Fantasy football managers are smarter than ever, so finding a player who’s actually being slept on can be difficult. With that in mind, we’re shifting our focus to late-round targets who could drastically outproduce their ADP in 2025.
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Over the next week, I’ll shine the spotlight on my favorite sleeper candidates at every key fantasy position. Today, we’re taking a look at running backs.
Justin Boone’s Fantasy Sleepers
Braelon Allen, Jets
Allen flashed in his limited opportunities as a 20-year-old rookie last year and showed signs that he might be able to develop into a quality NFL running back.
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From the moment the Jets’ offseason program began this spring, Allen was generating buzz and earning the praise of his new head coach Aaron Glenn, who has constantly talked about using a committee backfield. That’s not surprising considering both Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand are coming from a Lions organization where they had plenty of success using a two-back system.
The Jets have a long way to go before their run game is spoken about in the same vein as Detroit’s vaunted duo, but a scenario where Breece Hall is a less impressive version of Jahmyr Gibbs and Allen handles a David Montgomery-like role does make a lot of sense.
The third back on the depth chart Isaiah Davis has also had his name thrown into the mix at times, but he’s been sidelined with an ankle injury — and the missed practices are likely causing him to fall even further behind Hall and Allen.
So, Allen is entering his second season, has displayed improved abilities, is benefitting from better coaching, has an upgraded offensive line with first-round tackle Armand Membou who excels in run blocking and he’s playing behind a starter with an uncertain future in New York.
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Hall is in the last year of his contract and there have been rumblings that he could be a trade candidate at some point between now and the deadline.
If that were to occur, Allen would be next in line to start. However, even if Hall stays, the 6 ‘1”, 235-pound Allen could handle valuable goal-line carries and possibly some third-down work based on how they were deployed in the preseason.
It’s understandable why some fantasy managers aren’t enticed by the Jets’ offense, but there’s zero risk taking Allen at his current ADP in the later rounds.
Everything we’ve seen and heard since last season points to Allen being a big part of this backfield next to Hall, with an outside shot to overtake him if the coaching staff gets disillusioned by the veteran or if the front office decides to move him.
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At worst, Allen is one Hall injury away from being a fantasy league winner, which is more than enough reason to draft him.
Second-year backs with new opportunities
Trey Benson, Cardinals — James Conner continues to be the heartbeat of the Arizona backfield, but even the 30-year-old himself has suggested Benson could be a potential starter alongside him. Kyler Murray has also highlighted Benson as a breakout candidate in 2025, which seems unlikely if Conner stays healthy, but is a good indicator of how the team feels about the second-year back. While it’s possible Benson could eat into Conner’s touches and turn into a weekly flex play, he will probably need the veteran to miss time in order to truly turn into a usable fantasy piece. There’s enough smoke here to stash Benson and see how this plays out, especially if you draft Conner.
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Ray Davis, Bills — James Cook is back with the team after signing a new contract, but Davis is still ready to step up if he misses time. Davis has shown he can deliver when thrust into the starting role. In the two games where Davis played more than 50% of the offensive snaps last year, he finished as a top-15 fantasy RB both weeks.
Late-round rookies with paths to start
Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars — Tuten is an explosive playmaker who has answered the call in the preseason after missing some practice time with a hamstring injury. Remember, new general manager James Gladstone used Tuten as an example of the type of player he would select when he interviewed for the Jaguars’ job, before eventually adding him to this wide-open backfield. While Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne Jr. continue to split first-team snaps in the preseason, head coach Liam Coen has acknowledged it will be tough to dress four running backs on gamedays, which might hint at a potential trade coming for one of the veterans since their other rookie, LeQuint Allen Jr., is doing enough to earn a roster spot. Whether you like Tuten, Bigsby or Etienne — they all represent values at their ADPs. Tuten likely won’t be the guy in Week 1, but he might be the guy helping you make the fantasy playoffs in the second half of the season.
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Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders — The man known simply as “Bill” has gone from a seventh-round rookie who people had never heard of when I brought him up, to a training camp darling and preseason star. Head coach Dan Quinn has made it clear the team plans to move on from starter Brian Robinson Jr., and use a committee that includes Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt. Out of that trio, Ekeler is a past-his-prime, pass-catching weapon, Rodriguez is a big-bodied hammer and JCM is the one with an extra gear to make gamebreaking plays. While he’s not exactly being slept on any longer, Croskey-Merritt is still an intriguing fantasy pick who could take over this backfield during the season.
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Jaydon Blue, Cowboys — It’s not surprising to hear that Blue is impressing in practice, when his main competition for touches are underwhelming veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. As the fifth-rounder gets more comfortable, it’s possible the Cowboys will come to their senses and let him take on as much work as his 5-foot-9, 196-pound frame can handle. A committee seems likely, but there’s no risk given where Blue is going in drafts. Let’s just hope his ankle injury isn’t serious.
Dylan Sampson, Browns — Every day that Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned as he deals with his legal situation, is a step closer to Sampson having a major role this season. A likely committee with Jerome Ford could prevent Sampson from hitting the highest end of his range of outcomes, but he’s the most exciting option in the Browns’ backfield until Judkins suits up.
Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins — De’Von Achane is dealing with a calf injury that could impact his Week 1 status and backup Jaylen Wright is dealing with an injury of his own. Even before Wright went down, Gordon was outplaying him by a wide margin in the preseason. The 6’1, 226-pound Gordon is a better prospect than people gave him credit for after a disappointing final season in college. We know Mike McDaniel can scheme up a run game and there’s potential for Gordon to have a role right out of the gate with all these injuries. Just keep an eye on Brian Robinson Jr., who could complicate things if he ends up in Miami.
Kyle Monangai, Bears — The fact the Bears didn’t do more to address their backfield this offseason was puzzling. Maybe they knew something we didn’t about Monangai, who they drafted in the seventh round. D’Andre Swift will open the season as the starter, but his hold on the job seems very loose. We’re already seeing Monangai get first-team reps in practice and head coach Ben Johnson identified him as a player they’ll “be able to trust this fall.” Whether it’s Monangai, Roschon Johnson or a veteran they sign before the season, someone else is going to factor into Chicago’s run game in 2025.
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Woody Marks, Texans — The Texans continue to be vague about the recovery timeline for Joe Mixon, and we now know he’ll miss at least the first four games of the season. Head coach DeMeco Ryans recently gave a very honest assessment about veteran backup Nick Chubb, suggesting his best days are well behind him. That opens the door for Marks — a fourth-rounder with a three-down skillset, who could be especially useful in the passing game.