The process of identifying sleepers can become an integral part of both the planning process and your eventual roster construction that occurs during your drafts. The designation of certain players as sleepers does not suggest a lack of awareness surrounding those players, as a large percentage of fantasy managers voraciously research their options before each draft.
That has shifted the definition of a sleeper toward players who are viable candidates to surpass the expectations of their ADPs. This will be the result of each player's specific combination of talent and the favorable path toward opportunity that exists in their environment. That approach to identifying sleepers applies to the enticing options that will be available at the running back position during your upcoming drafts.
The depth of this year's rookie class has supplied managers with a group of newcomers who could outperform their draft positions. A cluster of veterans is also worthy of consideration in the later rounds of your current drafts. That includes the five backs that will be examined in this article, which will use the latest ADPs courtesy of Sazua.com.
Jaylen Wright , Miami Dolphins
ADP 165, RB51
Jaylen Wright 's current ADP places him in Round 14 (165/RB51). However, Wright's role could expand during his second season if he functions as Miami's RB2 behind De'Von Achane . Wright could also ascend to a sizable workload if Achane becomes unavailable for any reason.
The Dolphins traded up to select Wright during Round 4 of the 2024 NFL Draft (120th overall). That immediately launched him into a crowded backfield that included Achane, Raheem Mostert , and Jeff Wilson Jr.
Wright's workload was restricted by the presence of Achane and Mostert, even though his athleticism and blazing speed fueled his potential to generate explosive runs.
Wright operated with a 17 percent snap share while averaging 4.5 attempts/16.6 rushing yards per game. He did erupt for 86 rushing yards on 13 attempts when Achane was sidelined by a concussion in Week 5. Wright also averaged 6.6 yards per attempt and vaulted to eighth in rush yards over expected (21) according to Next Gen Stats.
| Week 5 | YPA | Attempts | Yards | YAC |
| Tank Bigsby | 7.8 | 13 | 101 | 90 |
| Chuba Hubbard | 7.5 | 13 | 97 | 31 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 7.4 | 12 | 89 | 45 |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | 7.2 | 18 | 129 | 57 |
| Rachaad White | 7.2 | 10 | 72 | 55 |
| Jaylen Wright | 6.6 | 13 | 86 | 31 |
| Jordan Mason | 6.4 | 14 | 89 | 49 |
| Derrick Henry | 6.1 | 15 | 92 | 61 |
Wright has added six pounds of muscle during an offseason in which Mostert and Wilson have been extracted from Miami's depth chart. The Dolphins did sign Alexander Mattison while also selecting Ollie Gordon II in Round 6 (179th overall) during April's NFL Draft.
However, Mattison averaged 3.2 yards per attempt for Las Vegas in 2024 and should not surpass Wright on Miami's reshaped chart. Gordon should also be limited to short-yardage situations. That positions Wright to reward managers who target him at his ADP.
Jarquez Hunter , Los Angeles Rams
ADP 192, RB56
The Rams traded up to select Jarquez Hunter during Round 4 of April's NFL Draft (117th). He is an effective one-cut runner who operates with determination, vision, and explosiveness. This delivers the potential for big plays while elevating his status as an intriguing deep sleeper.
| Season | Team | Games | Attempts | Yards | YPG | YPA | TDs |
| 2021 | Auburn | 13 | 89 | 593 | 45.6 | 6.7 | 3 |
| 2022 | Auburn | 12 | 104 | 668 | 55.7 | 6.4 | 7 |
| 2023 | Auburn | 12 | 159 | 909 | 75.8 | 5.7 | 7 |
| 2024 | Auburn | 12 | 187 | 1201 | 100.1 | 6.4 | 8 |
Hunter accumulated 3,371 rushing yards (68.8 per game) and 25 touchdowns during his four seasons at Auburn. Hunter also accrued 15+ yards on 10% of his attempts from 2022-2024, according to PFF. He also generated 1,201 yards (100.1 per game), averaged 6.4 yards per attempt, and registered 23 carries of 15+ yards in 2024.
Hunter will be integrated into a depth chart that also contains Kyren Williams and Blake Corum . Williams is third among all backs in attempts (544/19.4 per game) and rushing yards (2,443/87.3 per game) since 2023. However, Williams has also fumbled eight times during that span and is entering the final year of his contract.
Corum was selected during Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, but was limited to an 11 percent snap share and averages of 3.4 attempts/12.2 yards per game last season. The Rams' investment in Corum also did not prevent the team from securing Hunter.
Hunter's proximity to a significant workload will materialize if he leapfrogs Corum to become the primary backup to Williams. That scenario would position Hunter to confiscate an extensive workload if Williams is sidelined or if Sean McVay expands Hunter's role. That solidifies Hunter's status as a strong target during the late rounds of your drafts.
Jordan James , San Francisco 49ers
ADP 214, RB67
Jordan James was the 13th member of the 2025 rookie class to be selected during the recent NFL Draft when San Francisco secured him in Round 5 (147th overall). James will not begin the year with an uncongested runway toward touches, as he will be located below Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo on the 49ers' depth chart.
