2017 RUNNING BACK SLEEPERS

As we begin to settle into this off-season, our team here at DFF has decided to tackle a list of sleepers at each position. As you’ve probably already noticed, this isn’t just offensive sleepers; this 7-part series will consist of IDP sleepers as well. We know not every league is offense-only so we’ve got you covered. In case you missed it, we’ve already looked at the wide receiver and defensive back positions, but today we’ll look at running backs.

SLEEPERS:

TJ Yeldon

, Jacksonville Jaguars – After a season of ups and downs, 

Yeldon

 has the potential to be a top-10 NFL fantasy running back in 2017. New coaching; new direction. The best back on the Jags roster is going to eat: Doug Marrone starts his most talented players. The often-injured 

Chris Ivory

 is no spring chicken and he’s become little more than a situational RB. Your peers may have moved 

Yeldon

 down on their big boards, so you can likely scoop him up as a serious value play. 

Yeldon

 came into the league with an “X” on his back. Everyone expected him to succeed early, but he hasn’t been a world-beater. Believe this: patience will pay off. Popularity contests don’t win fantasy football league trophies. Draft 

Yeldon

 or trade for him. 2017 is the year of the RB in Jacksonville.

Charles Sims

, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Good old Muscle Hamster is not likely to return to Tampa next year and 

Sims

 is next man up. Other than 

Peyton Barber

 , there is not much for 

Sims

 to compete with. In addition to being a smart and solid runner, 

Sims

 is an above average pass-catcher. No back on the Buccaneer’s roster has these traits. This guy could end up in the top-10 of fantasy RBs in PPR scoring during the 2017 season. Your opponents will probably sleep on him based on his past injuries and historical production, but I expect 

Sims

 to go off next season as the top dog in Tampa.

Kenneth Dixon

, Baltimore Ravens – Since they parted ways with 

Ray Rice

 , the Ravens’ roster has been a turnstile of RBs. They’ve had plenty of capable choices to man the run-game, but no bellcows. They finished the 2016 season with 

Terrance West

 handling the workload. The Ravens want to feature a well-rounded guy that can do it all, one they can count on with consistency. They’re looking for versatility, not a change of pace. I predict that the 2017 season is going to be 

Dixon

 ’s breakout campaign. He is truly the back to own going forward in Baltimore as he checks all the boxes on the Ravens’ offensive wish list. 

Dixon

 will be given every chance to earn his draft pedigree.

*Kareem 

Hunt

, Rookie, Toledo – OK, this is dynasty football. I have to talk about rookie RBs, and there are many in this year’s draft class. Like always, there are very good players who get downgraded for various reasons yet they become fantasy stars: 

David Johnson

 and 

Jordan Howard

 come to mind. Different draft classes and different reasons, same kind of draft trend dynamic that can help you beat your friends. Kareem 

Hunt

 is an impact player and a future RB1. Playing for the small-market school of Toledo did him few favors as far as NFL draft ranking. 

Hunt

 is being drafted on average in the middle of Round-3 in rookie mock drafts. I think it’s fair to say he’ll probably be picked somewhere in the second round of real rookie fantasy drafts. Make no mistake: this is a Top-5 talent in the 2017 RB pool. 

Hunt

 can do it all and will be a three-down RB in the NFL. He will become a better pro than RBs drafted ahead of him who will be situational NFL RBs. 

Hunt

 is an all-purpose feature-back with excellent vision, balance, and agility. He has the power to run through contact and is an electric runner with an elite jump-cut, 850+ collegiate touches and only one fumble. He had nearly 5,000 collegiate yards and is no worse for wear. 

Hunt

 is an excellent value pick at any point after Round-1. If he’s still available in the second or even third rounds of your rookie dynasty drafts, he’s the epitome of a “steal.” Don’t sleep on him. 

Small

 school running backs make a mockery of the NFL draft. Many of them have had great success in the NFL.

*Elijah Hood, Rookie, UNC – So, this is my one reach and will be dependent on landing spot. Hood epitomizes a sleeper in this year’s loaded RB draft class. On CBS Sports 2017 NFL draft board, Hood is rated as the 15th best RB prospect. That’s simply too low. Hood doesn’t have mind-boggling stats with tons of rushing yardage, but what he does have is the UNC-record 6.0 YPC, which is slightly better than 

Giovani Bernard

’s mark. His usage at UNC was perplexing, as he routinely had only about 15 carries per game. Remember: the ACC has been one of the best college football conferences during the past two years. Hood is 5’-11,” 220 lbs., and uses his size, making him a tough, punishing runner who is adept at gaining yards after contact. But listen, this isn’t just a banger that mows guys over. He’s got wheels and moves to go with the toughness. He also has above-average vision and he makes smart decisions in both short yardage situations and between the tackles. He has all the traits of a starting RB. He is a potential all-purpose back in the NFL. As an NFL rookie, Hood could immediately step-in and contribute on third downs, in short yardage, and in goal-line situations. I expect him to ultimately develop into a solid fantasy RB2. I recommend drafting him late as a dynasty stash (#DynastyValues). My fantasy rosters would love to see Hood land in Carolina, for instance.

Every new NFL season brings with it millions of predictions and projections for real life and for fantasy. 2017 will be no different. With the 2016 fantasy season over and the draft and free agency yet to come, every move will impact multiple players across all positions. This list is a work in progress, but as of today, these are a few players to keep an eye on during the off-season and might be worth grabbing when draft day rolls around.