Fantasy Football: Undervalued, sleeper RBs to target in drafts in 2023
By Devin Lange
Malik Davis, Cowboys
Positional rank: RB87
Average draft position: 301
The Cowboys backfield changed midway through the 2022 season as Tony Pollard leapfrogged Ezekiel Elliott as the lead back. In 2023 it changed in a big way, as Elliott was designated a post-June 1 cut. Now, Pollard is the unquestioned lead back. The only other running back currently on the roster that was also on the roster in 2022 is Malik Davis.
The 2022 UDFA earned his roster spot on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster and served as their No. 3 running back. He showed flashes when the Cowboys were up late, earning more opportunities than either Jerome Ford or Keaontay Ingram. He will have to work on pass protection and beat competition veteran Ronald Jones and 2023 6th round pick Deuce Vaughn, but has a chance to be the No. 2 back behind Pollard, who is recovering from a leg injury.
Currently being drafted as RB87 in rounds 25-30, Davis is currently only being drafted in leagues with many teams or many roster spots. He is going undrafted in most leagues, though. He is worth a flier in the last round in drafts, or a waiver wire claim in leagues that have completed their draft already. He is one of my personal favorite sleeper RBs. I even like him better than fellow Cowboys running back Ronald Jones, who is being drafted before him. (See below)
BONUS:
Ronald Jones, Cowboys
Positional rank: RB85
Average draft position: 282