2023 Top 10 Undrafted Free Agent Running Backs
Undrafted free agents always come with their share of risks, which seem even larger when looking at your own dynasty fantasy football team. Year after year, numerous running backs disappear from the NFL landscape due to competition from the incoming rookie class. Now and then, one of those newcomers slips through the cracks at the NFL Draft but still goes on to put together solid outings.
The most recent examples that come to mind are James Robinson and Phillip Lindsay, both of whom were able to immediately make major impacts for their fantasy managers.
It’s even rarer to find undrafted backs that can sustain elite production throughout their career. However, rare does not mean impossible. If you were one of the few lucky enough to add Arian Foster or Austin Ekeler to your roster early on, you were blessed with a perennial MVP-caliber player for years.
Remember, these players are far from a sure thing. However, they possess the talent and, more importantly, the opportunity to create a role in an NFL offense. Keep an eye on these names throughout camp and the preseason, and let’s see who shows out enough to make their respective rosters.
Now let’s dive into this year’s Top 10 Undrafted Running Backs.
Sean Tucker – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5-foot-9, 207 pounds
To the surprise of many, one name that wasn’t called during the NFL Draft was Sean Tucker. The Syracuse running back ran for over 3,000 yards during his college career. Some analysts expected the three-year starter to go as high as Rounds 4 or 5. Unfortunately, some mysterious cardiac questions forced Tucker to sit out the Combine and his Pro Day, causing him to fall off teams’ draft boards.
The good news is the final landing spot couldn’t have been better. The departure of Leonard Fournette has left the Buccaneers thin at the running back position, and they failed to address it during the Draft. This has left the door wide open for Tucker to earn a roster spot alongside Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
New OC Dave Canales could bring more zone running to the Tampa ground game, playing to Tucker’s college strengths.
Keaton Mitchell – Baltimore Ravens
5-foot-8, 179 pounds
Mitchell was another surprising miss during the Draft. After two highly productive seasons on the ground at East Carolina and running a blistering 4.37 (1.48 10-split) at the NFL Combine, most expected a team to call his name on Day 3. Instead, he got the opportunity to sign with Baltimore, where his father won a Super Bowl.
Mitchell’s size will likely keep him from getting a large workload during his career. His receiving ability and pass protection leave something to be desired. What he does bring to the table is the home run speed and elite acceleration to score from anywhere on the field, which Baltimore doesn’t have with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Keep an eye on the competition between Mitchell and Justice Hill for the Ravens’ RB3 spot.
Mohamed Ibrahim – Detroit Lions
5-foot-8, 203 pounds
Ibrahim comes to Detroit after an extremely impressive college career. He was able to set Minnesota’s career rushing records with 4,668 yards and 53 TDs on the ground, even though he missed the entire 2021 season due to a torn Achilles.
The Lions have entirely revamped their running back room this offseason, signing David Montgomery out of free agency and drafting Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs No.12 overall. The team also committed a substantial sum to Ibrahim’s signing bonus, paying him like he was taken in the later draft rounds rather than signed as an undrafted free agent (UDFA).
This could be a sign that they expect him to make the roster and potentially carve out a role in this running back group. Ibrahim’s powerful running style could earn him short-yardage work in Dan Campbell’s smash-mouth play style, and we all saw what that meant for Jamaal Williams’ fantasy value last year.
Xazavian Valladay – Houston Texans
5-foot-11, 199 pounds
Valladay enters the NFL as one of the most productive backs in this class, amassing 4,466 rushing yards and 35 TDs during his time at Wyoming and Arizona State. He is a decisive runner who follows the play and doesn’t look to make unnecessary moves or find cut-back lanes. He runs with more power than his size suggests, frequently using his relentlessness to break-through arm tackles downfield, and can rip off big plays with his 4.43 speed.
The biggest concern with Valladay is his lack of size and limited pass-catching ability. Measuring in at just under 200 pounds leads us to believe that Valladay will not be able to carry a workload as he did throughout his college career and will be forced into a specialized role if he is to prolong his NFL career. While he isn’t a stranger to the passing game, his film suggests he isn’t fully comfortable making catches on much of the route tree.
The Texans added Devin Singletary during the off-season to complement starter Dameon Pierce, giving the Texans two solid rushers in this backfield. If Valladay hopes to carve out a role, he will likely need to show the coaching staff his value through the passing game and special teams. Even if the work is limited initially, look for this talented runner.
Deneric Prince – Kansas City Chiefs
6-foot-0, 216 pounds
Prince is an interesting prospect coming into the league. He signed with Texas A&M out of high school before transferring to Tulsa during his sophomore year. He proved to be an efficient runner, averaging 5.5 YPC throughout his career. He worked his way through the depth chart and earned a starting role as a Senior, where he averaged just over 100 scrimmage yards per game.
