The 2022 NFL Draft has come and gone, and with it we’ve seen where the Class of 2022 will play and how that figures to impact rosters. As draft season is beginning, it’s the ideal time to look at some updated positional rankings. Mondays throughout May I’ll be offering my revised dynasty positional rankings, continuing today with running backs.
As we’re approaching the season, I’m expanding the number of players I consider. For running backs, I’ll be looking at my Top 60 at the position, divided into tiers—RB1s, RB2s, RB3s, RB4s, and RB5s.
RB1s: (RB1-RB12)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts
- Najee Harris, Steelers
- Javonte Williams, Broncos
- D’Andre Swift, Lions
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings
- Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
- Alvin Kamara, Saints
- Joe Mixon, Bengals
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers
- Nick Chubb, Browns
- J.K. Dobbins, Ravens
- Aaron Jones, Packers
About: Running back is a tough group. The window of top performance seems to shrink and more and more teams are going to a multiple back set up. The draft also shook things up. Some will argue I’m too high on Williams, but I’m a believer. Melvin Gordon is depth and support; Williams is the real deal. The rest of the Top 12, I’m going upside. I moved Jones back in because I think it’s possible he gets Le’Veon Bell type usage in the backfield and as a receiver now that Davante Adams is gone.
RB2s: (RB13-RB24)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants
- Derrick Henry, Titans
- Antonio Gibson, Commanders
- Elijah Mitchell, 49ers
- David Montgomery, Bears
- Cam Akers, Rams
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders
- Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
- Miles Sanders, Eagles
- Breece Hall, Jets
- Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks
- James Conner, Cardinals
About: As I said, running back is a tough group. Barkley has RB1 talent but usage and injuries knock him back for me. I like Gibson, but the Commanders have a lot of backs, the same is true for Mitchell in San Francisco. I need to see more from Akers, while Jacobs, Elliott and Sanders have good roles on paper that haven’t yielded big fantasy dividends of late. Hall may be too low, but the Jets offense is a question for me, especially with Michael Carter present. Walker is contending with Rashaad Penny and potentially Chris Carson. I like the talent but I need to see the role to vault him up higher. Conner, meanwhile, is the back who’s rehabbed his value the most the past few seasons.
RB3s (RB25-RB36)
- Damien Harris, Patriots
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys
- A.J. Dillon, Packers
- James Cook, Bills
- Devin Singletary, Bills
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots
- James Robinson, Jaguars
- Chase Edmonds, Dolphins
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs
- Melvin Gordon, Broncos
About: Here we get to the section with more questions than answers. Many of these backs have upside but lack a defined role. In the case of Cook and Etienne, they are promising prospects who haven’t played a meaningful NFL down. The biggest drop here is CEH. He was seen as a great prospect and even went 1.01 in many rookie drafts. The usage just hasn’t been there and the Chiefs continue to add backs to the backfield. He’s not even a reliable starter. Lastly, I moved Gordon back in because I think he’ll have a role and probably latch on somewhere in 2023 as well.
RB4s: (RB37-RB48)
- Ronald Jones II, Chiefs
- Kareem Hunt, Browns
- Isaiah Spiller, Chargers
- Michael Carter, Jets
- Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons
- Marlon Mack, Texans
- Dameon Pierce, Texans
- Darrell Henderson, Jr., Rams
- Rashaad Penny, Seahawks
- Alexander Mattison, Vikings
- Khalil Herbert, Bears
- Rachaad White, Buccaneers
About: This is the tier about potential and opportunity. We have a few rookies—Spiller, Pierce and White—who could take a piece of the backfield. We also have veterans—Jones, Patterson, Mack and Penny—who have a shot at meaningful work. In addition, guys like Mattison and Herbert are waiting in the wings and could soon get a shot. The biggest drop here is Carter, who looked incredibly promising after a great rookie year. With the drafting of Hall, it seems less likely he’s going to dominate touches, but will he be completely out of the offense? That doesn’t seem likely either. For now, he’s my RB40.
RB5s: (RB49-RB60)
- Brian Robinson, Jr., Commanders
- Nyheim Hines, Colts
- Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles
- Gus Edwards, Ravens
- J.D. McKissic, Commanders
- Tyler Allgeier, Falcons
- Chris Carson, Seahawks
- Zack Moss, Bills
- Trey Sermon, 49ers
- Tyrion Davis-Price, 49ers
- Sony Michel, Dolphins
- Eno Benjamin, Cardinals
About: This is the tier with questions. I view these as more stashes at this point. Some are young players—Robinson, Allgeier and Davis-Price—that could have a role. Some are veterans—Hines, Edwards, McKissic and Michel—who have performed well in the past and could have a path to a regular role on their teams. Others are young players—Moss, Sermon, and Gainwell—who came in with promise but have yet to seize a defined role. The biggest question here for me is Carson. I think he’s probably done but no official word has been given. We’ve also seem him perform quite well when on the field, so if he bounces back from the neck injury he could get a meaningful role in Seattle or elsewhere. Given the uncertainty, I’m hanging on to him on my dynasty rosters.
Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.
The Music City Drive-In 
Last year I got the first overall pick for one of my teams. Drafted McCaffery. I had to scuffle just to get 5 wins in that league. So mad a year later, there’s no way I’m taking him again. As an Eagles fan, I am hoping your rank is how it turns out in real life. He’s been a paper tiger, no doubt. The skill set is there, the front line is there…he just has to learn to play through injury and stay on the field.
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