X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

2020 Early Sleepers and Draft Targets: Running Back

Craig Rondinone analyzes which running backs are early sleepers and players who should be targeted in fantasy football drafts heading into the 2020 NFL season.

It is going to be almost impossible to win your fantasy football league in 2020 without a strong set of running backs, even in today’s pass-happy NFL.

While quarterbacks and wide receivers have gained importance in fantasy football in recent years, building your fantasy roster around your running back corps is still one of the most tried-and-true ways to achieve success. There are now fewer workhorse backs than there used to be in the NFL, so being able to acquire a couple of top tailbacks to serve as the core of your fantasy team will always make your squad a title contender in whatever type of league you are in.

We all know that Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey rules the roost at running back and will be the top tailback taken in fantasy drafts next season. Here are my early sleepers and draft targets at the running back position for the 2020 fantasy football season!

Editor's Note: Discover RotoBaller’s top Fantasy Football Sleepers to gain an edge in your drafts. Our free who to draft tool and expert picks spotlight undervalued players, breakout candidates, and late-round gems for all league formats.

 

Kareem Hunt, Free Agent

2019 Stats: 179 rushing yards, 37 receptions, 285 receiving yards, 3 TD

Hunt was hampered because he was suspended for the first half of the season and then had to be the backup behind 1,494-yard rusher Nick Chubb, so his stats were less than scintillating. Hunt hopefully reminded many fantasy owners why he was a top-five running back during the first two years of his short career with what he contributed in the passing game, however. Only fantasy players with the shortest or foggiest memories would have forgotten that during his first 27 NFL games Hunt racked up 2,151 rushing yards, 833 receiving yards and 25 total touchdowns.

Hunt now heads into the offseason with the chance to be a No. 1 running back again for an NFL team. Even though he enters the free-agent fray as a humongous risk due to his numerous off-the-field issues, some organization will probably pony up millions to have him lead their backfield. At Hunt’s peak, he averaged over 100 combined yards and a touchdown per game. If he slots in as the top tailback in Miami, Washington, Tampa Bay, or wherever, AND he stays on the field AND out of trouble, Hunt will be a fantasy force once again in 2020.

 

Melvin Gordon, Free Agent

2019 Stats:  612 rushing yards, 42 receptions, 296 receiving yards, 9 TD

Gordon was behind the eight ball thanks to a contract holdout that cost him all of training camp and the first four games of the 2019 season. His fantasy value was up and down all year long as a result, although he still finished with 908 total yards and nine touchdowns in the dozen games he suited up for. Gordon was a disappointment for those who drafted him in early rounds, though, since he did not break the 50-yard mark in any of the first four games he played in when he returned from his holdout.

We have no idea what the makeup of the Chargers are going to be in 2020. Philip Rivers might not be the quarterback, and Gordon will likely not return as their primary ball carrier thanks to his asking price and the emergence of Austin Ekeler. Gordon will be fine fantasy-wise no matter where he signs, though. This is a guy who accounted for over 1,300 combined yards and double-digit touchdowns for three straight seasons between 2016 and 2018. He can score, run and catch, the Holy Trinity in fantasy football for running backs. Gordon will undoubtedly be a No. 1 RB for an NFL offense and should be a top-10 RB in fantasy football in 2020.

 

Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams

2019 Stats: 147 rushing yards, four receptions, 37 receiving yards, 0 TD

Henderson’s rookie campaign was a total loss as he was buried behind Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown on the depth chart and then suffered a season-ending ankle injury during the final month. His limited playing time made him a total fantasy non-factor. But while many might ignore L.A.’s 2019 third-round draft choice, astute fantasy players should keep an eye on the Rams running back situation throughout the offseason and training camp.

Henderson was not drafted in the third round last April to play special teams and serve Gurley lunch. Henderson had the same YPC as Gurley had (3.8) and was a tad better than Brown in the department (3.7). Brown did not distinguish himself as the heir to Gurley’s throne in 2019, so the Rams might trade or release him in the offseason and make Henderson the No. 2 RB entering the 2020 campaign. Considering how explosive Los Angeles’ offense can be and the continuing question marks surrounding Gurley’s arthritic knee, Henderson should be a top handcuff and/or late-round sleeper in fantasy leagues for the upcoming season.    

 

Ryquell Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars

2019 Stats:  108 rushing yards, 14 receptions, 144 receiving yards, 2 TD

Armstead was drafted in the fifth round this past April as Leonard Fournette insurance, but surprisingly the injury-prone Fournette was injury-free for the first 15 games of the season until bowing out before Jacksonville’s final contest. Thus, Armstead was not able to produce many fantasy points for people as he rode the pine 99 percent of the time as Fournette was the workhorse in Jacksonville’s inconsistent offense.

Armstead showed flashes of what he can do when given opportunities during Jacksonville’s last game of the season, however. He had five catches for 52 yards and a touchdown while adding 33 yards on the ground. While Fournette stayed on the straight and narrow after a few internal dustups with the Jaguars and a DUI arrest and stayed healthy for the bulk of a season, fantasy players know he is a still a risk because he has missed a dozen games over his three NFL seasons due to his various issues. Armstead should become a bigger part of the offense next year as he has a skill set that can keep him on the field on all downs, and if Fournette misses more time due to injury or incompetence, Armstead would be the next man up in the running back pecking order.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Demarcus Robinson

Sentenced to Three Years of Probation
Jalen Nailor

In Line for WR3 Role in Minnesota
Andrew Thomas

Could Miss Start of 2025 Season
Alex Bregman

Expected to Return on Friday
Julio Rodríguez

Julio Rodriguez Won't Suit Up for Midsummer Classic
Trey Smith

Chiefs, Trey Smith Expected to Work Out Long-Term Extension
Bernhard Raimann

a Candidate for an Extension This Summer
C.J. Stroud

Could Sign Multi-Year Deal Before 2026 Season
Kyle Juszczyk

Says Christian McCaffrey Looks Healthy, Explosive
Kyren Williams

Showing Improved Explosiveness
Christian Barmore

"Dominant" this Spring
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF