Deep Running Back Sleepers

Ken Kelly

One thing we strive to do here at DLF is attempt to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to sleepers. As you know, we publish team capsules for all 32 NFL teams each Summer, and add a team sleeper to each and every one of them. While those players have a varying level of “sleeperness,” we’re not shy about putting information out there and being afraid to be wrong. We’re going to swing and miss every now and then, but we’ve also been known to hit on a few non-referee aided hail marys, too. You who subscribe give up the equivalent of a coffee a month to us to get information like this, so we’re happy to take the public risk for you as a premium member.

That brings us to tonight’s post.

As I’ve looked around at other sites (yes, we do that, too), I’ve been shocked at some of the players being mentioned as sleepers for this year and beyond. Perhaps that’s because I’m so used to the educated and demanding community we have here at DLF, but I just don’t consider players like Pierre Garcon, Russell Wilson or Ryan Mathews as sleepers. I mean, really, give me a break already. With that, let’s get to it.

There are currently two different running backs who I’m adding to a majority of my larger dynasty league rosters as deep sleepers. They’re none other than William Powell of the Cardinals and Jonathan Grimes of the Jets.

Let’s start with Powell.

For those of you who skipped the preseason, you likely don’t know too much about Powell. After all, the former Kansas State Wildcat had only 250 yards rushing (on just 23 carries) in his collegiate career before a leg injury ended his season back in 2010. However, he led ther NFL in rushing during the preseason this year with 249 yards. While much of that came against the second team defenses and he struggled a bit in the limited time he had against the starters, he did show us enough to be placed on our watch list in case something happened on the Cardinals depth chart.

Enter Beanie Wells.

With Wells going on the “IR: Designated to Return” list, Ryan Williams is going to take over the featured back duties in the desert. While LaRod Stephens-Howling is stil in the mix, Powell is expected to be active for the first time this season. While Williams broke out last week, there’s no guarantee he’s going to have future success – he’s also coming off a significant injury and has also put up some less than impressive performances this season. With Wells now clearly looking like a bust, the Cardinals backfiled is in total flux. If Powell gets an opportunity, it would be great to see him take advantage.

Now, let’s talk about Jonathan Grimes.

Our loyal readers know I’ve been talking up Grimes for a while now as a player to clearly watch. After all, he was on the Texans practice squad and we all know what happened when Arian Foster got the call from that group years ago. Grimes did get the call, but it wasn’t from the Texans, it was from the Jets as he was signed to the active roster in New York to seemingly take the place of their new cornerback, Joe McKnight.

With Shonn Greene plodding away, it’s apparent the Jets need a major boost to their running game. There’s no doubt Bilal Powell will get the first shot to replace Greene as soon as Rex Ryan pulls the plug, but he’s never really been incredibly impressive in his own right. While some are expecting Powell to run away with this job, there’s certainly no guarantee that will happen.

Grimes is an undrafted free agent out of William and Mary.  In his four years there, he showed some promise, rushing for 929 yards However, he was primarily used as a kick returner.  He was left undrafted, but don’t make the mistake of taking that as maaning he doesn’t have some ability – one of the biggest mistakes I see dynasty owners make is tying a player’s value to their draft position. Once camp starts, it really doesn’t matter if you were a first round draft pick or an undrafted free agent, coaches play the players who are the best, regardless of where they were drafted. If you want proof, go look at what’s going on in St. Louis with Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson. The Texans tried and failed to successfully stash him away (by all accounts, they really liked what they saw from Grimes) and the Jets are the beneficiaries for the time being.

In the end, these are two different running backs who seemingly have what it takes to emerge – some level of talent and an all-important opportunity. While neither are at the forefront of many people’s minds, they’re each worth a shot as a deep league stash. You know the Cardinals and Jets are both in need of some new energy at the position and desperately need some productivity. While Jonathan Grimes and William Powell are more likely to fade into the sunset than become the next studs at running back, we all know how important is to stay ahead of the curve. In competitive dynasty leagues, you simply have to or someone else will.  We’ve never been afraid to go with our gut and take a stab at a player or two and potentially be wrong in the process.

Right now, my gut tells me these two are worthy additions.

ken kelly