Today we zero in on the all-important RB position. Running backs are often the engines propelling fantasy teams to championships. So which RBs should you be targeting in 2022? Read on to get our featured analysts’ recommendations.

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Q1. Which one player inside the top 35 of our half-PPR consensus RB rankings has the potential to give fantasy managers the greatest return on investment?

Dameon Pierce (RB – HOU): ECR 72 | RB29
“Somehow Dameon Pierce is still only the RB29 in the consensus rankings. He is my RB22 and is one of my favorite running backs to draft. The Texans released Marlon Mack on Tuesday, leaving Rex Burkhead as the only veteran in the backfield. However, after his play in training camp and the preseason, Pierce should have a featured role as a rookie.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)

Javonte Williams (RB – DEN): ECR 23 | RB14
“Do the Broncos really want Javonte Williams to be their lead back this season rather than have him split work evenly with Melvin Gordon, as was the case last year? Gordon has said he thinks that’s the case The Broncos won’t let Gordon collect cobwebs, but making this a 60-40 split rather than 50-50 would make Javonte a true RB1 for fantasy. Some of Williams’ rookie-year highlights were breathtaking, but investors want to see usage befitting the talent. There’s an excellent chance they’ll get their wish this season, with Williams putting up big numbers in an offense that should make a quantum leap this season with Russell Wilson taking over at QB.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Kareem Hunt (RB – CLE): ECR 77 | RB31
“I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Kareem Hunt. Being ranked as the RB31, Hunt should easily be able to outperform this ranking. Since joining the league in 2017, only once has Hunt not finished inside the top 22 on a points-per-game basis. Running behind an above-average offensive line and as a legitimate threat in the passing game, Hunt should finish as a back-end RB2 at a minimum.”
– Matt Gruber (FantasyPros)

Christian McCaffrey (RB – CAR): ECR 2 | RB2
“If Christian McCaffrey stays healthy, his investors will have a massive edge on their league mates. In his seven games over the past two years with at least a 50% snap rate, he has 978 yards and eight touchdowns. That kind of production gives him a floor and ceiling combination that no other back has. He’s still young enough at 26 years old, and his injuries the past two seasons haven’t been the kind to derail careers or linger year to year. His health isn’t guaranteed — but if healthy he should crush.”
– Matthew Freedman (FantasyPros)

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Q2. Which sleeper candidate outside the top 35 in our half-PPR consensus RB rankings has the most upside relative to his draft cost?

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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