Surprise, surprise: Another analyst is about to tell you that running back is the most important position in fantasy football. You already know it — everybody has that one cautionary tale of when they tried out the “Zero-RB” draft strategy. Sure, you could hit on all of your rookie sleepers and breakout handcuffs and win that way, but generally speaking, going into the middle rounds without any top-level RBs is a huge risk. That’s why we like to break down our 2022 fantasy RB rankings into tiers and map out different plans depending on how your draft unfolds.
Tier systems have a ton of value to draft researchers. Tiers essentially split players into grouped lists as opposed to one massive top 75 or 100. It’s a lot less overwhelming to pinpoint a handful of players at each juncture of your draft than it is to see dozens of players ranked on top of each other.
2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
As we do every year for every position (well, not kicker, because…well, you know), we’ve tiered off our rankings to give you a better idea of how your draft could (and should) unfold. Specifically, we want to look at what to expect if you wait until the various stages of your draft to fill your RB1, RB2, flex, and primary backup slots.
2022 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
Obviously, we build our tier systems using our rankings. The positional rankings do not change here, but what does is the manner in which they’re broken down. The goal is to clarify the value yielded by each set of backs. If you have multiple backs in the top-two tiers, you can feel confident stocking up on WR, TE, and QB for the next few rounds. If you’re thin at RB in the early rounds, you’ll want to take some time to stock up on tier-three and tier-four RBs before all hope for a good draft diminishes.
2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team
The RBs at the top of the 2022 rankings are pretty obvious: You can’t do better than 2021 rushing champ Jonathan Taylor and previous back-to-back rushing king Derrick Henry in standard leagues. (In PPR leagues, more backs, like Najee Harris and Austin Ekeler, join the party.) After that, you’ll see 10 other RBs comprising Tiers 2 and 3 who would arguably all make solid first-round draft picks.
2022 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Overall
Of course, every year we see a new crop of injuries and a new group of underwhelming busts from the early-round RB class. Last season, Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey owners were in complete misery when their lead backs went down to respective season-ending injuries, and Saquon Barkley just flat-out stunk up our second tier.
2022 RANKINGS TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
That’s two prime examples of why positional depth can be so crucial for your fantasy squad, especially at RB. No starting fantasy spot suffers more injuries and year-to-year positional volatility than running back. You want studs, but you also want to grab some high-upside sleepers, rookies, and potential breakouts. Ideally, you want at least two total RBs from the top-three tiers, and then at least two more by the end of Tier 5. Or you can keep it simple and just remember that you want a total of five RBs from the player pools within Tiers 1-5.
But Do. Not. Wait. Please don’t read that last line as “I can forego RBs in the first three rounds, and then load up on value backs in Rounds 4 through 9.” Just because Rhamondre Stevenson slid into the back-end of our fifth tier doesn’t make him a preferred RB3 or flex. And if you have Saquon Barkley or Alvin Kamara as your RB1 anchor, good luck to you! You might be spending your FAAB money or scouring the wire sooner in the season than ever before.
The drop-off between RB tiers is much more pronounced than the drop-off between WR, TE, and QB tiers, and far fewer sleepers exist below RB Tier 6 than at other positions. It simply cannot be preached enough: Draft RBs early and often, and enter Week 1 with depth. Finding the best players is essentially all about finding the best value in each round, and tiers help us to approximate value before diving into the deep end of a player pool on draft day. Strategies save savants and sink suckers.
A tiered system can help you before and during your draft. Highlight your preferred targets from each tier, and determine when you want to hopefully select them. On draft day, regroup if you feel your early targets have all been snagged. Tiers keep you focused on what value you should aim for at each point in the draft, keeping you from panic-reaching to overcompensate for missing an early target.
We’ll be updating our rankings throughout the preseason, so check back for frequent updates.
Rankings and tiers based on standard, non-PPR leagues. PPR leagues could have different tiers, which may be highlighted throughout the text below.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet
2022 Fantasy RB Tiers: Who are the best fantasy football RBs?
Tier 1:
| 1 | Jonathan Taylor, Colts |
| 2 | Derrick Henry, Titans |
The top-tier RBs are the perennial cream of the crop in fantasy football. If you nab one of these two guys, you’re celebrating after the draft even if you make some minor mistakes throughout the middle rounds. Taylor and Henry are both workhorse backs with little competition when it comes to touches. Henry led the NFL in attempts and just about every rushing stat in 2019 and ‘20, and Taylor did the same last season after Henry got hurt (right foot). Because of said injury, Taylor gets the slight edge heading into this season. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s only 23.
