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Five fantasy football running back values and sleepers to target in the middle rounds of 2022 drafts. Can these running backs surpass their ADP expectations?
Once you reach the middle rounds of drafts, everyone wants to draft high-upside players that can provide a great return on value. You can afford to take some risks on a variety of different players, including forgotten veterans, players returning from injuries, or even skilled players with potential playing time concerns.
It's essential to have at least a handful of these players at each position heading into your fantasy football drafts, no matter the format. Here are some mid-round running backs for you to consider drafting this season.
Our editors have hand-picked these specific NFL players for your draft prep enjoyment. Normally only available to Premium subscribers, the outlooks below are meant to give you a taste of the in-depth analysis you receive with our industry-leading 2022 Draft Kit. Be sure to subscribe today and start reading all 300+ of our 2022 player outlooks, along with many other premium articles and tools available exclusively in our 2021 Draft Kit.
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AJ Dillon, Packers, Fantasy Football Outlook
Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon entered last season as a high-end backup with upside but proved he's even more valuable than that. He finished as the RB21, rushing 187 times for 803 yards and five touchdowns, adding 34 receptions for 313 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Additionally, his running mate Aaron Jones finished as the RB11, proving both can succeed. At 6'0" and 247 lbs, the 2020 second-round pick is built to excel as a power runner. Despite their offseason transactions, Vegas has the Green Bay Packers projected to win 11.5 games, placing them in positive game scripts, where Dillons' punishing style of play is most effective.
These transactions included the departure of Davante Adams, who leaves behind 169 vacated targets. Some of these will go to other receivers. However, you can also expect an increase for the backfield, meaning more receptions for both backs.
Even if Jones inherits the larger share, this will open up additional carries for Dillon. The 24-year-old finished with the 22nd most touches (carries + receptions) last season and is set up for even more volume, especially if Jones were to miss time.
Dillon is ranked 19th in Rotoballer's rankings with an ADP of 54 overall, giving you the chance to draft a running back who offers guaranteed top-24 production with top-15 upside at his floor.
Rashaad Penny, Seahawks, Fantasy Football Outlook
Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny finally broke out in 2021 after dealing with injuries and inconsistencies during his first three seasons. He set career-highs in rushing yards (749 yards), attempts (119), and touchdowns (six). The former first-round pick added six catches for 48 receiving yards over 10 games last year. Seattle had no choice but to give Penny the rock after Chris Carson (neck) went down and Alex Collins struggled.
The 26-year-old ended the season on a high note and won many fantasy managers a championship by erupting for 671 yards and six scores over his last five games. The Seahawks' offense will look different this year as the team traded away star quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for multiple picks and Drew Lock this offseason.
Seattle drafted Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker with the 41st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Geno Smith and Lock will compete for the team's starting quarterback job during training camp, but either option is a noticeable downgrade to the offense compared to Wilson.
Penny signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks this offseason and will compete with Walker for touches out of Seattle's backfield. The San Diego State Aztec is nursing a hamstring injury but recently said he feels "amazing."
With the status for Carson for Week 1 and beyond uncertain, and with Walker the only other top healthy option, Penny will look to prove last year's results were no fluke. He is currently 30th among all running backs in the latest Rotoballer rankings and could smash his ADP of 101 if Penny stays healthy and builds on last year's breakout.
Josh Jacobs, Raiders, Fantasy Football Outlook
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs rushed for 872 yards on 217 attempts and nine touchdowns while catching 54 passes for 348 yards across 15 games in 2021. He failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career but set career highs in receiving categories.
The 24-year-old finished as RB13 and among all fantasy backs last season. He will be the primary back and should be heavily featured in the red zone in a projected high-scoring offense. The Raiders added former Green Backers star wide receiver Davante Adams and hired former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
With all the new additions, Jacobs will be in a complementary role instead of the focal point as he was last season. The Alabama product has an expiring contract and should see a heavy workload in 2022. Under McDaniels, the Patriots backfield churned out a top-rushing attack evidenced by rushing for 2,254 yards (8th in the league) and 24 touchdowns (second) through the ground.
Jacobs should see plenty of red zone opportunities, and a 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown season is definitely attainable for the Raiders RB in 2022. He is currently 19th among all running backs and has an ADP of 50 at FFPC.
Jacobs could smash his current ADP for fantasy managers as the team's primary running back in an explosive offense. Jacobs is a borderline RB1 and makes an excellent RB2 for managers in 2022.
Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks, Fantasy Football Outlook
Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Kenneth Walker III accumulated 2,794 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns during his three collegiate seasons. However, the numbers that he attained during a 2021 breakout fueled his eventual selection in Round 2 of the NFL Draft. Walker operated in a backfield rotation at Wake Forest (2019-2020), before transferring to Michigan State.
He flourished as a feature back with the Spartans while finishing eighth overall in attempts (263/21.9 per game), and second in rushing yardage (1,636/136.3 per game). He was also eighth in touchdowns (18) and paced all backs in broken tackles (89) according to PFF.
Walker joins a Seattle offense that will adhere to Pete Carroll's unwavering penchant for the ground game. He appears destined to share touches with Rashaad Penny, as Chris Carson's status remains uncertain following neck surgery.
Penny exploded for 671 yards (134.2 per game) and six touchdowns from Weeks 14-18, but his late-season output did not convince the Seahawks that he should be signed beyond 2022. Walker will perform behind an offensive line that could include three new starters, and Seattle's offense contains significant shortcomings at quarterback. Walker's involvement as a receiver will also be minimal, but these concerning factors can be offset by his potential to seize an early-down role.
His burst, vision, and one-cut running style should help him capitalize on that opportunity, although he could fail to match the expectations of his Round 6 ADP in best-ball leagues (67/RB26). His outlook in 2023 and beyond is more enticing which makes him a viable option at his draft position in dynasty start-up drafts (37/RB16).
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs, Fantasy Football Outlook
Kansas Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was drafted with sky-high expectations that he simply has not lived up to. Drafted 32nd overall in the 2020 draft, with comparisons from Chiefs' management/coaching staff to LeSean McCoy, he quickly became the No.1 overall pick in dynasty rookie drafts and a highly coveted running back in all formats.
The 23-year-old had a decent rookie season with 181 carries for 803 yards, four touchdowns, 36 receptions for 297 yards, and one receiving score. While the touchdown totals were disappointing and his involvement in the receiving game was less than expected, the excitement persisted into Year 2 because he was the lead back in arguably the league's best offense.
Unfortunately, last year was worse, partially due to injury limiting him to only 10 games played, resulting in 119 carries for 517 yards and four touchdowns, along with 19 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns receiving.
Further exasperating the concern was the former LSU product's minimal involvement in the playoffs, playing only 30% and 19% of offensive snaps, respectively, in their final two games. Yet, after recently revealing he was recovering from gall bladder surgery during training camp the last offseason, there is renewed optimism for this season.
He also has the best odds to lead the backfield in touches, especially in the receiving game, and remains on what is projected to be a high-powered offense. Edwards-Helaire is currently ranked 32nd in Rotoballer's rankings, and with an ADP of 81, he still possesses plenty of upside where he is being drafted.
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