If there’s one thing fantasy managers love, it’s a good sleeper. But in today’s fantasy football landscape, finding one is more complicated than ever. Leaving no stone unturned, we’re going through every NFC South team to pinpoint the best sleeper running back candidate on each roster.
1 Sleeper Running Back From Every NFC South Team
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 Atlanta 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 play-calling 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.
Tyler Allgeier pic.twitter.com/j6e3nvKq8F
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) April 16, 2025
The key with a backup like Allgeier is clarity. The challenge with handcuffs is figuring out:
1) Are they 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 were to go down. We also have a good idea of his output (likely 60-70% of Robinson’s production), making his RB48 ADP a decent value.
Carolina Panthers: Rico Dowdle
Last year, Rico Dowdle took over as the Dallas Cowboys’ lead back by default. He was the only one producing, running for over 1,000 yards and averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Now, Dowdle is a significant upgrade behind Chuba Hubbard with the Carolina Panthers.
Rookie Trevor Etienne is intriguing because we don’t yet know what he’ll be. If Hubbard gets hurt, Dowdle likely starts, but Etienne could mix in. If he 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+ carries. He’s not as dynamic as Hubbard, but at RB47, Dowdle is a cheap handcuff with clear upside value in the event of an injury.
New Orleans Saints: Devin Neal
Alvin Kamara is 30. Eventually, it’ll catch up to him, and it’s worth asking, with the New Orleans Saints projected to be one of the NFL’s worst teams, how long will they continue to support a veteran if their season goes awry?
That leaves us with Kendre Miller or Devin Neal. Miller had his chances and couldn’t stay healthy, while Neal is a sixth-round rookie with more upside.
Neal played four years at Kansas and posted a college-best 10.9% target share. He’s versatile, if not flashy. Admittedly, his RB56 ADP is a bit rich, especially since Miller is technically the RB2. Still, Neal is the running back worth stashing here.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sean Tucker
True sleepers are rare, but Sean Tucker qualifies.
It’s clear Bucky Irving is the starter, but who benefits if he gets hurt? The market says Rachaad White, but 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, with just 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.
