Fantasy RB Sleepers Isaac Redman

Don't call me a Steelers' homer, and don't make fun when I say Isaac Redman has some sleeper potential this year on fantasy football rosters. He's a decent back, on a team that is moving into his style of ball...but that's not the only reason.

Rashard Mendenhall (ACL tear) is recovering from a late-season ACL tear, the bane of fantasy football owners, and it's likely to cost him, as well as fantasy football owners the first two months or less of the 2012 season. From the looks of the injury and his recovery, he might not be 100% and ready by the time the season ends, let alone it begins.

Isaac Redman is a nimble, strong third-year running back who could fit nicely into a more pass-oriented Pittsburgh Steelers offense (at least, that is what fans and fantasy owners have seen over the last three or more years). This system will open up even more under Todd Haley, moving away from battling for hard 1 and 2 yard rushes and towards passing the ball for clock control and possession. Even still, more passing attempts should clearly provide ample running lanes by this improved offensive line. Isaac Redman has averaged 4.4+ yards per carry on 162 career attempts. At 230 pounds, and just at 6 feet, he'll be giving the opposing defenses a time taking him down.

Isaac Redman will find value in the middle of the draft, as more owners will see his possibilities as a receiving running back. For fantasy football owners, your best best is to wait into the mid rounds, specifically after round 6 or round 7 and snag him while his value is about to peak. For PPR (points per reception), his value just one or two rounds, depending on the talent taken.