Unless you completely mangle the rest of your draft, you’re in automatic contention if you grab either of these backs at Nos. 1 or 2 and they stay healthy throughout the majority of the season.
Tier 2:
| 3 | Najee Harris, Steelers |
| 4 | Dalvin Cook, Vikings |
| 5 | Austin Ekeler, Chargers |
| 6 | Nick Chubb, Browns |
| 7 | Christian McCaffrey, Panthers |
| 8 | Joe Mixon, Bengals |
Tier 2 consists of six RBs who are clear first-round fantasy assets. These six backs greatly outvalue virtually all wide receivers or tight ends in standard leagues and most in PPR. The only PPR exception might be Nick Chubb, who doesn’t hold as much value as the stud pass-catchers outside of standard leagues.
If Taylor and Henry weren’t so generationally dominant, we would see Harris, Cook, and Ekeler in Tier 1 in standard leagues. For now, though, they’ll have to be content with just being first-tier (or, at least, borderline first-tier) guys in PPR. Each has a stanglehold on their respective backfields and possesses above-average skill sets both on the ground and through the air.
The same could be said for McCaffrey, who many consider a top-tier back (especially in PPR), but injuries have really derailed his past two seasons, so he must earn his way back into the top five. Mixon, who just turned 26, sneaks in the back end of the second tier after a 1,500-yard, 16-TD season with an AFC-champion team that should only improve with time. If you come away with one back from Tier 1 or Tier 2 in the first two rounds, you’re already sitting pretty.
2022 CONSISTENCY RATINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
2022 Fantasy Draft Strategy: Which RBs could break out this year?
Tier 3:
| 9 | Javonte Williams, Broncos |
| 10 | D’Andre Swift, Lions |
| 11 | Antonio Gibson, Commanders |
| 12 | JK Dobbins, Ravens |
| 13 | Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys |
Tier 3 consists of high-upside second- and third-year backs who could very well vault into first-round fantasy producers (plus Ezekiel Elliott). The first three in this grouping all scored over 194 PPR points last season (with Gibson actually finishing with 207 because he played 15 games with little touch competition).
The biggest breakout candidate in this tier is Dobbins, who finished 2020 on an absolute tear, posting 495 rushing yards and seven scores in his last six games. Don’t let his ‘21 knee injury blur your vision on this difference-making back in a run-first offense. Swift has similar upside (especially in PPR leagues) and Williams will have to fend off Melvin Gordon III to really take over, but the talent is certainly there.
Elliott is the one guy trending downward who still has some upper-tier juice. He averaged the fewest carries (13.9) and rushing yards (58.9) per game last season. If not for his 12 TDs — 10 of which came on a staggering 35 red-zone carries — we might have demoted him to Tier 4. But temper your expectations there — about a dozen non-RBs seem more appealing than Elliott in standard leagues, even more in PPR leagues.
Everybody’s strategy is different, but the most consistent winners tend to prioritize RBs early. You can live with your RB1 coming from this year, and if you come away with one or two RBs from these first three tiers, your fantasy team already has a very solid foundational core and can begin to really target value at other skill positions.
Tier 4:
| 14 | Saquon Barkley, Giants |
| 15 | Cam Akers, Rams |
| 16 | Alvin Kamara, Saints |
| 17 | Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers |
| 18 | Elijah Mitchell, 49ers |
| 19 | James Conner, Cardinals |
| 20 | Aaron Jones, Packers |
| 21 | Damien Harris, Patriots |
| 22 | Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars |
| 23 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs |
| 24 | Josh Jacobs, Raiders |
| 25 | David Montgomery, Bears |
| 26 | Breece Hall, Jets |
If you weren’t able to nab one or two RBs in Tiers 1-3, don’t enter panic mode. Maybe you went WR-WR or WR-TE in the late first and early second of a PPR draft to almost guarantee other positional advantages over opponents all season. Whatever the case, you’ll be fine as long as you start targeting RB value for the next couple rounds (unless an absolute steal of a WR falls to you).
