Fantasy Football Running Back Sleepers: Undrafted RB Stashes

May 19, 2025

Corbin's undrafted rookie running back sleepers for fantasy football from the 2025 NFL Draft Class. His advanced metrics to help fantasy owners make lineup and waiver wire decisions.

Throughout the 2025 NFL Draft process, there was talk about this running back class being loaded and deep. Unfortunately, that sometimes means players go undrafted, though we've seen some running backs give us fantasy-relevant seasons. Six running backs were drafted on Days 1 and 2 in the 2025 class. We had four running backs in 2024 and seven in 2023 drafted on Days 1 and 2. 

Meanwhile, the success rates raise concerns when examining the undrafted running backs. The visual above shows the undrafted running backs since 2010 who scored 100 fantasy points in PPR scoring in their rookie year. For context, Austin Ekeler and Matt Breida were the only two rushers with significant scoring bumps in Year two of 50 or more fantasy points. James Robinson, Phillip Lindsay, LeGarrette Blount, and Rob Kelley weren't as effective in their sophomore seasons as undrafted running backs.

The data tells us draft capital matters for running backs, and it's a replaceable position with several committees and shorter shelf lives. We'll highlight several undrafted running backs worth monitoring in 2025 and beyond because of their collegiate production, underlying metrics, and team context. Though they may not have an Ekeler-like career, they might be fantasy contributors in smaller samples.

Montrell Johnson Jr., RB, PHI

Johnson had projected draft capital as a UDFA, with some mock drafts having him as a seventh-rounder. He was a low collegiate producer, with a 37 percent Running Back Dominator in 2024. Florida mixed in two to three running backs, with Jadan Baugh leading the team in carries (133), and Ja'Kobi Jackson in third (95). Meanwhile, Johnson shared the backfield with Trevor Etienne in 2023, though Johnson bested him in carries (152 versus 131) and receptions (30 versus 21).

The most notable comparison involves Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell, though that's not a positive outlook. Suppose there's one position where speed and athleticism matter, it's running back. Johnson's 4.41 40-yard dash at 212 pounds translates to a 90th percentile Speed Score with a 92nd percentile Freak Score. That shows Johnson possesses elite athleticism, making him a priority among the UDFA group.

Johnson joins one of the better team contexts since the Eagles ranked first in neutral game script rush rate (55 percent). Besides Saquon Barkley, the Eagles have unproven options battling for the RB2 spot. That list includes Avery Williams, A.J. Dillon, Will Shipley, and Johnson. Remember Johnson's name in case he pops in the off-season workouts and games, as a potential late-season flyer.

Ja'Quinden Jackson, RB, JAX

Jackson played on an underrated Arkansas team with sleeper receiver prospects in Isaac TeSlaa and Andrew Armstrong. He was productive in 2024, with a 65 percent RB Dominator, though he peaked in his final season, mainly via his 15 rushing touchdowns. Jackson's best comparison based on the collegiate data involved Thomas Rawls and Ty Johnson since 2010.

He consistently forced missed tackles, with a 27.4 percent missed tackles forced rate (MTF/Att) in 2024, similar to his career rate (27.5 percent). Jackson profiles as an early down grinder since he had 10 receptions in his first three college seasons at Utah, then caught 13 passes in 2024. Besides Jackson's lack of receptions and targets, he doesn't have the speed to break explosive rushes.

That's evident in Jackson's 4.75 40-yard dash at 229 pounds, translating to a 22nd percentile Speed Score. The Jaguars have Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby leading the backfield, though maybe Jackson can fight for the RB3 spot with the fourth-round athletic specimen Bhayshul Tuten. Tuten had juicy advanced metrics to pair with his speed, and Jackson might be left out.

Raheim Sanders, RB, LAC

Some mock drafts had Sanders as a sixth or seventh-round pick, but he went undrafted and signed with the Chargers. The team added Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton as the primary backfield options, with super deep sleepers like Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal battling for the RB3 role. Sanders was one of eight running back prospects with a 60 percent RB Dominator and double-digit Receiving Yardage Market Share in 2024.

Sanders was a solid producer in college. However, he flip-flopped seasons via productivity. The top comparisons for Sanders include Jeff Wilson Jr., Jonathan Ward, and Keaontay Ingram. Though that doesn't inspire confidence, we've seen Wilson and Ingram flash some upside in small samples.

Thankfully, Sanders boasts size-adjusted speed, with a 4.46 40-yard dash, leading to an 85th percentile Speed Score. Furthermore, Sanders rocks an 89th percentile Freak Score, showing his athleticism and explosiveness. Sanders had a below-average MTF/Att in 2024 and throughout his career, but there's a chance he makes noise in 2025 as a UDFA running back prospect.

Marcus Yarns, RB, NO

The market has become sharper by being more cautious with low collegiate producers or unathletic options. Furthermore, NFL teams haven't considered FCS players as their primary real-life and fantasy-relevant options. Yarns boasted the fourth-highest career RB Dom and tied for the third-best receiving yardage market share (RecYd MS) in 2024.

Yarns looked close to Trey Benson, Ingram, and Tyler Goodson without including draft capital and athleticism. He could've sneaked into Day three as a seventh-round pick, especially considering he had an 84th percentile 40-yard dash, but the size-adjusted speed led to a 47 percent Speed Score.

The Saints drafted Kendre Miller in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. They added Devin Neal and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the off-season. Yarns will likely face an uphill battle, but keep his name in mind during the season.

Corey Kiner, RB, SF

Whenever a running back signs with the 49ers, it's hard to avoid intrigue based on their offensive system and rushing success. Kiner peaked in his fourth collegiate season, with a career-high in carries (204), rushing yards (1,153), and receptions (15) in 2024. Most of Kiner's top comparisons don't inspire confidence, with Rawls, Ryquell Armstead, Zac Stacy, and Mitchell being the most notable.

Armstead, Stacy, and Mitchell had Day three draft capital in their respective draft years. However, Kiner signed with the 49ers as an UDFA. Kiner displayed below-average athleticism. That's evident in Kiner's 38th percentile Speed Score and 33rd percentile Freak Score.

Besides the collegiate production and athleticism, Kiner had the fifth-highest missed tackles forced rate in his career, tying him with Jarquez Hunter. Kiner had the second-highest MTF/Att in 2024 behind Ashton Jeanty. Theoretically, Kiner should be elusive by forcing missed tackles.

If there's an offensive system that bodes well for running backs, it's the 49ers. The 49ers have been known to use outside zone rushing schemes. That said, 74.7 percent of Kiner's collegiate rush attempts came on zone runs, so he theoretically fits the 49ers running back type. Remember Kiner's name if he pops up during the season.

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