However, James' stock would rise if McCaffrey is forced to the sideline, as Kyle Shanahan could be compelled to use James in a rotation with Guerendo. James' value would also skyrocket if both McCaffrey and Guerendo sustain health issues, which would position James to operate as a workhorse in Shanahan's offense.
| Season | Team | Games | Attempts | Yards | YPA | YPG | TDs |
| 2022 | Oregon | 10 | 46 | 189 | 4.1 | 18.9 | 5 |
| 2023 | Oregon | 14 | 107 | 759 | 7.1 | 54.2 | 11 |
| 2024 | Oregon | 14 | 233 | 1267 | 5.4 | 90.5 | 15 |
James is a physical, one-cut runner who accumulated 2,215 rushing yards and 31 rushing touchdowns during his three collegiate seasons at Oregon. That includes his numbers during 2024 when he generated 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Ducks. James also registered 58 missed tackles forced and 39 runs of 10+ yards during 2024, according to PFF.
James was also proficient in Oregon's outside zone scheme, which Shanahan has deployed in San Francisco's offense. It should require injuries to McCaffrey and Guerendo for James to become a valuable resource on rosters during his rookie season. However, he will likely take on a sizable workload if that scenario develops.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt , Washington Commanders
ADP 296, RB84
There were 24 running backs selected in the 2025 NFL Draft before Jacory Croskey-Merritt became the last player to be chosen at his position (245th overall). However, Croskey-Merritt could emerge in Washington's backfield rotation this season.
Croskey-Merritt operates with a physical style and is a proficient one-cut runner. He has also navigated a unique path that preceded his infusion into the Commanders' depth chart.
Croskey-Merritt assembled 1,164 yards and produced 13 touchdowns in 31 career games at Alabama State before he transferred to New Mexico in 2023. He generated 1,190 rushing yards (99.2 per game) and 17 touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per attempt during his lone season with the Lobos.
| Season | Team | Games | Attempts | Yards | YPA | YPG | TDs |
| 2023 | New Mexico | 12 | 189 | 1190 | 6.3 | 99.2 | 17 |
| 2024 | Arizona | 1 | 13 | 106 | 8.2 | 106 | 1 |
Croskey-Merritt also transferred to Arizona in 2024 and erupted for 106 rushing yards during the Wildcats' season opener. However, his tenure ended abruptly due to eligibility issues that were related to his 2019 redshirt season.
Croskey-Merritt later accumulated 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns during the East-West Shrine Bowl and was named Offensive MVP.
Croskey-Merritt turned 24 in April. However, his prospects of seizing a role in Washington's backfield remain intact with Brian Robinson Jr. and 30-year-old Austin Ekeler above him on the depth chart.
Robinson was just 30th in PFF's running back grades during 2024 (72), while also finishing 25th in rush yards over expected (0.08) according to Next Gen Stats, and 33rd in forced missed tackles (29) according to PFF.
Even if Deebo Samuel Sr. siphons a percentage of rushing attempts, Croskey-Merritt is capable of capitalizing on any opportunities that he secures this season. His ADP should incentivize you to target him with one of your final selections.
Isaiah Davis , New York Jets
ADP 385, RB105
Isaiah Davis was selected by the Jets in Round 5 of the 2024 NFL Draft (173rd overall), after New York had drafted Braelon Allen in Round 4 (134th overall). Allen functioned as the Jets' RB2 behind lead back Breece Hall throughout most of the 2024 regular season.
This delayed Davis's entrance into the fantasy landscape until a late-season surge in his involvement. Davis was relegated to a 2.3 percent snap share from Weeks 1-13, while being limited to five rushing attempts, 22 rushing yards, and four targets during that sequence.
However, he performed effectively during New York's final five matchups while nearly matching the snap share that was attained by Allen from Weeks 14-18 (27.4/28.0 percent). Davis also generated 152 yards on 25 attempts and easily surpassed Allen's average in yards per attempt (6.1/3.8).
| Weeks 14-18 | Snap% | Attempts | APG | Yards | YPA | YPG | YAC |
| Breece Hall | 60.8 | 45 | 11.3 | 184 | 4.1 | 46 | 105 |
| Isaiah Davis | 27.4 | 25 | 5 | 152 | 6.1 | 30.4 | 96 |
| Braelon Allen | 28 | 25 | 5 | 94 | 3.8 | 18.8 | 52 |
Now, his three-down capabilities could earn him a role in a Jets offense that will operate with a new head coach (Aaron Glenn) and offensive coordinator (Tanner Engstrand).
Davis is capable of becoming a resource on your roster if he is entrusted with a consistent workload. His role would expand if Hall is forced to the sideline, even if Davis shares touches with Allen. Davis's value will also soar if he secures a temporary lead-back role during any absence by Hall.
