Fantasy Football: Tyjae Spears headlines sleeper candidates at the RB position for 2025
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Over the next week, I'll shine the spotlight on my favorite sleeper candidates at every key fantasy position. Today, we're taking a look at running backs.
Justin Boone's Fantasy Sleepers
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers (Aug. 7)
Tight Ends (Aug. 8)
Tyjae Spears, Titans
Calling the first two seasons of Spears' NFL career a mixed bag feels like I'm underselling it.
As a rookie, he broke onto the scene with 838 scrimmage yards and 52 receptions, while playing alongside a legendary workhorse in Derrick Henry. The fact that Spears was able to earn that kind of role in a season where Henry was active for all 17 games is notable.
Entering his sophomore campaign last year, Spears was locked in a battle for the starting job with Tony Pollard. The coaching staff consistently referred to the duo as interchangeable and a timeshare seemed inevitable.
Unfortunately, Spears suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 that stole some of his effectiveness and handed the lead back role to Pollard. Hamstring and concussion issues also plagued Spears as the season went along and prevented us from seeing the real backfield tandem the Titans wanted to deploy.
However, when Pollard was dealing with injuries and missed some time in the final month, Spears stepped up playing the majority of the snaps.
Week
Touches
Scrimmage Yards
TDs
15
10
92
2
16
13
66
2
17
23
103
0
The 24-year-old will begin this season behind Pollard again, but the 28-year-old has another year of wear on his tires. Meanwhile, Spears has looked explosive in practice and people around the team believe he's headed for an uptick in touches, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Head coach Brian Callahan admitted the ideal usage would involve both backs playing 'a little more evenly' moving forward.
The Titans have also upgraded at quarterback with first-overall pick Cam Ward and made significant investments on the offensive line, so if Spears gets a chance — he could excel.
Like most of the names on this list, it will probably require an injury to free Spears up to reach his fantasy ceiling in 2025, but he has the talent to overtake Pollard if the veteran's play drops off at all.
Spears is a nice value in fantasy drafts as an RB3/flex option with the potential to erupt if Pollard misses time.
Second-year backs with new opportunities
Ray Davis, Bills — James Cook is in the process of holding in, as he attempts to negotiate a contract extension. If the two sides fail to get a deal done, we could see Cook make more 'business' decisions during the season. Meanwhile, in the two games where Davis played more than 50% of the Bills' snaps last year, the backup finished as a top-15 fantasy RB both weeks.
Braelon Allen, Jets — Allen flashed in his limited opportunities as a rookie and continues to make noise in training camp. Breece Hall remains the lead back, but new head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand are coming from a Lions organization that successfully used two backs. Though the Jets aren't expected to be anywhere near as potent as Detroit's attack, Allen will likely take on a bigger role in Year 2, while also being one Hall injury away from stardom.
Jaylen Wright, Dolphins — Wright was quiet during his rookie campaign, aside from a 13-carry, 86-yard effort in Week 5. However, he certainly has his supporters within the building — like Tyreek Hill, who believes Wright should get more chances around the goal line. De'Von Achane is the unquestioned starter in Miami, but we're just one year removed from Achane and Raheem Mostert combining for 2,184 scrimmage yards and 32 total touchdowns. If Mike McDaniel wants to, he can use Wright in a complementary role that turns him into a fantasy RB3/flex.
Late-round rookies with paths to start
Dylan Sampson, Browns — Every day that Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned as he deals with his legal situation, is a step closer to Sampson having a major role to start the season. A likely committee with Jerome Ford could prevent Sampson from hitting the highest end of his range of outcomes, but he's the most exciting option in the Browns' backfield until Judkins suits up.
Jaydon Blue, Cowboys — It's not surprising to hear that Blue is impressing in practice, when his main competition for touches are underwhelming veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. As the fifth-rounder gets more comfortable, it's possible the Cowboys will come to their senses and let him take on as much work as his 5'9', 196-pound frame can handle. A committee seems likely, but there's no risk to given where Blue is going in drafts.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders — The man known simply as Bill has gone from a seventh-round rookie who people had never heard of when I brought him up, to a training camp darling and likely preseason star in the coming weeks. Brian Robinson Jr. is a reliable starter, but doesn't have the extra gear to make gamebreaking plays. Austin Ekeler is a solid change of pace back at this stage of his career, but he's on the wrong side of 30. There's a legitimate path for Croskey-Merritt to take over this backfield during the season.
Woody Marks, Texans — The Texans continue to be vague about the recovery timeline for Joe Mixon, which puts his Week 1 availability in doubt. Head coach DeMeco Ryans recently gave a very honest assessment about veteran backup Nick Chubb, suggesting his best days are well behind him. That opens the door for Marks — a fourth-rounder with a three-down skillset, who could be especially useful in the passing game.
Kyle Monangai, Bears — The fact the Bears didn't do more to address their backfield this offseason was puzzling. Maybe they knew something we didn't about Monangai, who they drafted in the seventh round. D'Andre Swift will open the season as the starter, but his hold on the job seems very loose. We're already seeing Monangai get first-team reps in practice and head coach Ben Johnson identified him as a player they'll 'be able to trust this fall.' Whether it's Monangai or Roschon Johnson or a veteran they sign before the season, someone else is going to factor into Chicago's run game in 2025.
Justin Boone's Fantasy Sleepers
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