Niner Noise
FanSided

Top 10 fantasy football running back sleepers for 2017

By Jay Marsdale

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball while being pursued by Denzel Perryman #52 of the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Chargers 28-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball while being pursued by Denzel Perryman #52 of the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Chargers 28-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 04: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball while being pursued by Denzel Perryman #52 of the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Chargers 28-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 04: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball while being pursued by Denzel Perryman #52 of the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers defeated the Chargers 28-21. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

1. Doug Martin (TB)

The top spot for running back fantasy football sleepers in 2017 goes to Doug Martin.

Yes, a player who is suspended for the first three weeks of the regular season is the top sleeper on the list. The turn around in Tampa Bay this year is going to be fun to watch and I want every piece of that offense in 2017.

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Martin has been plagued with injuries throughout his career, but when on the field for a full season is yet to disappoint fantasy owners. In his only two full seasons, he has had over 1,400 yards. Why will the injury bug pass him this year though?

The reason most people are scared to take Martin higher in drafts is the same reason I like him so much this year, the suspension. He only has to stay healthy for 13 games and will come in Week 4 with fresh legs ready to go. Jacquizz Rodgers is not taking his job. He is a fine place holder for Tampa Bay, but this is Martin’s job when he comes back regardless of what Rodgers does in his place.

Doug Martin in a contract year and only needing to stay healthy for thirteen games is going in fantasy football drafts only 10 spots higher than San Francisco fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Le’Veon Bell was suspended to start last season and still finished the season as a top fantasy option. He was chosen in the first round of almost all drafts.

Doug Martin is not the caliber of player that Bell is, but he is still a solid starting running back with 1,000-yard potential.

Next: Fantasy football: Is the 49ers defense a viable draft-day option

With eleventh and  thirteenth-round picks, you can get both Rodgers and Martin and have the starting running back on one of the most explosive offenses in 2017. That equals fantasy football victories.