Fantasy Football: Undervalued, sleeper RBs to target in drafts in 2023

Miles Sanders, Panthers

Positional rank: RB20

Average draft position: 52

After Miles Sanders had a career season and finished top-5 in rushing yards in 2022, the Eagles opted to not bring him back. Money was likely the motivating factor, as the No. 1 rushing yards leader Josh Jacobs and the No. 4 rushing yards leader Saquon Barkley both received the franchise tag, rather than signing long-term guaranteed deals. Instead, Sanders signed with the Panthers in the offseason, signing a 4 year, $25.4 million dollar contract.

This was the largest running back contract for a running back joining a new team in 2023, and amongst one of the highest contracts for the same criteria in the past 5 seasons, which is a good indicator that Sanders will be heavily featured. Sanders joins veteran playmakers Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, and Hayden Hurst as new additions to the Panthers. The Panthers’ biggest offseason addition, though, is the No. 1 overall pick, quarterback Bryce Young.

The Panthers were top-10 in rushing yards and top-12 in rushing attempts in 2022, and will likely finish in the top half again with a rookie play-caller at the helm. Being on the team that was No. 5 in rushing yards and No. 3 in rushing attempts helped Sanders finish as RB15 in PPR formats. He finished even higher in Half-PPR formats, and top-10 in Non-PPR formats. Sanders is now sharing the backfield with Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear, but they will likely serve as the pass-catching backs. Sanders has finished top-15 in his two full seasons, and he is being drafted as RB20 in the 4th or 5th round. Great value.