2013 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Rookie Running Backs

This article is a continuation of RotoBaller’s 2013 fantasy football sleepers.  Today we’ll be taking a look around the NFL at sleeper rookie running backs (RB), and give you our fantasy analysis.  

If you like this article, check out the rest of our fantasy football analysis: rankings, sleepers, running backs, wide receivers,  quarterbacks and of course our live fantasy football chat, the best football chatroom on the internwebs.  RotoBaller will be releasing more fantasy football content daily to help you prepare for the 2013 NFL Fantasy Football season so stay tuned!

2013 Fantasy Football Sleepers - Rookie Running Backs

Following the first week of NFL preseason play, here are three solid rookie running back sleepers to consider on fantasy football draft day.  I've put these rookies in order of their potential fantasy return, based on your draft-day investment.

Montee Ball, RB (Denver Broncos): With Peyton Manning as his quarterback, Ball is in the perfect position to have an impressive rookie year. He was the all-time D-I touchdown leader and was undervalued in the NFL draft. Denver is a pass-heavy offense and will need strong pass protection. If Ball can protect Manning it will be what sets him apart from Knowshon Moreno and Ronnie Hillman, potentially earning him the number one spot. Even if he shares time with Moreno and Hillman, Ball has potential as the goal-line back and could see the end zone often, just like he did in college. Denver will likely go with the hot-hand approach with these three, and I expect Ball to rise to the challenge.

Zac Stacy, RB (St. Louis Rams): With the vacancy left by Stephen Jackson, it appears that Daryl Richardson will take over as number one running back for the Rams. The St. Louis coaching staff has also indicated that they will take a committee approach to their running back situation this year, which will give Stacy plenty of opportunities on the field. With Isaiah Peed suspended for the first game of the NFL season, Stacy could see some game time right off the bat. Stacy is the largest of the three backs, and his stocky build sets him apart from his teammates as the best option for goal line carries. As the conference's fourth ranked rusher at Vanderbilt, Stacy's experience in the SEC has him well prepared for the tough NFC West. Look for him to see plenty of game time this season and hold value for fantasy owners in both rushing yards and goal line opportunities.

Christine Michael, RB (Seattle Seahawks): Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch has the starting role locked up, but Michael is making a very interesting case for the number two spot. He is fast and strong, and he makes very purposeful, well-executed movements in his runs. Robert Turbin didn't play in Thursday’s NFL preseason game against the San Diego Chargers and Michael took most of the playing time. He rushed 16 times for 89 yards and coaches have been generally impressed with his performance. His speed will ensure that he earns plenty of yardage and sees the end zone at least a few times. The sophomore Turbin has been lazy in his efforts to learn the playbook and Michael has made it obvious that he is ready to work hard and know his assignments, which may give the rookie the edge in the long run. He is a risk, but he could also pay-off in your fantasy football draft.

Here are some more fantasy football articles about running backs, rookies & sleepers.  Let's win some leagues!

• 2013 Fantasy Football Preseason Rankings: Running Back (RB)
• 2013 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Later Round Running Backs (RB)
• 2013 Fantasy Football: Running Backs Handcuffs by Tiers
• 2013 Fantasy Football: Evaluating NFL Rookie Running Backs (Part 2)
• 2013 Fantasy Football: NFL Rookies & Rankings
• 2013 Fantasy Football Sleepers: A Look at Impact Rookies
• 2013 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Rookie Wide Receivers

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