Biggest Running Back Breakouts of 2021 - Fantasy Football Year In Review

February 27, 2022

Dom Petrillo reviews the biggest RB breakouts from the 2021 fantasy football season. These running backs may be undervalued again heading into next draft season.

There were a number of running backs who had breakout seasons in 2021. Whether it be due to injury or bad play by those in front of them, some of these players were a complete surprise.

For a few of them though, this was expected. It is just nice to have it happen to the extent it did. When a player like Johnathan Taylor actually lives up to the hype, it is much better than the player who has the talent but never has it come to fruition.

Here are some of the top running back breakouts from last season.

D'Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans

2021 Stats: 9 games 133 carries 566 yards 3 TD 11 Targets 9 receptions 123 yards

So why is D’Onta Foreman on this list? He is not going to be the lead back on his team this season and his production was entirely based on the injury to Derrick Henry. Well, in most cases, you would be correct. However, Foreman is a running back, and as we know, everyone needs running backs.

D’Onta Foreman may never live up to what Longhorn fans wanted from him coming out of Texas. but after a remarkable recovery from an Achilles injury, Foreman is about as good as he is going to get. While this may not lead him to being a league winner for your fantasy roster, he, in the right situation, could be a solid running back if an opportunity comes his way in 2022.

With running backs being injured often, it would also only take one injury for him to supplant the starter on a team. With Darrynton Evans returning this season, the likelihood is that Foreman could be a casualty of the 53-man roster limit. If this is the case, his new team will find a way to get him on the field. Going to a team such as the Seattle Seahawks or even back to the Houston Texans could propel his value even higher. If he signs with a team like the San Francisco 49ers or Cleveland Browns, he would not even be in consideration unless injuries again pile up.

While he may not have long-term staying power, he did nonetheless break out as a great fantasy waiver wire add. Not to mention, coming back from a devastating injury, I had to mention his accomplishment.

Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

2021 Stats: 11 games 207 carries 963 yards 5 TD 20 targets 19 receptions 137 yards 1 TD

Eli Mitchell was not the rookie most thought could have a good season in San Francisco. That, of course, would be Trey Sermon. Nevertheless, when all the dust settled and the injuries were tallied, Mitchell was the running back who got the 49ers to the verge of another Super Bowl.

During the preseason, solid, yet oft-injured Raheem Mostert once again suffered an injury. This time, a season-ending injury. This left the team to rely on the two rookies, as Jeff Wilson was also hurt most of the year.

Although both rookies struggled at first, Mitchell seemingly took over the role. Even before a concussion ended the season for Sermon. Battling through injury himself, Mitchell was still, somehow, the most reliable runner on the San Francisco 49ers roster.

Despite playing in only 11 games, Mitchell had 226 touches, including 207 rushes for 963 yards. With Mostert likely not to return next season, this could the season we see the San Francisco 49ers rely more on one running back. This, of course, would be Eli Mitchell. He has proven during his rookie season his ability to be the workhorse when needed. Behind an offensive line anchored by Trent Williams and with a mobile quarterback like Trey Lance starting for the team, the run game will be even better in 2022. If Mitchell can remain healthy, he will not only eclipse 1,000 yards, but he will also be a fantasy stud.

Unlike a lot of backs, Mitchell is not going to be taken in the first couple of rounds of fantasy drafts. When you look at his production at the end of the 2022 season, you will wonder why he was not. We know Kyle Shanahan wants to run the ball. In the past three seasons, the 49ers run more than any team outside of the Baltimore Ravens. We also know that with the Ravens, much of this is from Lamar Jackson. This is not so with the 49ers. The run game will be great in San Francisco and Eli Mitchell will be the reason. Getting a potential top-10 fantasy running back in the fourth or fifth round will go a long way in helping you win a fantasy championship in 2022.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons

2021 Stats: 16 games 153 carries 618 yards 6 TD 69 targets 52 receptions 548 yards 5 TD

While the next player on this list was clearly the biggest star to breakout, Cordarrelle Patterson was by far, the most shocking player to make the list.

The Atlanta Falcons under first-year coach Arthur Smith had a miserable 2021 season, the same could not be said for Cordarrelle Patterson. Not only was he the best running back on the Falcons, with the trade of Julio Jones and the turmoil with Calvin Ridley, but he was also the best receiver. Sorry, Kyle Pitts.

With the beauty of being able to play Patterson in the WR or RB position in most leagues, he was a savior for many teams who were decimated by injury. Whether it be Chris Godwin or Chris Carson, if you had a player hurt, Patterson was there.

Due to this ability to be utilized as well as finishing as a top-10 running back, those of you who took a flier on him late or picked him up off waivers likely won your league. The numbers he put up from a player with his history of underperforming are unusual, to say the least. The closest comparison to his production would be the rookie season of Phillip Lindsay in Denver. And much like Lindsay, this could also be a mirage.

Patterson is a solid running back. He is an even better receiver and return man. What he is not, is under contract.

His one-year contract ran out after the Atlanta Falcons missed the playoffs again. The team would be criminal if they did not re-sign him. However, this does not mean they will. With a series of holes on their roster and Patterson wanting a raise after his breakout season, it might be hard to find the money to get him back. This would be terrible for not only the Atlanta Falcons but for Matt Ryan and whichever receivers are there.

With defenses having to account of Patterson it left Kyle Pitts, Calvin Ridley, and Russell Gage able to make more plays. If he is gone, the group of receivers will find more coverages heading their way and making it harder for Matt Ryan to find them down the field.

The best thing for the Atlanta Falcons, Cordarrelle Patterson and most importantly, our fantasy rosters, is for Patterson to re-sign. If this happens, the chances are good that he is able to finish as a top-15 running back for fantasy. If he ends up moving on to another team, he could easily get lost in the shuffle and severely underperform based on his draft price. So just beware. Make sure to study the landing spot. If he is a Falcon? This is a bull market. If not? The bear market could hibernate like it is an early winter.

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

2021 Stats: 17 games 332 carries 1,811 yards 18 TD 51 targets 40 receptions 360 yards 2 TD

Not only was he an easy addition to this list, but Johnathan Taylor could also have easily gotten some MVP votes. With Carson Wentz playing, well, just like he did in Philadelphia, Johnathan Taylor was the only reason the Indianapolis Colts sniffed making the playoffs.

T.Y. Hilton has become a shell of himself, and Parris Campbell could not remain healthy yet again. This did not bode well for the first and only year of the Carson Wentz experiment. Michael Pittman, at 6’4", was a huge downfield target. Unlike in earlier years, Wentz was not able to make the connection with his downfield threat. This caused the offense to count even more on Johnathan Taylor. Luckily for them, he has seemingly conquered his fumbling troubles and was able to carry a massive workload.

With 372 touches in 17 games, Taylor was amongst the league leaders in touches. He was also amongst the league leaders in yards with 2,211 and 20 total touchdowns. Welcome the new number one draft pick for fantasy drafts.

While this opinion may not be a consensus, it is clear that Taylor is going to be one of only a few players to be in consideration in 2022. You can argue for Dalvin Cook and possibly Derrick Henry, but both of these players have been hurt a bit in recent seasons. The history of injury for Cook is a concern and Henry coming back off a broken foot at his size could be a concern. For these reasons, Taylor is the safest selection at number one, and this is likely where he will go more often than not. If I have the number one selection in my drafts, he will be my choice. He should be yours as well.

Quenton Nelson will be fully healthy in 2022 and with the rest of the offensive line returning, Taylor is only going to be even better. So, get on board and ride his legs to a championship. And maybe pair him up with an Eli Mitchell or Cordarrelle Patterson for a nasty 1-2 punch at running back.

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