As we begin the last weekend of drafts, it's important to find every last bit of sleeper info that you can. Fortunately @Roto_Dubs is here to help! These are four of the guys I have my eye on in the very late rounds of drafts.
All have significant upside and some could very well be this year's C.J. Anderson or Justin Forsett. Once you get into Round 12 or later, make sure these guys are on your radar.
Editor's Note: to read about more 2015 fantasy football draft sleepers, be sure to check out our running list of ADP values that can return draft day profits and help you dominate your leagues.
Potential Running Back Draft Values & PPR Sleepers
Andre Williams - New York Giants, RB
Williams has a very legitimate shot to be the "1B" to Rashad Jennings' "1A" on the Giants depth chart. He's already proven that he can handle a heavier workload, toting the ball 217 times for a modest 717 rushing yards. He did most of his damage around the goal-line, scoring seven times in 16 games. At the very worst he'll repeat those numbers, and at the very best he could find his way to 1,100 total yards. There were concerns about his hands coming out of college, but since becoming a pro he's improved fairly significantly, and had 130 receiving yards on 18 catches in 2014. I have no faith in Jennings to play 16 games (it's a feat he has never accomplished), and when he inevitably goes down it will be Williams who carries the mail. The presence of Shane Vereen doesn't scare me, as he'll be used almost primarily in the passing game. If Williams finds himself in the game more often, he'll likely increase his reception totals in the West Coast offense that the Giants run. I really like him to break into the top 30 running backs this year, and he's currently the RB51. Gotta love that value.
Karlos Williams - Buffalo Bills, RB
With Fred Jackson now out of the picture, Karlos Williams should be the clear backup to LeSean McCoy in Buffalo. He was truly impressing in the preseason until he was forced to undergo a mysterious emergency surgery, the details of which are still unknown. It can't have been very serious, as the Bills still anticipate he'll be ready for Week 1. I love the "cut of his jib", to borrow a phrase from ESPN's senior fantasy analyst Matthew Berry--he's a fantastic downhill runner, often punishing those who try to tackle him. He's perfectly capable in the passing game as well, which will be very useful with mobile Tyrod Taylor as the starting quarterbacks. If LeSean McCoy were to go down, Williams and Taylor could be a positively devastating combo on play action, the option, and swing passes. He's the clear handcuff to Shady, and I think it's possible he carves out enough of a role to get some bye-week flex consideration on his own.
Denard Robinson - Jacksonville Jaguars, RB
"Shoelace" Robinson was positively electric from Weeks 7-10 in 2014, when he took over the starting job from the woefully ineffective Toby Gerhart. He'll likely open the season behind rookie T.J. Yeldon, who should handle the first and second-down work early on (although there are rumors it may be Robinson who starts Week 1). Robinson is an outstanding runner, especially in the open field, where his acceleration is nearly unmatched. During the aforementioned stretch where Robinson started before suffering a season-ending mid-ankle sprain, he put up some incredible numbers. In just four weeks, he racked up 389 yards and four rushing touchdowns on just 72 carries-a 5.4 YPC clip. He's also a talented pass-catcher, and again he's most dangerous when he has room to run. Even if Yeldon does start as the primary rusher, Robinson will most definitely have a role on his own, and could usurp the rookie if things don't pan out early on.
Cameron Artis-Payne - Carolina Panthers, RB
Jonathan Stewart has an injury history that you simply can't ignore, and fifth-round rookie Artis-Payne is going to be the primary handcuff for him. The Panthers are fully aware that it's wise to spell Stewart, and it will be Artis-Payne who likely gets the healthier portion of the alternative carries. He would most definitely start should something happen to Stewart, so he's worth having on your bench even if you don't own Stewart (I love me a good handcuff-vulture). Artis-Payne is a patient north-south runner who has no hesitations about putting his head down and banging between-the-tackles, and has decent burst for a player with his build. There's nothing particularly outstanding about him, but he can catch passes if he needs to and could assume a feature back role if (and when) Stewart gets hurt. He could prove very useful as a very late-round flier in PPR units- and who doesn't need a potential starting running back?
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