Here are deep fantasy football running back sleepers to target in your 2022 drafts.
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Deep Running Back Sleepers
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS): ECR 185 | RB56
“Brian Robinson’s ADP and ECR rose after Antonio Gibson‘s fumble in the first preseason game. While Gibson struggled in the preseason, Robinson shined. Reportedly, the Commanders were going to name Robinson the Week 1 starter before he was shot. Given that terrible news, Robinson’s ADP will sink from here. However, if he can return early enough in the season, Robinson could turn into a league winner. ”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Jerick McKinnon (RB – KC): ECR 225 | RB64
“Jerick McKinnon quietly averaged 11.3 carries, 5.7 targets and 105.0 yards from scrimmage in the Chiefs’ three playoff games. I’m not going to pretend that McKinnon has vast rushing upside — he doesn’t — but he’s going to be the passing-down back in a potent offense that’s finished in the top half of the league in RB targets in each of the last three seasons. Let other fantasy managers reach for Isiah Pacheco in drafts while you take McKinnon with your final-round pick. You’ll be getting the far better value.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Darrell Henderson Jr. (RB – LAR): ECR 105 | RB39
“Ranked as the RB39, Darrell Henderson Jr. has massive upside. Head coach Sean McVay has neglected to give Cam Akers the nod as the workhorse running back, suggesting this backfield could be a true committee. Pair that with the fact Akers is not only coming back from an Achilles injury but has been dealing with a soft tissue injury in camp, and Henderson could explode right out of the gate. The RB21 on a points-per-game basis last season, Henderson should have plenty of opportunity on this high-powered offense. ”
– Matt Gruber (FantasyPros)
Cordarrelle Patterson (RB – ATL): ECR 87 | RB36
“Cordarrelle Patterson is No. 36 in our running back ECR, so I’m just barely going outside the top 35, but C-Patz needs to be highlighted. Patterson is already 31 years old, but he has relatively little wear on his body, given that last year was his first with 100-plus carries. As a Deebo Samuel-esque “wide back” hybrid, Patterson amassed 1,166 yards and 11 touchdowns from scrimmage in 2022, and this year he has a decent chance to replicate his usage of 153 carries and 69 targets, as the Falcons gave him the starter treatment in the preseason: the first snap of the game in Week 1, one snap on the first drive in Week 2 and then nothing at all in Week 3. He has a three-down skill set and little competition for snaps. That will do outside the top 35.”
– Matthew Freedman (FantasyPros)
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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