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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Running Backs You Must Own in 2017 - Mid-Round ADP Values

Tom analyzes mid-round running back (RB) sleepers for fantasy football. These are undervalued running backs to target in rounds 6-10 of fantasy football drafts.

Hey RotoBallers! In this article, I'll be looking at running backs to target in the middle rounds (6th-10th in Fantasy Pros Consensus ADP), and I'll explain why these three backs are worth reaching for in hopes of a huge return on investment.

I'll try to answer the question that everyone wants to know: who's that running back that I need to have? I'll let you in on who I'm targeting in the middle-to-late rounds of drafts in hopes of capturing the next David Johnson, Jay Ajayi, Michael Thomas, or Doug Baldwin.

You can also check out my late-round running back selections. Let's get to it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Value Running Backs - Rounds 6-10

Danny Woodhead (RB, BAL) - 62.4 FP ADP

I would love to put Carlos Hyde or Kareem Hunt here, but something tells me they won't make it out of the fourth round let alone all the way in the sixth. Regardless, Danny Woodhead can be just as much of a value, if not more, at his current ADP.

Obviously, health is a big concern for the pass-catching back Woodhead. He ended his season early last year and is dealing with hamstring issues this preseason. Currently he and the Ravens hope he'll be available for Week 1, but there is a chance he starts out the year on the sidelines.

Either way, Woodhead is a steal at this point of PPR or half-PPR drafts. We've heard some rumblings that the coaching staff isn't all that confident with Buck Allen as a three-down runner or even a solid two-down runner. So, if Woodhead can get right and stay right, he could be the third down back, change-of-pace back, and then some. How does 12-15 carries and 5-8 catches sound?

OK, so that's really optimistic, but just think how many looks this versatile player could get in an offense that threw the ball a league-leading 679 times last year. Yeah, I'm drooling too.

Take Woodhead here while everyone else is hemming and hawing, and thank me later.

 

Doug Martin (RB, TB) - 81.2 FP ADP

I'm all about the "take the suspended/injured guy and just try to make it to the playoffs" approach. Just look at how many times I've drafted Le'Veon Bell in the past three years. Yes, Doug Martin is suspended for three games, and that's not the only hurdle he'll have to clear in order to provide value in the seventh round or so, but here's why the Muscle Hamster is worth it.

I understand if you're someone like me who got burned by Martin in an injury-riddled 2016 season. However, I would kindly like to point you towards his 4.9 yards per carry and 33 receptions in a healthy 2015 season.

Sure, I know that Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers present some competition for touches, and that's not even factoring in Mike Evans' and DeSean Jackson's inevitable sqwuaking about not touching the ball enough. But have you forgotten what Martin can do with just one small opening in an offensive line?

The three game suspension is of very little concern to me, especially if you can get a guy like this in the seventh round. The lack of touches would be scary, sure. But imagine the upside that this pick has if, in fact, Martin is in the best shape of his life and plays 13 games at his 4.9 yards per carry rate for a much better offensive team. You could be looking at an RB7 for the price of an RB30 come playoff time.

Yes, I do have a Doug Martin optimism issue, but let's go down on this ship together!

 

Paul Perkins (RB, NYG) - 83 FP ADP

Somewhere between the beginning of last season and now, Paul Perkins has become the running back with a great opportunity without a dynamite skillset. That confuses me, because we talked about this 2016 rookie and his pass-catching prowess like it was nothing we had ever seen before.

I understand this preseason has been nothing to write home about. I also hear you when you say that Shane Vereen, Orleans Darkwa, and Wayne Gallman present some possible competition for touches. But to me, I see a PPR monster with the opportunity to become great in standard leagues too.

The Giants' weak offensive line does give me some pause, especially alongside the common hesitations stated above, but this second-year back has a chance to thrive in an offense with plenty of weapons to distract the opposition. If you can get Perkins in the eighth round, I would certainly pull the trigger.

The downside is clearly that Perkins could lose his job by the time October comes around. However, the upside is a three-down back who can catch with the best of the NFL's pass-catching runners. He has a good quarterback, his team should be competitive, he's young enough to make big strides skill-wise, and the opportunity is there for the taking.

