Sleeper Watch

At the end of a draft, when all the impact players have long since vanished from the board, picking backup RBs becomes a good option. There’s little risk involved, and the potential rewards if the back you choose winds up starting at some point in the season are huge.

Many backup RBs have already received quite a bit of attention in the fantasy community. Larry Johnson, for instance, could put up excellent numbers filling in for Priest Holmes if the Chiefs’ star misses time due to injury. Yet the obvious calls such as Johnson most likely won’t last until the end of your draft. Adrian Peterson will.

Peterson will most likely enter the 2003 season as the backup to Anthony Thomas, and with Chicago’s growing impatience with the A-Train, it may not take an injury to give Peterson a chance to show his skills. Last season, Thomas only managed to run for a dismal 3.4 yards per carry; if that number doesn’t rise significantly, Peterson (5.3 yards per touch in very limited action) could be given a serious look.

Even if Thomas falters, don’t expect Peterson to turn into a fantasy superstar. His game relies more on good timing and moves than pure speed, and in any case, Chicago’s offense won’t miraculously transform into a juggernaut overnight. Yet his chance of earning a starting role is relatively high for a second-stringer, making him a good value for a late-round flyer. Particularly in deeper leagues, keep his name in mind.