Last season, Bucky Irving and Tyrone Tracy Jr. were breakout running back dynasty rookie sleepers. In 2023, we can look back at Chase Brown and Tank Bigsby as running back sleepers who would eventually break out. If you want to roll it back a year further, 2022 gave us Kyren Williams and Isiah Pacheco as running back dynasty rookie sleepers who paid dividends to drafters.
It could happen immediately, or it might take a season or two, but we almost always find at least one gem of a sleeper at the running back position. Who will it be this season? Let’s take a look at some dynasty rookie running back sleepers going after the first couple of rounds in rookie drafts.
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
Dynasty Rookie Sleepers: Running Backs
Brashard Smith (RB – KC)
The Chiefs trading up for a running back is noteworthy, even if it was in the seventh round. Just three years ago, the same franchise selected current starting running back Isiah Pacheco in the seventh round. Their draft round is where the comparisons end, however, as Brashard Smith cedes over 20 pounds to Pacheco.
Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 194 pounds, Smith played three years of wide receiver at Miami before converting to running back last season with SMU. Smith is a burner, notching a 4.39 40-yard dash, who was wildly productive at SMU, especially considering it was his only season of playing running back. He carried the ball 234 times for 1,329 yards and caught 39 passes for 327 yards with 18 total touchdowns.
A slippery runner, Smith displays good vision and strong change of pace moves to beat defenders, but his biggest strengths play as a receiver out of the backfield with sharp route running and ball skills, the kind of skillset that can be deadly in the Chiefs’ offense. Jerick McKinnon posted 512 receiving yards and nine touchdowns as the team’s third-down back in 2022, but Andy Reid has had to mix and match that role since then.
The Chiefs signed Elijah Mitchell and brought back Kareem Hunt, while Pacheco, Carson Steele and Keaontay Ingram remain on the roster. Smith will need to climb a crowded depth chart, but he offers a unique enough skillset to carve out a role. Steele is the only running back under contract beyond this season.
Jaydon Blue (RB – DAL)
To nobody’s surprise, the Cowboys prioritized their offensive line early in the draft rather than addressing their lack of offensive weapons. Still, many expected Dallas to add a running back earlier in the draft. Whomever they added to the room was going to draw interest in fantasy circles, but Jaydon Blue is an ideal fit for the offense.
The Cowboys brought in Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, both of whom are more physical runners than explosive at this stage. Blue has played with tons of NFL talent, facing a lot of competition for touches at Texas, limiting his production.
Regardless of his college production, Blue can be a mismatch as a pass-catcher out of the backfield with his speed. He clocked in with a 4.38 40-yard dash but also offers shiftiness and quick cutting ability.
As a runner, Blue is best suited out wide and in space, where he can reach his top-end speed. The Cowboys will throw the ball often but have a shortage of targets after CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson, so there’s room for another receiving weapon in this offense. I expect Blue to make some noise in that department.
If Williams and Sanders are unable to generate yardage beyond what’s provided to them, Blue will have an opportunity to be more than a third-down/change-of-pace back.
Jarquez Hunter (RB – LAR)
The Rams drafted Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, which came with a considerable amount of hype. Corum offers many similarities to Kyren Williams, with the consensus being that he would make a strong rotational piece or even a potential replacement for Williams. It was a disappointing season for Corum, who took just 58 carries for 207 yards.
It feels as though the fantasy football community has given up on the idea of somebody pushing Williams for the job or they’re simply not as familiar with Jarquez Hunter. The Auburn product is built in the same mold as both Williams and Corum, standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 204 pounds. Hunter is Auburn’s fourth-leading rusher all time after posting 1,201 rushing yards and eight rushing scores as a senior. His 36.6% of carries last season that went for a first down or touchdown was the second-best mark in the FBS.
A punishing runner, Hunter’s legs never stop churning for extra yardage. He offers enough burst to gain momentum through holes and deliver the blow to defenders, but lacks the overall speed and agility to make defenders miss in space. Hunter’s tough running style will make him a fan favorite, and he can win over Sean McVay as a rotational ball-carrier. That is how Hunter can surpass Corum on the depth chart.
With the injury concerns attached to Williams, it’s possible Hunter could take on an every-down role at some point. He’s capable of running through defenders on his way to a bigger role, if the opportunity presents itself.
Tahj Brooks (RB – CIN)
Tahj Brooks is the most productive rusher of all time at Texas Tech and was one of the most productive runners in the nation over the last two seasons. He and Omarion Hampton are the only two running backs to top 1,500 rushing yards in both 2023 and 2024. Brooks posted 95+ rushing yards in 22 straight games to close out his collegiate career.
The 5-foot-9, 214-pound bowling ball runs with a low center of gravity and a pad level that feels impossible to tackle one-on-one. He lacks the long speed to hit many home runs, but his contact balance will translate to plenty of doubles in the NFL. Brooks averaged 3.0 yards per carry after contact and led the FBS with 96 forced missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
The Bengals found something with Chase Brown last season, but Zack Moss and Samaje Perine are rather pedestrian at this stage of their careers. Brooks can hit some doubles and offer a perfect complement to Brown, who is a home run threat every time he touches the ball.
Devin Neal (RB – NO)
Devin Neal is not as exciting as the others on this list, but I wanted to include him for a few reasons. He was very productive at Kansas, posting three straight seasons with 1,000 rushing yards and breaking the school record in rushing yards (4,343), rushing touchdowns (49) and total touchdowns (53). He offers strong versatility as a do-it-all kind of back.
That is a worthwhile skillset, particularly after landing in New Orleans, where the Saints have struggled to find any consistency after Alvin Kamara. If Neal can pass Kendre Miller, he could carve out a solid role in the offense under Kellen Moore.
On the other hand, Neal lacks top-end speed and agility but isn’t a power runner, either. He wins with great vision, wiggle and the ability to set up defenders before making a move. He can also be a factor in the passing game, which will help him see the field. Neal won’t stand out with his speed or tackle-breaking, but he’s a player that coaches will love.
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