Zach Charbonnet and 7 More Sleepers at Running Back

First, let's talk about average draft position (ADP).

ADP shows where players are typically being selected across many fantasy drafts, giving you a sense of the consensus value for each player. Our Consensus ADP takes this a step further. We combine the ADPs of several sites into one. We also only allow sites with quality ADP to be factored into the overall ranking.

RELATED: See 6 Underrated Running Backs here
RELATED: See 6 Overrated Running Backs here

We asked our staff to compare running back ADP with our projections to identify running backs available late in your draft who should outperform their draft position.

Eight sleeper running backs quickly gathered interest. See what our staff has to say about each player.

Sleeper RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks

• Current ADP: RB37
• FBG Projections: RB30

Tipp Major: Due to Ken Walker III's ongoing injury issues, Zach Charbonnet can become more than just a handcuff. There is an urgent need to enhance the running game. With the recent addition of Klint Kubiak, it is essential to also consider bringing in Rick Dennison to strengthen this aspect of the team.

Last season, the Seahawks ranked among the lowest in the league for both rushing attempts and rushing yards per game, which is a significant concern that needs to be addressed.  

Rick Dennison has a solid track record of prioritizing the running game; since 2003, his teams have averaged an impressive 28 carries per game. This approach will not only help Seattle improve its rushing performance in 2025 but will also ensure that each running back remains fresh throughout the season, particularly for Walker.

Here is the key, especially if you are the Walker manager.  You have to be aggressive when drafting Charbonnet.  His current ADP sitting as an RB3 or flex could have mass appeal.  Considered a sleeper, he will only awaken your running back depth. Drafting Charbonnet ten slots higher isn't crazy.  I'd prefer him over players like Brian Robinson Jr., Chuba Hubbard, and David Montgomery.

Jason Wood: Zach Charbonnet is a better offensive weapon than Ken Walker III, even if the Seahawks' usage suggests otherwise. Last year, Walker averaged 14.4 PPR points in his 11 starts, which would have ranked as RB21 over the full season. Charbonnet averaged 17.6 fantasy points in his six starts, which would have ranked as RB6.

Walker has missed 10 games in three seasons, while Charbonnet has only missed one in two years. Perhaps most importantly, Charbonnet is a far better pass protector, which will be vital with Sam Darnold under center.

Now, none of that ultimately matters if the coaches continue to favor Walker. But generally speaking, you want to draft backup running backs who have the potential to be every-week fantasy stars if an opportunity opens up. Charbonnet is among the best in that RB2 category as a handcuff, and there's even a case that he could end up the starter outright, even if Walker stays healthy.

Andy Hicks: Ken Walker III has had diminishing returns in each of his three years. Zach Charbonnet has gotten better each year. Walker is, however, seen as the clear-cut starter. Others are losing faith.

In the last year of his rookie contract, Walker has it all to prove and is struggling to get to his expected performance level. His last 100-yard game was the opening game of the 2024 season. He had one touchdown in his last six games and averaged 3.2 yards per carry in that time.

Walker may enter this season healthy and in prime position to be what is expected, but one touch of adversity and Charbonnet is on hand to take advantage. He outplayed Walker in all facets last year. Rushing, touchdowns, receiving, etc.

There is no doubt Charbonnet will get enough work to justify his draft slot, even if Walker is back to his best. What makes Charbonnet an incredible value is that he is likely to see more work than Walker's best-case scenario. Both are adept as receivers, but Charbonnet looks more natural. If there are any issues with Walker this year, Charbonnet could be a league winner.

Maurile Tremblay: Zach Charbonnet is the textbook mid-round running back who can swing leagues if a few obvious dominoes fall. The first is availability: Ken Walker III has already missed seven games over the past two seasons with oblique, calf, and ankle issues. Whenever Charbonnet has stepped in, he's flashed difference-making efficiency, most memorably shredding Arizona for 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns while forcing nine missed tackles.

Seattle's offense now belongs to Klint Kubiak, whose outside-zone playbook is built on downhill, one-cut runs and a heavy dose of pre-snap motion. This is precisely the system Charbonnet thrived in at UCLA and one that the new coordinator has promised to "get after" in 2025. An interior line led by veteran center Connor Williams and a second-year leap from guard Christian Haynes should improve run-blocking consistency after last season's mid-year makeover.