I'm certainly going to have some shares of Paul Perkins (especially in PPR leagues), even if it means reaching a bit to take him over players like Frank Gore, Mike Gillislee, and maybe even Tevin Coleman.

 

Remember to check out the next three articles for more mid-to-late round breakouts at RB and WR. You can find me on Twitter @BellRoto. Good luck in your drafts!

 

More ADP Values & Draft Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Lars Eller

Available Thursday
Domantas Sabonis

Will Miss at Least 3-4 Weeks
Ridly Greig

Out Against Ducks
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Out Against Bulls on Friday
Jake Neighbours

Back for Blues Thursday
Alexandre Sarr

Listed as Questionable for Friday Against the Raptors
TB

Nicholas Paul Available Thursday
Paul George

Set to Suit Up Thursday
Victor Hedman

Out for "Couple of Weeks"
Tyler Bertuzzi

Set to Return Thursday
Gary Harris

Added to the Injury Report as Questionable for Thursday
Daniel Jones

Added to Colts' Injury Report With Calf Issue
Andrew Wiggins

Unavailable For Friday's Matchup With Chicago
Indiana Pacers

Garrison Mathews Will Join the Pacers
Joe Burrow

Logs Second Straight Full Practice on Thursday
Dante Exum

Will Miss the Rest of the Season
Keegan Murray

Is Available For His Season Debut Thursday
Tyrese Maxey

Listed as Probable for Thursday
Domantas Sabonis

Will Not Play Thursday Against Memphis
Joel Embiid

Listed as Out for Thursday
Aaron Rodgers

Seen at Practice on Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Moving Around Well on Thursday
Bucky Irving

Will be on a Snap Count When he Returns
Jaxson Dart

Could Clear Concussion Protocol Thursday
Lamar Jackson

Returns to Thursday's Practice
Josh Jacobs

to Do Individual Drills on Thursday
Joe Mixon

Not Expected to Play This Season
Chris Godwin

Attending Thursday's Practice
Bucky Irving

Continues Practice Attendance
Rasmus Andersson

Bags Three Points Wednesday Night
Morgan Geekie

Nets Two Power-Play Goals Wednesday
Joe Burrow

Bengals Haven't Ruled Out Joe Burrow for Week 12
Connor McMichael

Posts Three Assists in Wednesday's Win
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Place Alexander Romanov on Injured Reserve
Lars Eller

to Miss Thursday's Action
Nic Dowd

Out on Thursday
Adam Lowry

Inks Extension With Jets
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Likely Out on Thursday
Zaccharie Risacher

Questionable for Thursday
Kristaps Porzingis

at Risk of Missing Another Game
Paolo Banchero

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Kawhi Leonard

Remains Out Against Magic
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Ruled Out for Two Weeks
Tyler Herro

Targeting Return on Monday
Brian Thomas Jr.

Limited in Practice on Wednesday
Jerami Grant

Available Wednesday Night
Jalen Brunson

Returns From Two-Game Absence
Raisel Iglesias

Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal
Lamar Jackson

Absent Due to Ankle Injury
Conor Garland

to Return on Thursday
Thomas Harley

to Miss Road Trip
Eetu Luostarinen

Out Week-to-Week After Barbecue Accident
Curtis Lazar

to Miss at Least Three Games
Vladimir Tarasenko

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Mikael Granlund

Remains Out Wednesday
Charlie McAvoy

Out Indefinitely After Facial Surgery
Joe Burrow

to Potentially Return in Week 12?
Aaron Rodgers

Out on Wednesday, Hopes to Practice Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Not Seen at Wednesday's Practice
Dak Prescott

Lands on Injury Report Ahead of Week 12 With Hip Injury
Rhamondre Stevenson

Targeting a Return in Week 12?
Isiah Pacheco

Returning to Practice on Wednesday
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars "Optimistic" About Brian Thomas Jr.'s Week 12 Status
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
Tom Hoge

Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
Joe Highsmith

Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Connor Bedard

Continues Tear With Hat Trick
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Blue Jays Interested in Signing Edwin Diaz?
Jacob deGrom

Named AL Comeback Player of the Year
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
Aroldis Chapman

Named AL Reliever of the Year
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Named NL Reliever of the Year

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP