2022 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs

Derrick Henry was on pace to break the single-season rushing record before getting hurt in the middle of the season. This may have been best for his 2022 outlook because he won’t be as worn out next season.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 2,060 rushing yards. 28 catches. 240 receiving yards. 18 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 338.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 366.

Jonathan Taylor enjoyed an MVP-caliber campaign as the league’s leading rusher. Taylor should have another great year, though his high number of carries from 2021 could come back to hurt him this upcoming season.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 1,660 rushing yards. 34 catches. 290 receiving yards. 18 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 303.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 337.

Christian McCaffrey must be considered a major injury concern after playing just 10 games in the past two seasons. This could also make him a good buy-low option.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 1,260 rushing yards. 101 catches. 920 receiving yards. 14 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 302.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 403.

Dalvin Cook has yet to play an entire NFL season. It’s highly doubtful that he ever will. However, Cook is amazing when he’s on the field, so you’ll just have to deal with his occasional absences.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 1,440 rushing yards. 41 catches. 330 receiving yards. 13 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 255.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 296.

Thanks to an improved offensive line and Joe Mixon’s progression, Joe Mixon had his best season yet. There’s no reason to think Mixon will regress at all. In fact, he could be the league’s leading rusher, given how great Cincinnati’s blocking figures to be.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 1,430 rushing yards. 33 catches. 220 receiving yards. 14 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 249.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 282.

Saquon Barkley is a great buy-low candidate. He missed most of 2020, then wasn’t nearly 100 percent last year because he was coming off a torn ACL. He’ll be much better in 2022, especially with an improved offensive line.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 1,170 rushing yards. 69 catches. 570 receiving yards. 12 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 246.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 315.

Austin Ekeler thrived last year, thanks to Justin Herbert’s progression and the improvement of the offensive line. Ekeler will continue to be one of the top fantasy running backs.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 900 rushing yards. 70 catches. 620 receiving yards. 15 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 242.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 312.

Alvin Kamara’s touchdowns took a big hit without Drew Brees. That number would have rebounded if the Saints found an upgrade at quarterback, but they did not.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 850 rushing yards. 70 catches. 640 receiving yards. 15 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 239.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 309.

Nick Chubb is extremely talented, but his workload is so dependent on game script because he seldom catches passes. He should often be in positive game scripts if Deshaun Watson can avoid suspension.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 1,380 rushing yards. 20 catches. 140 receiving yards. 14 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 236.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 256.

Like his predecessor, James Conner, Najee Harris wasted away behind Pittsburgh’s horrible offensive line. Harris could have a huge second season if the blocking improves, but it doesn’t appear as though the Steelers did enough in that department.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 1,150 rushing yards. 67 catches. 460 receiving yards. 12 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 233.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 300.