Niner Noise
FanSided

Top 10 fantasy football running back sleepers for 2017

By Jay Marsdale

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball while being pursued by Denzel Perryman #52 of the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Chargers 28-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball while being pursued by Denzel Perryman #52 of the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Chargers 28-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 23: Paul Perkins #28 of the New York Giants runs the ball against Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams during the NFL International Series match between New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams at Twickenham Stadium on October 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 23: Paul Perkins #28 of the New York Giants runs the ball against Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams during the NFL International Series match between New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams at Twickenham Stadium on October 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images) /

8. Paul Perkins (NYG)

Paul Perkins is entering his second year in the NFL and is poised to be the starting running back on a high-powered offense. This is the perfect combination for a breakout year and fantasy players need to realize that.

The Giants expected for last season to be a learning year for Perkins. However, injuries and poor play in front of him gave Perkins some good experience at the end of the year. He turned that late season playing time into 456 yards rushing and 162 yards through the air.

The Giants offense will continue to be an aerial attack, but Perkins can provide them with much needed balance. Defenses will continue to focus on the passing game when you have a player like Beckham Jr.

That means less defenders crowding the line of scrimmage. This works well for Perkins being a one cut runner and exploiting larger holes on the defensive line. This adds up to more yards and more points for fantasy football owners.

Perkins did all of that while playing behind a young offensive line. With a full offseason for Perkins and the offensive line to develop, those numbers can only go up. He was thrust into a starting role before anyone expected him to be and performed well. Fantasy owners will see more of the same in 2017 and only have to spend a late-round pick to get him.