Hitting on running backs late in the draft may seem like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. More often that not, the search won’t amount to much. However, that one time it comes through for you will make everything worth it. Here are three deep running back sleepers in fantasy football this year.
Deep Running Back Sleepers for 2024 Fantasy Football
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
Rico Dowdle is a name avid fantasy players may know, but he’s one to watch heading into 2024. Dowdle is currently second on the depth chart in Dallas behind Ezekiel Elliott, but Elliott is getting the experienced veteran treatment in this situation. However, it’s only a matter of time before Dowdle takes over.
How can you watch this run and not think Rico Dowdle is a starting RB in this league? Patience, agility, speed, and power. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/7BHJT5Wahv
— Ernie The Cowboys Fan (@es3_09) August 13, 2024
Dowdle averaged just over four yards per carry last year behind Tony Pollard, and he should see an increased workload this fall. He may not jump from tallying 361 yards and two touchdowns to being a 1,000-yard rusher with 10 touchdowns, but Dowdle has the potential to become the feature back. His ADP right now is 135, and he’s a steal to get in double-digit rounds of the draft.
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Kimani Vidal is in a unique spot with two players ahead of him on the depth chart, but neither of them have shown much in the careers. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are going into the regular season as the main tandem for the Chargers, but don’t be suprised when (not if) Vidal takes over. He has the talent to become the lead back compared to Dobbins who is injury prone and Edwards who is nothing more than a journeyman veteran.
This is Kimani Vidal.
The rookie produced back-to-back seasons at Troy with 1,250+ total yards and 10+ touchdowns.
LA hasn’t had a top-10 rushing attack since 2007.
Vidal could quickly climb the depth chart under run-heavy OC Greg Roman.
pic.twitter.com/QbEuhlLN4t— Moody (@EricNMoody) August 5, 2024
Vidal’s last year at Troy saw him carry the ball 297 times for over 1,600 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. He’s also a dual-threat running back who can catch the ball out of the backfield efficiently. Vidal hasn’t appeared yet in the preseason, but his time will come.
His ADP currently sits at 152 which puts him at great value going into 2024. This is a player you’ll want to try and target as his upside is through the roof. It’s only a matter of time before he surpasses Dobbins and Edwards in the Chargers backfield. Even with the speculation he may not make the Chargers roster, he’s a late-round pick worth taking a flyer on.
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving has already ignited the Tampa Bay offense in his first preseason game, and there’s plenty of chances for it to continue. He ran the ball six times for 28 yards and a score in the opener against the Bengals, but he’s coming into the league after his best season in college.
Bucky Irving
On Sat:
– He had 28 yards on just 6 carries
– He had a 5-yard touchdown run 💨
– Bowles said after the game: “He hit the holes, he caught the ball well, he pass blocked well.A successful debut.
If you roster Rachaad, it may be smart to get his handcuff as well. pic.twitter.com/YHybYp2yd3
— PPRFantasyTips (@PPRFantasyTips) August 12, 2024
Irving finished his junior year at Oregon with 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns as he showed the Pac-12 what he could do in the conference’s final season. He has comparisons to Kyren Williams and if he has a similar trajectory to Williams, Irving will be a star in no time. His ADP right now sits at 165 as he’s on the edge of almost going undrafted. If you need to fill that last spot on your bench, consider drafting Irving.
Main Photo Courtesy of Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
