This year’s running back draft class is thought of as the best in years. Much of that talent sits at the top of the class. That said, let’s take a look at some of the lower-round prospects that could have some serious dynasty value while attaching names to those third and fourth-round picks. 

Antario Brown 

Every Cinderella has the fairy godmother to make their night. Northern Illinois has Antario Brown. Brown is a fourth-year senior at Northern Illinois who has produced at a high level in the three previous years at over six yards per carry while flashing glimpses of receiving ability. This year, Brown got back into Northern Illinois’s lead-back role after producing 1,296 rushing yards on 6.1 yards per carry, with 11 total touchdowns the previous year. 

Brown’s coming out party was in South Bend versus a very stout Notre Dame front. A potential Irish hangover could have been a factor from Texas A&M the week before, but Brown went for 99 yards on 20 carries on the ground while reeling in 2 screen passes for 126 yards and one touchdown. Brown’s year hasn’t been as easy as that Saturday at Notre Dame stadium. The next week, the University of Buffalo bottled up Brown for only 3 yards per carry versus a MAC opponent. 

While the Buffalo game wasn’t a great look for Brown, he gained form against North Carolina State while taking another step forward versus a subpar Massachusetts team. Overall I believe Brown is worth the late flier. While I don’t believe Brown will start anywhere, he could be a next in line back sooner than later. 

Cam Skattebo

Cam Skattebo is a fourth-year senior who had been wreaking havoc at Sacramento State prior to his time at Arizona State. While Skattebo’s 2023 seems underwhelming, with 783 yards on 164 carries in his first year of power five-play, he has gotten a feel for this level. Skattebo is the kind of college back that wears on defenses over the full four quarters. I believe this kind of back can translate to a goal-line merchant for teams at the next level. 

The Mississippi State game put Skattebo on the map. An unreal 7.9 per carry for 262 yards on 33 attempts. This stat line becomes more impressive with the fact that Skattebo rattled off an additional 155 yards after contact. Skattebo put together an outing with six receptions for 117 yards to flash some out-of-the-backfield ability against Texas Tech, then another 7.3 yards per carry versus Kansas this past Saturday.

While the good can be great, the bad can be a hard watch that ends up not looking as bad from him coming on in the later stages of the game. The Texas State game comes to mind, as Skattebo only had 2.6 yards per carry while punishing the Bobcat’s defense for the victory. 

Lack of agility can make Skattebo extremely one-dimensional at the next level. This along with the fact I don’t believe he can lean on NFL defenses the way he does college defenses will plummet his NFL draft stock. Much like Brown I believe Skattebo still can have fantasy relevance with being the next man up or the goal line ability I think he can show at the NFL. Another fourth or fifth-round pick that can translate into higher value as injuries progress through the NFL season.

Bhayshul Tuten

Another fourth-year senior, Bhayshul Tuten, could be the best of all of them. Tuten began his collegiate career at North Carolina A&T before transferring to Virginia Tech following a 1,363 sophomore campaign. Tuten is the do-it-all back. His pass-catch ability has been a factor throughout his college career while putting in great work between the tackles. 

Tuten showed his NFL ability against the Hurricanes in Miami. Tuten kept his foot on the pedal the entire time going for 141 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Tuten has not had a bad performance this year. The Stanford game may be on the lower end at only 3.5 per carry while I’m not taking this too seriously as the game wasn’t close as the Hokies crushed the Cardinal. 

As far as the next level, I believe Tuten has the best path compared to the first two names in this article. Tuten has shown supreme athleticism while being responsible for taking kicks back and his ability to strike big in the run game. I’m buying Tuten’s ability no matter where he lands (after the third) this coming draft. 

Brashard Smith

This fourth-year senior got his start a little slower than the others. After only 18 carries at the university of Miami, Brashard Smith has gotten and done most with the opportunities he has been presented. The senior from Florida has put together a senior campaign through 6 weeks that includes 561 yards on 83 carries for seven touchdowns at 6.8 per carry. No stranger to the passing game, Smith has 14 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown. 

Smith’s best stretch of the year came on back-to-back weeks versus Texas Christian and Florida State, carrying for over seven yards per carry with 15 plus touches. Smith is an extremely similar prospect to Tuten. Both have do-it-all ability, but I question Smith’s “workhorse” ability. Smith has yet to have a game with 20+ carries. I still like Tuten as my favorite late-round back; that being said, I would not be shocked to be able to grab Smith in the 5th or 6th round of upcoming drafts. 

Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Johnson is not like the other names on this list. Johnson should be going in the 2nd round of this year’s fantasy draft. Please avoid. Kaleb Johnson is as good of a player as the names suggested above. Not better. If he is available late in your draft (4th round or later), go ahead and take a shot. Please do not reach for Johnson. This last weekend at Ohio State showed me what I need to know. Johnson failed to find holes or make the first man miss. He did flash pass protection ability that will help him get drafted, but this is not a feature NFL back.