Tier 4 features backs who are perfectly capable of serving as RB1s on a strong squad. Barkley is the biggest question mark, but in a perfect-health vacuum, he’s one of the most talented backs in the NFL. Akers also has tremendous skill, not to mention a Super Bowl-winning offense, but he has also dealt with injuries. Kamara, a stud hybrid back when on the field, had to get moved from Tier 2-3 range because of his looming suspension for non-domestic assault. All three have Tier-1 upside when they’re on the field, which makes them luxury RB2s. If you trust your ability to find value at WR, you could give yourself a leg up getting one of these guys in the second- or third-round.
Fournette, Jones, Etienne, and Hall would all get considerable bumps in PPR leagues, with Jones especially jumping up. Jones will help fill the receiving void left by All-Pro Davante Adams, and he could become the focal point of Aaron Rodgers’ offense. Fournette, meanwhile, could see more dump-offs and screen-passes from a 45-year-old Tom Brady. After a ‘21 Lisfranc injury in his left foot, Etienne will make his NFL debut just like the rookie Hall. Both Etienne and Hall have star-quality potential.
On the standard-league side of things, consider the value of Damien Harris, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Josh Jacobs. Harris averaged 12.8 standard points per game, thanks in large part to his heavy red-zone usage. However, he almost rarely gets targets. Edwards-Helaire finished just shy of double-digit scoring average, but knee and shoulder injuries kept him out of seven games. He’ll be very active with wideout Tyreek Hill out of the picture, and maybe he’ll see more than a six-percent target share and seven total touches within opponents’ 10.
While CEH could see increased usage due to the departure of a stud WR, Jacobs could see diminished touches due to Davante Adams’ arrival in Vegas. We may never see nine TDs and 50-plus catches from Jacobs again, but he’s certainly a steady RB2.
Can you live with one of these backs as your RB1? You can, but the lower you get in this tier, the riskier it gets. All the backs have similar upsides with notable red flags, so they’re all better off as RB2s or even RB3s if you really go RB heavy in the first four or five rounds.
2022 FANTASY DRAFT STRATEGY:
Snake drafts | Auctions | Dynasty | Best ball | IDP
Fantasy RB Rankings Tiers: Sleepers and committee backs
Tier 5:
| 27 | Tony Pollard, Cowboys |
| 28 | AJ Dillon, Packers |
| 29 | Miles Sanders, Eagles |
| 30 | Kareem Hunt, Browns |
| 31 | Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks |
| 32 | Chase Edmonds, Dolphins |
| 33 | James Cook, Bills |
| 34 | Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons |
| 35 | Rashaad Penny, Seahawks |
| 36 | Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots |
This section contains a ton of our sleeper picks, including top handcuff options Pollard and Dillon. Sanders and Hunt can be great, but they can also just as well get bogged down with injuries. Walker and Cook serve as our favorite rookie RBs not named Breece Hall. Edmonds could enjoy a breakout in his first full season as a nominal lead back, but he could also suffer behind a poor offensive line in a crowded backfield. Patterson is in a similar boat, and can’t possibly replicate his stunning ‘21 campaign. Penny has promise as a workhorse back for as long as Walker doesn’t take his job, while Stevenson could shine if Bill Belichick cultivates a larger role for him. These are all “high-upside-but-somewhat-volatile” fantasy assets.
These are the types of players who will be your RB1 if you go with the “Zero-RB” strategy. While you might be high on some, remember: “Sleeper” doesn’t mean “stud” — it means guys whose ultimate value could vastly exceed their ADPs. Don’t pass on RB1s and RB2s to stock up on sleepers later, as they often just don’t materialize as viable fantasy assets. If you end up having to start any of these players in Week 1, light a candle and say a prayer to the fantasy gods. This tier is exactly why we preach the mantra of “early and often” at RB. You can’t leave the most important position on your roster to chance. Upsides and ceilings are great if you’re considering middle-to-late-round flex options or bench depth. You can’t expect to win a league with a wild card as your RB1 or even RB2.
With early ADPs in the 80s, 90s, and low 100s, you’re much better off going for QBs, WRs, or TEs at this portion of the draft. The consistency ratings of wideouts in those draft ranges almost always surmount the average output of RBs with similar ADPs. Would you rather have Brandon Aiyuk or Rhamondre Stevenson at No. 96? A top-10 TE in Zach Ertz or a potential top-30 back in Rashaad Penny? If you snooze on backs early, you force yourself to pass on upside pass-catchers later so you can fretfully draft shares of RBs with questionable outlooks. It’s nice to have one of these guys as your RB3 or RB4, but if you really want to draft a risky RB, you can wait until the next tier to load up.