Unlike many early-down backs, Charbonnet stays on the field in hurry-up situations; he hauled in 42 of 52 targets for 340 yards as a sophomore, ranking in the top 15 among running backs in yards per route run. Put it together and you get a 24-year-old with three-down chops, a run-centric scheme, a fragile incumbent ahead of him, and proven spike-week upside. That's a sleeper profile worth betting on.

Sleeper RB Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears

• Current ADP: RB54
• FBG Projections: RB45

Tipp Major: The name Roschon Johnson might not inspire much enthusiasm when it comes to adding him to your fantasy roster. However, if you take a deeper look, you'll find a reason or two to consider drafting him, especially with his current average draft position (ADP) in the mid-50s among running backs. It might be a dart that you might throw with your eyes closed, but somehow it landed you the points you desperately needed.

Ben Johnson's offensive strategy could bring a breath of fresh air for Bears fans. Ben Johnson will implement a balanced attack with effective running plays and strategic surprises to keep defenses guessing. In his last three seasons with Detroit as offense coordinator, the run game averaged 29.3 carries per game.

Reunions are generally positive, but it's worth noting that the last time D'Andre Swift played under Ben Johnson, he averaged his lowest number of touches—10.5 per game. Could this mean Roschon Johnson plays a consistent role in this offense?  Forget Javonte Williams, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Kareem Hunt; consider Roschon instead.

Ben Cummins: D'Andre Swift is a good player and not a small one at 212 pounds. However, Roschon Johnson is larger at 225 pounds, had 198 fewer carries than Swift last season, and still finished with the same number of rushing touchdowns (6). Johnson kept pace with Swift in touchdowns because the former coaching staff designated him the goal-line running back.

There is reason to believe Ben Johnson will do the same thing this year. The last time Ben Johnson coached Swift was in Detroit in 2022. He was the offensive coordinator and gave Jamaal Williams 262 carries for 1,066 yards and 17 touchdowns that year.

Now let's compare Williams and Roschon Johnson.

Roschon Johnson is similar athletically but weighs 13 more pounds than the guy Ben Johnson previously decided to give the ball to at the goal line over Swift. Roschon Johnson offers exciting upside at an affordable cost, paired with the best offensive mind in today's NFL.

Julia Papworth: Johnson had a rough 2024, averaging a sub-par 2.7 yards per attempt, but the entire Chicago Bears team was less than ideal. The team had 12 total rushing touchdowns, but Johnson accounted for half of them, all coming from inside the five.

When they are in close, they go to him, whereas D'Andre Swift finished with three touchdowns from inside the five on ten attempts. With his ADP currently in the 50s, most drafters are looking at Johnson to be the RB2 in the Bears' backfield, but I think his upside is sky high.

Swift remains ahead of him on the depth chart on paper, but with the arrival of Ben Johnson, I think this could turn on a dime. We have seen this exact show before, when in Detroit, Swift was the starting running back under Johnson, and a delightful Jamaal Williams became a touchdown vulture, finishing the season with 17 on the ground and the RB8 on the season. Swift was RB22.

Drafting Johnson at this ADP could be the move that brings you home a championship if history repeats itself, and I think that it might.

Sleeper RB Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders

• Current ADP: RB48
• FBG Projections: RB35

Bob Harris: Austin Ekeler finished last season as RB34, falling well outside the RB2 range in his first season with the Commanders while dealing with injuries, including a pair of concussions. But what if I told you he scored double-digit points in eight out of the 12 games he appeared in? He scored north of 17 PPR points in three of those games.

When Brian Robinson Jr. missed Weeks 9 and 10 with a hamstring injury, Ekeler had 134 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns against the Giants and Steelers. Two of those scores came against the stingy Pittsburgh defense.

Expecting him to play a similar role this year -- in an ascendant offense led by rising star Jayden Daniels -- doesn't seem like a massive reach. So why has Ekeler's value diminished? Two concussions in a single season are one reason.

