2022 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs 41-80

There was speculation that Clyde Edwards-Helaire would handle the bulk of the receiving work, given the running backs on the roster. That has changed in the wake of the Jerick McKinnon re-signing. Edwards-Helaire will definitely lose touches to McKinnon.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 450 rushing yards. 45 catches. 400 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 125.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 170.

The Texans don’t have talent at running back, so Dameon Pierce could win the starting job at some point in 2022. Houston’s offensive line is solid, so Pierce has nice fantasy upside.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 740 rushing yards. 10 catches. 50 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 119.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 129.

Jerick McKinnon was a free agent for months, but the Chiefs have re-signed him. He’ll split touches with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but he has nice upside in Kansas City’s explosive offense.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 550 rushing yards. 5 catches. 30 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 112.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 117.

Chris Carson played just four games in 2021. He’ll be back next year, but Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker will steal touches from him.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 520 rushing yards. 23 catches. 150 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 111.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 134.

It was unknown who would handle the majority of the workload in Tampa heading into 2021. Leonard Fournette became the main back, with Jones relegated to the sidelines most of the time. Jones could challenge for work in Kansas City, but he’ll likely have the same role.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 440 rushing yards. 10 catches. 60 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 110.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 120.

Jamaal Williams is a premium backup running back, as he gets plenty of opportunities even when D’Andre Swift is in action. He’s worth rostering, given his upside for when Swift misses action.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 550 rushing yards. 26 catches. 160 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 105.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 131.

James Cook will be a part-time player in Buffalo’s backfield. He’ll be used as a receiver out of the backfield, so he’s more appealing in PPR leagues.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 550 rushing yards. 13 catches. 90 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 104.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 139.

You have to feel for Gus Edwards, who lost a golden opportunity to handle the workload in the wake of J.K. Dobbins’ injury. Edwards tore his ACL, making it unlikely that he’ll have a good 2022 campaign.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 550 rushing yards. 7 catches. 40 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 103.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 110.

J.D. McKissic is the Redskins’ receiving back. He’s a fine PPR option, but is unusable in standard formats.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 260 rushing yards. 55 catches. 460 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 102.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 157.

Brian Robinson will play behind Antonio Gibson in Washington, but Ron Rivera referred to this duo as the next DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Robinson will have his opportunities, but he’ll need Gibson to get hurt to reach full potential.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 400 rushing yards. 20 catches. 150 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 99.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 119.

D’Ernest Johnson has proven that he can produce on a high level when given the chance. He only needs an injury to Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt to be productive.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 400 rushing yards. 20 catches. 140 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 97.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 117.

Khalil Herbert proved to be a productive player when David Montgomery was sidelined last year. Herbert is worth rostering because of his upside.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 430 rushing yards. 16 catches. 100 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 96.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 112.

Michael Carter was one of the losers of the 2022 NFL Draft. Not only did the Jets select a running back; they traded up for one!

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 400 rushing yards. 21 catches. 180 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 96.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 117.

Marlon Mack is the favorite to open the season as Houston’s starting running back, but he could be surpassed at some point during the year.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 530 rushing yards. 12 catches. 70 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 94.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 106.

Rachaad White, who catches passes well out of the backfield, could be in for a strong rookie year if one of Leonard Fournette or Giovani Bernard gets hurt.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 260 rushing yards. 35 catches. 290 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 93.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 118.

There’s an outside possibility that Tyler Allgeier becomes Atlanta’s starting running back at some point in 2022. He’s worth a shot in the late rounds.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 410 rushing yards. 25 catches. 170 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 92.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 117.

Late in the year, it was Boston Scott – not Kenneth Gainwell – who handled the workload when Miles Sanders was injured. I wouldn’t roster Scott, however, as the Eagles like to split the workload.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 450 rushing yards. 20 catches. 120 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 91.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 111.

Kenyan Drake was a big part of the Raider passing attack before he suffered a season-ending injury. He’ll reprise his role in 2022.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 290 rushing yards. 36 catches. 320 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 91.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 127.

You never know who’s going to run the ball in San Francisco. Tyrion Davis-Price could have a big hand in the offense for all we know.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 420 rushing yards. 8 catches. 40 receiving yards. 4 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 90.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 98.

Matt Breida is the new backup running back on the Giants. He shouldn’t be rostered all the time, but pick him up when Saquon Barkley goes down.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 480 rushing yards. 34 catches. 220 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 88.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 122.

Chuba Hubbard had plenty of opportunities with Christian McCaffrey constantly injured last year, but he didn’t make the most out of it; he was lackluster and was eventually forced into splitting the workload with Ameer Abdullah.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 320 rushing yards. 15 catches. 110 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 86.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 101.

James White barely played last year, but was on pace for a nice PPR season before getting hurt, catching 12 passes in three games. He’s still a solid PPR option.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 150 rushing yards. 60 catches. 510 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 84.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 144.

D’Onta Foreman did a good job of replacing Derrick Henry. He’s now in Carolina. Foreman is borderline rosterable because of his upside in the wake of another Christian McCaffrey injury.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 340 rushing yards. 6 catches. 50 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 82.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 88.

Dontrell Hilliard was an impressive receiving back for the Titans down the stretch. He’ll be worth adding in PPR leagues if Derrick Henry gets hurt again.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 300 rushing yards. 26 catches. 140 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 82.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 108.

Isaiah Spiller could emerge as Austin Ekeler’s direct backup, which would mean that he would be very appealing in the event of an Ekeler injury.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 300 rushing yards. 20 catches. 140 receiving yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 81.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 101.

Darrell Henderson lost his job to Sony Michel during the year, so even if Cam Akers gets hurt again, he won’t be much of an option.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 340 rushing yards. 15 catches. 80 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 80.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 95.

Nyheim Hines is often a big part of the passing game. He’s a viable streaming option in PPR leagues only.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 280 rushing yards. 43 catches. 320 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 78.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 121.

Kenneth Gainwell saw a significant workload to start the year, but disappeared as the season progressed. It’s unclear what Philadelphia’s plan for Gainwell happens to be.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 200 rushing yards. 31 catches. 250 receiving yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 77.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 108.

Mark Ingram did nothing in Houston, but looked revitalized in New Orleans. I wouldn’t roster him, but I’d add him in the event of an Alvin Kamara injury.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 260 rushing yards. 28 catches. 170 receiving yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 75.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 103.

Rex Burkhead looked like the second coming of Earl Campbell in the surprise win versus the Chargers, but was lackluster otherwise. He’s not going to hold the job much longer.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 300 rushing yards. 20 catches. 140 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 62.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 82.

James Conner can’t be trusted to stay healthy, so Eno Benjamin could make some starts this year.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 350 rushing yards. 30 catches. 220 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 60.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 90.

David Johnson didn’t handle much of the workload in Houston last season. Instead, he was the third-down back. He’s currently unsigned.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 200 rushing yards. 20 catches. 150 receiving yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 57.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 77.

Giovani Bernard was expected to be a big part of the passing game when the Buccaneers signed him. Instead, Leonard Fournette handled the receiving work.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 80 rushing yards. 34 catches. 180 receiving yards. 5 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 56.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 90.

Duke Johnson had a great game for the Dolphins down the stretch. He has earned some snaps next year, but will have to share them with James Cook behind Devin Singletary.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 280 rushing yards. 20 catches. 140 receiving yards. 2 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 54.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 74.

Zack Moss was a healthy inactive at times in 2021. There’s not much hope for the future.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 200 rushing yards. 8 catches. 40 receiving yards. 3 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 52.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 60.

Jaret Patterson lost all appeal in the wake of the Brian Robinson selection.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 110 rushing yards. 5 catches. 20 receiving yards. 0 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 33.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 38.

Tarik Cohen is a big PPR threat when healthy, but he can’t stay on the field. He has played three games the past two years.

Projected 2022 Fantasy Stats: 30 rushing yards. 20 catches. 150 receiving yards. 0 total TDs.
Projected 2022 Fantasy Points: 18.
Projected 2022 PPR Fantasy Points: 38.