These are my early veteran running back sleepers for 2010. Keep track of these players throughout training camp if you are interested in drafting any of them in case their status changes due to injury or other factors that might come up.

Matt Forte- Chicago Bears

He was one of my bust picks in 2009 when many fantasy owners were burned by taking Forte in the first round as a top # 5 pick. In three of my PPR leagues in 2009 he went within the top three of the first round, probably causing his owners fits during the regular season. This year he will be under the auspice of offensive passing guru Mike Martz on a pass happy offense battling for time with RB Chester Taylor. Forte is clearly the better runner, but will he get the chance to prove it?

The Good News:

Forte was not as bad as you think. He posted good numbers with 929 yards rushing with 57 receptions for 471 yards. Even though 4 TD’s was a poor total from a top # 3 pick, Jay Cutler seemed confused with the offense and looked to me that he was determined to break the single season interception record while Forte struggled behind poor line play. In other words, much of what happened to Forte last season was not due to his lack of effort.

The Bad News:

A healthy o-line should help him in 2010. But to be honest, the Bears line is virtually the same as it was in 2009 and we still don’t know if they can pass block. In the Martz passing scheme they might be headed to a total breakdown and early demise if this can’t be accomplished.
The Bears have no true # 1 receiver either. This tells me that in all probability that the leading receivers might be Matt Forte and Chester Taylor and Forte is clearly the better back and will end up with more total yards than Taylor.

Why You Should Draft Him:

Forte should only be taken in high performance PPR scoring systems of 1 point every 5 yards, or 1 point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving. If you can snag him as a # 3 RB he will be little risk for you. His ceiling upside might only be as a borderline # 2 running back but he is worth the pick for his PPR skills alone.

Justin Forsett- Seattle Seahawks
Are we all tired of looking at RB Julius Jones? You know the running back that always looks good in practice but rarely ever translates to the field on Sunday?

This year should have been different as Lendale White, who was slated to start for the Seahawks, was abruptly released for his ridiculous on-going personal issues. New Seahawk coach Pete Carroll said that both Forsett and Julius Jones have looked good in OTA’s. Now, factor in Leon Washington, who is still recovering from a compound fracture, will probably come along very slowly the first part of the season. This is a perfect time for Forsett to excel in the new zone blocking scheme of Alex Gibbs. In other words, Forsett should be well suited to catch a lot of passes and run the rock well in 2010.

The Good News:

He will make a perfect # 3 RB in PPR, high performance scoring systems of 1 point every 5 yards, or 1 point every 10 yards rushing and receiving. He will have the opportunity to post # 2 RB numbers if Washington comes back slowly from his injury. The Seahawks still have a woeful pass defense even though they drafted gifted rookie SS Earl Thomas and FS Kam Chancellor. It will take time for them to learn the pro game and I am sure that opposing teams will run up points through the air on the Sea hawks, which means QB Matt Hasslebeck will be under great pressure to produce points. Since Forsett is a talented receiver out of the backfield this could only benefit him more on Sundays.

The Bad News:

Seattle might make a run at another RB like Marshawn Lynch for example, or, a bruising back to take the place of Lendale White. Even though Seattle looks okay on paper on the o-line, it will take time for the new blocking scheme to mesh. But there is no doubt that the Seahawks needed a big back to move the pile and they just don’t have that this year so far. Watch this situation closely in the upcoming training camp. If they can’t find another back, Forsett should be a fantastic pick up.

Why You Should Draft Him:

If the Seahawks don’t sign that big running back then Forsett will finally get his chance to show his stuff. It is interesting to note that he was still considered a PPR sleeper by many even when Lendale White was on the roster. New Coach Pete Carroll might get run out of town if he anoints Julius Jones the starter once again. Forsett is a good candidate to have a breakout year in PPR scoring systems.

SUPER SLEEPER ALERT!!!!! Michael Bush- Oakland Raiders

The Good News:

Justin Fargas is no longer on the team to split time with him. This is Bush’s team now. The Raiders still have an improving but questionable offensive line and Bush is an inside banger that can move the yardage sticks and bull doze into the end zone. He will be the goaline and short yardage back and now since the Raiders have a decent QB in Jason Campbell, those o-line holes that were not opening when Jamarcus Russell was throwing the rock into the Bay rather than to his own receivers should open up with a little more frequency now. That is what a decent passing game can do for a running attack. Bush is most suited to standard scoring systems and TD only leagues. Don’t be surprised if he nails down a 10 TD ceiling this season.

The Bad News:

Darren McFadden will battle Bush for the # 1 spot but I think McFadden is more suited to the outside around- the- end type of attack and third down passing plays. He will be the PPR threat and change of pace back for Bush. Some believe that McFadden will start the year since the Raiders have invested so much money in him.

Why You Should Draft Him:

I have no confidence that the often injured McFadden can get through a season with his upright running style and skinny, stickly legs. McFadden is just not built for endurance. The number of injuries he has suffered the last 2 seasons backs that up. It’s all up to Bush’s performance in pre-season to take over the helm. Even if McFadden starts, Bush will still be a great sleeper pick late in the draft.

DEEP DEEP SLEEPER ALERT!!!!!!!! Correll Buckhalter- Denver Broncos

The Good News:

Buckhalter was a major contributor in the running game for the Broncos last season. He posted a career high 5.3 yards per carry and 7.7 yards per catch with 882 total yards and 31 catches. Buckhalter hits the hole hard and outplayed Knowshon Moreno to the point where he was briefly benched last season.

The Bad News:

Buckhalter is an injury magnet. He has suffered several season ending injuries in his career. Improved play by starter Knowshon Moreno will keep Buckhalter on the bench more in 2010.

Why You Should Draft Him:

Buckhalter is the handcuff for Moreno. He is a great late round pick for high performance PPR systems of 1 point per ten yards rushing and receiving. The Bronco’s uncertainty in the receiving corps makes Buckhalter a perfect # 4 RB with # 3 RB upside due to his pass catching skills. He is a high risk/ medium reward player that can produce attractive numbers occasionally, and that is what you look for in the late rounds of your draft. That is true value.

Clinton Portis- Washington Redskins

The Good News:

Portis has been a fantastic fantasy running back in his nine year run on a team that has not had a stud quarterback for many years. A perennial top #10 pick nearly every year he has played.

The Bad News:

Leg injuries and a terrible concussion derailed him in 2009. Some critics noticed a lack of speed before all of the injuries and many speculate that the only reason he is still on the roster is the guaranteed money that Daniel Snyder owes him in 2010. He also has Larry Johnson and Willie Parker to compete for the # 1 RB job. Is Portis done?

Why You Should You Draft Him:

Many think the road has ended for this big talent. But Willie Parker has a good chance of getting released in training camp and Larry Johnson is a big risk to use as a starter. Portis is younger than Johnson, and while both backs have been pounded into the ground, I think it is realistic that Portis could have a comeback year, especially with a franchise quarterback in McNabb and an improved offensive line helping his cause. The great news for fantasy owners is that he has dropped like a stone in ADP rankings, and if he is available after round 7, you should grab him in a hurry. He is worth the risk.

James