NHL Best Bets for Tuesday (11/19)
Kenneth Le
These are my top 15 running backs of 2022. This list takes into consideration the value of each back on every down. First and second downs include more of the stronger base package runners and guys who excel as primary rushers. Third-down value comes more from subpackage receiving backs and value in that aspect of the game, whether it be as a receiver or blocker.
Remember that these rankings are geared toward their actual skill as football players, not their role as fantasy football assets.
(Check out my other player rankings so far: Quarterback | Cornerback | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Edge Defenders | more to come!)
1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor is at the top of the list, and while there is a legit debate between the top three on this list, I give Taylor the nod because not only is he a premier athlete at the position, but he possess the ability to be effective in all three phases of the game and on every down, which separates him from the other guys. To put in perspective, Taylor had 1,811 yards on the ground and 360 receiving and 20 total touchdowns. He possesses a rare explosiveness when he touches the ball and ball skills to match, including 5.8 yards per touch and 23 explosive runs of 15 yards or more. Taylor will be the focal point of the offense this year and no matter how many players are in the box, JT will be arguably the best back in the league for a third year in a row.
2. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb is one of the best base package backs in the league. The quiet assassin has excellent vision to find the creases and set up blocks. He has elite contact balance, and a rare stop-and-go explosiveness that allows him to take contact and pull away from defenders for big gains. He had the second-highest defenders in the box on average and was No. 2 in total yards and top five in yards per touch according to Player Profiler. He runs as a true power back, with elite agility that makes him seem like an elusive back. He has also gone over 1,000 yards in each of his last three seasons after putting up 996 as a rookie in 2018.
3. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
It was tough not to throw Derrick Henry at No. 1 given his dominance on the ground, but he’s still a top-three back in the league and may be one of the best backs of all time. He has a Jim Brown-like type of running prowess in the fact that he is purely a downhill powerback who throws some agility and elusiveness in his attack sparingly. While he may not be such a factor in the pass game (he only has had one season over 200 yards receiving), he is probably the best base package back in the league and usually gets the most touches to prove it. The Titans offense is essentially built around Henry — when he isn’t healthy, the Titans have a totally different look. While he may be a better base package back than Chubb, Henry is my No. 3 back simply because I need to see him offer more as a pass catcher as well.
4. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Pending a possible suspension, Alvin Kamara will be one of the most productive backs in the league this year. With Jameis Winston taking over, I expect a lot of touches in both the pass and run game out of Kamara. While Kamara has never had a season over 1,000 yards rushing, he also has never had a season under 45 receptions or 500 yards. He is the do-it-all guy for the Saints and may be the best receiving back in the league.
5. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals not only have arguably the best receiving core in the league, they also have a top-five running back. Joe Mixon has gone over 1,100 rushing yards in three of his last four seasons. On top of that, he has had at least 30 receptions in each of the last four years. He was top five in touchdowns last season with 16, and according to Player Profiler, he was top 10 in evaded tackles with 76. Mixon gets it done in a plethora of ways and the sharp receiving core that he has to work with will only allow him more efficient opportunities to make big plays.
6. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
When healthy, Dalvin Cook is simply one of the best. He has never played a full season in his career, yet the standout has posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons. To add to that, he has a career average of 4.72 yards per carry. Cook is explosive and does it with light feet and sound acceleration through the hole and elite contact balance and elusiveness at the second level. Last year he had 21 runs of 15 yards or more. A healthy Dalvin Cook is a nightmare for defenses.
7. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones excels as a do-it-all back for GB. He has value on all three downs, and while he may not be the bruising style RB that his teammate AJ Dillon is, he is still able to keep the offense on schedule in early downs. Jones was top 10 in the NFL in red zone touches at RB with 47 and was also top 10 in targets out of the backfield. He had fewer carries in 2021, but when he gets over 200 carries historically, he’s been a 1,000-yard rusher. Think of Jones as a do-it-all back with above-average value on all three downs but slightly more value as a base back than as a sub package back.
8. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
In a perfect world, Austin Ekeler would be an elite third-down back. He led the league in targets out of the backfield last year and was No. 1 in receiving yards with 647. With that said, Ekeler fills more of a three-down role for the Chargers, and as a result is able to showcase that he is more than just a third-down guy. He was nearly a 1,000-yard rusher in 2021 and added the most RB touchdowns in the league with 20. He has great balance and runs hard and with powerful acceleration through the contact point. He had 940 yards after the first evaded tackle according to Player Profiler and averaged 5.6 yards per touch last year. Ekeler may not be everything you want in a first- and second-down runner, but he does provide value on all three downs.
9. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris had the most carries in the league last year as a rookie and was able to do a lot despite the inconsistent play up front. He had 106 evaded tackles last season (second most according to Player Profiler). He has the potential to be one of the best three-down backs in the NFL as he had nearly 500 yards receiving to go along with 1,200 rushing yards. While Pittsburgh may not want to give him the ball 300 times this season, I’d expect somewhere in the 250-touch range for Harris and a load of production for him to accompany that.
10. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
It seems like Josh Jacobs is somewhat in the doghouse after not getting an extension from the new regime in Las Vegas. They also drafted Zamir White of Georgia to split the carries. That said, Jacobs has been a very productive runner in his first three seasons. He has gone over 850 yards every season, including two 1,000-yard seasons. He also showed that he could get it done as a pass catcher last season, catching 45 passes out of the backfield. Jacobs is one of the best running backs in the league at making something out of nothing. He is another player who has done it with inconsistent line play. If the Raiders do not see the value in him, I am more than sure that he can go on another team and be an impact player in their system.
11. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliott is one of the most interesting backs in my opinion. His level of play and ability seem to have declined if you watch him on film, but he still always finds ways to produce and is particularly efficient in the red zone. He went over 1,000 yards last year in fewer than 250 carries and added 47 receptions. He did this on a steady pace of simply getting about 4 yards per carry, and while he may be one of the worst in the league at explosive runs, he still provided immense value near the goal line, gaining 10 of his 12 touchdowns on 50 red zone touches. While the days of the explosive, powerful Zeke are behind us, you can still count on Ezekiel Elliott to be productive in Dallas.
12. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
They reportedly want Javonte Williams to be “The Guy” in Denver, and I can’t really argue with the coaching staff on that note. He came in as one of the best 15 backs of last year — in less than a full season, Williams established himself as one of the superior power backs in the AFC West. He was top six in evaded tackles in his rookie year with 4.8 per game. He also added in 841 yards after the first missed tackle, which most of those came from running through light contact and finishing runs falling for yards. Williams displayed an ability to provide value on all three downs last season and the ability to essentially take the reins in Denver. With a bigger year coming in 2022 with Russell Wilson, I think the sky’s the limit for Williams in a division that he could take over if given the chance next season.
13. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
James Robinson was an undrafted phenom in his rookie season in 2020, becoming the fifth undrafted rookie to rush for 1,000 yards. He also was a top-12 target out of the backfield that season as well. Last year, Robinson ran into issues with then-coach Urban Meyer and was partially backseated for Carlos Hyde. With a new staff in place and an offense that has emerging star Trevor Lawrence. I expect Robinson, once he’s fully recovered from his late-season Achilles tear, to return to his All-Pro form that got him in Jacksonville. I also think that he will be best suited as a primary early-down rusher so Travis Etienne can be used more creatively.
14. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Leonard Fournette has been able to get it done for Tom Brady and the Bucs, and he has done it efficiently, going over 800 yards in 180 carries. Fournette was top 10 in yards after contact per attempt at 2.99. He has always had value on third down, but he has had somewhat unreliable hands. Last season, he upped his catch rate to 82%. He provides a reliable three-down skillset in a strong backfield that accompanies Brady’s passing attack.
15. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
The toughest decision in this list was whether to classify James Conner as a top-15 back or not. When talking about skillsets, Conner’s is one of the best. He is an incredible blocker out of the backfield, he has some of the best hands at the position (94.0% catch rate), and he produces on first and second down. He is ideal in short yardage situations, and if he was to get a normal carry load like most of the top backs in the league, he would be a 1,000-yard rusher. That said, he had 18 touchdowns last year and paced the backfield for Arizona. Conner has made a career of being a versatile, strong and efficient back. I don’t see much changing in 2022.
Honorable Mentions
Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Damien Harris, New England Patriots
Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders
Backups Who Excel in Sub Packages
Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Tony Pollard was the new shiny toy that everyone loved in Dallas. He posted 730 rushing yards on around 100 fewer attempts than Ezekiel Elliott. He also added 39 receptions and 337 yards. Add in that he was top 10 in explosive runs of 15-plus yards, and you have a back who has the potential to take the reins in Dallas.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
A healthy Kareem Hunt is a nightmare for opposing defenses. He is essentially another starter in the Browns backfield along with Nick Chubb. Hunt has shown throughout his career he can perform on all three downs. He is a one-cut, downhill bruiser when carrying between the tackles. He is also a reliable target in passing situations and as a blocker. He is definitely a back who favors elite status when he is the main guy in an offense and will continue to bolster the Browns backfield.
AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers
AJ Dillon excelled in when Aaron Jones was absent in 2021. He proved to be a force when given the opportunity, tallying 803 yards on 4.3 yards per carry. He also provided some third-down value, gaining over 300 yards on receptions. With that said, Dillon serves best as a change-of-pace back for Green Bay and a guy who will excel on first and second down due to his hard-nosed running style.
Veterans Looking to Bounce Back
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Christian McCaffrey has battled injury since his phenomenal 2019 season. Before that, he was a back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher, going over 1,000 yards as a runner and receiver once. That is an extreme rarity in this league — a player has to possess a special skill set to be able to even come close to those numbers. He will have more competent QB play in Carolina and an improved roster. He is my pick for Comeback Player of the Year along with Baker Mayfield. Seems like there is a lot to prove in that Carolina backfield this season.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
The former No. 2 pick has not been what the Giants hoped for since his second year in the league. Saquon Barkley has been riddled by injury and inconsistent play. With that said, he has not had the best line play or offensive play since entering the league. In that dominant rookie year, he had 1,307 rushing yards and also put up a healthy 721 receiving yards. The skillset is there for Barkley, but will Brian Daboll be able to keep him healthy and unlock that level of play again in 2022?
J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
J.K. Dobbins comes back into a Ravens offense that will look to have the top rushing attack in the league. They are limited in the passing game, but Dobbins makes the Raven’s backfield one of the most dynamic in the AFC. In 2020, Dobbins had 134 carries for 805 yards and was not even the true starter on that team. He will be the bona fide No. 1 back this season and will look to be a three-down pacesetter for the Ravens backfield in 2022.
