We all fully expect Adrian Peterson, Le’Veon Bell, Jamaal Charles and Eddie Lacy to be the studs of fantasy drafts and they will all be drafted in the first round if not within the first four picks. However, it’s those unexpected backs that end up producing near first round talent that will likely send your team over the top.

Yes, I’m talking about the running backs that aren’t being drafted anywhere near the first round. And whether they’re currently sitting in a backup role or just aren’t high on people’s radars, our featured experts picked out six players that have sneaky high upside.

Mock against the pros with our free draft simulator >>

Q1. What running back with an ADP beyond RB22 has the best shot of putting up RB1 numbers?

Doug Martin (RB – TB)

Average Draft Position: RB #34

“How about a running back that already has done it in Martin. I know we’ve been waiting for him to recapture the magic of his rookie season, but now he’s priced as a sixth rounder and has a new offensive coordinator banging the drum. Martin may be motivated to prove himself before becoming a free agent, and plays in an offense with strong outside receivers that will keep boxes light. Issues for Martin are the Tampa Bay offensive line and the play of a rookie quarterback, but I don’t see Charles Sims as a threat for rushing downs or touchdowns, and the Tampa Bay schedule is sneaky light.”

– Rich Hribar (The Fake Football)

Todd Gurley (RB – STL)

Average Draft Position: RB #22

“I’ve followed Gurley’s college career at the University of Georgia and he is a special back with all of the talent in the world to make an immediate fantasy impact. He just has to stay healthy. A great indication is that Gurley will start training camp and not be placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He will be one of the biggest risk/reward players in fantasy football drafts, but he is worth the risk. Tre Mason is a must handcuff and could start week 1 over Gurley as St. Louis will gradually get him into the mix. By week 3-4, Gurley should be handling a bulk of the carries and will live up to potential RB1 numbers. Gurley’s current overall ADP is 47.9 which is a late 4th round pick.”

– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

LeGarrette Blount (RB – NE)

Average Draft Position: RB #28

“I would venture to say the majority of people are going to write about Darren McFadden. Let’s go with LeGarrette Blount. The Patriots will have Tom Brady suspended for four games and will rely on Blount to carry the offense. Bill Belichick trusts Blount (despite his issues), which was shown last postseason, and he can produce RB1 numbers on any given week.”

– Chris Heil (Fantasy Sports Rants)

Q2. Who is one backup RB you like that could eventually jump into a starting role this year? How early should fantasy players target him?

Roy Helu (RB – OAK)

Average Draft Position: RB #69

“Once we hit double digit rounds, I’m soaking up Roy Helu in any spot that I can. He’s been electric on limited touches as 48 percent of his carries went five or more yards, another 23 percent went for 10 or more yards and 24 percent of his receptions went for 20 or more yards last season. Oakland ran 69 percent while trailing last season and ran the fewest rushing plays of any team in the second half of games. Potential game script could naturally propel Helu into high usage and he still has the physical profile at 6’0” and 216 pounds to handle more volume if he’s outright outplaying Latavius Murray.”

– Rich Hribar (The Fake Football)

David Cobb (RB – TEN)

Average Draft Position: RB #46

“Cobb isn’t going to win the job in Tennessee. Bishop Sankey is just going to underperform again and be a dispointment for fantasy owners. I think Cobb has great value and will be in the mix early in the season and should take over by mid season. He is a perfect bench player with upside.”

– Chris Heil (Fantasy Sports Rants)

Ameer Abdullah (RB – DET)

Average Draft Position: RB #33

“I am going on record that Ameer Abdullah will be this year’s fantasy football top rookie RB and the steal of the draft. Starting RB Joique Bell will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and may not be ready for week 1 of the regular season. Bell had off-season surgery to address both knee and Achilles injuries. Abdullah has looked great in OTAs and he has the confidence that he can be a three down back. He exudes athleticism and will have every opportunity to be Detroit’s week 1 starter. He is currently the 33rd ranked RB and I have him ranked as my 15th overall RB in 2015 fantasy football league drafts. His current overall ADP is 64, placing him in round 6. Keep an eye on Bell’s injury situation and target Abdullah in either round 5 or 6 of your drafts.”

– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

—

Thank you to the experts for contributing their thoughts, you can follow them on Twitter here.