With the 2022 NFL Draft about a month away, we’re still in the “speculation phase” of the dynasty fantasy football offseason. This is the perfect time to get the best values and make the most amazing deals. However, since rosters and starting lineups still aren’t 100% certain, there’s certainly more risk involved than waiting until after the draft to begin exploring trades. That said, our featured analysts are here to provide some clarity during this uncertain and fluid point in the offseason to help you improve your squads. Read on to see who they each suggest as their top buy and sell candidates at the RB position right now.
For more dynasty trade advice, check out our Dynasty Trade Value Chart 
Q1. Which RB are you buying now in dynasty leagues and why? Also, what are you willing to give up to get him?
A.J. Dillon (GB)
“I’m bullish on A.J. Dillon. With Davante Adams gone, the Packers are going to run the ball more in 2022, and Aaron Rodgers is going to direct a higher percentage of targets to his running backs. The 23-year-old Dillon got more carries than teammate Aaron Jones in games they played together over the second half of the regular season. Dillon was also a pleasant surprise in the passing game, catching 34 of 37 targets for 313 yards and two TDs. Dillon is still surprisingly affordable in most dynasty leagues. The FantasyPros dynasty trade value chart says you might be able to get Dillon for either Mike Williams or T.J. Hockenson, and I’d happily pay those prices.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Josh Jacobs (LV)
“From Weeks 10-17, Jacobs was the RB7 in rushing attempts and the RB2 in targets among running backs in the NFL. Despite the volume, he only averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game in half-PPR scoring in that time span in part to his RB19 finish in touchdown production. With the combination of Davante Adams, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow now stretching the field from all angles, the Raiders will be sure to find themselves in more goal-line situations, which will help increase Jacobs’ TD upside. I’m more than happy giving up a mid-to-late first-round pick for Jacobs for what should be a career year for him in 2022!”
– Jorge B. Edwards (Fantasy In Frames)
Travis Etienne (JAC)
“Travis Etienne Jr. was lost to a preseason injury, but do not forget the elite production he posted at Clemson with Trevor Lawrence as his quarterback. During his final season as a Tiger, he led the country in receiving yards and ranked second in receptions among running backs. With James Robinson attempting to come back from a torn Achilles injury suffered on December 26, Etienne will be the featured back as Doug Pederson installs the new offense this spring/summer. I’d trade as high as the 1.05 in single-QB leagues for the 2021 first-round running back, or veteran players like Aaron Jones, David Montgomery, Elijah Mitchell, Ezekiel Elliott, Jerry Jeudy, Amon-Ra St. Brown or Rashod Bateman.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Michael Carter (NYJ)
“The RB that I am buying is New York Jets sophomore Michael Carter. Carter is undervalued due to the team’s lack of success, but Carter should become the clear lead back for the improving Jets in 2022. He should see a workload increase and will be one of the few backs with bell-cow potential. The former Tar Heel was reliable in both the run and pass game. He finished 64 yards shy of breaking 1,000 scrimmage yards while leading the team with 147 rushes, 639 rushing yards and four rushing scores and leading the Jets’ RB room with 36 catches. Carter also finished with the best missed-tackle mark among all NFL backs, averaging 0.295 missed tackles forced per touch. A big part of their offensive issues was the litany of injuries on the offensive line. However, the return of a healthy Mekhi Becton and the addition of Pro-Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson should form a dominant left side of the offensive line. Also, the acquisition of two tight ends should elevate the offense. C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin are dual-threat TEs who provide the offense with willing and capable blockers, both coming from offenses that succeeded in the ground game. I would be willing to overpay for Carter, who has a nice floor with an exciting ceiling. I’d send away either a late-first round rookie pick in single-QB formats or a player like Courtland Sutton, Gabriel Davis or Amon-Ra St. Brown for Carter. He has a path to RB2 production and is a long-term RB solution for the Jets and fantasy managers.”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)
Q2. Which RB are you selling now in dynasty leagues and why? Also, what kind of return are you looking for?
Elijah Mitchell (SF)
“The NFL offseason is the perfect time to move running backs off your roster as teams try to ‘set their starting lineups’ despite the fact that we are *checks watch* six months away from NFL action. That running back for me is Elijah Mitchell. Jeff Wilson and JaMycal Hasty are back on the roster, joining Trey Sermon as Mitchell’s entrenched back-ups, but one injury could vault any of the other guys into the starting role. I’ve got major durability concerns with Mitchell; undersized backs in the 49ers’ offense constantly get banged up and 80% of Mitchell’s rushing yards came after contact in 2021, so it was not surprising to see him miss six games with the impact his body took. And since the 2018 season, the first 49ers running back drafted in fantasy football based on ADP has never been the one you wanted to draft first by season’s end. Ideally, I’d like to just sell high on Mitchell after he cost next to nothing last season and acquire Leonard Fournette, Chase Edmonds plus a rookie pick, or a receiver like Courtland Sutton straight up.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Derrick Henry (TEN)
“If you’ve been riding Derrick Henry in dynasty the last few years, this seems like the right time to cash out. Henry is entering his age-28 season and coming off an injury that required him to have a plate and five screws inserted into his foot. He’s logged 1,557 carries over his NFL seasons (playoffs included). To maintain anything close to his recent value, Henry would have to keep getting 20-plus carries a game, because he doesn’t catch enough passes to move the needle in PPR formats. If I could get either Michael Pittman Jr. or a mid-first-round pick for Henry, I’d take it and run.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Ezekiel Elliott (DAL)
“I don’t care that he was the RB7 overall in rushing yards and RB6 overall in rushing touchdowns, the sooner I can move Ezekiel Elliott, the better. In 2021, Elliot averaged just two-tenths of a point more in half-PPR scoring than he did in 2020 when he had a career-low in rushing production. If his ‘bounce back’ season with Dak Prescott is just a minuscule bit better than his career-low, I’m VERY concerned with holding on to him for the long-term. At this point, a mid-second-round pick is what I’m shooting for in return.”
– Jorge B. Edwards (Fantasy In Frames)
Cam Akers (LAR)
“Cam Akers is expected to be the Los Angeles Rams’ lead back in 2022. After his remarkable six-month recovery from his Achilles injury left everyone in awe, his stats were not very impressive. Akers averaged less than three yards per carry in four playoff games for the Rams. It was miraculous that he was even on the field, but he displayed a notable decline, and we never saw the explosiveness in his return. The Rams’ offensive line losses have to be a concern, and significant investments are required. Akers and the running game will play second fiddle to the passing game, especially with the addition of wide receiver Allen Robinson to pair with all-world Cooper Kupp. I am selling Akers high now while fantasy managers are anticipating a return to his pre-injury production. I want to see it first before drafting or investing in Akers. If I’m trading him away, I’d like to see a top-three rookie pick in single-QB formats or a top-tier WR in return.”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)
Thanks to the experts for sharing their advice! For more of their insight, be sure to follow each pundit on Twitter (click their names above) and visit their respective sites.
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