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.