3 Deep Fantasy Football Sleepers: Running Backs (2023)

Besides winning your fantasy championships, one of the most gratifying aspects of fantasy football is identifying sleepers. Providing immense value on your draft picks allows you to win fantasy championships.

Here is my attempt at gratification with the list of deep sleepers you can have in your queues during your upcoming fantasy football drafts.

Deep Sleepers (2023 Fantasy Football)

Ty Chandler (RB – MIN)

put Ty Chandler in bubble wrap until Week 1 pic.twitter.com/A70xHY6Rmi

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) August 11, 2023

The release of Dalvin Cook left a massive hole in the Vikings’ backfield, which provided ample opportunity for someone to step up and take over the featured back role in Minnesota. Most assumed it would be Alexander Mattison automatically taking over the role, but Mattison has yet to prove he is ready for a full-time role. Mattison has exhibited flashes in small sample sizes, yet we should hesitate to jump on that bandwagon.

The Vikings have other options at running back, including the young versatile Ty Chandler. Chandler shined in the Vikings’ first preseason games with 60 total yards on 15 touches. He showed a burst and the ability to catch the ball from the backfield. His shiftiness makes him an exciting player who should carve out a role as a passing game option and a timeshare with Mattison in a running back rotation.

Jordan Mason (RB – SF)

Jordan Mason took advantage of the opportunity when Elijah Mitchell missed time with an injury that forced him to miss all but five games last season. Mason was impressive in his rookie season, exhibiting the bruising style the Niners lack in their multi-faceted offense. Mitchell and all-world starter Christian McCaffrey aren’t reliable, healthy options that leave the door open for Mason to earn valuable touches and be the ideal handcuff running back to stash on their fantasy rosters.

An injury to either of those backs allows you to step into a considerable role worthy of a draft selection with one of the final picks of your fantasy drafts.

Deuce Vaughn (RB – DAL)

Deuce Vaughn vs Jacksonville Jaguars, Preseason Week 2.

All rush attempts and targets. pic.twitter.com/UxQO609U84

— Zareh Kantzabedian (@ZKantzFF) August 13, 2023

Every NFL preseason has players that surprise, and fantasy managers jump at the opportunity to obtain them. The next player on that list is the Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn. Vaughn, the Cowboys’ sixth-round pick, shined in his first NFL preseason action by rushing eight times for 50 yards and one touchdown. His highlights displayed plenty of wiggle and juice at Kansas St. The Cowboys depth chart behind starter Tony Pollard is pretty bare, leaving the door open for Vaughn to a direct path to touches in an explosive Cowboys offense.