ADP Sleepers Tool: Alternatives to Drafting Zeke and Gordon

By using the RotoBaller ADP Sleepers Tool, Scott Engel was able to identify quality alternative selections to holdout RBs Melvin Gordon and Ezekiel Elliott. These running backs could be valuable sleepers and draft targets in the 2019 fantasy football season.

One of the most unique and distinctive features here on RotoBaller is our ADP Sleepers Tool. Part of the 2019 Draft Kit, there is nothing like it anywhere else. It’s easy to use and can help you identify value choices in an instant. This tool is available only for RotoBaller's Premium subscribers, but today we're giving you a quick sample of how effective this tool can be.

Once you have access to the tool, just select an RB or WR, and the tool immediately gives you value alternatives for a player you may be unsure about. Not certain about whether you should draft a top-ranked RB or WR, but want to get similar possible production or close to it for a later pick? Based on our projections, we identify guys who may provide quality numbers close to what you are looking for later in the draft. The tool accomplishes two goals: it gives you the peace of mind to pass on a player you may be unsure about and it helps to pinpoint upside plays or overachievers later in the draft who can help you nearly as much.

We put the tool to the test this week, targeting two prominent holdout RBs who are making all of us feel so unsure when they are on the board and it’s our pick. If you don’t want to grab Ezekiel Elliott or Melvin Gordon, what are your best alternatives?

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Ezekiel Elliott

Using the ADP Sleepers Tool, we selected Ezekiel Elliott to see who it told us to draft later instead. Elliott came up with an ADP of 3.7. Rather than worrying about when he is going to report, here are a few of the top alternatives the tool supplied. We were presented with alternative selections with ADPs ranging from 6 to 25.7.

Le’Veon Bell (ADP of 6.3): Taking Bell over Elliott makes a lot of sense. It wasn’t very long ago that he was being drafted near or even ahead of Zeke, and Bell has not lost the superb all-around skills that made him a No. 1 overall selection in the past. Making this pick would also be ironic, since you would be taking the 2018 holdout over the 2019 holdout. Bell is fresh and determined to prove himself after a year off, and has the benefit of a full preseason with his new team. He will be the crux of their offense and is arguably their best pass-catcher, too. Football is a game that is influenced by intangibles and emotion. Bell is eager to re-establish himself as an elite force on a team that may view him as indispensable and needs him to boost them into a winning stratosphere they have not been near in a long time.

Dalvin Cook (18.3): As indicated in this recent Fantasy Football Injury Exam Room, Cook has enjoyed an offseason where he was not working his way back from an injury issue, and heads towards the new campaign healthy with more optimism surrounding him. He is a missing piece to elevating the Vikings to greater heights, as he is explosive and versatile when available. He does carry some minor risk for more injuries, but there are no major concerns about his health right now. Availability is more of a concern for Elliott than Cook right now, so if you get him as your RB1 in the second round and he plays most of the year and reaches his statistical potential, you may end up being glad you passed on Elliot early and waited on Cook. Or at the very least, taking Cook later won’t be a true negative at all.

Damien Williams (25.7): Everyone seems to be getting freaked out because of Andy Reid’s recent comments that he might utilize more than one RB this year. Settle down and do not overreact. When a coach says three guys might get touches, he is not necessarily saying all three will share equal time. Williams has earned the right to be the lead runner in arguably the most explosive offense in the game (the Colts may have a say about that title this year). He was a TD force down the stretch and in the playoffs and Williams’ time has come. If his ADP continues to fall because of coachspeak, which is a step up from outright lying, you will get a real value who can deliver RB1 numbers.

Melvin Gordon

His ADP continues to tumble, and is now at 23. It is an unstable approach to speculate that Elliott will report any time sooner than Gordon. If you’re going to drop one on your board, you might as well drop the other. No one knows anything for sure about the possible reporting time for either RB. If you are going to pass on Gordon at his current ADP, the tool generated alternatives in the mid 20s to early 50s. Here are some highlighted selections.

Kerryon Johnson (29): The release of Theo Riddick confirmed that the Lions intend to feature Johnson frequently as both a runner and receiver. Detroit intends to build the offense around the running game and will tie it to Johnson. FFPC players have boosted him to 13^th overall at RB, and you should follow the high stakes crowd.

Marlon Mack (31.7): He enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2018, and will now be the lead runner and TD finisher for the deepest offense in the game. As long as Andrew Luck stays healthy, Mack could finish with double figures in rushing TDs. A terrific passing game will also open up wide running lanes for Mack. He is looking like one of the top RB2 picks of 2019.

Sony Michel (53.3): This selection that was generated perfectly displayed the usefulness of the tool. During the NFL playoffs last year, Michel firmly proved he could play like a RB1, rushing for 336 yards and six TDs in three postseason games. Delivering those kinds of totals when the games are at being played at their highest levels solidified his important place in the New England offense and brightened his Fantasy outlook. He is the unquestioned lead runner for the Patriots in 2019. But there continue to be concerns about his health, and that dings his draft stock.

Well, those who remember owning Gordon late last year should have their worries about him too. Gordon has failed to finish three of four pro seasons because of injuries. If both were guaranteed to play 16 games, Gordon would produce better totals because he catches more passes. But they both should be viewed as injury risks. By going for Michel instead, and 30 picks later, you are getting a possible RB1 when he is on the field. If you pass on Gordon, wait for Michel, and you are still getting a high production RB with some injury concerns while not spending the earlier pick.

To get more Elliott and Gordon value alternatives, and use the RotoBaller ADP Sleepers Tool for other players, get our 2019 Draft Kit here and use KING at checkout for an additional 10% discount!

More Fantasy Football Analysis