It’s Best Ball draft season which means I’m looking for late-round gems who can provide value. This season, I’ve been loving the veteran running back position for having best ball sleepers. I’m breaking down 3 older backup running backs who are seriously undervalued at their current ADPs.
3 Best Ball Sleepers
#1: Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
The #2 running back on the Washington Commanders, Austin Ekeler is entering his age-30 season. In his first year with Washington, he played in 12 games on the year. The 5 games he missed were due to concussions and not anything with his body. The type of injury matters more as running backs get older as a leg injury can significantly tamper with play. With Ekeler in the clear, he’ll retain his #2 role on the Commanders behind Brian Robinson Jr.
Despite being in the #2 role, this still brought plenty of opportunity for Ekeler to thrive as a receiving option. Ekeler almost had even splits for rushing yards with 367 and receiving yards with 366 in 2024. This setup led to him scoring over 10 fantasy points in 6 of his 12 games, including 3 games with more than 17 fantasy points.2 of those 3 games did come when Robinson Jr was out which contributed to Ekeler performing better. His ability to be a dual threat back is how he was still able to put up 4 performances of over 10 points when Robinson Jr played as well. As a receiving back—a role Ekeler has embraced his entire career—he can still be a relevant option even with Robinson Jr. playing the entire season.
During those 12 games Ekeler did play, he was a top-30 RB. Taking this same logic, if Ekeler were to remain healthy for a full season, I’d rely on him for 4-5 games to score over 15 points and finish as top-35 RB. I’m happily taking Austin Ekeler in the 14th round or later, especially given his current ADP is RB46. Running backs like Trey Benson or Bhayshul Tuten, who are being drafted ahead of him, rely more on the starter in front of them getting injured to earn their points. I’d strongly favor having the reliability with Ekeler over them.
#2: Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs
A guy who finished last season as RB30 but this year is being drafted outside of the top 60, leaving me scratching my head in confusion is Kareem Hunt. I am all over Kareem Hunt and picking him up in every Best Ball Draft. He’s remaining with the Chiefs, but the additions of Elijah Mitchell and Brashard Smith might take some away carries from Hunt. I’m not as concerned as the duo taking away from Hunt’s production as I am with Isiah Pacheco. Pacheco was hurt for most of last year, so Hunt finished the season as the team’s leading rusher with over 700 yards.
I’m not expecting him to put up those numbers again. I do believe he can pull together a 450-yard and 5-touchdown campaign in 2025 as a #2 back. If he does that, he’s definitely worth the snag in rounds 15 or later. I think he definitely has the chance to put up these numbers with the Chiefs wanting to keep Pacheco healthier to preserve him for the playoffs and a potential Super Bowl run. Hunt is one of my favorite picks in Best Ball this year and he has the potential to step into a larger role if Pacheco goes down again. Hunt should be taken over guys with higher ADP’s like Devin Neal and Will Shipley. He’s been more consistent in a backup role over his career where they have bigger “what if” potential.
#3: Nick Chubb, Houston Texans
After a 7-year run in Cleveland, fan-favorite Nick Chubb was not re-signed by the Browns this past offseason. This brought Chubb to Houston on a one-year deal to backup Joe Mixon, another aging veteran. After a season-ending injury in 2023, it was uncertain if Chubb were to ever play again. He proved doubters wrong and managed to play nearly half a season in 2024. He gained over 300 yards on the ground in the half season he played.
His legs are not what they used to be, but Chubb can still serve some value in Houston. With Mixon also having injury concerns, Chubb can step up to the plate when needed. The Texans also might give Mixon more relief throughout the season to keep him healthier for a playoff run.
This is the first season where we’ll see Chubb in the backup role. If he can find the end zone, he can potentially get some double-digit games under his belt. The Texans did turn to Dameon Pierce to complement Mixon. It wasn’t as much as I’d hoped to see as he finished with less than 300 yards on the year. I do expect the Texans to turn to Chubb more than they did Pierce. Since unproven guys like MarShawn Lloyd, Jaydon Blue, and Jaylen Wright are being taken ahead of Chubb, I’d pass on them and draft a more established veteran.
Lets us know which which vet you are drafting this season at The Fantasy Advice Network.