Fantasy Football Projections: 3 Late-Round RBs You Can Count On

Winning a fantasy football championship is often equal parts skill and serendipity.

How many seasons have been ruined by multiple unforeseen injuries following a great draft? Everyone has their stories; Jamaal Charles, Peyton Manning, Michael Vick and Adrian Peterson are a few recent examples.

Anyone who has played fantasy football long enough has had a championship season "stolen" by an early season injury.

However, true fantasy addicts know that a season doesn't have to be over once the star player goes down! Teams that draft well, trade well and play the waiver wire can turn a lost season into an epic comeback tale.

Whether your starter goes down or you're just looking for a late-round steal, here are three running backs you can count on late in the draft

Dexter McCluster (Kansas City Chiefs)

A few years back, I "lucked" into Dexter McCluster in the later rounds of a PPR league that ended up transitioning to a dynasty league following the season.

While I had picked up McCluster on a lark and figured he'd be a good gadget player and pick up some return yards for me, he started producing more numbers than I had expected.

Heading into this season, McCluster is an even better play because leagues continue to call him a running back even though his role has shifted to include far more time at receiver.

While Percy Harvin continues to be drafted very early for his hybrid role, McCluster has (largely) flown under the radar even though his situation gives fantasy players some interesting flexibility.

In PPR leagues, McCluster has become an almost must-have player. In normal leagues, he still has a ton of value as the Chiefs will want to get the ball into his hands early and often.

Kevin Smith (Detroit Lions)

Kevin Smith isn't going to be available late in all leagues, but with an average draft position in the seventh round, many seem to be forgetting about him.

After a fantastic 2008, injuries and ineffectiveness looked like they would derail Smith's career. The Lions decided against tendering Smith even a minimum offer in 2011, and he failed to catch on with any other team as a restricted free agent.

Detroit called on Smith after Jahvid Best's concussion last season, and Smith, fresh off the couch, looked like the player Lions fans fell in love with years earlier. His 4.9 YPC was a career best, and he quickly showed that he was Detroit's best back for third downs.

Best is still out with that same concussion and is out until Week 6 on the PUP list. Mikel Leshoure is suspended the first two games and coming off of an injury himself. Even when those players come back, he is sure to have a role. 

Smith will get the ball in 2011, both on the ground and through the air. If your league forgets about him, don't make the same mistake.

Rashad Jennings (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Jaguars holdout Maurice Jones-Drew is coming off boards in the second round, while the current starter is going in the seventh! As MJD's holdout continues and threatens his regular season, Rashad Jennings needs to become a priority to fantasy drafters.

Moreover, even when Jones-Drew comes back, how much production will he have? The team is content with Jennings, who is a phenomenal talent, and the Jaguars look to pass more this season with Justin Blackmon and Laurent Robinson on the outside.

The days of Jones-Drew getting the rock every play are over, and Jennings looks like the running back of the future.

Don't draft Jennings as a starter, but he looks to be a good flex play early on and a solid RB3 in all leagues.

If Jones-Drew's holdout suffers a similar fate as Chris Johnson's in 2011, Jennings may end up saving the Jaguars season as well as a few fantasy squads.

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Michael Schottey is the NFL national lead writer for Bleacher Report and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Find more of his stuff alongside other great writers at "The Go Route."