There are a ton of upside running backs available throughout the early and middle rounds of fantasy drafts, but it’s impossible to get all of them. Sometimes, it can be advantageous to pivot to a quarterback, wide receiver, or tight end instead of filling out running back spots just because of roster need. Here are a couple of running backs to consider passing up in drafts for their Wish versions. These counterparts are archetypes who have similar strengths and fantasy upside but at much later ADPs (Underdog ADP used for the purposes of this article).
Who are the Wish Versions of These Upside Running Backs?
Devon Achane (RB39) is the Wish Version of Jahmyr Gibbs (RB14)
The Lions drafted Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, and it’s easy to see why Detroit was so enamored with him. Gibbs is an elusive runner with blazing-fast 4.36 speed to break big plays. He also had a dominant 93rd percentile college target share, so Gibbs is a versatile back who can play on all three downs and be a prominent pass-catcher. There’s a chance that Gibbs could sneak into a top-12 fantasy running back finish, even as a rookie. The primary concern is what kind of workload Gibbs will see, as his lack of size and the presence of David Montgomery could limit his fantasy ceiling. Ultimately, Gibbs is a risk-reward bet with a very pricey current ADP in the early fourth round of drafts.
Devon Achane projects similarly to Gibbs but is a far cheaper upside bet with his ADP currently at the 10th/11th round turn. While Achane doesn’t have first-round NFL Draft capital like Gibbs, he’s likewise an elusive runner with elite 4.32 speed to create big plays. Achane also sported a similar 93rd percentile college target share and can also be a strong receiving option out of the backfield. And finally, much like Gibbs, Achane has similar concerns about his lack of size and splitting work in a committee that includes Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert. Gibbs and Achane share similar talent profiles and concerns, but Achane is the Wish version with a similar fantasy ceiling at a far less risky cost six rounds later.
Jerome Ford (RB50) is the Wish Version of Elijah Mitchell (RB41)
Elijah Mitchell is an elite handcuff with potential league-winning upside if Christian McCaffrey were to miss time in 2023, and he could also have some standalone value. After the 49ers traded for McCaffrey, Mitchell played alongside him as the 1B in six games (including playoffs) and averaged 10.3 carries for 49 yards and 0.3 touchdowns in those contests. And prior to McCaffrey’s arrival, Mitchell played well as a rookie in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme in 2021. His 13.0 half-PPR points per game were good enough to be the RB19 that season. It’s easy to see why Mitchell is a popular backup running back to target for the coming season in a strong rushing offense. Although their positional rankings aren’t too far apart, Jerome Ford (158th overall) is being drafted about three rounds later than Mitchell (123rd overall).
Like Mitchell, Ford projects as the 1B behind a highly-drafted fantasy option in Nick Chubb. Ford has been handling first-team work at OTAs, and beat writers have reported that he “appears headed for a much larger role this season”. In 2022, Kareem Hunt was routinely drafted in the single-digit rounds, yet Ford has a far cheaper 14th round ADP due to lesser name value. At 5’11 and 210 lbs. with 4.46 speed, Ford has similar potential as Mitchell if Chubb were to miss time, and Ford will be running behind a much better top-three offensive line in 2023. It may not even be fair to call Ford the Wish version of Mitchell considering that Jordan Mason could even usurp Mitchell as the No. 2 running back in San Francisco. Ford may be the better pick straight up over Mitchell by August.
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