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A fantasy draft is all about obtaining the most value with each selection. There is value available throughout a draft, and grabbing it is one of the most important keys to a successful fantasy team. In an attempt to point out this value, we asked our staff to look through the Top 150 and identify players that should outperform their draft position.
Here are the players who received the most votes:
And here are all of the players mentioned and the reasons why.
Players Receiving 6 Votes
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas
Gary Davenport: Yes, Elliott's per-touch effectiveness has waned the past couple of years—his 58.9 rushing yards per game last season was a career-low. But even in that "down" year, Elliott still topped 1,000 yards on the ground, scored double-digit rushing touchdowns and finished as a top-10 PPR fantasy option. There have been calls from pundits and fans alike to give Tony Pollard a bigger share of the workload in Dallas, but to date, there has been no indication that the Cowboys are actually going to do it. Elliott is also healthy this year after playing much of the 2021 campaign on a partially torn PCL, and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has raved about his conditioning.
Andy Hicks: Ezekiel Elliott finished as the 6th-ranked fantasy back in 2021. This was considered disappointing. One of the few big-name backs to play all 17 games, Elliott played through niggling injuries and had five games with ten or fewer carries. Tony Pollard is likely to play more receiver routes. With improvement in the offensive line expected, a fully fit Elliott could, for once in his career, be viewed as undervalued.
Chad Parsons: Elliott has been a top-15 fantasy running back every season, including in 2021 when playing through an injury for a chunk of the season. Leading the ground game for one of the better offenses in the NFL, Elliott has an all-time profile for production through his early years and his draft cost has waned into the double-digits of the position. Elliott is one of the easy value plays of the position.
Matt Waldman: The tendency to overrate Tony Pollard for his athletic ability and highlight-reel moments against defenses focused elsewhere sets the stage for us to underrated Elliott's ability to earn hard yards against defenses playing to stop him. Pollard is a good back who could deliver top production with high volume, but the idea he's better than Elliott is rooted in the misguided notion mentioned above. Elliott is still in his prime years, physically. He may not have top-three upside but he still has a top-15 floor, overall. Safe and productive and closer to top-five value than most think.
Christian Williams: Ezekiel Elliott played through injury in 2021, and that's important. Despite that, his overall RB7 finish was on par with his career marks. In fact, most of his counting and efficiency stats were on par with his career marks (his 10 touchdowns were the third-highest mark in his career). Reports of full health have flooded in this summer, and fully healthy Ezekiel Elliott will a) get volume and b) prove to be one of the better running backs in the NFL. He still possesses top-five upside for fantasy, as Amari Cooper's departure should see him earn a target share more in line with his career averages. That type of upside is hard to find after the first ten running backs are off the board, and the table is set for Ezekiel Elliott to have a massive bounce-back year.
Jason Wood: Some would have you believe Elliott fell off the cliff last year, but he finished as the No. 6-ranked fantasy tailback. While his per-touch efficiency is on a four-year decline, he was coming from such a high level it really doesn't matter, particularly at his discounted ADP. Those expecting Tony Pollard to grab a larger share are basing that more on hope than evidence. Elliott is being paid to be the franchise cornerstone, and more importantly, Jerry Jones still wants Elliott to be the offensive engine. Until Jerry gives up on Elliott, he's sure to continue amassing carries and every red zone opportunity the Cowboys can muster.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco
Sigmund Bloom: He's the clear entrenched starter. Third-round pick Ty Davis-Price doesn't scare me, although he could get a spot start or two based on Mitchell's accumulated nicks and bumps last year as the starter. The rushing offense could get even more efficient with Trey Lance forcing defenses to play 11 on 11. Mitchell should be going at least 1-2 rounds earlier.
James Brimacombe: Mitchell only played in 11 games in his rookie season and still nearly broke the 1,000 rushing yards as he finished with 963. His name wasn't even in the conversation as a fantasy asset when the season started last year, and he proved everyone wrong and, in the end, was one of the league-winner type of players. His ADP is not reflecting a player that is young and has the potential to do it again on a team that is focused on running the ball.
Kevin Coleman: In the 11 games Mitchell played last season, he had 207 carries for 963 yards and five touchdowns. He also proved to be a workhorse, having at least 17 carriers in nine games. In weeks eight and twelve, he carried the ball 27 times and would finish as RB8 and RB3 in those respective weeks. Mitchell also ranked 7th in the NFL in total touches per game with 20.5 last season. He showed that he could carry the volume needed to be a viable RB2 option in fantasy with the potential to be a weekly top twelve back.
Jeff Haseley: There may be some early uncertainty surrounding the 49ers' lead running back this year, but I'm here to tell you that won't be the case. Mitchell is the lead back and it all stems from his speed. He is the fastest running back on the roster and Kyle Shanahan loves to utilize players who have speed. He had nine games with 17+ carries last year. In those nine games, he scored at least one touchdown in six of them. Mitchell is the guy you want in the 49ers backfield and he is an excellent RB2 or RB3 who can produce consistent results.
Justin Howe: Many are downplaying Mitchell's fantasy pedigree as he enters Year 2, and it makes some degree of sense. Coach Kyle Shanahan has long been a proponent of full, diverse backfields, and he added another mildly intriguing mid-round runner in this year's draft. But there's no denying that, down the 2021 stretch, Shanahan put all his eggs into Mitchell's basket, and that the rookie responded quite well. Over the team's final 8 games (playoffs included), Mitchell averaged 24 touches and 98 yards from scrimmage. Armed with game-breaking speed and more instinct/fundamentals than advertised, Mitchell has the look of an all-around RB1 for Shanahan - something he didn't have often when building his reputation for mix-and-match committees. Mitchell should be gifted the clear RB1 role in 2022, and in a talented Shanahan offense, that always carries fantasy RB1 upside. And that sturdy late-2021 volume should make us all feel better about his week-to-week floor. Simply put, there's no reason for Mitchell to slip into the fifth round of any fantasy draft.
Christian Williams: Elijah Mitchell quietly had the most productive fantasy season on a per-game basis since Kyle Shanahan's first year as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. His 18 carries per game put him on par with Najee Harris (2nd in the league in carries). And Mitchell's rushing productivity outpaced the aforementioned Harris. Concerns over goal-line work are legitimate, as the 49ers invested another high pick in a between-the-tackles running back in the NFL Draft and will have a more mobile quarterback at the helm in 2022, but Kyle Shanahan has already shown his hand on which running back will carry the load. Elijah Mitchell should be a viable, high-end RB2 on a weekly basis.
Players Receiving 4 Votes
Breece Hall, NY Jets
Jeff Bell: Hall is the last back with true potential to ascend into the top five overall at the position this year. With excellent athleticism combined with a polished game, he is one preseason play and subsequent hype train away from rocketing up the board. Michael Carter will still see work, a factor depressing his price, but the reality is most every back outside of Najee Harris could project to some level of a timeshare. Grab the discount now because it will not hold.
James Brimacombe: The Jets went all-in on the offense and Zach Wilson this offseason with the moves they made in the draft. Breece Hall was the biggest move in round 2, as he has a college resume that is impressive and should translate to the NFL level. He might be in for a committee approach to start out with Michael Carter but I don't see that lasting too long as Hall has the potential to be a game-changer for the Jets.
Jeff Haseley: People will shy away from Hall due to Michael Carter's presence on the team, but don't let that deter you from being bullish on the young back who can do it all. His talent scores are off the charts and his production should follow suit. A 50-60 catch season with an additional 1,000 yards rushing is a distinct possibility. His place in the top 10 will be determined based on his ability to score touchdowns. He scored 23 touchdowns in 12 games in each of the last two years at Iowa State. He has the tools to be elite and a nose for the end zone to top it off.
Sam Wagman: Hall was drafted to be the team's workhorse running back and I expect him to assume that position directly from the start. He is the most athletically polished running back to come out of college in some time with a near-perfect Relative Athletic Score and while he'll cede some passing-down work to Michael Carter early in the season, he should be able to assume that role down the stretch as he is a sufficient pass catcher and can do his part in the pass protection scheme as well. The Jets have the rushing scheme to make him a successful back.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland
Drew Davenport: Hunt is always going to take a backseat to Nick Chubb in Cleveland. Yet despite Hunt's role with the Browns he always manages to have fantasy value beyond what is usually expected from a running back playing less than 50% of the snaps most weeks. At this point in his Browns tenure, Hunt is actually a fairly predictable fantasy running back. He's going to have some frustrating weeks where he doesn't play enough, but in most weeks he will get a shot at a touchdown, catch some passes, or get some late carries in a win. The combination of ways he can score points makes him a valuable fantasy producer that isn't flashy making him available in drafts well past where he should be.
Zareh Kantzabedian: Kareem Hunt's future with the Browns remains limbo as contract negotiations continue. Regardless of where he ends up, he should not be overlooked. Hunt has primarily served as the pass-catching back on the Browns for the past two years but has also proved to be one of the better pure rushers in the league during his time on the Kansas City Chiefs. Yes, he is older, but he is versatile. That versatility has helped running backs slow the aging process and allow for PPR fantasy production up to age 30.
Jonathan Morris: Hunt was only able to fully play in six games last year due to injuries. In those six games, he was RB11 despite only seeing about 35% of carries due to Nick Chubb commanding the majority of the workload. If you can look past the number of snaps Hunt receives, you will see a running back with elite efficiency. Along with that, he has enough activity in the passing game to warrant grabbing him in your draft as a reliable RB2. If he is healthy, he is as consistent as they come. If something does happen with Nick Chubb, Hunt's value immediately skyrockets to RB1 territory. He's a safe floor, high reward bargain for me at his current ADP.
Matt Waldman: I could see the Browns trading Hunt to a team that needs a starter and that team wants the first shot to re-sign him after the season. This would increase Hunt's value immediately. Presently, Hunt has solid RB2 value with elite RB1 upside based on his current split with Nick Chubb behind a top OL and the potential for Hunt to be the lead back due to a Chubb injury. Many underrate Hunt's high ceiling, role, and supporting talent because they are overvaluing upside in the early rounds from lesser talents without the supporting talent and/or role.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta
Anthony Amico: The arrival of Tyler Allgeier may cost Patterson some short-yardage work, but it also probably puts him in an ideal hybrid role for this team. The Falcons lack depth at pass-catcher behind Kyle Pitts and Drake London, meaning Patterson could finish third on this team in targets in addition to being heavily in the rushing mix. He has real RB1 upside if this happens.
Jeff Haseley: People will tend to overlook Patterson due to his age (31), but he has only 320 career carries, averaging 5.1 yards per tote. That's fewer than almost any other fantasy back in the league. To make things more appealing, he was drafted as a first-round wide receiver talent. He has the tools to be the ultimate weapon and Atlanta has figured out how to best utilize him. Don't be afraid of Tyler Allgeier or Damien Williams. Patterson is the guy they want and the one they will utilize. He was a fantasy weapon last year and this year will be no different.
Matt Waldman: I'm not expecting Tyler Allgeier to be a factor and Damien Williams essentially fits the Mike Davis role. It leaves Patterson the opportunity to repeat what he did for Atlanta this year and if I were the opposing defensive coordinator, I'd let Marcus Mariota check the ball to Patterson all day. Considering the receiving corps, look for opponents to focus on Kyle Pitts, and get pressure on Mariota behind a weak OL unit. This will lead to game scripts where Patterson is leading the dink-and-dunk parade as a receiver.
Jason Wood: Patterson was an improbable fantasy star in his first season with the Falcons. The gadget player had finished 70th or worse in seven of eight seasons before last year's star turn in Arthur Smith's offense. Patterson morphed into a two-way lynchpin and finished as the 12th-ranked fantasy running back. While many wondered if he would be a one-year wonder, the Falcons jettisoned Mike Davis this offseason and only added rookie Tyler Allgeier in the fifth round out of BYU. While Allgeier has good size (5-foot-11, 220 pounds), he's a plodder without the pedigree or draft capital to credibly threaten an established veteran who was one of only two bright spots on the field last year.
Players Receiving 3 Votes
Saquon Barkley, NY Giants
James Brimacombe: Barkley's ADP is reflecting one that was injured all season but the fact is that he played in 13 games and played in the last eight games without setbacks. He now has a full offseason to get ready and a new coaching staff that looks to favor more of a passing attack out of the backfield. I feel like he is in a prime spot to bounce back with an upgraded offense and coaching staff in 2022 and is a good bet to get back into the top 10 running back mix.
Jeff Haseley: I was completely out on Barkley last year because it often takes a year to return to form from a serious knee injury, not to mention possible compensatory injuries, and that's exactly what happened in 2021. A year later, Barkley is more confident in his knee, the offense is under new guidance with a proven track record, and all signs point to him being a major part of the offense from all angles. Buy the dip in Barkley before he proves it's too late.
Dave Kluge: Every year it seems like a handful of wildly talented players slip in drafts. We look back at the end of the year and ask, “How did we let that player fall that far?” There’s no doubt that Barkley is one of the most talented backs in the league. His rookie season displayed his ability to score from anywhere on the field, draw targets, and shake defenders out of their cleats. After an ACL tear in 2019, he was slapped with the dreaded “injury-prone” label. A slow start to the 2020 season was expected as a part of his recovery. Then, in Weeks 3 and 4, Barkley racked up 220 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. It looked like the old Saquon was back! In Week 5, Barkley sprained an ankle in the first quarter and never rebounded. While the ankle injury zapped his explosiveness, his ability to draw targets remained top-notch. He finished the year eighth in running back target share. Those targets on a Giants team projecting for a losing record will be very valuable in fantasy. Still just 25 years old and an entire season removed from his ACL tear, there are plenty of reasons to expect a bounceback season. With an ADP in the third round, he’s got the potential to be this year’s league-winner.
James Conner, Arizona
Drew Davenport: Conner seemed to break down near the end of his tenure in Pittsburgh. But last year when called upon to run with an every-down role he produced in a big way. Maybe it is to Conner's benefit that he shares the backfield so he can stay healthy, but either way, the Cardinals use him in such a manner that his RB15 ADP leaves a lot of room for value. In 2021 Conner saw the 8th most carries inside the red zone, but inside the 10-yard line he jumped up to third, and inside the 5-yard line, he was second in the league with 16 such opportunities. Conner doesn't need to log 75% of the snaps to return value where he's being drafted. A chance at double-digit touchdowns is all he needs to return value on his ADP, and anything else is a bonus that could see him end up as a Top 10 option again in 2022.
Jonathan Morris: Conner finished last year's campaign as a top 5 RB and that was with competition for touches with Chase Edmonds. When Edmonds was out with an injury and Conner was the featured back, he netted 665 yards and 10 touchdowns over a six-week stretch. Now entering the 2022 season Conner gets a backfield to himself in one of the top offenses in the NFL. I believe we see the 27-year-old easily post RB1 numbers which makes him a steal at his current ADP.
Chad Parsons: Chase Edmonds departed this offseason and Conner was already a strong RB1 to close last season even with Edmonds still around. Conner is a two-way producer with a proven track record as a fantasy starter, still with a year or two in his expected window for more top seasons.
Chase Edmonds, Miami
Kevin Coleman: Chase Edmonds was the Dolphin's big off-season acquisition. As strictly a runner, he’s a middle-of-the-pack back with a low floor for rushing touchdowns, but that's not where his value lies. His value lies in his pass-catching ability. If the Miami offense mirrors San Francisco, then the pass-catching running back in their offense is where you can find the edge you need for your leagues. In 2021, San Francisco’s running backs accounted for 98 targets in the offense, including thirty-seven targets to fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Chase Edmonds will be the best pass-catching back that McDaniels has coached. Edmonds has caught 96 passes for 713 yards and four touchdowns in the last two seasons. He could easily be a low-end RB2 this season if he stays healthy.
Drew Davenport: When Edmonds went down in Week 9 he was a middle-of-the-road RB2 despite only scoring 1 touchdown through the team's first 8 games. He averaged 3.8 receptions per game and was in double-digit PPR points in six of eight games (and 2 of 3 after returning from injury, including a 26 point explosion in Week 16). In Miami he won't have much competition for receiving work and he will be competing against oft-injured Raheem Mostert and plodder Sony Michel for carries. Edmonds is unlikely to see a massive carry total, but he should see plenty of receiving work and enough early-down usage to perform like a mid-tier RB2 yet again. Edmonds is a nice value with his current RB35 ADP.
Andy Hicks: Miami has a crowded backfield with Chase Edmonds joined by Sony Michel and Raheem Mostert in free agency, with Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed already there. The new coaching staff made it a priority to upgrade the moribund offense. The key to this was adding Tyreek Hill in a blockbuster trade. Hill creates opportunities for all others. If we follow the money at running back, Edmonds has the biggest paycheck and should be given the first opportunity to start. At his current draft price, grabbing Edmonds is high-reward, low-risk.
Travis Etienne, Jacksonville
Gary Davenport: Etienne's rookie season ended before it began compliments of a Lisfranc injury, but the former Clemson star is reportedly fully healthy and impressed at OTAs. Provided he is 100 percent, he could be set for a breakout season. The Jaguars should be a much better offensive team overall with Doug Pederson running the show, and Etienne has the skill-set to take on an Alvin Kamara-like role for the team. He could also be set for a relatively heavy workload (especially early in the season) after James Robinson tore his Achilles last December. If you're a fantasy manager who likes grabbing an elite receiver or tight end early, Etienne's potential is hard to pass on in the back end of Round 4.
Dave Kluge: Etienne was selected as the second back in the 2021 draft, going immediately after Najee Harris. After an offseason Lisfranc fracture kept him from seeing the field as a rookie, he’s been an afterthought heading into Year 2. Even though Lisfranc injuries have a nasty connotation, we’ve seen plenty of players rebound in recent years. Julio Jones, Gus Edwards, Elijah Mitchell, and Marquise Brown are just a few players to fully recover in recent years. Reports out of camp are that Etienne looks close to 100 percent. Etienne was a pass-catching machine at Clemson, racking up 588 yards (most in the NCAA) on 48 receptions in 2020. And his quarterback that year? Trevor Lawrence, his current quarterback in Jacksonville. Etienne’s usage in the passing game makes him game-script-proof. When the team is up, he will get carries. When they’re down, he’ll get receptions. We’ve seen pass-catching running backs like Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and DAndre Swift put up excellent fantasy production on sub-par teams. Etienne is the most obvious candidate to follow in their footsteps.
Jason Wood: Etienne was the forgotten man in early best-ball drafts, but the value arbitrage window will close quickly once the preseason gets underway and beat writers remind the world of his vision, explosiveness, and quickness. After a rookie season lost to injury, Etienne steps into Doug Pederson's offense as the clear-cut No. 1 tailback and arguably the team's No. 1 overall offensive cog. His chemistry with Trevor Lawrence from their days at Clemons ensures a heavy workload regardless of down and distance.
Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay
Andy Hicks: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers let Ronald Jones II go in the off-season. The last two third-round draft picks in Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Rachaad White are backups only. It’s an excellent situation for Leonard Fournette to turn patchy moments of excellence into a season of elite production. Ever since the run to the Superbowl win in the 2020 season, Fournette has been a fantasy monster. With elite production as a receiver as well, Double-digit touchdowns are his baseline for 2022, elevating him into one of the better fantasy options.
Dave Kluge: Fournette has slowly transitioned into one of the most well-rounded running backs in the NFL. Coming into the league, he had a desirable profile but did most of his work between the tackles and struggled with health, pass-blocking, and receiving work. In recent years, he’s put all of those concerns to rest. Despite missing many games early in his career, he’s suited up for over 85 percent over the last three seasons. He had more pass-blocking opportunities than any other back in Tampa Bay last year and didn’t allow a single sack. And as for his pass-catching, he averaged more targets per game than any other running back. He was third in receptions and fourth in receiving yards, even though he missed three games. He’s a three-down back on an explosive offense who sees goal-line and passing down work. Unless his ADP creeps into the middle of the first round, he’ll be a great value again this year.
Chad Parsons: Ronald Jones II is gone and frankly was nothing more than a speed bump to Fournette enjoying the lead role attached to Tom Brady. The competition is a pair of third-round young backs in Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Rachaad White. Vaughn has shown little through two seasons and White is an incoming rookie. Expect elite upside weekly from Fournette as the Buccaneers have the second-highest High Leverage Opportunity Score (combining goal-line carries and targets for running backs) over the past three seasons. Fournette is the perfect combination of talent, level of offense, and expected opportunity to be a strong RB1 for fantasy.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas
Zareh Kantzabedian: Zamir White does not hold a candle to Josh Jacobs as a running back. Jacobs is one of the best pure runners in the league on a team expected to be the most efficient it's been in a long time. Former New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator and now Las Vegas Raiders' Head Coach Josh McDaniels has been cautious with rookie running backs. Given that White was a fourth-round draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, it's safe to say that he won't see even a 100 touches in 2022.
Chad Parsons: The Raiders did not pick up Jacobs' fifth-year option for 2023 and plenty are fading Jacobs (in redraft and dynasty) as a result. However, the Raiders have been one of the strongest teams in high-leverage running back opportunities over the past three years and were tops in the category (goal-line carries and targets for running backs) in 2021. Jacobs' competition is an eroding Kenyan Drake and Day 3 Zamir White of note. Jacobs has yet to hit a big ceiling, but Round 1 running backs are sturdy bets even later in their rookie contracts to hit as an RB1.
Matt Waldman: The Raiders have excellent pieces for its passing game and Derek Carr is coming off a career year. Jacobs played through minor injuries and wasn't efficient as a rusher, but managed 1,220 total yards, which was in line with his career average. Moreover, the Raiders finally leveraged Jacobs' receiving skills. I'm banking on the genie not returning to the bottle and that means another year of rushing in the range of 900-1,100 yards, 8-12 scores, and 300-400 receiving yards. Damien Harris had 1,061 yards and 15 scores in McDaniels' committee offense last year. Don't overreact to a committee approach mentioned in the media until there's evidence that Zamir White is legitimately ready for a significant role.
Players Receiving 2 Votes
James Cook, Buffalo
Kevin Coleman: James Cook has immediate value as a PPR option in fantasy this season. He will likely get most of the third-down work out of the backfield, and his big-play potential could fill the scoreboard in fantasy leagues. The Bills selected Cook in the second round of the NFL draft, and you can't ignore that draft capital. While he never produced huge numbers at Georgia, he did show that he could be a complete back last season, rushing for 728 yards and catching 27 balls for 284 yards. The Bills will utilize Cook in the passing game, and we could see him in a hybrid role in that offense.
Craig Lakins: When one of the league's most pass-heavy offenses makes a point to target a pass-catching RB, we should all take notice. The Bills thought they'd secured their man in free agency before being spurned when JD McKissic chose to go back to Washington. Instead, they invested a 2nd round pick on Cook, who surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards and had 11 touchdowns in a shared backfield for Georgia last year. With neither Devin Singletary nor Zack Moss commanding a leading role, the opportunity is there for the sure-handed Cook to shine quickly.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City
Sigmund Bloom: We found out that Edwards-Helaire had his gall bladder taken out last offseason, which caused him to drop a lot of weight and otherwise could have affected his preparation and performance last year. This year, he should be one of the focal points in the offense with Tyreek Hill gone, and Edwards-Helaire was already better for fantasy last year than you think, scoring in half of his games, and getting multiple receptions in more than half.
Craig Lakins: There is certainly a sour taste within the fantasy community when it comes to CEH. Rightfully so, after a lackluster 2021 season saw him take a step back in almost every statistical category. After the season ended, we learned that he had his gall bladder removed during the 2021 offseason and reportedly got down to 160 lbs. Given that this will be his first full offseason as a pro and his primary backfield competition (Darrel Williams) is no longer there, I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt. It's also common that when a team has a lot of vacated targets (the Chiefs have more than 250), the running back position is the main beneficiary. I'm taking Edwards-Helaire where I can.
