2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Sleepers

NFL Training Camp is heating up and Fantasy Football Drafts are right around the corner. I’ve got you covered on everything at the Running Back position – from draft rankings, to risers/fallers, to position battles, to emerging rookies and of course Sleepers, Busts, Breakouts and my annual Must Have and Do NOT Draft players. Bookmark this page to keep tabs on my rankings. These rankings are for RB only and based on PPR settings. 

Which RBs am I too high/low on? Comment below and we’ll discuss in the chat.

Remember to check in with the @RazzballNFL team of writers as we host our YouTube Show where we hit on all things offseason/preseason/midseason fantasy football.  Join Bobby @BobbyLaMarco, Matt @stiles08, The Lineup Builder @Derek_Favret, Jeff @Jefferson__21 and me, Sky @SkyGuasco at 9 pm EST/6 pm PST for the show as we answer all your questions thus keeping you engaged for the 2024 season. Come for the analysis, and stay for the laughs!

2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Sleepers

A “Sleeper”, for me, is a player ranked outside ECR Top 24 RBs that could emerge as not only a startable option, but potentially a difference maker in your weekly lineups.

• Player: Najee Harris
• Team: Steelers
• Current ECR Rank (as of this writing): RB25

I seem to be the only person that still believes in Najee. That’s fine; I get it. However, he’s the top option for my favorite running back sleepers heading into 2024 drafts. It’s no secret that his teammate Jaylen Warren is a better athlete, but in new OC Arthur Smith’s offense, Najee might actually be the benefactor. While in ATL, Smith led the Falcons to the 4th most rushing attempts last year and 2nd most in 2022. Najee has never missed a game in his three year career. He’s rushed for over 1,000 yards each year. His carries have lessened each season, but he had a career-high 4.1 yards per attempt. He also has 10, 10 and 8 TDs over his three years. He’s not an RB1, but he could absolutely out produce his Round 7 ADP.

• Player: Raheem Mostert
• Team: Dolphins
• Current ECR Rank (as of this writing): RB28

This should be obvious, but we like to hate on the old guys. Again, I get it. As long as “Heem” is healthy, he’s the top option in a lethal Miami backfield. He signed an extension that keeps him on the team through 2025. We love that for aging RBs. Yes, he could lose a step due to age, but he’s still arguably the fastest back in the league, so… losing a step may not matter. He led the NFL with 21 TDs last season and had career-highs in carries and rushing yards. De’Von Achane was quite impressive himself and has an ADP as the RB7 off boards. Mostert is the starter and being drafted as the best “handcuff” aka running back sleeper in the league with a Round 8 ADP. Take the OG as your RB3/RB4 and ride the wave while you can. If he stays healthy he could have another league-winning season. 

• Player: Zack Moss
• Team: Bengals
• Current ECR Rank (as of this writing): RB31

Moss broke out for the Colts in place of Jonathan Taylor and earned himself an opportunity to take over for Joe Mixon in Cincy. Mixon is now on the Texans if you’re just joining us. Moss handled a career-high 183 carries for 794 and 7 TDs. Mixon had 12, 9 and 16 TDs for the Bengals over the last three seasons. Moss won’t be a splash pick on Draft Day, but he could be a solid RB2 in a high-powered offense. If Joe Burrow can actually stay on the field for us, Moss might explode his late Round 7 ADP. Yes, Chase Brown is a new buzz name and knows the offense, but you’re not asking Moss to carry your team. He’s going to be forgotten by drafters and should have great value when healthy. 

• Player: Trey Benson
• Team: Cardinals
• Current ECR Rank (as of this writing): RB43

Don’t tell our fearless leader Bob Lamarco, but Trey Benson will be the best back in ARI this season. I love me some James Conner and root for the guy. Great story and perseverance in his career. No hate. Benson is a fast back that has abilities that Conner frankly does not. Once the Cardinals fall behind (pretty much immediately on a weekly basis), I feel it’ll be Benson in the pass game and hoping for chunk plays over Conner. Benson ran a 4.39 at the combine and was a dawg at Florida State. In Dynasty Drafts he’s ranked as the RB16. In redraft, Benson is a mid round 9 pick. That’s easy money for me and certainly as Conner’s handcuff if I draft him as well. 

• Player: J.K. Dobbins
• Team: Chargers
• Current ECR Rank (as of this writing): RB52

First off, like Nick Chubb, when healthy, there’s no denying how great of a runner J.K. Dobbins is. Unfortunately, he’s been torn up by injuries. Luckily, his old OC Greg Roman brought him over to the Chargers for another shot. So far this offseason, Dobbins has been progressing well and should be ready come Week 1. I’m going to assume that’s the case unless I hear otherwise. If he is the starter for LAC, then his late Round 14 ADP is obviously insane. He’s not 100% yet and his former BAL back mate Gus Edwards is also now in LAC. Plus they drafted Kimani Vidal. So, he’s got to earn it, but I think he will. Maybe not by Week 1, but by Week 4. If you find yourself looking for depth not needing to make an immediate impact, Dobbins is at the top of my list for bench stashes for RBs. Do that with Chubb as well. Both could/should end up as running back sleepers (once healthy).

For more from Sky and his Razzball content, find him on Twitter @skyguasco.