3 Sneaky Rookie RBs To Keep Tabs On
With training camp in full swing, we are finally getting our first clues as to which players could emerge as sleepers.
A few weeks back, I did a deep dive on all of the sleeper rookie RBs I was considering at the end of drafts, and today I want to spotlight three who have recently seen their outlook improve.
🎯 Bengals RB Tahj Brooks—Last week, Cincy placed Zack Moss on the active/non-football injury list, and it seems like he is legitimately fighting for a roster spot as he recovers from a broken neck.
This clears the runway for Brooks, who they drafted in the Round 6 and has been showcasing his pass-caching chops at camp, to be the No. 2 behind Chase Brown. Sure, Samaje Perine would be involved if Brown got injured, but Brooks is now a very clean bet who I am ready to start clicking in the last round of drafts whenever available.
🎯 Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merrit—I admit that I wasn’t paying much attention to Washington’s seventh-round selection, but his involvement yesterday with the first team is notable and the drumbeat has been steady.
This Commanders backfield checks every box that we should be looking for in a late-round sleeper (ambiguous backfield, high-powered offense, etc.), so he’s worth adding to your watch list.
Also: he has a crazy college backstory.
🎯 Texans RB Woody Marks - I briefly mentioned Marks yesterday while discussing the bizarre Joe Mixon situation, but Marks is firmly on the late-round menu for me now—especially when you read quotes like this about Nick Chubb.
Marks’ prospect profile isn’t super inspiring, but the team traded up to get him in Round 4, and he can catch the football.
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Editors’ Picks
NFL Training Camps are in full swing, coachspeak is coming in left and right, along with endless fantasy football rankings updates. GUILLOTINE LEAGUES ARE OPEN AND DRAFTING, PEOPLE!!! We’ve covered all angles so you don’t miss a beat. Here is some of the best analysis that you may have missed.
 | Can You Trust Tyreek Hill?After a down 2024 season, Jonathan Fuller breaks down why the arrow is pointing up for the veteran WR, and other wideouts who are likely facing regression—good or bad—in 2025. |
 | It’s Getting Scary, Terry …Terry McLaurin is the face of the most fantasy-relevant contract dispute this offseason, and the two sides are far apart. Updates on McLaurin’s contract situation and more Training Camp notes. |
 | OC Power RankingsWho’s the best at dialing up plays that lead to fantasy points? Coach Gene Clemons went through all the NFL offenses and ranked every team’s OC from No. 1 to 32. |
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A Little Bijan Can Put Some Mustard On Your Team
Can you imagine being “stuck” with drafting Bijan Robinson? Well, many fantasy football drafters would be happy falling into a player who posted almost 1,900 scrimmage yards and finished with 15 total TDs. Some might call that a cornerstone player for any fantasy roster and call it a day. But there is the entire rest of the draft to consider.
Chris Allen created several different fantasy draft scenarios from the 1.03 using the Fantasy Life Draft Champion tool. Robinson at the start offers up several options, from making him the Hero RB to combining him with an elite QB or TE. That’s how versatile Robinson is. He’s one of the few players with the talent and youth to be No. 1 overall at his position. Now check out the rest of the strategy for drafting out of the three-hole. ⬇️
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The Ripple Effect of NFL Training Camp Buzz
When thousands of football-hungry fantasy players start getting fed spoonfuls of NFL Training Camp buzz, they’re going to react.
When they react, fantasy football ADPs across the market adjust, leading us to … you guessed it … react.
So let’s get to just that: reacting. Who are the biggest ADP risers and fallers over the first full week of NFL Training Camps? (click the pic 📷 for more ADP 👇)
Matthew Freedman dives into all four of these players, plus even more risers and fallers on the ADP board, and how we should be reacting for fantasy football. ⤵️
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Around the Watercooler
The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds.
👀 Only one QB can be alone in his own tier.
🤝 Announcement for our ESPN players — you can now sync your league!
🍋 …we’ve mentioned Fantasy HQ here before, right?
🔍️ A closer look at the Vikings backfield. Who you taking?
🚑️ Lots of injuries (& injury scares) yesterday. Isaiah Likely, Malik Nabers, Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, etc.
😆 The Browns have 5 QBs … and are still thinking about another one.
🚀 What if Jahmyr Gibbs gets more work in 2025? Can you imagine??
🪓 A beginner’s guide to Surviving the CHOP.
🔮 No escaping the CMC hype. How high will he go?
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