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia
Jeff Bell: Gainwell showed glimmers of a true breakout in his rookie season with 33 receptions, 544 total yards, and 6 total touchdowns. Nick Sirianni was the offensive coordinator for Nyheim Hines’ breakout 2020 season that saw Hines finish as PPR RB15, meanwhile, Shane Steichen served on the Chargers coaching staff during Austin Ekeler’s ascension. Both understand how to utilize running backs within the passing game and the addition of A.J. Brown should serve to ramp up the Eagle’s pass game attempts. Add in Miles Sanders missing portions of the past two seasons and entering a contract year, and the team could put Gainwell in a position to realize weekly PPR utility while increasing his workload to see if pivoting off Sanders following the season is a possibility.
Zareh Kantzabedian: Kenneth Gainwell was expected to be used as the primary receiving back going into 2021, as well as a rotational early-down runner. However, Jalen Hurts' weaknesses as a quarterback forced the Philadelphia Eagles to convert into a heavy ground and pound attack, forcing Gainwell out of the intended game plan. With an ADP in the thirteenth round, there is no risk in drafting Gainwell in a year where the Eagles should be opening up the offense a bit more. Draft Gainwell in hopes of starting him as a bye-week RB2 in PPR leagues.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay
James Brimacombe: The big news out of Green Bay is that Davante Adams is out of town and targets and the offense is now more open to the remaining players. Jones is coming off of three straight 60+ target seasons with 69, 63, and 65 and now with no Adams looks to be safely in that mix once again. Along with all the heavy targets, Jones is also a heavy touchdown producer scoring no less than nine touchdowns in a season since his rookie season in 2017.
Sam Wagman: Even with A.J. Dillon splitting snaps with Jones this year and most likely taking a lead in carries, Jones still projects as a very solid fantasy option for the Packers this season. We've seen him put up 500+ receiving yards before, but this year could be a truly special receiving season for Jones. Without Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling returning, there is a possibility Jones could be the de facto WR1 for the team this year. He is a trusted weapon for Aaron Rodgers and while the team drafted Christian Watson early in the second round, rookies have not historically performed well with Rodgers and I expect Watson to have a steep learning curve.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay
Anthony Amico: Leonard Fournette has crushed in this offense, so it is possible that White finds himself as more of a true handcuff in 2022, but that should not deter us from drafting him in bulk. This offense produces a ton of fantasy points for running backs, and White was one of the most adept pass-catchers in the 2022 draft class. There is some chance that he earns a decent-sized role without an injury, and would be one hamstring strain away from RB1 production.
Christian Williams: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers invested Day 2 capital in a running back for the second time in three years, and they got it right this time. Rachaad White was a pass-catching machine at Arizona State over the last two years, earning 16% and 21% market shares of receptions in his only two years at the university. White is an excellent runner, as well, with fantastic patience, vision, and burst. His athletic profile suggests that he could be a big-play back, something the Buccaneers don't currently have in their running back room. White's pass blocking has been a point of discussion, but assuming he can continue to refine his technique, a third-down, pass-catching role is likely for the former Sun Devil; and pass-catching running backs in Tom Brady-led offenses are typically fantasy goldmines.
Players Receiving 1 Vote
Damien Harris, New England
Dave Kluge: Harris put up borderline RB1 numbers last year. Still, he’s sliding in drafts. People are quick to point out his uncharacteristically high number of touchdowns last year. Regression could hit, but it’s just as important to recognize his elite usage in the red zone and the Patriots' run-heavy game scripts. Only Jonathan Taylor had more carries inside the 10-yard line last year. Rhamondre Stevenson showed some flashes as a rookie, but there’s plenty of reason to believe this is still firmly Harris’s backfield. Harris and Stevenson dealt with injuries last year, which muddles the data. Harris was injured in five games. Stevenson was injured or scratched in five. That leaves us with a seven-game sample size. In those games, Stevenson had 49 carries for 262 carries and a touchdown. Harris had 109 carries for 442 yards and seven scores. Additionally, reports out of camp are that Stevenson has been taking reps as a passing-down back, which would hardly affect Harris’ usage. Bill Belichick’s history with running backs is frustrating and raises some concern, but all signs point to Harris maintaining his role as the Patriots' bellcow back.
Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis
Sigmund Bloom: We should have learned by now to not ignore a coach when he specifically says to draft a player in fantasy football and that's what Frank Reich said about Hines in May. Matt Ryan represents a big upgrade at quarterback and the team has a very inexperienced wide receiver group. Expect Hines to line up more in the slot and otherwise have a larger role in the passing game in addition to his occasional touchdown outburst.
Ronald Jones II, Kansas City
Andy Hicks: Ronald Jones II is a young back with four years of experience in the NFL. After breaking out in 2020, he was overtaken by Leonard Fournette in Tampa Bay. Kansas City is the perfect team to get the best out of Jones. Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been disappointing to date and the Chiefs backfield projects as a share situation. Given the injury issues for Edwards-Helaire, Jones will have his moments. Darrel Williams ranked as a bottom-end RB2 in 2021. Jones is a much better back. Highly underrated this year.
David Montgomery, Chicago
Jason Wood: The best ability is availability, so it's understandable David Montgomery would have his critics. He missed four games last year capping his fantasy value; he finished as the 20th-ranked running back. But the Bears' offense was woeful last year and Montgomery succeeded despite everything stacked against him. He's healthy entering training camp, has a new coaching staff sure to improve on an uninspired and predictable offense, and even if the passing game improves modestly, he'll have more room to run.
Rashaad Penny, Seattle
Jeff Bell: Penny is a former first-round pick who ran as one of the best running backs in the NFL to end 2021. Early reports are he is the lead back in an offense that has trended towards heavy usage for one primary back. And he is on the verge of RB4 territory, behind Kenneth Walker. Seattle improved the offensive line during the draft and will rely on the run game, but if they recognize reality and hit a full-blown rebuild, Penny would emerge as a great August trade candidate given his expiring contract status. Every back behind him has major questions on the upside or would need an injury to realize value.
Devin Singletary, Buffalo
Drew Davenport: The Bills finally let Singletary be the bell cow near the end of the year last year and they were rewarded with the best stretch of his career. He was given 10 or more carries in the team's final six games and scored nine touchdowns over that same stretch. Although Buffalo drafted James Cook in the second round back in May, there is no indication that Singletary is facing any threat to his early-down work, or to his goal-line role. Cook, at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, doesn't fit the mold of a guy to come out and take over the job completely. Singletary is the 32nd running back coming off the board and faces little competition to be the guy carrying it 12-15 times a game with the possibility for a couple of receptions or a score. His ADP more than accounts for the various limitations he faces in Buffalo and he could provide value well beyond that if he picks up where he left off last year.
Isaiah Spiller, LA Chargers
Sam Wagman: Spiller didn't get the draft capital most people thought he would get, but he landed in a terrific situation. Austin Ekeler is known for being one of the more transparent NFL players to fantasy footballers and told us that he would like some backfield help. The Chargers brass listened and got him Spiller to help spell him and presumably take some other backfield duties as well. Make no mistake, Spiller is a great handcuff for Ekeler. He has the requisite size for goal-line work and is a solid pass-catcher as well. Ekeler has had minor nicks and bruises over the years, so Spiller could easily hop into an RB1 role if anything happens to Ekeler.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England
Justin Howe: Stevenson is in a crowded backfield but likely offers the most explosive and versatile skillset of the bunch. That's not lost on Patriots coaches, either - last year, as a rookie, Stevenson wormed his way high into the backfield rotation at the expense of the plodding, injury-prone Damien Harris. From Week 10 on (playoffs included), Stevenson laid claim to 42% of the backfield's snaps and 53% of its all-around touches. Boasting an intriguing skillset - he caught 3 passes a game as a senior at Oklahoma - Stevenson has a floor of "James White replacement" and could easily produce 50 catches in the Patriots' high-volume offense. And his upside as a clear-cut fantasy RB2 is undeniable; no one thinks of Harris as a bellcow, after all.
Ken Walker, Seattle
Sigmund Bloom: When Rashaad Penny been a significant obstacle to value for the other back in Seattle's backfield before the last month of last season? Walker is coming with fresh legs and he aligns with the team's philosophy on offense. A second-round rookie running back with a good chance to lead his team in carries usually costs a lot more than Walker does right now.