Of any position on the field, running backs offer the greatest possible rewards of any sleeper given how important the position is to a championship contending roster and the limited number of running backs worthy of the sleeper title. They are the base upon which you build your fantasy team and they could make or break your season. Choosing the correct running backs could be the difference of building a pueblo out of mud or a castle out of stone.

In last year’s sleeper article, I was a proponent of drafting Gio Bernard and Montee Ball earlier than the average fantasy owner and those two players are consistently garnered in the first two rounds this year. While I also felt similar ways about the newly retired David Wilson, I still feel that if you could have turned injuries “off” on him like a game of Madden, he would have had a season similar to that of the aforementioned sleepers. But unfortunately that technology isn’t yet available and I’ll be bringing you this year’s running back sleeper picks with the hope that injuries won’t stand in the way.

Fantasy Football Sleeper Running Backs

Rashad Jennings, NYG

With the unfortunate loss of Wilson comes the addition of Rashad Jennings via free agency. The New York Giants have failed to find a feature back of the future since Tiki Barber toted the rock from 1997-2006. However, Jennings comes from Oakland with just as many questions as he does answers given his recent arrival in a transitioning offense. The Giants may have drafted rookie running back Andre Williams, but I wouldn’t expect this to turn into a committee type of offense unless either back gives the coaching staff a glaring reason to do something. If Jennings lives up to my expectations, he could be the back they’ve been searching for all of these years.

The six-foot-one, 231-pound back showed flashes of speed and strength that the Giants believe will carry over into the 2014 season. The flashes of promise came in large part to a span of six games in which he had a minimum of 15 carries, scored six times and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. Jennings also showcased the ability as a pass catcher hauling in 36 balls for 292 yards on the season and two games with at least seven catches for over 70 yards. Jennings has been going in the fourth round in most drafts behind guys like Montee Ball, Ryan Matthews, Andre Ellington, and Ben Tate. Don’t let that happen in your draft.

Carlos Hyde, SF

San Francisco has managed to stockpile at running back over the past few seasons adding the likes of LaMichael James, Marcus Lattimore, Kendall Hunter, and most recently, rookie Carlos Hyde. Frank Gore has put to bed any doubts that would give Harbaugh a reason to do what he did at the quarterback position when he replaced Alex Smith with Colin Kaepernick. But for the 31-year-old Gore, his decline may come this season as history has shown us with other running backs over 30. LaDainian Tomlinson played two seasons as a starter after his 30th birthday and in those two seasons, he mustered just 1,644 total yards. Shaun Alexander averaged 90 yards per game at 29 and then saw that drop to 55 at the age of 30. The list goes on from there with guys like Barber, Eddie George, Stephen Davis, Jamal Lewis and Marshall Faulk declining before Gore’s current age.

Hyde isn’t the fastest guy on the field (4.61 40-yard dash at the combine), but he’s got enough speed and the power to go along with it that produced 3,198 yards and 37 touchdowns in just over three seasons at Ohio State. His awareness and power will lead to big run and it also doesn’t hurt that he can play some pass protection. The path to the starting spot isn’t clear but it’s being led by a monster truck with Hunter done for the season, James is still unproven and Lattimore “not quite there yet,” according to Harbaugh.

Bishop Sankey, Ten

Much like my pick of Gio Bernard last year, Sankey has the most potential of any rookie running back to see a substantial workload given where he was drafted and who is playing ahead of him. Shonn Greene is really the only three-down option in his way and given that he’s coming off knee surgery, Sankey should float right up to the top of the depth chart come Week 1. A season with 200-plus carries should be in order behind an improved offensive line. PPR leagues should have this guy pegged a few notches higher as well as he caught 67 passes at the University of Washington in three seasons.

Expectations for him are high but those expectations are warranted. One year removed from a season with the Huskies in which he gained 2,174 yards and scored 21 touchdowns, Sankey will be playing under new head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who helped turn around the early part of Ryan Matthews‘ career. If you see Sankey sitting there staring at you in the fifth round, don’t stare back, pick him up and be happy about your steal of the draft.

Pierre Thomas, NO

Pierre Thomas is a guy that continues to get under-looked at the age of 29. He has dealt with the young guys coming in and taking his reps but he’s not the kind to rock the boat. He quietly gets the job done on the field in a committee role that New Orleans has come to love and fantasy owners should learn to appreciate it.

Pierre Thomas, running back for the New Orleans Saints, standing on the sidelines
Photo credit: Asim Bharwani

Darren Sproles may have been the more popular guy because of his size and speed that offers a more exciting type of game. But with his exit in the offseason gives Thomas more opportunity to score catching short passes on the flats when Khiry Robinson and Mark Ingram aren’t running the ball. Thomas had more catches last year (77) than Marques Colston, Wes Welker and Victor Cruz, while having over 1,000 total yards on the season (549 rushing and 513 receiving). Look for the Saints to run the ball more often this year as a whole and for the veteran to surprise some folks with his increased production.

Honorable Mentions

Danny Woodhead, SD

For reasons a lot like those of Thomas, I feel he’s well worth a pick around the same time as he continues to be a guy many people forget about come draft day because he’s not a feature back. Owners is PPR leagues could do much worse.

Jeremy Hill, Cin

Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has Hill taking on some of the first-team responsibilities. Handcuff the rookie from LSU if you take Bernard in your draft.

James White, NE

He’s got the attention of coach Bill Belichick, so he’s got my attention. White has been getting some first-team reps this preseason and you might be hearing his name more often soon enough.

Make sure you secure depth at the RB position with some of the sleeper picks mentioned above. Make sure you use this list and our other fantasy football tools to help you properly prepare for you draft.

Pierre Thomas photo credit: Football Schedule

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