Running Back Sleepers: 5 Players You Can Get in the 10th Round or Later

More than just handcuffs, these runners can provide valuable depth at the position.

Whether you go Zero RB or Hero RB, you can never have too much insurance at the position.

As more and more teams go to running back-by-committee, it's become more difficult to predict who will get the value touches. I like to keep my bench loaded with options at this position, which has a lot of injury turnover. All of these players have more than just handcuff value. These players differ from the value tier (James Cook, Rachaad White, Zach Charbonnet) because they can be picked up in round 10 or later.

Here are five of my favorite sleeper options at the position:

Samaje Perine, Broncos

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RB39

With Javonte Williams returning from injury, we should expect Perine to carry more of the load early in the season. Even if Perine is only good for the first half of the season, that should be enough for you to get a return value on this ADP. Perine has proven his value when given the opportunity. In the three games last season in which Perine had double-digit attempts for the Bengals, he finished as a Top 10 running back. He's also a proficient pass-catcher and should be sure-handed for Russell Wilson's check downs in addition to being the apparent handcuff for Williams.

Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs

RB42 

In the season's final six games, McKinnon caught nine of his 10 total touchdowns from Mahomes and scored the 10th on the ground. McKinnon took over the targets from Mecole Hardman in those games, and now Hardman is gone to the Jets. With Travis Kelce being the only known favorite of Mahomes this season, could McKinnon carve out a big role as a pass-catcher again this year? In PPR leagues at this value, I am willing to take the chance.

Jaylen Warren, Steelers

RB43 

Warren has looked so sharp in preseason; it's hard to see how he doesn't steal some opportunity from Najee Harris. At the very least, he is the obvious handcuff in a system that has favored a bell cow approach. Warren averaged 4.9 yards per attempt on 77 carries in 2022 while also catching 28 of his 33 targets for 218 yards in 2022.

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons

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RB46

We know Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith is going to run, run, run. Yes, Bijan Robinson will be a centerpiece of this offense, but that doesn't mean there won't be opportunity for Allgeier. They would be foolish not to take advantage of Allgeier's talents after his successful rookie season in which he averaged 65 rushing yards per game (more than both Rhamondre Stevenson and Tony Pollard) with an incredibly efficient 4.93 yards per carry on a healthy 210 attempts. Also, His 723 yards after contact on carries ranked eighth in the NFL last season. Allgeier should not be left undrafted -- even if it's only as a handcuff for the most run-heavy offense in the NFL.

Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles

RB48

Gainwell is going at the most advantageous ADP of the trio expected to run the backfield in Philadelphia -- behind D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny -- yet he's the only one with experience in the system. Gainwell did not take a single snap in the Eagles’ first preseason game, causing us at home to wonder if we miscalculated this backfilled hierarchy. He's been taking first-team reps at camp, too.