Sleeper Backs....!

Here are some sleeper RBs you could find in the later rounds of the draft...

1. Julius Jones/Seahawks
He had a rough season last year, only finding the end zone 5 times while sharing touches with 2 other backs. This year we will get the bulk of the carries, with TJ Duckett providing the goal-line work. Anytime you can find a starter and stash him away on your bench you A.) Have a great insurance policy & B.) Raise your trade value dramatically.

2. Ray Rice/Ravens
It's no secret Willis Mcahee is in the Raven's dog house. His contract doesn't come anywhere close to representing his output on the field. That being said, I could very easily see the Ravens cutting ties with McGahee and replacing him with Ray Rice. Rice is a bowling ball in the mold of Mojo Drew. He will get the bulk of the carries by season's end with LeRon Mclain returning back to his natural position of FB.

3. Derrick Ward/Bucaneers
Former role player for the Giants, Ward will get his shot to be the #1 guy in Tampa Bay. Ward should beat out Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams outright in camp. The Buc's QB situation is shakey at best, therefore, the offense should rely heavily on the running game.

4. Knowshon Mareno/Corell Buckhalter/Broncos
If Knowshon wins the job in camp his value will be higher than any of the sleeper backs I have listed. He is a perfect combo of speed and power, and Denver has always been a place for running back production, minus last season. If you draft Moreno make sure to handcuff Corell Buckhalter toward the end of your draft. Buckhalter should also be productive for Denver, and has a decent shot at winning the job too.

5. Fred Jackson/Bills

Jackson has been patiently awaiting his shot with the Bills, and I believe his time has come.
Marshawyn Lynch has become quite the problem child in Buffalo and patience is definetley running thin. Jackson will be the starter for the first three games while Lynch serves his suspension, if Jackson gets the job done he should keep the job the rest of the way.

Others to watch:

-Jamaal Charles/Chiefs- One Larry "Bad Attitude" Johnson outburst away from starting.
-Fred Taylor/Patriots- Could excel with limited carries and leadership from Brady.
-Tim Hightower/Cardinals- Showed last year what he could do at the goal-line.
-Rashard Mendenhall/Steelers- Perfect in keeper leagues, he will start next season at the latest.

I definitely agree with some of those picks, but Buckhalter doesn't deserve to be on that list IMO.


I also don't think that Tim Hightower is going to do vey much either.

The common thing about Buckhalter and Hightower is they will both be behind/competing with rookies in Wells and Mareno. Hightower had some great games toward season's end in relief of Edgerin James, where Wells is comming off a severe injury (sound a little like Willis McGahee?). Buckhalter has always thrived as a backup behind Westbrook in Philly. To get a quality backup in the last round of your fantasy draft while at the same time getting a handcuff for an unproven rookie is golden. The best thing is, you can probally get either of these guys with one of your last two picks, plus both are great handcuff picks.