Finding the late-round gem that produces at a high level is often the difference between the league champion and the runners up. With that in mind, we will take a look at the top running backs outside of the Expert Consensus Ranking’s (ECR) top 50. One or more of these running backs could prove to be a difference-maker in redraft leagues.
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Joshua Kelley (LAC): RB66 ECR
Joshua Kelley, perhaps more than any other name on this list, has a relatively clear path to standalone fantasy value. Melvin Gordon’s departure opens up 162 carries, but since he missed four games due to a holdout, his 16-game pace equaled 216 rushes. While Austin Ekeler is the no-doubt lead back for the Chargers, Kelley is a strong bet to beat out Justin Jackson for 1A, a role that will allow him to push for RB2/3 level touches and production.
Kelley has soft enough hands to be heavily involved in the passing game as well, so he could pick up most of Gordon’s 55 targets (73 per 16 games) last season. Although he is not close to a prime Gordon in terms of talent, the fourth-round pick has much of the same tools and skill set. A criminal 66th in the half-PPR ECR, I rank Kelley 31st, and our very own Kyle Yates has him 41st. Kelley is shaping up to be an absolute steal as the 70th running back off the board, based on consensus ADP.
Benny Snell Jr. (PIT): RB69 ECR
With the Pittsburgh Steelers declining to extend James Conner, instead allowing him to hit free agency after this season, the dynasty community has already largely moved on from him as the future of this backfield. He has produced at a high level when given volume in both the run and passing games, but he may find himself in for tough competition with his heir apparents.
Benny Snell may very well be the top early-down runner on the team, and he’ll receive every opportunity to wrestle that role away from Conner this season. Conner is the more versatile of the two, and should still see committee-back level snaps, but it would not be a surprise in the least if Snell leads the Steelers in both rushing yards and touchdowns this season. Ranked 69th in ECR with a high of 51, Snell is someone to consider late in drafts.
Anthony McFarland Jr. (PIT): RB59 ECR
Two Pittsburgh running backs on this list with a healthy Conner? Yes. This is where we are with the Steelers’ backfield. Conner is essentially a jack of all trades, but a master of none. That fact that he’s likely in his last year with the team will lead to both Snell and rookie Anthony McFarland Jr. getting extended looks this season. Both of these backs will have the talent and opportunity to take hold of the lead back job in Pittsburgh, and they may very well form a one-two punch for years to come.
McFarland is an exciting newcomer who could run away with the starting job if given the chance. He has an every-down skill set, and while he may never be a true workhorse, he has the build to handle starter’s touches. At 59th in the ECR with a high of 31, McFarland is currently just 67th in the consensus ADP.
Damien Harris (NE): RB60 ECR
Sony Michel is expected to open the season as the starter, but the talented Damien Harris will be nipping at his heels. Although Harris got the rookie treatment from Bill Belichick last season, he’s the most complete back on the roster. He is capable of shining in a committee like he did at Alabama, but he could also function as a high-level workhorse.
Constantly dealing with nagging injuries, Michel took a massive step back as a sophomore. He will not be able to keep his job if he doesn’t bounce back to his rookie season level of promise. Harris, the RB74 in ADP and RB60 in ECR (with a high rank of 39), is a late-round lottery ticket that could win you your league.
A.J. Dillon (GB): RB56 ECR
A.J. Dillon appears set to take over the goal-line and short-yardage role for the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Jones will continue to lead the backfield in touches, but it will not be a surprise if Dillon significantly cuts into the 13 attempts inside the five-yard line that Jones saw last season. He could also pick up most (if not all) of Jamaal Williams’ five rushing attempts inside of the 10.
Dillon proved he has trustworthy hands, but Jones and Williams still offer more as receivers. The best comparison to how this backfield may play out is when Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs played together on the New York Giants. Jones will be the star, but Dillon will produce enough to earn standalone value. He will be inconsistent due to his reliance on game script, but the rookie should deliver enough fantasy points to count on as an RB3. Right behind Williams as the ECR’s RB56, Dillon is currently going as an RB5 as the 60th at his position.
Dare Ogunbowale (TB): RB78 ECR
Dare Ogunbowale, much like rookie teammate Raymond Calais, is an interesting late-round Best Ball flier who can also be targeted at the end of the deepest redraft leagues. He has the plus receiving ability to become Tom Brady’s James White and has even spent some of the offseason picking the brain of his fellow Wisconsin alum. There are also 215 carries available in Tampa Bay. While Ogunbowale is not expected to stake claim to them, he should see a drastic improvement on the 11 he saw all of last season.
He projects as more of an RB3 with weekly RB2 upside, but his floor is bottomless, so consider that when getting to the point of your drafts where Dare becomes an option. A flier in the truest sense, Ogunbowale is the 85th running back off the board in redraft leagues.
Eno Benjamin (ARI): RB100 ECR
Eno Benjamin is more of a longshot, but that is made apparent in his ECR of 100 and high rank of 62. Though a great fit for the Arizona Cardinals offense, he will have to take touches not only from Kenyan Drake, but from Chase Edmonds as well. With that said, he has the talent to force a timeshare, and he could even morph the backfield into a dreaded three-back RBBC. Benjamin has the size and talent to be a lead or feature back, but the Cardinals view him as a member of a timeshare. At the end of your drafts, you cannot go wrong drafting and stashing a high-level talent like Benjamin.
Rodney Anderson (CIN): RB118 ECR
Unlike the other names on this list, who have some sort of opportunity to grab hold of their respective team’s lead back or starting jobs, Rodney Anderson projects as more of a pure handcuff. He is an exceptional talent who would be viewed as a top-10 running back if he played on a different team without the extensive injury history.
If Mixon goes down or decides to hold out, a healthy Anderson is a no-doubt RB1. The league’s only other current backup running back who could produce at the same level is Baltimore Ravens rookie J.K. Dobbins. Anderson will likely never live up to his immense potential as a member of the Bengals, but he is worth a late-round pick in deeper redraft leagues.
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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyContext.