Fantasy Football Deep (Keeper) League Sleepers: Running Backs

I love all fantasy football games, point per reception leagues, leagues with individual defensive players, the standard 12 team leagues with standard scoring, but perhaps my favorite league of all is the league that has an insane number of teams (like 16-20) and a lot of roster spots open as well. Why? It gets difficult fast to find productive players. If you threw in an element of keepers it might even be more fun.

In a league with 16-20 teams, picks get ugly fast. Think in a 12 team league, at the end of the 10th round there are 120 players drafted. In a 20 team league that’s the 6th round. It gets ugly.

Who are some of the players that can make a legitimate impact in these kind of leagues. Here are players at running back I’d target. I’ll do all other offensive positions in my next post. Most teams keep three or maybe four running backs (not including fullbacks) so almost all of these guys are the third or fourth running backs. These are all players who are potential keepers even in deeper average size leagues (12 teams).

Running back

Da’rel Scott, NYG– I’m pretty confident that Da’Rel Scott will not make a huge impact in this seasosn, but I think next season is a completely different story. The New York Giants have a good offensive line, even though it’s in a state of transition and the running backs ahead of Scott all have some issues. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have fumbling and injury issues/concerns. Jacobs restructured his contract this off-season, but I’m not convinced that he Giants won’t jettison him after the season, especially if there is a new coach (if the Giants struggle this year there will be). Scott has speed that can’t be trained and is a talented player. I was high on Scott before the draft and am even higher on him now that he’s in an ideal situation. In a deep keeper league consider picking up Scott late. Next year he could be a prime breakout candidate.He’s second in preseason rushing yards, despite only having 14 attempts.

Issac Redman, Pittsburgh Steelers

I’ve loved what I’ve seen from Redman when he’s gotten a chance to play. He’s not drafted in any leagues I’ve played in and I’m not sure why. I think he’s a very viable handcuff for Reshad Mendenhall and I think the Steelers offensive line is vastly underrated. Is the line great? No, it’s not, but it’s much, much better than it’s perceived to be. The Steelers also have a mentality that lends itself to talented running backs. On top of that, nothing else in the Steelers backfield. In a deep league he’s a must draft because an unfortunate injury to Mendenhall would provide Redman the chance to shine, and I think he’ll deliver. He may not be a “deep league” sleeper

Shane Vareen

Vareen is in a place where there’s a lot of competition in the backfield, but he’s the most talented runner and the cream always rises to the top. Vareen will eventually be an excellent choice in points per reception leagues. Vareen was one of my favorite running backs in the entire draft and getting to play with Tom Brady and the excellent Patriots organization is just unfair. Vareen has been beat up in the preseason which has hurt his value, but when healthy he could be a steal. Definitely worth a pick in deep leagues. The running backs often talked with the Patriots are The Law Firm, Danny Woodhead, and Steven Ridley who had an excellent preseason.

Jacquizz Rodgers

It seems like I’m targeting a lot of rookies and frankly I am. The running back position is not an old man’s position there are players who find their groove late in their career (Derrick Ward is an excellent example of that), but for most of the part the younger players rule the position. Rodgers plays behind a talented about offensive line (another common theme) with a good quarterback and explosive offensive weapons. What’s also nice about Rodgers is that he plays behind a guy who has more carries than almost all other running backs in the league year in and year out. That eventually takes a toll. Rodgers is undersized, but he’s tough, shifty, and can also catch passes.

Armond Smith, Cleveland Browns

Who is this guy? When you google search Armond Smith scouting report you get “Did you mean someone nfl teams know about?”

Obviously, not. But point is he wasn’t a big name heading up to the draft and someone I knew nothing about. National Football Post had him rated as the 33rd best running back in the draft.

A highly productive running back at the NAIA level who simply plays at another speed. Exhibits an impressive initial burst for the position, possesses good footwork and balance when asked to make cuts at full speed and accelerates instantly in the open field. Averaged over 9.0 yards on the season on just over 150 carries. Displays impressive shiftiness with the football in his hands, quickly gets out of his breaks and has an impressive second gear with the ability to outpace defenders at the second level.

He impressed the Cleveland Browns in preseason 192 rushing yards at nearly 6.2 yards per carry enough that they kept him on their roster despite three preseason fumbles. The Browns are a team on the rise and though Smith isn’t there yet he’s someone to watch to see if he gets any chances this year.

Who are your deep league running back sleepers?

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