Fantasy Football: 6 Sleeper Running Backs to Target in 2018

Bilal Powell, New York Jets

ADP: 11.07 (RB49)

Some players are lucky enough to step onto a team early in their careers and become every-week starters. Then there are guys like Bilal Powell, players who never seem to have a clear path to become a true bellcow.

While that may be the case again this season with the New York Jets' addition of Isaiah Crowell, Powell should once again -- at the very least -- provide a solid weekly output, which would be valuable at his current cost

Powell has historically found success in the passing game. He combined for 105 catches on 137 targets across 2015 and 2016. He is tied with Todd Gurley for the 11th-most receptions (128) over the past three years, and he's up that high despite seeing just 33 targets (23 catches) in 2017.

His 772 yards rushing last season may have represented a career high, but Powell's rushing numbers have been sneaky-good throughout his career. His 1,807 yards over the past three years sits 24th among all backs, and his 4.77 yards per carry during that time ranks fifth out of all backs who have had at least 200 carries.

Powell received 24 snaps to Crowell's 9 in the Jets' third preseason game and was on the field for all 13 plays on the Jets' opening drive, which finished with a 10-yard Powell touchdown run. That sure makes it seem like the Jets view Powell as their top back.

The fact he's barely going inside the top-50 running backs seems a little crazy. Though Bowles will apparently "ride the hot hand," Powell should be, at the very least, a big part of the Jets' running back plans once again. He's an asset to his team, and he will be to your fake squad. -- Ian Goldsmith