3 Late-Round RB Draft Sleepers: Kareem Hunt, Jerome Ford, Gus Edwards (2023 Fantasy Football)

Maximizing your return on investment is the whole draft strategy behind taking high-upside players in the later rounds. Regardless of what kind of league you play in, it’s important to go into each draft with several sleeper targets at every position so you can ensure you wind up with a few of your guys once it’s all said and done. Hitting on a couple of those can dramatically increase your title chances, but who should fantasy managers target? Our featured pundits have hand-picked several athletes who boast league-winning potential. Read on below to see which sleeper candidates are worth your attention in the final rounds!

Snake Draft Pick Strategy: Early | Middle | Late
Draft Targets for Every Round: Early | Middle | Late
Fitz’s Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit

For additional fantasy football draft advice, check out our complete article on Late-Round Draft Steals ahead of the 2023 season.

Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Late-Round Steals

Which one RB outside the top 55 in half-PPR RB ADP do you plan to target in all drafts as a late-round steal and why?

Kareem Hunt (RB – FA)

“Kareem Hunt is currently being drafted at RB57 and 168 overall. Hunt’s pass-catching skillset offers value in all formats as it will help him earn touches. He will sign somewhere soon and be quickly vaulted inside of the top 50 RBs. Unfortunate injuries could open up an opportunity for him as well as he could sign quickly after Dalvin Cook does. Hunt isn’t just a pass-catcher. At 5’11 and 216 lbs, he offers a three-down skillset and experience as a starter. The Giants behind Barkley, the Broncos if Javonte is not ready, or Dallas behind Tony Pollard. Miami if they do not sign Cook. A lot of great options. Get Hunt before it is too late.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)

Jerome Ford (RB – CLE)

“Jerome Ford is the clear backup to Nick Chubb and a worthwhile late-round handcuff. The Browns running game has proven to be very effective, regardless of who is carrying the ball, so I expect with a Chubb injury, Ford becomes an every-week starter. That’s the kind of upside I’m looking for late in drafts.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)

“Jerome Ford is a player I’ve been trying to get many shares of late in my drafts. The Browns let go of Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson, who have produced as backups over their time in Cleveland. Ford could find himself taking over the Hunt role in the offense and have, at times, standalone value in fantasy with his ability in the passing game and his 4.46 speed. If something happens to Nick Chubb, Ford showed in college the ability to handle a heavy workload in both rushing and receiving. Ford is an exciting late-round running back to grab.”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)

Gus Edwards (RB – BAL)

“It’s not every day you can draft an RB as good as Gus Edwards with a clear-cut No.2 role on his team’s offense. He has been uber-efficient ever since entering the NFL, with a career 5.1 yards per carry. He owns the second-highest yards per carry since 2018 (5.1). Last season alone, the Gus Bus posted the league’s 7th-highest rushing yards after contact per attempt (3.5). He’s a completely forgotten handcuff to J.K. Dobbins, who has been plagued by injuries over the last two seasons.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

For additional fantasy football draft advice, check out our complete article on Late-Round Draft Steals ahead of the 2023 season.