{
  "id": 42579,
  "title": "5 fantasy football running back sleepers to target on draft day",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/5-fantasy-football-running-back-sleepers-to-target-on-draft-day",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T12:41:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/5-fantasy-football-running-back-124135166.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Fantasy football players seeking to make strategic moves during draft day need not rush to secure the top running backs. Instead, they should observe the market's thinning and capitalize on undervalued backs whose price does not reflect their potential. Five such sleepers are worth considering: Emmett Johnson, Jonah Coleman, Keaton Mitchell, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Brian Robinson Jr.\n\nEmmett Johnson, a former Nebraska running back, should be on your radar as a late-round sleepier flyer. Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round at No. 161 overall, Johnson already sits second on the depth chart behind Kenneth Walker III. His impressive college receiving profile, with 85 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns on 103 targets, combined with his 5.8 yards per carry at 5.8 yards per attempt, makes him a valuable backup option.\n\nJonah Coleman, a three-down back for the Denver Broncos, is another late-round sleeper with upside. Despite being stuck behind a crowded depth chart, Coleman's contact balance and ability to turn stopped plays into extra yards make him a useful asset. His half-PPR ADP of 155 places him near the fantasy football free market, making him a cheap pick with potential to become a key player in the offense.\n\nKeaton Mitchell, a former Baltimore Ravens running back, is an explosive change-of-pace option for the Los Angeles Chargers. Signing a lucrative two-year deal with the Chargers, Mitchell joins offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's outside-zone scheme, which is designed to capitalize on his speed. His 5.8 yards per carry on 59 attempts in 2025, coupled with his big-play rate and McDaniel's fit, give him flex upside if his role grows or his starting competition falters.\n\nRhamondre Stevenson, an experienced running back for the New England Patriots, is more than just a handcuff to Drake Maye. Drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round at No. 74 overall, Stevenson's role during the Patriots' Super Bowl run is a testament to his value. With 17.8 touches per game during the Patriots' postseason run, Stevenson averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game over his final five games, showcasing his high ceiling as a starter. The Patriots' addition of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs further strengthens Stevenson's value as a weekly RB3 and flex option.",
  "summary": "The RB2s and change-of-pace backs going outside the top 40 who sit one injury away from a real fantasy football workload",
  "key_points": [
    "Emmett Johnson, Nebraska backup, 5th round pick, second on Chiefs depth chart",
    "Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos, 155 ADP, cheap flex option",
    "Keaton Mitchell, Chargers, 5.8 YPC, McDaniel scheme upside"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}