Tier 6:
| 37 | Michael Carter, Jets |
| 38 | Melvin Gordon III, Broncos |
| 39 | Alexander Mattison, Vikings |
| 40 | Khalil Herbert, Bears |
| 41 | Dameon Pierce, Texans |
| 42 | Darrell Henderson Jr., Rams |
| 43 | Isaiah Spiller, Chargers |
| 44 | Jamaal Williams, Lions |
| 45 | Gus Edwards, Ravens |
| 46 | Devin Singletary, Bills |
| 47 | Ronald Jones, Chiefs |
| 48 | Rachaad White, Buccaneers |
| 49 | Tyler Allgeier, Falcons |
| 50 | Marlon Mack, Texans |
Coincidentally, five of our sleepers live in Tier 6, but it should be noted that the entirety of this grouping lives in “question mark” territory. No sure things at this point, Bubba.
Carter, Gordon, and Jamaal Williams could (and probably should) sit backseat to Breece Hall, Javonte Williams, and D’Andre Swift. Mattison won’t even see double-digit touches most weeks unless Dalvin Cook gets hurt, and Henderson could be equally estranged if Akers resumes his role as L.A.s lead back.
Edwards is coming off an ACL tear, even more recently than younger and more talented Ravens back JK Dobbins. Singletary and Jones are as inconsistent as NBA Summer League referees.
That leaves the five sleepers, all of whom we would strongly suggest at this level if you need RB depth. Herbert showed flashes of brilliance in ‘21, averaging 106.6 yards per game between Weeks 5 and 7 in place of David Montgomery. Pierce, Spiller, White, and Allgeier are all promising rookies, with Pierce not even necessarily needing an injury to break out. Try to nab at least one, as it’s always fun to cash in on a lottery ticket later in the season, but you don’t want to rely on too many players in this tier.
Fantasy RB Deep Sleepers & Handcuffs
Tier 7:
| 51 | James Robinson, Jaguars |
| 52 | Sony Michel, Dolphins |
| 53 | Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles |
| 54 | J.D. McKissic, Commanders |
| 55 | Raheem Mostert, Dolphins |
| 56 | Nyheim Hines, Colts |
| 57 | Darrel Williams, Cardinals |
| 58 | Kenyan Drake, Raiders |
| 59 | Pierre Strong Jr., Patriots |
| 60 | Kyren Williams, Rams |
Now we’re getting into the really obscure portion of the RB rankings, reserved for the true sickos who have massive rosters and/or large leagues. This portion of the draft offers low-risk, low-reward yields. Liken it to penny-stock investing or yard-sale thrifting.
Robinson tops this grouping until more is revealed about the status of his recovery from a torn left Achilles late in December. He’s been a bellcow for two seasons and should see heavy usage once he’s fully up and running. For what it’s worth, Cam Akers recovered from a similar injury in under six months, but we have concerns since Etienne is also returning ahead of J-Rob.
The rest of these guys serve as dart throws and injury replacements in standard leagues, but guys like Gainwell, McKissic, and Hines all have more value in PPR leagues.
Tier 8:
| 61 | Brian Robinson, Commanders |
| 62 | Boston Scott, Eagles |
| 63 | Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers |
| 64 | Tyrion Davis-Price, 49ers |
| 65 | Hassan Haskins, Titans |
| 66 | D’Onta Foreman, Panthers |
| 67 | Rex Burkhead, Texans |
| 68 | Samaje Perine, Bengals |
| 69 | Mark Ingram, Saints |
| 70 | Myles Gaskin, Dolphins |
| 71 | Zack Moss, Bills |
| 72 | Chuba Hubbard, Panthers |
| 73 | Zamir White, Raiders |
| 74 | Eno Benjamin, Cardinals |
These players (and others who aren’t listed) can be called fantasy detritus. Many of these names belong to players who are either washed-up or over-the-hill; some belong to guys who haven’t yet made a name for themselves professionally and thus get relegated to RB5 or RB6 on the depth chart. All offer little value on draft day other than handcuff stashes.
If you do happen to be in the minority of leagues that draft 200-300 offensive players, be sure to draft every possible handcuff for your stud RBs. The running back position most often sees the greatest number of injuries, so your Boston Scotts, Chuba Hubbards, and Myles Gaskins find themselves valuable again. But in normal-sized leagues, let ‘em sit on the wire and opt instead for a pass-catcher who sees a higher percentage of snaps and/or touches.
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