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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CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 19: Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 19: Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

 4. Kareem Hunt (KC)

The Kansas City Chiefs offense is one to definitely target in fantasy this season. The past two seasons, with Jamaal Charles injured, Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West have become fantasy-relevant running backs. Kareem Hunt has the most talent out of the group and is already turning heads early at Chiefs camp.

Kareem Hunt was a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft out of Toledo. As proven last year with Tyreek Hill, Andy Reid is not against starting rookies if they show promise. Hill became a focal point of the Kansas City attack and Hunt has the chance to do the same in 2017.

Hunt has shown that he can move the ball on the ground, but it was his blocking that impressed the Chiefs in Week 2 of the preseason.  Pass blocking is usually the thing that holds talent running backs up from being instant contributors. It seems Hunt has already begun to figure that out, which is great for fantasy owners.

Ware and West are place holders while to Chiefs find their running back of the future. Why can’t that future be as early as Week 1? Hunt is ready and with his talent he can be a top-10 fantasy football running back in 2017.

Kansas City ran for over 1,700 yards last season and that means when Hunt gets deemed the starter, he is easily a 1,000-yard rusher leading your fantasy team to win after win.