Fantasy Football 2024: Sleeper RBs to Target in Updated Flex Rankings

The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens will open the NFL regular season on Thursday. The anticipation is growing for what should be a spectacular season in both the NFL and fantasy football.

Many fantasy leagues that haven't already conducted drafts will do so in the next couple of days. That means that managers are running out of preparation time, but there is still room for a little last-minute homework.

By now, most fantasy enthusiasts probably know who they're looking to target in the early rounds. Here, we'll dive into the other end of the spectrum and examine a few potential sleepers.

Specifically, we'll examine running backs who may provide late-season help or valuable depth in the flex position. The NFL may be a passing league, but running backs are still a big part of the game and can provide tremendous late-round fantasy value.

We'll also examine some updated flex rankings based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

PPR Flex Rankings

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49ers RB Christian McCaffrey

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

2. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

3. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

4. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

6. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

7. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

8. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

9. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

10. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

11. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

12. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

13. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

14. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

15. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

16. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

17. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints

18. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

19. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

20. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

21. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

22. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

23. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

24. Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

25. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

26. Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions

27. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers

28. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens

29. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

30. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

31. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

32. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

33. D.J. Moore, WR, Chicago Bears

34. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers

35. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

36. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants

37. Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

38. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills

39. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

40. Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston Texans

41. Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns

42. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks

43. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals

44. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders

45. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

46. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

47. Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans

48. Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

49. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

50. George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Sleeper: Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - JULY 24: Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (4) takes a quick break during the Los Angeles Chargers Training Camp on July 24, 2024, at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Now set to start for the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1, Gus Edwards has gained quite a bit of fantasy traction during the offseason. However, he's still being valued too low in most leagues.

With an average draft position (ADP) of 111, Edwards is trending as RB41.

That's too low for one of the league's 32 starters in just about any situation, though managers do have reasons for exercising caution. J.K. Dobbins is on the roster and, like Edwards, has experience playing under offensive coordinator Greg Roman. L.A. also has sixth-round rookie Kimani Vidal, who could see a steadily increasing role throughout the season.

However, Dobbins is coming off yet another significant injury (torn Achilles) and has struggled to stay on the field as a pro. Edwards, meanwhile, tallied 990 scrimmage yards and 13 rushing touchdowns last season while playing a complementary role for the Baltimore Ravens.

In what should be a run-heavy offense under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, Edwards should be a viable flex starter this season.

Sleeper: Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 17: Ray Davis #22 of the Buffalo Bills in action during the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Buffalo Bills rookie running back Ray Davis is trending even lower than Edwards (ADP of 162), which isn't exactly unsurprising. The Kentucky product is expected to be the No. 2 back between 2023 breakout star James Cook.

Cook became a centerpiece of Buffalo's offense down the stretch last season, finishing with 1,567 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns. He'll be targeted early in most drafts and should be a reliable starter early in the season.

It's worth noting, however, that Cook seemed to wear down late in the year. Over his final five games (including playoffs) the 24-year-old reached 4.0 yards per carry only once.

The Bills are quite likely to use Davis early and often to spell Cook and keep him fresher for the playoff run. The rookie's skill set could earn him a significant role right out of the gate, making a quality late-round flex flier.

"Davis can step into any offense right away and be a contributor," Derrik Klassen of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote. "He has experience with all types of run-game concepts, and he has the size and efficient rushing skills to be a quality runner sooner than later."

Drafting Davis will be a bit of a gamble, but he has added value as a handcuff to Cook.

Sleeper: Cam Akers, Houston Texans

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HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 24: Houston Texans running back Cam Akers (22) carries the ball during the NFL preseason game between the Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans on August 24, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Managers looking for a very deep sleeper should consider Houston Texans running back Cam Akers.

Akers was a late offseason addition to Houston's roster (July 21), but he may quite an impression during training camp and the preseason. He flashed good power, vision and explosiveness during exhibition play and appears 100 percent recovered from the two Achilles injuries that have hampered him in recent years.

Former Texans starter Dameon Pierce, meanwhile, failed to impress during the preseason, so it won't come as a surprise if Akers ends up being the primary backup to trade acquisition Joe Mixon.

And while Mixon should be considered a high-end flex option, he might not hold the same every-down role he previously held with the Cincinnati Bengals. The 28-year-old hasn't had the same burst as a runner (4.0 yards per carry in 2023) that he had earlier in his career, so Houston may favor more of a committee approach to the ground game.

Akers will probably still only be worth the occasional spot start, but that's precisely the sort of player managers should target in the last couple of rounds. With an ADP of 226, Akers should be available at the end of most drafts.

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*ADP from FantasyPros.