But Ekeler, who turned 30 this offseason,  isn't concerned about health. "I went and saw professionals to learn what are some potential long-term things," he said. While nobody should consider him a front-line fantasy prospect, Ekeler's role and production -- when available -- suggest he still has something to offer.

Maurile Tremblay: Austin Ekeler's 2025 appeal begins with how cleanly his skill set fits an ascendant Washington attack. The Commanders finished fifth in scoring under Kliff Kingsbury last year and then fortified their front by trading for five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil and pairing him with free-agent center Tyler Biadasz.

Even in a modest 12-game debut season, Ekeler turned 112 touches into 733 scrimmage yards, averaging 4.8 per carry and ranking 12th among running backs in receptions despite missing five contests. Kingsbury raved this spring that Ekeler is "as quick and as strong as I've seen him," and outlined two-back looks with Brian Robinson Jr. designed to save Ekeler for hurry-up, third-down, and red-zone snaps.
 
Those high-leverage plays are where he still shines: Ekeler led the NFL in total touchdowns in both 2021 and 2022 and remains an elite short-area separator. Now 30 and entering the final season of a two-year, incentive-laden contract, he has the classic contract-year motivation while reunited with running-back guru Anthony Lynn, the coach who first unlocked his receiving ceiling.

A pass-centric scheme, a greatly upgraded line, proven goal-line chops, and an uncontested passing-down role create a believable path to RB2 production at a sleeper price.

Sleeper RB Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs

• Current ADP: RB62
• FBG Projections: RB46

Jason Wood: It's been a long and winding road for Kareem Hunt. After emerging as the Chiefs' top running back years ago, he was waived following a domestic violence incident and landed in Cleveland, where he served as the 1b to Nick Chubb's 1a.

Last season, the Chiefs surprised many by reuniting with Hunt, initially adding him to the practice squad. But when starter Isiah Pacheco got hurt, Hunt was promoted to the active roster. He went on to start eight games and produced as a top-24 fantasy back.

Make no mistake, Pacheco is the starter as long as he's healthy. But we now know Hunt is more than capable of stepping into the role with little to no dropoff. In some ways, he may even be better than Pacheco, particularly as a goal-line option.

Generally speaking, you want to target RB2s who have proven they can produce if given the opportunity and who play in good offenses. Hunt fits both criteria to a tee.

Andy Hicks: It is assumed that Isiah Pacheco will start as running back and Kareem Hunt will play the role of dutiful backup. I wouldn't be so quick to assume that will be the case. Hunt resurrected his flailing career by returning to the Chiefs and helping them reach the Super Bowl.

The lead back in this system isn't likely to be an elite fantasy running back, but if there is a clear lead back, he becomes a target for your RB2/flex spots. Pacheco was that in 2023. Hunt in 2024. With both on deck for this year, both need to make every moment count.

When Hunt resumed his career for the Chiefs, he rushed for 414 yards and five touchdowns in his first five games. Pacheco came back from injury last year, and he struggled and recorded 175 rushing yards and zero touchdowns, with fewer touches each game.

Maybe Pacheco wasn't fully healthy, or maybe Pacheco needs to be 100% to be effective. Whatever the case, Hunt has the experience to cope with whatever scenario comes his way, and his current draft price is his floor. With fortune, he becomes a decent fantasy back this season.

Sleeper RB Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills

• Current ADP: RB46
• FBG Projections: RB42

Ben Cummins: The Bills' offense led the NFL in both Expected Points Added per Play and Rush Expected Points Added per Play last season. Ray Davis is in an incredible fantasy environment and is a very good player who has produced everywhere he's been.

As a true freshman at Temple, Davis ran for 936 yards, caught 15 passes for 181 yards, and scored 10 touchdowns. In his final season at Kentucky, he racked up 1,452 total yards and 21 touchdowns. And as a rookie last season, Davis put up 631 total yards and 6 touchdowns despite playing on only 264 offensive snaps.

Davis' role is projected to grow in his second season, and we have already received a glimpse of his contingent upside should James Cook get injured or his contract negotiations head South. Ty Johnson helps form a three-headed monster, but Davis is the clear number two.

