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The 2024 NFL campaign isn't here yet, but fantasy football draft season is heating up. That said, it's never too early to analyze potential sleepers for specific scoring formats.
PPR leagues have become more popular every season, and although the format primarily gives wide receivers and tight ends more value, there are also running backs who enter the fantasy radar thanks to their receiving chops. That's the focus of this article.
Who are three fantasy football running back sleepers for PPR leagues? Let's dive in and analyze them now!
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Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots
Gibson has seen his fantasy football value reach great heights, but his stock is now as low as it has been since entering the NFL in 2020. However, a change of scenery could bring his value back to life, especially in New England where a new regime will have a fresh perspective on the overall roster and depth chart.
Despite Gibson's struggles over the last few seasons, he has remained a productive receiver out of the backfield and will be only 26 years old when the 2024 campaign begins. In his final season with the Commanders, he set career highs in targets (59), receptions (48), receiving yards (389), and yards per reception (8.1). While Rhamondre Stevenson is also a capable pass-catcher, he's not a legitimate route runner like Gibson and he's not as explosive in the open field.
Sam Howell ➡️ Antonio Gibson!
📺: #BALvsWAS on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/L9mPiySUki pic.twitter.com/5sdrq3xSnS— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2023
Given the team's lack of high-end wide receivers, both backs could be often featured in the passing attack for quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye. If Gibson earns a legitimate role in the offense, he should make the most of it. In 2023, he ranked sixth in fantasy points per opportunity (1.03), 10th in yards per reception (8.1), and second in yards created per touch (5.11) among qualified running backs. Stevenson ranked 48th, 25th, and 38th in those categories.
A well-above-average receiving back can be a rookie quarterback's best friend and Stevenson's seniority with the organization won't be a factor for Maye. With a consensus ADP of RB49, Gibson would have to have, by far, the worst season of his career to bust. He's playing with the weakest target competition of his career in 2024, and the three-year, $11.25 million deal he signed this offseason suggests he's more than just insurance for Stevenson.
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Charbonnet did not make the impact many had hoped for in his rookie campaign, but there were a few promising signs from his debut season. For one, he out-targeted Kenneth Walker III 40 to 37, despite playing fewer snaps. As more NFL teams transition toward a committee system, we could see close to a 50/50 snap split in the Seattle backfield. If that's the case, Charbonnet should occupy the passing-down role, while Walker continues to serve as an early-down grinder.
Sent 'em into the next zip code 😡@Seahawks | @InsideTheNFL pic.twitter.com/1ETwKhW6J3
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) September 25, 2023
Last year, the 2023 second-round pick registered a 53.3 route participation rate (11th) and an 82.5% catch rate (eighth). Although he wasn't an efficient and explosive pass-catcher in Year 1, he earned a significant role immediately and proved to have dependable hands when targeted.
Former University of Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who helped Michael Penix Jr., Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan all break out and become Day 1 or Day 2 picks, is now running the show in Seattle. Although he's unlikely to implement a college-style "air raid," it's easy to assume the new-look Seahawks will be a pass-first unit with a modern offensive attack. Given Charbonnet's productive college career as a receiver, his rookie opportunity, and Walker's lack of pass-catching history, that's a good sign for his potential role.
Ultimately, the 23-year-old second-year player is unlikely to have week-winning and league-winning upside if Walker remains healthy, but his PPR floor suggests he has a great chance to beat his ADP around the RB42 spot. As a member of the NFC West, expect Seattle to be in plenty of negative game scripts, which could set Charbonnet up for plenty of "garbage time" receiving production.
Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders
While Laube was a sixth-round pick and isn't guaranteed a roster spot, early offseason buzz suggests he has a great chance to be active for the Silver and Black from the jump. He is already making waves on special teams, which is key for late-round picks to survive the 53-man roster cutdown.
The New Hampshire product is one of the most productive receivers among running-back prospects ever, as he tallied 139 receptions over his last three collegiate seasons, including 68 receptions for 699 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. As a senior, he registered a 36.5% college dominator rating (86th percentile).
Dylan Laube may be the biggest sleeper in the whole draft.. these highlights🔥
(@dylan_laube)
pic.twitter.com/ZY7rLFrPdt— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) May 15, 2024
Zamir White and Alexander Mattison figure to lead the Las Vegas backfield to begin the season, but neither player is a notable pass-catcher, so it could come down to a Laube vs. Ameer Abdullah competition for the satellite-back role. Laube's pass-catching profile is the only reason he was selected in April, and he was reportedly the best receiver at the Senior Bowl, regardless of position.
The Raiders have the ninth-toughest schedule in the NFL this year, so negative game scripts will be abundant. Sure, Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Brock Bowers will get fed, but both Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O'Connell ranked outside the top 20 in air yards per attempt last year, which plays right into the hands of a receiving back.
The best part about Laube -- he's free in drafts. At his RB71 cost, he can be the last pick of your medium-sized league and a late-round selection in ultra-deep formats. If he shows no signs of making an impact early in the season, he can be discarded without penalty and loss of value.
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