Fantasy Football Sleepers: Zach Charbonnet, Ty Chandler, Tyler Allgeier, Rasheen Ali

2023 provided one of the all-time great sleeper running backs for fantasy football in Kyren Williams, adding him to a list that in recent years includes James Robinson in 2020, Elijah Mitchell in 2021 and Antonio Gibson in 2020. With fantasy football more popular than ever it’s getting harder and harder to find sleepers, but here are some of the best candidates in 2024 going outside of the top 100 picks.

Fantasy Football Sleepers: Running Backs to Draft

Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)

2023 wasn’t exactly a standout rookie campaign for Zach Charbonnet who we had high hopes for after he was drafted only 11 spots later than Kenneth Walker the previous year. Charbonnet did, however, run the fourth-most routes per game among rookie running backs (17.5) and averaged a healthy 4.2 yards per carry. He also picked up 30 first downs in the ground game, three more than De’Von Achane. With a new and exciting offense under Ryan Grubb, the Seahawks should be more fun for fantasy this year. If anything were to happen to Walker, Charbonnet would be an every-week top-24 back.

This Zach Charbonnet run was one of my favorite plays from Week 14. pic.twitter.com/ZCpYsMKxUp

– Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 12, 2023

Ty Chandler (RB – MIN)

The Vikings brought in Aaron Jones as their lead back but the 29-year-old struggled to stay healthy in 2023, playing only 11 games and the fall-off can be pretty swift when running backs turn 28. Ty Chandler had five games with 13+ touches from Week 10 onwards and was a top-36 running back in four of the five. This is the kind of production we can be happy with when looking for a running back outside the top 100 picks as long as the players we selected at the top end of the draft carry our team. With J.J. McCarthy in town, there remains a possibility the Vikings aren’t pass-heavy and have to lean on the running game plenty this year.

Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL)

Nobody is expecting the new Falcons coaching staff to do anything but feed Bijan Robinson as they look to correct the Arthur Smith-shaped mistakes of 2023, but we shouldn’t expect Tyler Allgeier to disappear completely. Robinson averaged 15.9 touches while Tyler Allgeier averaged 12.2, as he was a nuisance to both Robinson and fantasy managers. Allgeier warranted involvement, though, averaging 1.9 yards per route run compared to Robinson’s 1.0. He also managed an almost identical 3.0 rushing yards after contact compared to Robinson’s 3.1. Allgeier’s path to a ceiling outcome is only blocked by Robinson being able to stay healthy, which is no sure thing at the running back position. Allgeier has standalone value and could potentially be the best backup running back in the league.

Tyler Allgeier scores on the two point conversion and accidentally hits Kyle Pitts with the ball while celebrating. Allgeier immediately apologizes and all is forgiven. pic.twitter.com/Z3FR6kfnMT

– Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 10, 2023

Rasheen Ali (RB – BAL)

For a last-round dart throw, people could do worse than consider Rasheen Ali. The Ravens brought in Derrick Henry to improve their rushing attack and while Henry has defied the narrative around 28-year-old running backs hitting the cliff edge, he is now 30. After Henry, the Ravens have Justice Hill, who is more valued for his special teams contributions. Then there’s Keaton Mitchell, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December. He’s unlikely to get on the field any time soon. Ali is an explosive back with really good vision who rushed for over 1,100 yards in both 2021 and 2023, missing most of 2022 with an injury. For a rushing-heavy team like the Ravens, taking shots on their running backs makes sense.

NFL Kyren Williams James Robinson Elijah Mitchell Antonio Gibson Zach Charbonnet Kenneth Walker De’Von Achane Ty Chandler Aaron Jones J.J. McCarthy Tyler Allgeier Bijan Robinson Kyle Pitts Rasheen Ali Derrick Henry Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell