NFL Draft: Roy Helu, DeMarco Murray and the Emergence of the Middle-Round RB

Each year, there is a must-have running back ready to take his place at the head of an NFL team's stable of backs. Whether his name is Adrian Peterson, Mark Ingram or Trent Richardson, there is always one.

The analysts of major NFL media sources all project these players to be necessities for teams struggling in establishing a ground attack. Many times, they turn exactly into the players we thought they would.  Many times...they don't.

Then there are the Arian Fosters, Ahmad Bradshaws, DeMarco Murrays and Roy Helus. Who could have predicted that an undrafted free agent signed by the Houston Texans would become the most productive running back in 2010?  Or that a player that was nearly "Mr. Irrelevant" would become the trusted starter for the New York Giants.

While these instances are thought to be rare, they aren't as hard to come by as people might think. Last year's draft class saw three names rise to the top of draft boards everywhere. Mark Ingram, Mikel Leshoure and Ryan Williams were the three players that you had to have if you wanted a full-time starter.

Well here we are, three weeks from the close of the season. Topping the charts for rookie running backs is a third-round selection taken 71st overall by the Dallas Cowboys — DeMarco Murray. Murray not only performed exceptionally well in his rookie season, but also set a Cowboys record for rushing yardage in a single game — knocking off the great Emmitt Smith.

Nipping at his heels is a fourth-round selection, Roy Helu, taken 105th overall by the Cowboys' rival, the Washington Redskins. Both players have played behind offensive lines that are nowhere near their full potential, yet they stand above the rest of their class.

Mikel Leshoure and Ryan Williams have yet to take an NFL snap, and Mark Ingram, the Heisman Winner, sits fourth among rookie running backs. Even Daniel Thomas, a player selected late in the second round, has had more production than Ingram.

Each year, analysts preach that quality running backs are hard to find in the later rounds, yet each year they stand surprised at a player or two that put their draft boards to shame. Let Roy Helu and DeMarco Murray be a lesson to every analyst out there. Talent can be found from anywhere and in any round.

DeMarco Murray is done for the year in Dallas, but he is far from done making a difference in that offense. Roy Helu might have finally solved the problem in the Redskins' backfield, and has become the most productive rookie rusher in their long history.

As this season draws to a close, and the NFL Draft approaches, don't tune out running backs taken after Trent Richardson. There's a good chance one of them will outplay him.