Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Fantasy News

Top 5 Fantasy Running Back Sleepers for Week 14

by Adam Markowitz

12/5/17

NFL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Peyton Barber

With a quarter of the NFL's regular season left to play, there are a few men who are starting to emerge as legitimate leaders as second-tier running backs. Fantasy sleepers are running rampant and are ready to steal the spotlight from some of the more-hyped backs in the NFL, and we're here to unearth them at Dober Games.

Mike Tolbert (4.00 Dober Fantasy Points Per Game)
Projected Fantasy Points vs. Colts: 3.5

Mike Tolbert is expected to return from a hamstring injury this week for the Bills, and it comes at a really good time for Dober Fantasy players.

Travaris Cadet, who has taken over as the passing down back in relief of LeSean McCoy, has beaten his Projected Fantasy Points total in four straight games with Tolbert out. Now that the do-it-all fullback is back in the lineup, he can step back into his role as a pass-catcher and an occasional runner when McCoy needs a blow.

If Nathan Peterman does start this week for the Bills, you should expect to see plenty of short passes to all of the Buffalo tailbacks, and it wouldn't be shocking if all of them beat their PFP totals.

Giovani Bernard (3.30 Dober Fantasy Points Per Game)
Projected Fantasy Points vs. Bears: 5.5

There is only one truly healthy running back left standing in the Queen City, and it happens to be Giovani Bernard.

The former North Carolina Tar Heel stepped in for the injured Joe Mixon last week against Pittsburgh and totaled 96 yards of offense.

If Mixon is out of the fold again this week for the Bears, we don't see any way Bernard doesn't get to at least 55 yards between rushing and receiving.

Elijah McGuire (4.40 Dober Fantasy Points Per Game)
Projected Fantasy Points vs. Broncos: 4.0

Elijah McGuire is the third running back in the New York offense, but he keeps finding himself on the field in crucial passing situations. He's carved out at least 18 snaps in each of the last four games for the Jets.

McGuire only had five runs for 20 yards in last week's win over the Chiefs, but he should be in line for more work against a Denver team that has been beaten in eight straight games. The Broncos might rank No. 5 in the NFL against the run, but that might only prompt McGuire to see the field more if both Bilal Powell and Matt Forte are struggling.

Kerwynn Williams (2.62 Dober Fantasy Points Per Game)
Projected Fantasy Points vs. Titans: 4.0

Adrian Peterson is still nursing a neck injury, and there's a good chance he's shut down for the rest of the season because of it.

Kerwynn Williams is as good as it gets in the Arizona backfield at this point, and he should reach his Projected Fantasy Points total on volume alone.

In fairness to Williams, he had a good game last week with 16 carries for 97 yards against the Rams. He's not nearly as talented as Peterson, but he is a good straight-line runner and is a decent bet to get to at least 40 yards if he's going to be the primary tailback.

Peyton Barber (3.60 Dober Fantasy Points Per Game)
Projected Fantasy Points vs. Lions: 5.5

Who knows what to make out of the Tampa Bay backfield anymore? Doug Martin is still in concussion protocol, and for the first time this season, Peyton Barber took over as the Bucs' primary tailback in last week's loss to Green Bay.

Barber handled himself well in the spotlight, rushing for 102 yards on 23 carries while leading the team in receptions and receiving yards.

We can't expect Barber to get his hands on the ball 27 times again this week as he did last week, but if he even gets half of that work, he should be a good bet to go over such a low Projected Fantasy Points total.