is a talented player who will work his way into a meaningful role, but now he will open the season with a lot of ground to make up.
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