Another Madden year has begun which means another installment in the Top 10 Sleeper Series. This time around, Sports Gamers Online looks at 10 sleeper Running backs you may not know about in Madden 18. These are a few you’ll want to watch out for as they may give you an unexpected edge in your franchise mode. Be sure to check out the video above via YouTube or take a look below for the video breakdown.
Madden 18Â Top 10 Sleeper RBs
Donnel Pumphrey Jr. (Philadelphia Eagles)
Overall: 73
Age: 22
Pumphrey’s value initially will be in the receiving game. You can rely on his 91 speed, 93 acceleration and 90 juke move to match well against defensive-backs. If you treat him like a traditional back to start, you’re asking for trouble. He has low carry and injury ratings. In addition, he’s a terrible blocker which isn’t surprising considering how small he is. You’ll want to make him strictly a 3rd down back. The only way you will get by with starting him immediately is if you pass nearly every play. In terms of obtaining him, only an actual Eagles fan would show any true resistance to dealing the 73 overall rookie in your league.
Paul Perkins (New York Giants)
Overall: 77
Age: 22
Perkins is pretty average athletically. Topping out at 89 speed and 89 accel. However, he makes up for it with his 86 carry, 86 juke move, 81 spin and 79 elusiveness. This gives you options when deciding what move to put on defenders. He’ll need it running behind the Giants offensive line.
Joe Williams (San Francisco 49ers)
Overall: 72
Age: 23
Joe Williams combines the best of both worlds in a back. He brings 92 speed and 86 juke move while also sporting a 80 truck rating. You can be very versatile in your approach with him. He’s also not much of an injury concern starting out. Williams also has a pretty high stamina rating. He has work horse potential and like Pumphrey his carry rating is garbage, but unlike Pumphrey he won’t get murdered. He could average 15-20 carries a game as you get him through the rough parts of his development. Obtaining him depends on how much your 49ers owner likes Hyde. If he does want to start Williams, you might as well see how much Hyde is worth then….
Ameer Abdullah (Detroit Lions)
Overall: 78
Age: 24
Abdullah you can say has moves on top of moves. Get him in the open field and there are few backs period that are like him. I mean the dude has 93 juke move, 89 spin and 89 elusiveness! Those are baby Lesean McCoy numbers. His speed isn’t the greatest for a back of his style, but he has 95 acceleration to get nearly the most out of his 89 speed.
Duke Johnson Jr (Cleveland Browns)
Overall: 80
Age: 23
Duke is one of the better receiving backs on the list. He has 71 catch, 69 catch in traffic and 77 route running. He’s also pretty well rounded in the moves department with 86 elusiveness, 87 stiff arm, 84 spin and the 2nd highest juke move rating on the list at a 92. Then, when you consider he’s 90 or above in speed, agility and acceleration, Duke Johnson is a balanced young back for you to build up. If you’re a Browns owner, pairing him and Kizer gives you a great young combo in the backfield to build for years.
T.J. Yeldon (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Overall: 79
Age: 23
Yeldon has some glaring weaknesses like crazy low stamina. So, it will take him a while to be a true workhorse. Additionally, his speed isn’t the best. For the two out of 10 plays he’s on the field, you’ll get the most bang for your buck. Starting out, he’ll have 80 trucking and 74 strength, 84 elusiveness, 79 stiff arm, 82 spin move and 90 juke. There isn’t much he can’t do at an, at least, above rating to start. Then when you consider the Jags just drafted Fournette, you should be able to get him pretty easily despite his high overall. In the beginning, his best use would be as a super backup. Especially, if you’re a run heavy player.
Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints)
Overall: 76
Age: 22
Kamara is in the same style of back as T.J. Yeldon. Not fast, but can pull off just about any move you want. Kamara also adds the receiving ability Yeldon doesn’t have. Considering he’s a rookie, there’s extra XP to be gained from using him.
Dalvin Cook (Minnesota Vikings)
Overall: 80
Age: 22
Cook has 90+ speed, agility, acceleration and 85 carry. With him, you won’t have to worry about fumble problems. His injury rating isn’t the best and he’s not the best receiver out in the backfield. However, combining all his other ratings with 87 elusiveness and 87 juke he, can be 90+ rated for you in no time.
Tarik Cohen (Chicago Bears)
Overall: 72
Age: 22
Cohen isn’t your typical fast guy with no skill other than being fast like a Corey Grant. Although, he can do some stuff. I will still point out his 92 speed, 95 agility and 92 acceleration is nice to have, it’s the 80 elusiveness, 84 spin and 90 juke though that puts him over and turns him into a viable starter. He has solid receiving numbers which, of course, doesn’t hurt either. Beyond the typical low carry rating, Cohen can be your starter instantly. He can use his speed and ability to make defenders miss and get by with his low carry rating. And fortunately, since he’s on the Bears, Howard is in front of him. So you could get him for the low or they could sell high on Howard trade him and start Cohen. You can’t go wrong with either strategy. Just saying, I would check on Cohen’s availability ASAP in your league.
Joe Mixon (Cincinnati Bengals)
Overall:Â 79
Age: 21
What can this baby beast not do? He’s the youngest back on the list at 21 years old. He’s already going to get max XP on anything you do. Then, he has 85+ ratings in stiff arm, spin and juke move with 81 elusiveness for good measure. Also, 91 speed and 93 acceleration 86 carry so his ball security is already ahead of the curve. His 94 stamina and 93 injury makes him able to be your starting back. Mixon has 73 catch and 71 catch in traffic, I mean it’s crazy. He’s a day 1 starter and better than backs rated much higher than him. So, it makes sense why Joe Mixon sits atop of the Sports Gamers Online Top 10 Sleeper RB’s in Madden 18.
Alright Sports Gamers, do you agree with the list? If not, what running back do you think deserves to have made it? Leave it in the comments down below. Stay tuned for more Madden 18 content here at Sports Gamers Online. Be on the look out for the next part in our Sleeper Series featuring the Wide Receivers. Make sure you check back here daily so you don’t miss anything we put out.
Want to talk sports and/or games with the fastest growing community in gaming? Join the conversation in the comment section below as well as on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
