Fantasy Football Sleepers: Running Backs to Pick in Your 2023 Drafts
Although running backs are sometimes seen as the cornerstone of season-long fantasy lineups, the position can prove rather volatile as the campaign carries on. Injuries, coach eccentricities, and breakout performances from unexpected players can easily derail your confidence in your fantasy football teams. Whether you grab a high-end running back with your first pick or elect to take the Zero RB approach, you are going to need to be on the hunt for quality value at the position.
In this article, we look at three candidates worth considering in later rounds. But before we dive, use our Underdog Fantasy promo code promo code GRINDERS to receive a deposit match of up to $100 on the fantasy site’s newest pick’em game!
2023 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Running Backs
Rachaad White – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Filling the void created at running back by the departed Leonard Fournette will be Rachaad White.
As a rookie splitting backfield duties with Fournette, he logged 481 rushing yards, with 105 of those coming in Week 10 against the Seahawks. White also hauled in 50 of his 58 targets, showcasing his dependability as a pass catcher.
But now Fournette is gone, and White is primed for a heavy workload. As a reliable checkdown option for Baker Mayfield, Rachaad White carries even more appeal in PPR formats.
Samaje Perine – Denver Broncos
As a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Samaje Perine served as the primary third-down back behind Joe Mixon. In three consecutive weeks as a starter for the Bengals last year, Perine totaled 194 rushing yards, 136 receiving yards on fourteen catches made, and scored four times.
With the status of Javonte Williams’ knee and the high likelihood that the Broncos will bring him along slowly, Perine stands to be fantasy-relevant from the get-go.
At worst, Perine is a safe later-round pick, especially in PPR formats given the lack of depth the Broncos have at the position. Should Williams face any setbacks, Perine has demonstrated the ability to have week-winning performances as a starter.
De’Von Achane – Miami Dolphins
Selecting a running back playing in a committee is rarely anyone’s idea of a good time. However, Raheem Mostert is one of the oldest members of this Dolphins offense, Jeff Wilson begins the season banged up, and both are prone to injury. Achane could be a terrific fantasy asset later in the season.
Achane’s appeal lies in his speediness. Among running backs, he boasted the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine (4.32 seconds). The third-round pick is plenty capable of exploding for that one long touchdown run that makes opposing defenses look silly and drives your lineup ahead of your opponent’s.
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