Fantasy Football: 14 Under-the-Radar Rookies to Target in 2017

Donnel Pumphrey, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

There’s really only one reason rookie running back Donnel Pumphrey slipped to the fourth round in this year’s NFL draft, and that’s his size. At 5'8" and 175 pounds, Pumphrey just doesn’t look the part of an NFL running back. The industry has pegged him as the successor to Darren Sproles in the Philadelphia Eagles' offense, but to pigeonhole him as such would be a major oversight.

While a Sproles-ian role can be a valuable asset for both an NFL team and your fantasy roster, Pumphrey was a big-time producer in college, racking up 6,405 career rushing yards in college (third all-time in NCAA history). His 2,133 rushing yards in 2016 not only led the NCAA, but also rank as the 11th-highest single-season total ever.

Sproles just turned 34 years old, and LeGarrette Blount will be 31 by the end of the season, meaning Pumphrey is fresh legs in the Philly backfield. Should he beat out Wendell Smallwood on the depth chart, Pumphrey will get to run behind PFF’s top-ranked offensive line. —Aidan McGrath