3 Fantasy Football Running Back Deep Sleepers to Target in 2026

RB Sleepers in Summary

• Dylan Sampson, Browns
• Jonah Coleman, Broncos
• Sean Tucker, Buccaneers

Running back can be one of the toughest positions to navigate in fantasy football drafts. The top options disappear quickly, and once the established starters are gone, fantasy managers are often choosing between committee backs and players who need an injury to become consistent starters.

That also makes running back one of the best positions to chase upside later in drafts. Rather than spending late picks on low-ceiling options, targeting explosive players with a path to a larger workload can provide significantly more upside.

With that in mind, here are three running back sleepers to target in 2026 fantasy football drafts.

All ADP references come from FantasyPros' half-PPR ADP, and ADP may change after this article is published.

Best Running Back Sleepers for 2026 Fantasy Football

Dylan Sampson, Browns

ADP: 199th Overall (RB57)

Dylan Sampson didn't put together an eye-catching rushing line as a rookie, finishing 2025 with 175 yards on 65 carries. Looking solely at those numbers, however, will cause you to miss one of the most intriguing parts of Sampson's fantasy profile.

His receiving ability gives him another avenue to playing time. Sampson averaged 1.86 yards per route run as a rookie, according to PFF, ranking second among running backs. We've already seen more evidence of that skill this preseason, including two catches for 43 yards in the Cleveland Browns‘ opener.

Quinshon Judkins remains the favorite to lead Cleveland's backfield after returning from the injury that ended his 2025 campaign, but Jerome Ford's offseason departure creates additional opportunities behind him. Sampson doesn't need 15 carries per game to become useful if he's consistently involved in passing situations.

He's currently being selected outside the top 50 RBs, which makes him an appealing PPR target. There aren't many running backs available that late who have already demonstrated high-level receiving efficiency and possess a realistic path to more touches.

Jonah Coleman, Broncos

ADP: 151st Overall (RB50)

Jonah Coleman is more of a stash than someone fantasy managers should expect to start in Week 1, but that's exactly the type of running back worth targeting late in drafts.

The Denver Broncos selected Coleman in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after an impressive college career. At 5-foot-8 and 220 pounds, Coleman has the build to handle early-down work while also bringing receiving ability to the backfield. He has averaged 4.7 yards per carry through his first two preseason appearances, although that has come on only seven attempts.

The immediate problem is Denver's crowded depth chart. J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey enter the season ahead of Coleman, and the Broncos have openly discussed the possibility of having a three-headed rushing attack. That uncertainty isn’t ideal. However, it’s also a major reason Coleman is going so late in fantasy drafts.

His upside comes from what could happen if the backfield becomes less crowded. Running back depth charts can change quickly, and Coleman has the skill set to assume a considerably larger workload if an opportunity develops. At an ADP of RB50, he is the type of bench stash who can be dropped without much pain if the role doesn't materialize but could become extremely valuable if it does.

Sean Tucker, Buccaneers

ADP: 243rd Overall (RB67)

Sean Tucker isn't the biggest name in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ backfield, but there are reasons to believe he can outperform his late-round fantasy ADP.

Tucker finished 2025 with 320 rushing yards on 86 attempts, but the more interesting number was his touchdown production. He scored seven times on the ground and added another receiving touchdown, giving him a team-high eight touchdowns from scrimmage. That came after Tucker averaged an outstanding 6.2 yards per carry on 50 attempts in 2024.

Bucky Irving remains Tampa Bay's unquestioned lead running back, and the Bucs added Kenneth Gainwell this offseason, so Tucker isn't likely to receive enough work initially to become a big fantasy factor. However, Rachaad White is no longer in the backfield, opening some touches.

Tucker already has experience producing in the NFL, and if he’s able to find his way into more volume, he could blow up.

Check out our best fantasy football late-round picks as well as our running back fantasy rankings.

Fantasy Football Running Back Sleepers FAQ

What is a running back sleeper in fantasy football?

A running back sleeper is a player being drafted later than his potential fantasy value suggests. These players often have paths to larger workloads, strong receiving roles, or significant upside if a starter ahead of them misses time.

When should I draft running back sleepers?

Running back sleepers are usually best targeted in the middle and later rounds after your core starters are in place. Late-round backs with upside can be especially valuable because running back roles can change quickly during the season.

What should I look for in a fantasy football RB sleeper?

Look for players with explosive efficiency, pass-catching ability, a path to more touches, or strong contingent value behind an established starter. Opportunity is especially important, since even talented backs can struggle to produce fantasy points without enough volume.

New customers can get up to $350 in Bonus Bets — guaranteed — when you bet $5 every day for seven days. Place your first wager now! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today's other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Which bets stand out to you this week? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's latest NFL odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!