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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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 11: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions runs past a blocker during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 11: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions runs past a blocker during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

7. Ameer Abdullah (DET)

One more year? Every year Ameer Abdullah is poised to take control of a muttled Detroit Lions back field, but hasn’t yet. His rookie year was promising, but he split carries with two other running backs which hurt his fantasy value.

Last year Abdullah played one game and looked like an absolute stud with over 100 yards on 18 carries, but a foot injury landed him on injured reserve and ended his season right there.

Abdullah is still contending with Theo Riddick in the back field, but Abdullah is the better runner by far. Abdullah has shown the Lions he is their number one running back, but can he stay healthy?

Many people will argue that Abdullah will lose third-down touches to Riddick who is a great pass catcher, but Abdullah proved he was sufficient at that in a small sample size last year as well. In just that one game in 2016, he also caught five passes for 57 yards.

Health and playing time are why Abdullah hasn’t already become a fantasy football monster in his early career. This year is the year that those two factors work in Abdullah’s favor.

Let’s be optimistic! With Abdullah ranked as the 23rd best fantasy running back on ESPN, the risk is worth the potential reward. Abdullah is a top-five running back and only having to spend a seventh-round pick equals a huge pay off.

Ameer Abdullah could be this year’s DeMarco Murray.