Deep Sleeper Running Backs You Need To Know: Sean Tucker, Rico Dowdle, Evan Hull
This article is going to let you know about a couple of deep-sleeper running backs that your league mates probably haven't even heard of. Every one of these backs could have significant fantasy value without any other player going down with an injury. Each of these players should be drafted in the last round of your draft or at the very least monitored during Week 1 prior to your first waiver wire pickups.
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Deep Sleeper Fantasy Football Running Backs
Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tucker is an undrafted rookie, but he only went undrafted due to a medical red flag. H was a standout star at Syracuse who graded out as a late Day 2 pick in the NFL had he been medically cleared at the time. Now he is in Buccaneers camp and predictably he looks great. There have been reports that he has been splitting first-team reps with Rachaad White. While White will be the Week 1 starter in Tampa, Tucker is talented enough to surpass him and take that job purely based on merit. There is a legitimate chance that he could take over the starting job and be a league-winner this year, and you can get him on your roster for nothing.
Chris Brooks, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have tried and failed to add multiple running backs this summer and now Jeff Wilson has been placed on IR. On top of that, the team has cut Myles Gaskin and rookie De'Von Achane is dealing with an injured shoulder. When head coach Mike McDaniel spoke about Wilson, it sounded like this could be an extended absence beyond the four-week minimum required when placed on IR. Fellow backup running back Salvon Ahmed is dealing with an injury of his own. So this backfield is thin at best right now. Mostert will be the Week 1 starter, but he's not a guy that can handle much more than 12 carries per game, so other backs are going to get work and Brooks will get a crack at touches.
Brooks was a star in the preseason, scoring three TDs and looking like one of the best backs in the entire preseason. His size adds a dynamic to this backfield that it sorely needed. At 6'1" and 223 pounds, he could take over as the short-yardage back permanently with the upside to get much more work beyond that. He's another undrafted rookie whose performance is forcing him up a shaky depth chart.
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
Much like Brooks in Miami, Dowdle's size is a much-needed element in Dallas. He is in line to potentially take a good portion of Ezekiel Elliott's former role. Tony Pollard's workload is only going to increase so much because they aren't going to want to grind him into the ground. The only other back on the roster expected to have a role is Deuce Vaughn, who is tiny. Vaughn stands just 5'5" and 176 pounds. It's safe to say that his role won't overlap much with a power back. I expect Dowdle to have a significant workload right off the bat this year with TD upside, and he will serve as the true handcuff to Pollard should the RB1 miss any time.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
Reports out of Baltimore this summer have been glowing in regard to Hill. The fourth-year back could very well have beaten out Gus Edwards as the true second back for the Ravens. Edwards is now 28 years old and coming off a major knee injury. This team is going to use multiple backs to keep the oft-injured JK Dobbins fresh and they are expected to throw the ball a lot more this season in their new offensive scheme. Hill's primary role is expected to be as a third-down and pass-catching back. His fantasy value is baked into the offense even if everyone is healthy. He is definitely worth a speculative late-round add this season based on everything we've seen and heard out of camp.
Evan Hull, Indianapolis Colts
There is a real chance that Jonathan Taylor has already played his last snap as an Indianapolis Colt, and there is also a chance this team isn't going to add another back. We know for sure that JT is out for the first four games of the season at the very least. This leaves Indy with a depth chart of Zack Moss, Deon Jackson, and rookie Evan Hull. The team has been impressed with Hull in camp and there is no reason he couldn't emerge as the starter in this backfield. I didn't grade him out as a special back by any means in the draft process, however, I also have never been impressed by Moss or Jackson. I don't anticipate Hull being a great long-term starter in the NFL; nevertheless, he could absolutely bring your fantasy team a ton of value this year if he takes over as the starter in Indy and gets volume. This backfield is a dart throw right now and if you have a chance to get a starting running back on a dart throw with a late-round pick you should take it.
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