The value of running backs in real-life, as well as fantasy football, has shifted significantly in the last several years.
It once seemed running backs were the necessary catalysts to building championship-caliber fantasy football teams. Now, there are plenty of ways to craft contending teams in the current fantasy football landscape.
With all that said, running backs still play a vital role in a manager’s success, regardless of what draft strategy is used. We are going to go through five running backs fantasy managers must have on their teams in 2022.
Embed from Getty ImagesDerrick Henry (TEN)
FantasyPros ADP: RB4
Henry is a must-have RB, but he does carry concerns into 2022. The bad: For the first time in his six-year career, he suffered a major foot injury, which forced him to miss nine games. He is 28 years old with over 1,400 carries. The good: In the eight games he played in 2021, Henry rushed for 937 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was one reception away from tying his career high (19) and he averaged a career-best 24.3 PPR points per game. That per game average was more than Jonathan Taylor in 2021.
The Titans’ offense lost A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, so it’s possible they could lean just a little more on Henry in the passing game. The receptions for Henry are just icing on the cake because he has shown for multiple years that he can be a top RB in PPR without being a prolific receiver.
Based on his workout videos this offseason, Henry is fully healthy and ready to go. Fantasy managers can expect a healthy Henry to firmly be in the Top 3 fantasy RB conversation at the end of the season regardless of format.
Embed from Getty ImagesAaron Jones (GB)
FantasyPros ADP: RB12
Aaron Jones finished as the RB11 in 2021 despite splitting more work with A.J. Dillon as the season continued. Star receiver Davante Adams and his 169 vacated targets are gone and his departure leaves Green Bay wondering how to fill that void.
It likely won’t be one person to fill it, but it should mean more work for Jones. Since 2019, Jones has played seven games without Adams on the field. His targets went up from 3.9 per game to 6.7. His receiving yardage increased from 21.6 to 55.4 per game.
With a pair of young receivers in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, along with Alan Lazard who hasn’t completely solidified himself as a true No. 1 receiver, quarterback Aaron Rodgers may rely more on his running backs.
Rodgers trusts Jones and should put more on his running back’s shoulders while the receiving corps comes together, particularly earlier in the season.
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Jones doesn’t have Top 3-5 upside anymore if Dillon remains involved but he is a solid bet to post low-end RB1 or high-end RB2 numbers.
Travis Etienne Jr. (JAX)
FantasyPros ADP: RB23
Etienne is technically heading into his second season despite not playing a single snap in an NFL game yet. He missed all of 2021 because of a Lisfranc injury but he seems healthy heading into 2022.
Etienne’s injury allowed him to avoid the disaster that turned out to be the 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars. Nothing went according to plan, starting with Etienne’s injury and ending with the failed Urban Meyer experiment.
Former Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson takes over the Jaguars, which could help stabilize the offense.
Despite not having a 1,000-yard rusher during his tenure as Eagles head coach, Pederson’s arrival could be positive for Etienne. Etienne was a full participant at mini-camp and his talent flashed in the ways that made him a top prospect one year ago. His connection with former college teammate Trevor Lawrence was on display in the passing game.
While Pederson largely employed a committee approach at the running back position in Philadelphia, there could be enough work for Etienne and James Robinson.
Robinson tore his Achilles in Week 16 last season, so even if he’s back at the start of the season, his timeline suggests he won’t be near full strength.
If Robinson isn’t ready to start the season, that leaves Etienne with little competition for touches in the backfield. If Robinson struggles to get back to his pre-injury form, Etienne could push for RB1 numbers in what should be a more productive Jacksonville offense.
AJ Dillon (GB)
FantasyPros ADP: 25
It’s not common that teammates are both must-have players but the Packer duo are in line for very productive seasons.
In Weeks 14-17 last year, Aaron Jones saw 38 carries, three red zone opportunities, and ran 76 routes. In those games, Dillon had 45 carries with 13 red zone looks and 54 routes run, according to FantasyPros.
Dillon earned 1,116 total yards last season while leading the Packers in carries (187) and rushing yards (803). He showed some receiving chops, catching 34 balls for 313 yards with two receiving touchdowns.
His opportunities should grow with Davante Adams’ departure. Dillon finished with the 22nd most touches last season and has a path to even more volume, especially if Jones misses time.
He has standalone value with massive upside if Jones gets hurt.
Embed from Getty ImagesRashaad Penny (SEA)
FantasyPros ADP: RB32
Fantasy managers finally saw a healthy Rashaad Penny in a prominent role in 2021 and he delivered.
Taken 27th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Penny has had an injury-riddled career. When he’s been healthy, he’s averaged 5.6 yards per carry in his career.
Through the final six weeks of 2021, Penny was the top scoring running back in total points, averaging 17 carries per game during that stretch, according to Fantasy Pros.
From weeks 13-thru-17, he averaged 18.5 fantasy points in PPR leagues, which helped managers win leagues last season.
Quarterback Russell Wilson is in Denver and Seattle drafted Ken Walker III in the second round of the 2022 draft. Those two moves put a dent in Penny’s ceiling but fantasy managers can expect Penny to produce.
Bob Condotta, who covers the Seahawks for The Seattle Times, projects Penny to be Seahawks’ “primary back” and potentially see 20-plus carries per game to open the season.
In his career, Penny has gotten 12+ carriers seven times. In those games, he’s accumulated 943 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns.
Penny is getting drafted outside the Top 30 at his position and could be a draft-day steal if he stays healthy and dominates like he did to close out 2021.
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