If there’s one thing fantasy managers love, it’s a good sleeper. In today’s fantasy football landscape, finding one is more complicated than ever. Leaving no stone unturned, we’re going through all 16 AFC teams to pinpoint the best sleeper running back candidate on each roster.
Keaton Mitchell
Baltimore Ravens
Justice Hill may be listed as the Baltimore 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, though.
Mitchell was starting to break out as a rookie before a torn ACL halted his progress. That injury lingered into 2024, and he never found his rhythm. Before the injury, he showed elite burst — totaling 134 yards in just his second NFL game.
Henry is known for his durability. His bruising style helps him stay on the field. Even at 31, he hasn’t shown much wear, missing only eight games in his career, all from a broken foot in 2021.
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.
Ray Davis
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills used a committee approach last season. And as of today, Buffalo seems intent on bringing back the same trio in 2025.
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. He looked good on limited touches as a rookie, averaging 4.9 yards per touch (26th in the NFL) 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 stood out was Davis’ 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 production when called upon.
Tahj Brooks
Cincinnati Bengals
Last year, the Cincinnati Bengals had a plan in place, with Zack Moss as the power back and Chase Brown as the change-of-pace option. Brown eventually earned a larger role and outplayed Moss, but the latter was never meant to disappear entirely.
Then, Moss 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, although 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, who was highly productive in his final two seasons at Texas Tech, with an 8.1% target share in one of them. We’ll need to track his camp progress, but Brooks is a safe bet to make the roster. His RB73 ADP is high for someone fourth on the depth chart, but if Brown goes down, Brooks could emerge quickly.
Dylan Sampson
Cleveland Browns
There are multiple options for the Cleveland Browns. 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 NFL’s worst offenses. He’s still the top sleeper here, but the price takes away some appeal.
J.K. Dobbins
Denver Broncos
Some teams don’t have an appealing RB sleeper, and the Denver Broncos were one of them 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 RJ Harvey, who’s now the lead back.
But behind him, Denver signed J.K. Dobbins, who we’ve seen have fantasy value. Last season, he averaged 14.8 points per game in 13 appearances. If Harvey misses time, he’ll be the next man up. At RB54 (and rising), Dobbins is one of the better handcuffs in fantasy this year.
Nick Chubb
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans plan to ride Joe Mixon, but at 29, he’s nearing the end. He’s still productive but missed three games last year. And when Mixon was out, Houston struggled.
Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale were not the answer. This year, Pierce may not even make the team.
Enter Nick Chubb. Yes, he’s also 29 and didn’t look like his old self after returning from injury last year, but he’s still a capable runner and should handle early-down work if Mixon gets hurt.
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.
DJ Giddens
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis 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 potentially 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.
Bhayshul Tuten
Jacksonville Jaguars
Is Bhayshul Tuten even a sleeper? He, Travis Etienne Jr., and Tank Bigsby all have ADPs within five spots. Yet, Tuten qualifies the most because he’s a rookie fourth-round pick.
Etienne was an RB1 in 2023, but he regressed. In fact, Bigsby looked like the best back in Jacksonville last year.
Tuten has several advantages. The current staff drafted him, unlike Etienne and Bigsby. And by the end of the season, Etienne appeared out of place on the field.
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, however, had a 12.1% target share in 2023 at Virginia Tech and an elite 98th-percentile speed score.
If you’re betting on a Jacksonville Jaguars RB to beat his ADP, Tuten is your guy.
Everyone Behind Isiah Pacheco
Kansas City Chiefs
There’s a case for every backup here.
Isiah 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, he’s 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, while Mitchell has the highest early-down upside if Pacheco goes down. Smith, meanwhile, is the wild card.
Sincere McCormick (But Really No One)
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas 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. Yet, someone has to back him up.
Las Vegas signed Raheem Mostert, who looked gassed last year in Miami. At 33, he’s one of the oldest running backs in the NFL. 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, respectively, without scoring a touchdown.
McCormick is 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.
None
Los Angeles Chargers
Sometimes the correct answer is no one. The Los Angeles Chargers don’t have a sleeper running back.
They drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round, and it’s clear he’s the future lead back. Hampton may not start in 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 rosters.
Jaylen Wright
Miami Dolphins
This backfield is messy behind De’Von Achane, as there’s no clear answer if he gets hurt.
Jaylen Wright is the favorite to take over, but the Miami Dolphins added Alexander Mattison and drafted Ollie Gordon II.
If Achane misses time, we’re likely to see a full-blown committee. Wright between the 20s, Mattison near the goal line, and Gordon on passing downs.
Wright’s RB57 ADP is fair, while Gordon (RB66) is a reach. If you’re taking a shot, it’s Wright — but there’s limited upside without injury.
Rhamondre Stevenson
New England Patriots
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 about it. He’s the New England Patriots’ back on the roster long term, but fantasy managers have entirely written off Rhamondre 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 RB with goal-line duties and has 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 the former goes down, Stevenson becomes a full-time starter again.
At RB37, he’s a substantial value.
Braelon Allen
New York Jets
In his ACL comeback year, Breece Hall ramped up gradually before experiencing a surge in volume in the second half. But even last year, Hall shared work with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. And although he had an up-and-down rookie year, Allen is the favorite for RB2 duties again.
Hall played through injuries last season and wasn’t exceptionally efficient. If he struggles again, Allen could see an increase in work and become the likely starter if Hall were to get hurt.
Allen’s RB54 ADP is fair. However, keep in mind that even in that case, he would still split with Davis.
Kenneth Gainwell
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have too many viable running backs. Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson are locked into fantasy roles, so they aren’t sleepers. At age 34, Cordarrelle Patterson is not a real threat. That leaves the recently signed Kenneth Gainwell.
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. Regardless, neither should be drafted right now.
Tyjae Spears
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee 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.
