Hitting on late-round running backs in your fantasy football drafts is one of, if not the biggest, ways to create massive value gains for your teams. By the nature of the position, a late-round running back can go from depth piece to league winner in no time. Today, I’ll be highlighting some of the best late-round running backs available. 

 

 

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans

After being drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Tyjae Spears has spent his first two years in the league as an efficient change-of-pace running back. Spears has been especially effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Over the last two years, among running backs, Spears ranks 12th in yards per target. Additionally, Spears ranked 11th and 5th in yards created per touch. Any questions about Spears’ ability to succeed in the NFL have been answered. Now the only question is if he can earn a more substantial workload. 

In 2024, while healthy, Tony Pollard was clearly the Titans’ lead running back. Spears was still mixed in, especially as a pass catcher, but this was Pollard’s backfield. Looking forward to 2025, though, there’s reason to believe the roles could change. Pollard is now 28 years old, and the Titans have an out on his contract after this year. The Titans could lean more to Spears than they have due to him being the future (and possibly present) of the backfield. 

At worst, Spears retains the role he’s had, in which he’ll have some stand-alone weekly value as a pass catcher and a three-down workhorse if Pollard gets injured. The upside potential is that he takes over a larger share of the backfield than Pollard and Spears, is becomes one of the best picks you can make in fantasy football. 

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

Joining the Falcons as a fifth-round NFL Draft pick, Tyler Allgeier stepped up and filled in for the Falcons effectively as a rookie. Allgeier ran for over 1,000 yards as a rookie, demonstrating his capability as a running back in the NFL. But he was quickly replaced by Bijan Robinson the following season. With this move, despite losing his starting job, Allgeier became one of the best handcuff running backs in all of fantasy football. With Allgeier being a talented running back, we’ve even seen him have spike weeks along with Robinson.

Bijan Robinson has not missed any games since entering the league, but if he does, we already know Allgeier can handle a three-down workload and produce with it. The Falcons spent their offseason spending most of their resources towards the defense, leaving Allgeier’s status unchanged. With no one behind him to threaten him for touches, Allgeier is one of the few backup running backs who would earn a true three-down workload if Robinson gets hurt.

Tyler Allgeier is an easy bet. His projection is one of the easiest to make in all of fantasy football. If anything happens to Bijan Robinson, Allgeier will be ranked as an RB1 week in and week out. Somehow, though, year after year, Allgeier isn’t valued as highly as he should be given his known potential. Regardless of build, Allgeier should be a target in your drafts.

 

 

Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles

Drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Eagles, Will Shipley played sparingly as a rookie while backing up Saquon Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell. This offseason, the Eagles let Gainwell walk in free agency, opening the door for Shipley to be Barkley’s direct backup. The Eagles only brought in AJ Dillon, who missed all of 2024 with a neck injury and was unimpressive the last time we saw him. Not that there is a battle for the RB2 position, but if there is, Shipley will win it easily. 

In college, Will Shipley was a do-it-all running back and was an above-average receiver out of the backfield. Shipley finished with over 30 receptions, a high mark for college running backs, in each of his final two seasons in college. He’s got good athleticism too, as evidenced by his 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day. He’s a little small for the position and likely wouldn’t assume the same workload as Saquon Barkley in the event of an injury, but his pass-catching ability should help him project well. 

Handcuff running backs are a vital part of fantasy football. The 2024 season was an outlier for running back injuries. Normally, many injuries make way for handcuff running backs to provide massive value for fantasy teams. Will Shipley projects to be the handcuff running back on one of the best offenses in the league, making him an easy bet. With an ADP at the end of drafts, he’s an even easier decision. 

Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers

Rico Dowdle became the Cowboys' workhorse running back halfway through the 2024 season, almost by default. Dowdle had few expectations before the season, having done little in the NFL prior to the season. Dowdle impressed, though, and ended the season with over 1,300 total yards and 12.4 PPR PPG, helping fantasy teams make and perform in the playoffs. Finishing 17th in True Yards per Carry and 18th in Yards per Route Run, Dowdle proved his ability as both a runner and receiver.

Oddly, despite Rico Dowdle’s performance, the Cowboys let him walk in free agency, where he quickly signed with the Panthers. Dowdle steps right in as Chuba Hubbard’s backup as Jonathan Brooks recovers from his second torn ACL,  which is a great place to be. Dave Canelas, the Panthers’ head coach, has shown a proclivity to giving his starting running back a workhorse role. Dowdle has proven himself to be someone a team can rely on based on his 2024 performance. Now he’s become one of the best handcuff running backs you can find. 

Even though Rico Dowdle now stands as one of the better handcuff running backs you can find, his ADP has not reflected it. Dowdle routinely goes after most of the other handcuff running backs at the end of drafts. He’s a straightforward selection for any build. It’s not often you can find the potential Dowdle represents as late as you can draft him. With how little risk there is based on his cost, Dowdle should be a top target in drafts.

 

 

DJ Giddens, Indianapolis Colts

DJ Giddens enters the NFL after two impressive seasons to finish up his career at Kansas State. In each of his last two seasons in college, Giddens gained over 1,500 total yards. Dynamite in the open field, Giddens is a highly athletic running back with decent size who’s still developing as a player. He needs to improve his vision and his hands, the most inconsistent part of his game, which is likely why he slid in the NFL Draft. Falling to the sixth round isn’t ideal, but landing with the Colts is a good consolation prize.

Landing with the Colts is about as good a spot as you could ask for a sixth-round pick. While Jonathan Taylor is the entrenched starter, there was very little depth after him. DJ Giddens should easily earn the backup job. His biggest competition is Khalil Herbert, who, while beloved by fantasy gamers, has made little impact. While backing up Taylor, Giddens will have time to refine his game and occasionally get opportunities for explosives. And, of course, if anything happens to Taylor, Giddens will project to take over the reins of the backfield.  

DJ Giddens becomes a very intriguing handcuff running back as Jonathan Taylor’s likely backup. The only reason his cost is so low is because of his draft capital and that he’s not officially listed as the RB2 on the depth chart yet. Those shouldn’t be worries, though. I’m targeting Giddens at the end of my drafts as a handcuff running back who could have serious production if anything happens to Taylor. 

Drafting Back to Front

Best Ball drafts have been underway for a while now, and redraft season is right around the corner. Understanding which players to target at the end of drafts is important before diving in. Knowing what’s available late in the draft will help you make a decision early in the draft. Draft back to front. 

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