Benny Cunningham (RB, STL) - Fantasy Football Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Target ~ 135 or waiver wire pickup  (Current ADP: 177 or undrafted , RB: 72)

ANALYSIS: Recent reports out of St. Louis camp indicate that the RB battle is really much closer than everyone had originally thought. That is because Benny Cunningham has completely outplayed Zac Stacy all through the preseason and even got the  start over him in the 3rd preseason game. Although we won’t read too much into starting the preseason game, the situation in St. Louis makes this worth monitoring for a couple of reasons. First, the Rams will be running the ball a ton this year, especially after Bradford’s injury which will allow Cunningham to get his shot with a solid amount of carries per game.  Secondly, the past history of drastic changes in running back personnel – yep, Stacy was the 4th string RB last year who ended up with the starting job by week five. Cunningham is now nearly two years removed from major patellar tendon surgery and seems to have finally recovered that speed and power running ability he showed at Middle Tennessee. This lengthy recovery was one of the main reasons why he couldn’t hold off Stacy in the battle for the starting job last year after Richardson and Pead faltered. I’m holding Cunningham on my bench as a guy with huge upside if he can wrestle away the starting job, as a possible bye week flex due to the Rams sheer volume of running plays and as trade bait in case any of those Zac Stacy owners start getting worried. If you are a Zac Stacy owner, you must own Cunningham as a backup plan.