Fantasy Football Sleepers: 3 Running Backs Poised For Fast Starts

There is no time to stall.

You just made a savvy draft pick in the end of your draft, so why banish him to the bench while you start players that are merely projected to score more points?

Here are three little-known running backs that will put up big numbers right off the bat.

1. Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers

Are you a fan of touchdowns?

Then you’ll love Tolbert, who reached pay dirt 11 times in 15 games in 2010. The reliable back scored at least once in 10 games and got 15 carries or more in seven.

With Ryan Mathews still a question mark, expect Tolbert to be used in heavy doses early this season.

2. Willis McGahee, Denver Broncos

This pick is strictly based on circumstance.

New head coach John Fox plans to install his run-first offense into the Broncos, which means Knowshon Moreno and McGahee will be getting a ton of touches.

With the continuous heath concerns of Moreno, McGahee has a good shot of getting the bulk of the carries sooner rather than later.

Factor in the first two weeks of the season, where the Broncos play the Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals, and McGahee is worth a flex start right off the bat.

3. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills

He burned fantasy owners in his rookie season as it took him longer than anticipated to adjust to the pro game. The Bills banished him to the bench in favor of veteran Fred Jackson.

This year, Spiller has played much better in the preseason and looks to be a much bigger part of the Bills offense in 2011.

He has the sort of breakaway speed that few other players have in the NFL. At some point this season, he’ll have a TD of over 50 yards.

His added value as a pass-catcher makes him a great play in PPR leagues.

The Bills need Spiller to play well, and expect him to get his chance early on.