Sleeper Rookie Running Backs for Redraft and Dynasty Leagues

With dynasty rookie drafts well underway or approaching soon, you need smart picks in every round of fantasy football. That’s easier accomplished in the first, where you recognize names like “Ashton Jeanty” and “Travis Hunter,” but gets tougher into the later rounds. I’ve got you: here’s a list of six rookie running back sleepers to target after the second round of your draft. (P.S. Tune in next week for wide receivers!)

Potential 2025 Impact

Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys

Arguably the most RB-needy team in the league entering the draft, the Cowboys were a hot spot for several of the top prospects in mocks and projections. Instead, they passed on the position until the fifth round, where they picked up Jaydon Blue out of Texas. Blue is an undersized speedster and a proven receiver who will have an immediate shot at meaningful touches in the Dallas offense. He played behind Bijan Robinson and Jonathon Brooks as a Longhorn, so the production is limited, but Blue was excellent with increased opportunity — like when he totaled 177 yards and two touchdowns on 16 touches against Clemson in the first round of the CFB playoffs. Or when he caught five passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns in the semifinal loss to Ohio State. He also ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, second fastest in the class and a whole lot faster than Javonte Williams or Miles Sanders (especially today).

And that’s where the rubber really hits AT&T Way: Neither Williams nor Sanders is anything close to a lock for the starting job. Their combined salary for 2025 would rank 23rd at the position, and both are on one-year rental deals. Blue is already ahead of Sanders on projected depth charts, and it’s nearly a coin flip whether he or Williams will see more work in 2025. Plus, even if Williams leads the team in carries, there will be plenty of targets for Blue to soak up with George Pickens and Jake Ferguson “leading” the pecking order behind CeeDee Lamb. Blue could be a sneaky PPR value out the gate and a surprise starter sooner than later.

Jarquez Hunter, Los Angeles Rams

Just a couple weeks ago, I had Kyren Williams as a “sell” in my Moves to Make column. Not because I think he’s bad, but because he’s on the smaller side, has an injury history, and is entering his last year under contract in Los Angeles. Moreover, after drafting Blake Corum in the third round last year, the Rams returned to the well to get Jarquez Hunter out of Auburn in the fourth round last month. Not all that shocking, considering Corum’s 3.6 yards per carry as a rookie ranked 59th out of 70 running backs with 50-plus carries. And Williams has his limits as well: his 8.5% explosive run rate was eighth lowest among qualified RBs last season. The volume and the touchdowns paint Williams as a top-tier bell cow, but that’s an overestimation of his skill set (and size), and I believe his fantasy value is more a product of his offense.

Given the assortment of draft capitals between these backs (third, fourth and fifth rounds), the depth chart should be open to competition heading into 2025. Hunter is somewhat similar to both other backs — short, compact frame and tough running style — but he has a second gear they simply do not … his 40 time was a tenth of a second faster than Corum’s and two tenths faster than Williams’. It shouldn’t take all that much to surpass Corum for the RB2 spot and Hunter could even push Williams for opportunity in year one. But more importantly, he may simply walk into that opportunity if Williams misses time and/or signs elsewhere in 2026. And that opportunity in Sean McVay’s offense equals fantasy goodness.

Dynasty Stashes