In Week 6 with Cook out, Davis played on 58% of the offensive snaps (Cook's season-high was 61%), carried 20 times for 97 yards, and caught 3 passes for 55 more yards. He's one of the best backup running back selections this season because he offers both standalone value and contingent upside.

Colton Dodgson: This might seem like a layup given everything going on with James Cook's contract. I'm approaching Davis, though, as if Cook will be back with the Bills on a new deal next season. That's overly optimistic given some of the reporting. I know. I like to prepare for the worst possible outcome, that way I'm pleasantly surprised. 

Even in the scenario in which Cook returns, I think Davis carries value. The Bills were one of the NFL's most run-heavy teams both overall and in the red zone last season. They posted run rates of 47.9 percent and 58.2 percent, respectively.

Of the 113 red zone carries, James Cook, whom I might remind you scored 16 touchdowns last season, handled just 48 of those carries. Josh Allen was second with 32, but as a rookie, Davis still carried the ball 19 times in the red zone. 

In other words, the approach was far more balanced than Cook's 16 rushing touchdowns might insinuate. Couple the possible role increase with -0.08 EPA/attempt and 39.8 percent success rate as a rookie, and Davis looks like a player with a workable foundation in a run-first system.

Sleeper RB Miles Sanders, Dallas Cowboys

• Current ADP: RB67
• FBG Projections: RB54

Jason Wood: The Dallas Cowboys have four running backs potentially vying for roles: Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, and Miles Sanders. The consensus sees Williams as the lead back in a multi-back committee, and that may be how things unfold.

But Williams hasn't looked like a difference maker since his early career injuries and is by no means a lock to regain his footing on a new team.

Sanders, on the other hand, is being treated as a non-factor, which is exactly what makes him intriguing. Let's not forget he started in Week 18 for the Panthers, racked up 26.6 fantasy points, and finished as the No. 4 running back that week. He still has plenty left in the tank, and both his 2024 and career efficiency metrics compare favorably to Williams.

Even if Sanders only has a 10% chance of emerging as the lead back, that's a swing worth taking in the final rounds, especially while your leaguemates are busy drafting kickers and defenses.

Sleeper RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

• Current ADP: RB50
• FBG Projections: RB44

Gary Davenport: There is no question that in a perfect world, Allgeier would hop in a DeLorean and fast-forward to next March, when he will be a free agent for the first time. That's when he will be able to emerge from the shadow of Bijan Robinson, and there is a better than average chance that someone will give Allgeier in 2026 what has eluded him in Atlanta—a real chance to be a lead back in the NFL.

Things started well enough—Allgeier gained over 1,000 yards on the ground as a rookie and averaged just under five yards per carry. However, the Falcons drafted Robinson the following year, and after Robinson's big 2024 season, Allgeier is every bit the afterthought in fantasy drafts that he appears to be in Atlanta.

But even last year, Allgeier had 150 touches, so he hasn't totally vanished from the Falcons' offense. Meanwhile, Robinson accumulated 365 touches, which may not be enough to incur curses but has historically portended regression in the following season.

Allgeier isn't just fantasy's most valuable "handcuff" back. If Robinson were to miss any real time, he has the potential to be a league-winning bargain.

Sleeper RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Current ADP: RB43
• FBG Projections: RB34

Jeff Blaylock: Rachaad White was a top-five fantasy running back two years ago when he ruled the Buccaneers' backfield. He ceded over half of his 2023 rushing volume to the more efficient rookie Bucky Irving.

Nevertheless, White finished as the RB20 in point-per-reception (PPR) scoring, bolstered by his 51 receptions for 393 yards, each ranking 8th among running backs, and six touchdowns. Only David Montgomery scored more fantasy points as a team's second running back.

Yet, White is being overlooked in fantasy drafts so far this year. He remains a significant player in a potent offense, particularly on third down. He was on the field for nearly 80 percent of Tampa Bay's third-down plays and ran 104 routes, each ranking third in the league among running backs.

Lightly used Sean Tucker is White's only threat for playing time. White has demonstrated durability, having missed just one game over his three-year career. 

As fantasy draft picks go, White is a decidedly unsexy one. He's best considered a volume-based grinder with one of the highest floors of any back playing out of the RB2 role. He brings more value and reliability than some of the flashier backs being selected before him.