The NFL draft is over and now it is time to start thinking about your 2022 fantasy draft. Lucky for you, I already have an early 2022 season RB rankings list to get you started. Of course, this is an early list and will be updated as we move into training camps. I have analysis on my top-25 RBs out of the 70 I have ranked. Enough talk, and let’s get onto the list.
What!? Your league wasn’t hosted on Fantrax this past season!? Once you see how Fantrax stacks up to the competition, we think you’ll be singing a different tune next season.
2022 Running Back Rankings
Note these rankings are based on half-PPR scoring.
| Rnk | Player | Team | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Taylor | IND | Taylor showed us last season that he is the future for fantasy running backs. He scored 18 touchdowns last year and is expected to break 20. |
| 2 | Derrick Henry | TEN | Henry was on pace to be the number one fantasy back before his injury. Henry had just under 1,000 yards in eight games and showed off his pass-catching last year. With A.J. Brown and Julio Jones gone, Henry will once again be the offense. |
| 3 | Austin Ekeler | LAC | When it comes to PPR or half PPR, Ekeler is going to get you serious points. He finished as the number two back last year, I see him easily finishing in the top three this year. |
| 4 | Christian McCaffrey | CAR | McCaffrey has been disappointing the last two seasons with injuries, but it is hard not to have him in the top five. When healthy McCaffery is a top 2 PPR back, and if you can grab him in the first round, he is worth the risk. |
| 5 | Dalvin Cook | MIN | Cook, is another back who drops down because of injuries. But in 13 games Cook still had over 1,000 rushing yards. He was hurt by touchdowns last season only putting six in the books. Yet, Cook will still be the workhorse for the Vikings and is still an RB1. |
| 6 | Joe Mixon | CIN | Mixon was the breakout back last year, totaling 13 touchdowns and 1,205 rushing yards. This Bengals team looks strong and Mixon will once again be the workhorse back this season. |
| 7 | Najee Harris | PIT | Harris had an impressive rookie year going for 1,200 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He also had just under 500 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Harris' production was hurt last year with an aging Ben Roethlisberger, I expect Harris to shine with the young trio of quarterbacks he will be lined up behind. |
| 8 | Nick Chubb | CLE | Chubb has shown he is one of the best running backs on the ground. He is only low on this list, because of his pass-catching. Still, Chubb will get you big-yard games and touchdowns. |
| 9 | Alvin Kamara | NO | Kamara has all the talent you want in a PPR back, but he is just so inconsistent every season. Last season he had nine total touchdowns, the year before 21. He is still a top back, but draft with caution. |
| 10 | D'Andre Swift | DET | Swift keeps improving every year and was a big sleeper last season, finishing 19th in just 13 games. |
| 11 | Aaron Jones | GB | Davante Adams is gone and Aaron Rodgers has no help through the air. Jones will have to do it all this season. |
| 12 | Leonard Fournette | TB | Fournette looks to the be the future for Tampa Bay. He totaled 10 touchdowns last season. |
| 13 | James Conner | ARI | Conner revived his career in Arizona last year totaling 18 touchdowns. I don't expect him to repeat last season, but he is a major part of this offense. |
| 14 | Javonte Williams | DEN | Williams had a quiet season, but still as a rookie totaled seven touchdowns and just under 1,000 rushing yards. Melvin Gordon III is the past and Williams is the future. |
| 15 | Cam Akers | LAR | This high powered offsense will be even more terrifying with Akers healthy. Expect him to be huge in the run game. |
| 16 | Antonio Gibson | WAS | Gibson was disappointing last season but still finished as RB10 last season. He was inconsistent in games but overall is still going to put up numbers. |
| 17 | Saquon Barkley | NYG | Where to start with Barkley. He had some promise last year but did not perform. He doesn't have much competition in the backfield, so we'll see if he can get back to his rookie form. |
| 18 | David Montgomery | CHI | Montgomery was a bit of a letdown last season only putting up seven touchdowns for an RB1. However, he only play in 13 games last season. Khalil Herbert made an impact last season and could cut into Montgomery's production. |
| 19 | Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | Elliott is just not as explosive as he used to be. Tony Pollard is cutting into his production, and Elliott is just too much of a risk to take in the first or even early second round. |
| 20 | Breece Hall | NYJ | The first rookie to make the list. Hall is being compared to many great running backs and already has the starting spot for the Jets. He has a high upside this season. |
| 21 | Josh Jacobs | LV | The Raiders seem like they will throw more this season, and Jacobs is a little injury prone. However, he is a solid flex or RB2 on a roster. |
| 22 | J.K. Dobbins | BAL | Dobbins was set to be a lead back last season before his injury. He will be ready to go off this season. |
| 23 | Elijah Mitchell | SF | The Niners are the worst when it comes to who is going to get the ball. But, Mitchell was productive every time he touched the ball, he will be the lead back. |
| 24 | Damien Harris | NE | Another team that switches running backs is the Patriots. However, Damien Harris was the most consistent last season and should get the workload. |
| 25 | AJ Dillon | GB | AJ Dillon is slowly eating into Aaron Jones' touches. Dillon is a sneaky pickup for some goal-line stealing touchdowns. |
| 26 | Travis Etienne Jr. | JAC | |
| 27 | Miles Sanders | PHI | |
| 28 | Chase Edmonds | MIA | |
| 29 | Kareem Hunt | CLE | |
| 30 | Tony Pollard | DAL | |
| 31 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC | |
| 32 | Devin Singletary | BUF | |
| 33 | Kenneth Walker III | SEA | |
| 34 | Melvin Gordon III | FA | |
| 35 | Cordarrelle Patterson | ATL | |
| 36 | Michael Carter | NYJ | |
| 37 | Rashaad Penny | SEA | |
| 38 | Rhamondre Stevenson | NE | |
| 39 | Ronald Jones II | KC | |
| 40 | James Robinson | JAC | |
| 41 | Alexander Mattison | MIN | |
| 42 | Darrell Henderson Jr. | LAR | |
| 43 | J.D. McKissic | WAS | |
| 44 | Raheem Mostert | MIA | |
| 45 | James Cook | BUF | |
| 46 | Sony Michel | MIA | |
| 47 | Nyheim Hines | IND | |
| 48 | Gus Edwards | BAL | |
| 49 | Kenneth Gainwell | PHI | |
| 50 | Jamaal Williams | DET | |
| 51 | Chris Carson | SEA | |
| 52 | Myles Gaskin | MIA | |
| 53 | Isaiah Spiller | LAC | |
| 54 | James White | NE | |
| 55 | D'Onta Foreman | CAR | |
| 56 | Khalil Herbert | CHI | |
| 57 | Darrel Williams | KC | |
| 58 | Chuba Hubbard | CAR | |
| 59 | Trey Sermon | SF | |
| 60 | Zack Moss | BUF | |
| 61 | Marlon Mack | HOU | |
| 62 | Boston Scott | PHI | |
| 63 | Justin Jackson | LAC | |
| 64 | Dameon Pierce | HOU | |
| 65 | Samaje Perine | CIN | |
| 66 | Kenyan Drake | LV | |
| 67 | Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS | |
| 68 | Rachaad White | TB | |
| 69 | Jerick McKinnon | KC | |
| 70 | D'Ernest Johnson | CLE |
Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites over the last few years, and we’re not stopping now. We are the most customizable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platform in the industry, offering the greatest fantasy experience for your dynasty, keeper, redraft, and best ball leagues. Fantasy sports doesn’t sleep, and neither does Fantrax, with seasons running 365 days a year. Take your fantasy leagues to the next level now at Fantrax.com!