As fantasy football vets know, fantasy experts love backup running backs. As these pundits weed through NFL rosters in search of their sleeper choices each summer, they more-often-than-not land on talented rushers who might not be starting but could explode if given the chance. That why you’re going to hear a lot about guys like Fred Jackson, Felix Jones, Rashard Mendenhall, Ahmad Bradshaw, Donald Brown and Michael Bush in the coming months.

But what about the No. 2 RBs who aren’t getting all the preseason hype? Every year, a few backs nobody is talking about in August turn out to be solid fantasy producers. Not many owners were busy drafting Le’Ron McClain, Derrick Ward, Sammy Morris or Mewelde Moore at this time last year, but they all came through with terrific numbers in 2008. With players like that in mind, here are five situations with under-the-radar backup RBs who could wind up being valuable fantasy assets:

Browns RB Jerome Harrison
Let’s face it: Jamal Lewis’ days as a workhorse back are numbered. Set to turn 30 in August, he already has a ridiculous amount of mileage on him, with 2,399 carries in eight pro seasons. If the Browns have any plans to preserve Lewis beyond ’09, they’re going to have to put a cap on his workload. That should open the door for the 26-year-old Harrison, Lewis’ primary backup after the departure of Jason Wright. Harrison has been extremely effective in limited duty over the past two seasons, averaging 6.8 yards on 57 attempts, and he broke off a 72-yard TD run in ’08. If given 8-10 touches per game this season, the explosive runner could have surprising value. And if Lewis were to go down, Harrison really would be a hot commodity.

Texans RB Ryan Moats/Chris Brown
In a somewhat surprising move, the Texans chose not to pursue a complement to RB Steve Slaton this offseason, showing confidence in in-house options Moats and Brown. Although Slaton’s starting spot isn’t in jeopardy, the diminutive back racked up 318 touches last season as a rookie, and Houston might be looking to ease off the gas a bit on its emerging star in Year Two. Whether it’s Moats or Brown (or both) who receives the extra carries likely will be determined in training camp, but at least one of them has a realistic chance at fantasy relevance in ’09. Moats, 26, is the more enticing option of the pair, but the larger Brown — a former 1,000-yard rusher — could steal some goal-line work.

Bengals RB Bernard Scott/Brian Leonard
With Cedric Benson atop the depth chart in Cincinnati, the odds of another Bengals back making an impact this season are pretty high. Although he did perform fairly well down the stretch in ’08, Benson has never been a durable rusher, with injuries keeping him out for a good chunk of his short career. Taking constant punishment as he lumbers between the tackles, the former Bear is liable to go down at any moment, immediately giving value to someone else in the Cincy backfield. That man that could wind up to be Scott, a sixth-round rookie who has looked good at minicamps and had outstanding production while at Abilene Christian; he’s a deep sleeper. If Scott doesn’t come through, the rock could be handed to Leonard, whom the Bengals picked up in an offseason trade. He has experience as a featured back, albeit limited, in St. Louis and could be effective if given enough work.

Jaguars RB Rashad Jennings/Chauncey Washington
The Jags’ backup RB situation will be an intriguing one to follow come August. Although the team believes that starter Maurice Jones-Drew will be a very effective workhorse back, the tiny bulldozer has topped out at 197 carries in his three-year career, so there’s still a question about whether he can handle a full load. If he doesn’t prove up to the task, Jacksonville has two inexperienced backups in Jennings, a 2009 seventh-rounder, and second-year man Washington. Although neither is all that appealing on the surface, both were very solid college players who could develop into decent pros. Whichever one emerges as the No. 2 RB in training camp deserves a long look from owners who invest a first-round pick in M.J.D.

Bears RB Kevin Jones
The Bears definitely have found their franchise running back in Matt Forté, but if they hope for him to have a long, prosperous career, they may want to lighten his load a bit. As a rookie last season, Forté accumulated 379 touches, the third-highest total in the league; that’s not a good way to extend the life of a rusher. To keep No. 22 fresh, Chicago likely will give a larger role to Kevin Jones in ’09. Now completely healed from a serious knee injury, Jones showed he was a nice all-around contributor while with Detroit, rushing for 1,133 yards as a rookie in ’04 and catching 61 passes for 520 yards in 2006. He should see at least a handful of carries in every game this year, and if anything were to happen to Forté, Jones would have legitimate fantasy potential.

Kickoff is coming! Be sure to buy copies of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Guide 2009, both of which are now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copies online at PFWStore.com