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Unearthing hidden gems is an exercise every fantasy footballer aspires to. With pickaxe in hand, I dig deep in an attempt to discover truly shocking outcomes. Below is a list of players available after pick No. 100 in average PPR drafts who could greatly exceed expectations this fall.

Jonah Coleman, Broncos (RB46, 149.45 ADP)

Readers familiar with this sometimes misguided analyst are having Royce Freeman and Montee Ball flashbacks. Admittedly, this scribe has waxed lovingly about way too many Broncos backs over the years.

Screw it. I’m dipping my pail again in what’s sure to be a polluted well.

All kidding aside, Coleman is a fascinating bench target. A versatile bruiser with a beer-keg build (5-foot-8, 228 pounds), he possesses the skills necessary to directly back up either J.K. Dobbins or RJ Harvey. Last year with the Washington Huskies, the fourth-round pick amassed an impressive 3.58 yards after contact per attempt, 31 receptions and a 23.6% missed tackle rate. An established zone runner, he averaged a robust 5.68 yards per carry during his collegiate career. In other words, he’s an excellent fit in Sean Payton’s ground system.

Early on, bank on Coleman receiving roughly 4-7 touches per game. That’s unexciting for shallow leaguers, but in more challenging formats with sizable bench spots, he’s worth a stash. His contact balance, patience, one-cut burst and reliable hands are quite appealing. Frankly, he’s a Dobbins knee tweak away from posting RB2-level numbers in 12-team and deeper formats. Keep in mind, the Broncos have arguably the best offensive line in the NFL. Giddy up.

Tank Bisby, Eagles (RB50, 146.6 ADP)

For those who like handcuffs for their lead back, Saquon Barkley’s sidekick is a must draft. Independent of that strategy, he’s also a superb stash in 12-team and deeper formats.

Last year in limited appearances, Bigsby balled. He ranked top-five in yards created per touch and yards after contact per attempt. Most outstandingly, he forced a missed tackle on 28.3 percent of his rush attempts. His 5.9 yards per touch also opened eyes.

Barkley is the undeniable RB1 in the City of Brotherly Shove, but his horrendous advanced metrics profile paints a grim picture. If he slumps early, it’s possible Bigsby siphons away a regular 6-8 touches per game at some point. If that unfolds, he would have some FLEX appeal in challenging formats.

Given Philly’s presumed top-five offensive line and facing the sixth-easiest projected fantasy RB strength of schedule, Tank could take managers to the bank as a certifiable RB1 if Barkely were to miss time. The upside is enormous.

Jonathon Brooks, Panthers (RB37, 104.64)

Steadily climbing up the RB ranks in recent weeks, the beehive buzz surrounding Brooks has only been taken seriously by deep leaguers. Doubters in shallow formats, however, are sure to suffer an unwanted sting. With Chuba Hubbard dealing with a taxing hamstring setback — which head coach Dave Canales calls “week to week” — the third-year RB has a clear path to establish backfield pole position for Carolina.

Bank on him peeling out.

Even if Hubbard heals in time for Carolina’s opener against the Chicago Bears, the former Longhorn should tally notable numbers from the jump. Sure, he’s only totaled a dozen touches in his NFL career. Consecutive ACL displacements were to blame. However, fully recovered and reportedly thriving in camp, he’s on the precipice of a breakout.

The unknowns attached to Brooks have understandably kept his ADP suppressed. Admittedly, he’s an unproven rusher. However, if the jukes and open-field jams often witnessed in college and briefly with the Panthers in 2024, bubble to the surface, he’s bound to overtake Hubbard as the team’s preferred RB1. Keep in mind, Hubbard’s 2.45 yards after contact per attempt and 10.2% missed tackle rate ranked bottom barrel among qualifying rushers last year.

Don’t bet on Brooks lighting the world on fire. Carolina owns the third-toughest projected strength of schedule for fantasy RBs. Still, the visible road to touches combined with a premium offensive line arrow to impactful production. A final line in range of 1,100 combined yards with 5-7 touchdowns and 35+ receptions is within reach.

Rachaad White, Commanders (RB38, 108.91)

The presence of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, deep sleeper Kaytron Allen and White may make the Commanders backfield murkier than the Reflecting Pool, but their roles are clearer than most suspect. JCM will likely see early-down work, while White is used in passing-down situations and Allen backs up both.

Unknown usage on a week-to-week basis may function as a deterrent, but don’t let it. Due to a shoddy defense, Washington is already down double figures in a multitude of contests. Oddsmakers only have them favored in 4-of-17 regular season games. Suffice it to say, deficits are sure to be a common occurrence in the nation’s capital. If that’s the case, White will register plenty of work.

Last season in Tampa, White only logged 36.2% of the team’s opportunity share, earning most grips in the pass game — his specialty. Equipped with highly reliable hands, the converted college wide receiver notched an 88.9% catch rate, the second-best among all qualifying RBs. He also ranked an eye-opening RB9 in expected points added.

White isn’t the league-winner type; however, he is a useful bye-week filler and Flex contributor in formats where dudes like him aren’t sipping pina coladas in the free-agent pool. Toss in Washington’s seventh-easiest projected fantasy RB strength of schedule and double-digit outputs from White could soon be routine in PPR. Roughly 55+ catches, 5-7 scores and 900-1,000 total yards are attainable.

Chris Rodriguez, Jaguars (RB45, 149.45)

He’s a plodder. He’s an uninspiring role player. He’s tofu bland. He’s just … boring. That’s what naysayers infatuated with Bhayshul Tuten continuously preach. Though they do have an argument — albeit a weak one — it’s fairly obvious what Rodriguez will bring to the table.

Liam Coen, who coached Rodriguez previously at Kentucky, has talked up the veteran rusher throughout camp. In Jacksonville’s full-fledged running-back-by-committee approach, the bruiser is sure to blast between the tackles, operating as a short-yardage and red-zone specialist. Think of him as a modern-day T.J. Duckett, a nose-for-the-end-zone option who could plow across the chalk fairly often.

Last season in Washington, Rodriguez proved an advanced analytics darling. On 112 rush attempts, he ranked top 10 in yards after contact per attempt. He also racked an appreciable 20.5% missed tackle rate.

Yes, the “But Trevor Lawrence!” boasts are warranted. The Jags passer, much like Rodriguez, is a preeminent goal-line gremlin. The back’s minimal presence in the pass game also stunts his upside. Still, Jacksonville’s above-average offensive line and non-threatening schedule imply profit potential at his very affordable price. In other words, he’s a quality RB5 in 12-team leagues capable of 6-8 touchdowns.

Work that bod, C-Rod.