Best ball fantasy football is arguably the best form because of its uniqueness. Instead of managing a lineup each week during the season, fantasy players draft and forget about it until after the year is over. However, finding sleepers is still critical to winning your best ball leagues. Therefore, let’s look at Running Backs we consider to be fantasy football sleepers.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Sleepers: Running Backs
Keaton Mitchell (RB – BAL) — ADP: 209.5 | RB65
Mitchell tore his ACL late in his rookie year. Unfortunately, the injury limited the former undrafted free-agent running back to five games last season. However, he is more than a year post-injury and was outstanding before getting hurt. According to Fantasy Points Data, Mitchell had the highest explosive run rate (14.9%) among running backs with at least 45 rushing attempts in 2023.
Brashard Smith (RB – KC) — ADP: 206.3 | RB63
Last year, Isiah Pacheco missed 10 games with a significant injury, leading to the Chiefs bringing back Kareem Hunt. Kansas City re-signed the veteran this offseason, adding Elijah Mitchell in free agency. However, Smith is my favorite Chiefs running back in best ball drafts despite being a seventh-round pick. Last year, he had 1,332 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Don’t be surprised if Smith ends this season as the team’s top-scoring fantasy running back.
Will Shipley (RB – PHI) — ADP: 183.2 | RB56
Everyone knows Saquon Barkley’s chances of getting hurt this season are up because of his massive workload last year. Yet, the Eagles let Kenneth Gainwell walk in free agency, only adding A.J. Dillon to the backfield. Therefore, Shipley is in line to be the superstar’s handcuff. Last season, he flashed during Philadelphia’s blowout playoff win over the Washington Commanders, totaling 13.7 PPR fantasy points on limited touches.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB – WAS) — ADP: 215.1 | RB71
Many expected the Commanders to use an early pick in the NFL Draft on a running back. Instead, they waited until the last round to select Croskey-Merritt. He only played in one game last year because of eligibility issues. However, the rookie was outstanding in 2023, totaling 1,190 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Don’t be surprised if Croskey-Merritt is the team’s top running back by Halloween.
Kyle Monangai (RB – CHI) — ADP: 214.6 | RB70
D’Andre Swift should be the Bears’ lead running back. However, Monangai could push Roschon Johnson out of the No. 2 role in the backfield. He had over 1,200 rushing yards and at least eight touchdowns in back-to-back years to end his college career. Monangai is a physical runner who could steal the David Montgomery role from Johnson, potentially scoring double-digit touchdowns as a rookie.
MarShawn Lloyd (RB – GB) — ADP: 199.6 | RB61
Last year was one to forget for Lloyd. The former third-round rookie only played in one game because of multiple injuries. He had six rushing attempts for 15 yards and 2.8 PPR fantasy points in Week 2. However, the Packers didn’t add anyone to the backfield this offseason, meaning Lloyd is the favorite to be the team’s No. 2 running back. He could have league-winning value if Josh Jacobs misses significant time with an injury.
Devin Neal (RB – NO) — ADP: 215.1 | RB72
Unfortunately, the Saints won’t have much of an impactful passing attack this season with their awful quarterback situation. Therefore, expect new head coach Kellen Moore to lean on the rushing attack. Alvin Kamara is still one of the top running backs in the NFL. However, he has missed at least three games in three of the past four years with injuries. Neal should be the No. 2 guy in the backfield.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
