Tier Jump Candidates: Devy RB Sleepers Edition
Kevin combs through the ranks and looks at devy sleepers at each position.
Everyone wants to talk about the top of the board. The five-star names, the future first-round picks, the running backs already priced like they’ve made it. But if you’re playing devy the right way, the real edge isn’t just identifying who’s already there, it’s identifying who’s about to get there.
This series is about tier jumps.
For this piece, we’re focusing on running backs who sit outside the top 10 in our consensus rankings, but have a real path to forcing their way into that top tier over the next year. These aren’t random dart throws or deep stashes. These are players with traits, situations, or developmental trajectories that could shift their value in a major way with the right season.
And this isn’t just a devy conversation; it carries real C2C implications as well. If these running backs take that next step and turn it into legitimate NFL Draft capital, you’re not just gaining a riser, you’re securing a win on both sides of the format. That’s where the edge compounds.
At running back, value can spike quickly. One injury, one depth chart shift, one breakout stretch, and suddenly you’re looking at a completely different asset.
These are the running backs we believe are next in line.
LSU RB Harlem Berry
Harlem Berry is one of the more intriguing upside + system bets at the running back position and it feels like we’re just scratching the surface of what he can become.
Berry quietly put together a strong freshman campaign, accounting for over 500 yards and emerging as LSU’s most productive runner down the stretch. That matters. Not just the production, but when it came. As the season went on, Berry got more comfortable, earned more trust, and eventually took over a larger role in the offense.
The traits have never been in question. He’s an electric, twitchy runner with real breakaway speed and the ability to make defenders miss in space. What makes Berry especially interesting is his versatility. He’s not just a between-the-tackles runner; he’s a true all-purpose weapon who can impact the game in the passing game, in space, and in tempo. That’s where this next step could really happen.
Because the situation has changed in a big way.
With Lane Kiffin now running the offense, LSU is expected to shift toward a more explosive, space-oriented attack. And that’s exactly what Berry has already pointed to this spring; more involvement in the passing game, more routes out of the backfield, and more opportunities to get the ball in space.
That’s the unlock. Last year, LSU’s run game as a whole wasn’t fully optimized. Berry and the backfield were productive, but not maximized. In this new system, there’s a clear emphasis on tempo, versatility, and creating mismatches. If Berry becomes a featured piece in that environment, his skill set fits perfectly.
There are still things to prove. He’ll need to continue developing physically to handle a larger workload, and the offensive line will have to take a step forward to fully unlock the run game. There’s also competition in the room, which could keep this more of a committee early on. Caden Durham was once one of the best freshman backs in the country, so Berry will need to prove he can outwork him.
But the ceiling here is real. If Berry takes that next step in Year 2, especially as a pass catcher in this offense, you’re looking at a player who can quickly climb into the top tier of devy running backs and start generating legitimate NFL Draft buzz. This is a traits + system + trajectory bet.
