Alvin Kamara Fantasy Football Outlook (2022)

By Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros), Thu, Sep 1st 2022, 10:27am EDT

Alvin Kamara ranked third in touches per game (22.1) and was the RB6 in points per game after seeing a career-high in total seasonal touches (287) in 2021. He was the offense with no other weapons and averaged nearly six carries more per game than his career average.

However, this came at the expense of his receptions per game falling by 1.5 per game. 2021 was the first season in Kamara's career he failed to catch at least 81 passes.

The touches will inevitably come down for Kamara in 2022 as the Saints look to extend the shelf life of their 27-year old running back. As will Kamara's No. 3-ranked RB target share (13%) as the offense looks to spread the ball more with capable wide receivers available on the roster.

But the main reason Kamara is being drafted at the end of Round 3 - as opposed to Round 1 or 2 - is because of a looming suspension. I won't dive deep into the weeds here from a legal side, but I recognize that his availability this season looks much better than it did a month ago.

Essentially, the NFL seems likely to let the criminal justice system play out in regards to Kamara's case before laying down any punishment under the new collective bargaining agreement.

His August 1 hearing was pushed back two months, and a suspension could realistically be pushed back as far into 2023. Unless of course a video releases of the crime in question which would force the NFL's hand into action. But as of now, they seem more than happy to take their time making Kamara a fantasy value at the end of Round 3.