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Must-Have Running Backs (2022 Fantasy Football)


 
When drafting a team in fantasy, one of the first positions to run dry is running back. Drafting the must-have running back can be the difference between the fantasy playoffs and playing in the consolation tournament. With the position being scarce and premiums surrounding RBs at the beginning of the draft, how do we decide which players should be on our radar? Let’s give you a few names to keep your eye on this offseason.

Andrew Erickson Mock Draft

D’Andre Swift (DET)

If we have a Konami code for rushing quarterbacks, a running back Konami code is his receiving ability. D’Andre Swift is one of the best, with 78 targets (62 rec), 452 yards, 7.3 yards per reception (y/r), and two receiving touchdowns. He also totaled 617 yards rushing on the ground with five more touchdowns. Swift did this in just 13 games, so given an entire season, he can give you top five fantasy production and become your RB1 for the year.

Aaron Jones (GB)

Aaron Jones has been left for dead in the fantasy world since AJ “Quadzilla” Dillon landed in Green Bay. Fantasypros has him as the consensus 13 overall running back in PPR redraft formats. However, this ranking is too low for a back with 65 targets (52 receptions) and six touchdowns through the air. He also added another 799 yards on the ground and four more touchdowns. Now, with Davante Adams in Las Vegas and an even larger target share available, Aaron Rodgers should turn to one of his most trusted targets in Jones.

Jones could mirror Saquon Barkley‘s rookie year with receiving production due to the hole left by Adam’s. Therefore, being the 13th overall running back is far too low for a player with potential RB1 upside. Due to this potential, you should grab Aaron Jones as your RB2 every chance you get in your redraft leagues.

Josh Jacobs (LV)

FantasyPros has Josh Jacobs as the 19th overall running back. He is behind players such as Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers and Washington Commanders’ Antonio Gibson. Both situations are shaky at best, whereas Jacobs is coming into the season with Davanate Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller. This trio will allow for an empty box to allow Jacobs to thrive out of the backfield. He is also on a contract year because the Las Vegas Raiders declined his fifth-year option. With his contract and the Raiders’ future up in the air, the team could run Jacobs until the wheels fall off if they determine they are moving on after this season.

If the Raiders lean in this direction, you can get RB1 production from Jacobs while drafting him as an RB2 for your team. When given a chance, Jacobs has shown to produce on the field. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry and had 64 targets (54 rec) in 2021. If Jacobs breaks the 250 carry threshold, as he did in 2020, and can produce 50+ receptions in the receiving game, he could be the steal of your fantasy draft.

Chase Edmonds (MIA)

No one has pounded the drum for Chase Edmonds more than I have, and here we go again. Edmonds is your 29th back on FantasyPros draft rankings. This ranking places him behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Miles Sanders, and Damien Harris. Those backfields are in complicated situations, whereas the Dolphins paid Edmonds $12 million over the next two years to be the RB leading their backfield. Teams in this present-day NFL do not pay RBs unless they tend to use them, and Edmonds showed last year he can produce fantasy points, especially in PPR.

Edmonds was on pace last year to reach the magical 50+ receptions total before injuries derailed his chance to play a full 17 games. He finished the year with 7.2 y/r in 2021. Edmonds also added an extra 592 yards on 116 Carries last year. Edmonds did all this in 12 games while sharing the field with another talented back in James Conner.

With his main competition being an often injured 30-year-old Raheem Mostert, and Mostert’s insurance policy Sony Michel, we can expect Edmonds to break 200+ carries while showing his receiving abilities that earned him the new contract. While opposing teams focus on Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Mike Gesicki, Edmonds should be able to sneak out of the backfield for wide-open receptions every game to produce for your fantasy team.

A running back’s upside comes from their ability to produce in the receiving game. Therefore, look towards the players who receive a higher target total and can get close/reach the 50 reception total. This bonus will help propel your fantasy team to a higher total each week and help lead you to fantasy success.


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