Leonard Fournette Struggling: Is Rachaad White a Fantasy Football Sleeper? (2022)

This time of year, it’s important to identify value in all fantasy football formats. Whether you’re trading for assets in dynasty leagues or planning your fantasy football redraft strategy, finding players that provide value compared to their average draft position is a great way to build a championship roster.

Leonard Fournette paid off in a big way in 2021 for fantasy managers that invested in him during drafts. After his strong 2021 campaign, he’s currently an RB1 in our expert consensus rankings. However, he seems to be having some trouble in the early going, once again checking in a bit on the heavier side. While it’s still early, there is another Buccaneer running back that our analysts are monitoring this draft season: Rookie third-round pick Rachaad White.

Leonard Fournette struggles early in camp

Leonard Fournette made his first appearance in the off-season and seemed to be a little heavy and struggled some in the heat, dropping a few passes. (Source: Rick Stroud on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This comes from Buccaneers beat reporter Rick Stroud. Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles said Fournette looked fine, especially considering he hasn’t been with them in their off-season. Fournette should remain the clear early down back in the Bucs backfield, but rookie RB Rachaad White is going to compete for a role in the passing game out of the Bucs backfield so competition has been added.
– Ari Koslow

Rachaad White 2022 Fantasy Football Ranking

Currently, White has a consensus fantasy football ranking of RB62 in half-PPR formats.

Derek Brown is much higher than the consensus (No. 49 overall) on White and thinks he’s worth reaching for a bit in upcoming drafts:

Despite inking Leonard Fournette to a new three-year deal, resigning Giovani Bernard, and still having incumbent Ke’Shawn Vaughn on the roster, the team spent a third-round draft pick on Rachaad White. White followed up his final season at Arizona State, where he racked up 3.38 yards after contact per attempt and 2.25 yards per route run (ninth, minimum 20 targets per PFF) by blowing up the combine. White finished with an 84th percentile speed score and 87th percentile burst score. This looks like a crowded backfield on paper, but the team has shown the willingness to utilize one back as a do-it-all rusher and receiver. This would leave White as the Uncle Len backup plan with workhorse upside if the injury bug bit Fournette.