Prince joins a Kansas City running back room that is weirdly crowded yet lacks superstars. He carries an athletic frame and has shown breakaway ability with his long strides and 4.41 40-yard dash. He is a naturally powerful runner who can break tackles in the open field and appears to be a solid pass catcher, even though his film is limited to 17 total catches in college.
If he can show the coaching staff that he can finish short runs with power, something they currently lack, he could land a roster spot and a role in this high-powered offense.
Camerun Peoples – Carolina Panthers
6-foot-1, 217 pounds
Peoples is a big-bodied back with a nose for the endzone. He was an efficient runner in Appalachian State’s zone schemes, averaging 6.2 per carry over his five-year career, and found pay dirt a whopping 33 times. He lacks quick feet but uses his size well to run hard behind his pads.
Carolina could end up being a great landing spot for Peoples. After trading Christian McCaffery away to the 49ers, the Panthers’ running game seemed to find its identity. D’Onta Foreman and Chubba Hubbard were able to rack up rushing stats over the second half of the season. Foreman is now in Chicago, and Miles Sanders has been signed to be the new starter in Carolina. However, the depth behind Sanders and Hubbard is questionable at best. This might just be the perfect opportunity for Peoples to earn a spot in an effective ground game.
Hunter Luepke – Dallas Cowboys
6-foot-1, 236 pounds
Luepke is far from your usual running back target. The high school phenom was a two-time wrestling state champion, 100-meter dash state champion, three-time all-conference centerfielder, and three-way starter on the football field, where he piled up accolades at each position. This led to a career at North Dakota State, where he became a two-time National Champion and All-American at the FCS level, scoring 34 total touchdowns in just over 300 touches.
Now Luepke has landed with the Cowboys, and everyone is excited to see just how versatile their new fullback is. He is athletic and explosive for the position and runs hard and heavy through contact. He has shown to be a natural pass catcher with soft hands, solid ball-tracking ability, and a knack for creating separation. He is an experienced special teamer which should help him make the 53-man roster. If Luepke can prove that he can block at an NFL level, he can land a role as the team’s short-yardage back, something the Cowboys desperately need.
Jordan Mims – Buffalo Bills
5-foot-10, 200 pounds
Mims is a well-rounded back who is solid at just about every aspect of the position. He has the agility and footwork to maneuver in the interior rush game and tends to fight forward for short-yard gains. At Fresno State, he was able to find the endzone 37 times on the ground, showing his knack for finding the endzone. He has the acceleration to hit the edge and can make defenders miss downfield. And though his route running is limited to catching balls out of the backfield, his college tape suggests he can be efficient in the passing game.
His one true weakness, however, is his lack of explosiveness and top-end speed, which will likely limit him to chunk plays rather than hitting the homerun ball at the next level.
Mims now finds himself in the high-powered offense of the Buffalo Bills. Due to the loss of Devin Singletary this offseason, the Bills added Damien Harris to their RB room of James Cook and Nyheim Hines, all of which put together disappointing 2022 campaigns. If Mims can show off his talent and play-making ability in camp, he might just earn a spot on one of the league’s deadliest offenses. With the unfortunate injury to Hines, it will only increase his chances.
Hassan Hall – Cleveland Browns
5-foot-10, 196 pounds
Hall wasn’t a highly productive back during his college years but could perform well in multiple aspects. He was a two-time All-Conference as an All-Purpose back and return specialist at Louisville and Georgia Tech. His pass blocking leaves some to be desired, but he can get upfield after the catch and runs with explosive athleticism. Hall’s best trait comes in the return game, where he used his 4.4 speed to average 25 yards per return and scored multiple touchdowns.
Hall is now signed in Cleveland, which is yet another team with questions at running back depth. The loss of Kareem Hunt this offseason left a group of unproven names behind Nick Chubb. Hall will likely have to show potential outside of the running game to make the 53-man roster. With his special teams prowess, he could do it.
Emari Demercado – Arizona Cardinals
5-foot-9, 215 pounds
Demercado started his college career with an All-American JUCO stint before landing with the TCU Horned Frogs. His workload was limited while playing behind Kendre Miller and Zach Evans, but he could put together solid stats on the ground. Demercado is a balanced back who runs low and behind his pads.
He has potential in the passing game, though we need more tape on it in game situations. He also has proved to be efficient in the return game.
Now Demercado resides with the Arizona Cardinals. James Conner leads the backfield, with names like Keaontay Ingrams and Corey Clement behind him. Demercado’s kick return ability will certainly help his attempt to make the roster.
However, if he is to truly gain a role on the team, he will likely need to prove that he can be an asset in third-down situations.
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