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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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Running back Darren Sproles #43 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for a 25 yard touchdown against the New York Giants during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 22: Running back Darren Sproles #43 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for a 25 yard touchdown against the New York Giants during the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

6. Darren Sproles (PHI)

Darren Sproles has done nothing but produce in his well traveled eleven year NFL career. Yet every year he is overlooked and doubted by fantasy football players all over the country. Every year is, “the year” Sproles loses a step and isn’t the same Sproles.

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Jameson Williams' fantasy value is teetering on the edge of going in the tank
Jameson Williams' fantasy value is teetering on the edge of going in the tank /

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    • He proves those doubters wrong again and again.

    Sproles is known for his big play ability in the passing game, but he is much more than that. Last year, at the age of 32, Sproles ran the ball more times than ever in his career. He ran the ball 94 times while also catching his usual 52 passes last season.

    Once again, opportunity plays a factor in this running backs “sleeper” status. The Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran LeGarrette Blount, but he has not looked sharp at all in the preseason.

    Blount has tried to leave the Patriots before and failed. Until he proves he can perform outside of that offense, I can’t trust Blount. Which leaves the small in stature, big in heart, Darren Sproles to make plays for the Eagles at running back.

    Sproles isn’t one of the sleepers that is going to turn out to be a top-five running back at the end of the year, but getting 1,000 yards from scrimmage and around seven touchdowns is a great way to fill out a roster late in the draft.

    Having him as a FLEX play can save your team in weeks where your start players don’t perform. Consistency is overlooked in fantasy football, and that’s exactly what guys like Danny Woodhead and Darren Sproles provide.