RB’s top five scorers in the PPR half last year were Jonathan Taylor, Austin Ekeler, Joe Mixon, Najee Harris and James Conner. The crazy thing is that in 2021 these players had ADPs from RB8, RB10, RB13, RB11 and RB37 respectively. Taylor was the only member of the top five with an ADP in the first round, while Conner was caught at the bottom of the eighth round last year. Other RBs who crept into the top 10 were Leonard Fournette (2021 ADP – RB33) and Cordarrelle Patterson (2021 ADP – RB71).
Last season was a prime example of how league winners are often not the players who got hit by the first few picks. Title-winning players can be snapped at any point in the draft. The main problem is figuring out who these high-ceilinged individuals are. This is where our featured experts come in. Each has selected both an early and late lap jam that they believe will reach their high potential. Now remember that none of the players mentioned here are out to win you a title. They’re just the guys who have that advantage in their earnings spectrum while also having a good chance of achieving that status.
6 League Winner Running Backs to Target
Q1 Which RB between RB6-20 in our consensus semi-PPR RB ADP has the most league wins up?
Javonte Williams (DEN): Consensus ADP – RB11 | 18th overall
“Javonte Williams is expected to play on one of the top offenses in the league, which offers an increase in touchdown opportunities. The addition of Melvin Gordon has lowered his price into the second round. Williams broke 31 tackles at a rate of 15.3%. While sharing a backfield on a poor offense, Williams was still an RB2 as a rookie. If Williams gets the 70/30 split, he will no doubt be in the top 10 and have a way to #1 overall. ”
– David Heilman (Sports Betting Podcast)
“Some of the air has been vented from the Javonte Williams Hype when Denver re-signed Melvin Gordon late in free agency. Gordon’s $2.5 million contract is equal to or less than other backup running backs, which suggests to me that this is Williams’ backfield rather than a full-time stint. In 2021, Williams was the RB16 while sharing the workload equally with Gordon. Even with a 10-15% increase in odds, Williams has the potential to make a top five running back.”
– Rich Plaza (fantasy scales)
Dalvin Cook (MIN): Consensus ADP – RB6 | overall 7th
“OK, I know I’m taking the easy layup off the board here with the RB6, but Dalvin Cook is also my favorite candidate for RB1 overall this season. After back-to-back seasons as RB2 in fantasy points per game, Cook dove to RB9 last year. It wasn’t due to a drop in talent, as Cook was 11th in dodged tackles and fourth in breakaways last season. The subdued season can be attributed to simple bad luck in the touchdown department. Cook was ninth in red-zone touches but only 38th in red-zone touchdown conversion rate. The arrow points up for Cook in 2022 in a revived offensive scheme to see massive touchdown regression. ”
– Derek Brown (Fantasy Pros)
Saquon Barkley (New York): Consensus ADP – RB14 | 22nd place overall
“Under a new coaching staff and with a greatly improved offensive line, there is reason to buy back at Saquon Barkley at a massive discount from previous years. In five games last season, when Barkley played a full snap share with Daniel Jones under center, the Giants RB averaged 16.2 PPR points per game (RB10). I don’t see any serious threat from touches behind Barkley on the depth chart, and the Giants have every reason to feature Barkley as often as possible for two reasons. He’s the best player on offense while also being an upcoming free agent. Still only 25 years old, Barkley seems to be regaining his rookie form as he caught 91 balls.”
– Andrew Erickson (Fantasy Pros)
Be sure to check out our award-winning selection alongside our fantasy football content Fantasy football tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock draft simulator – which allows you to simulate draft against realistic opponents – to ours design assistant – optimizing your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.
Q2. Outside of the top 20 in our consensus semi-PPR RB ADP, which RB has the most league wins up?
Travis Etienne (JAC): Consensus ADP – RB23 | 46th overall
“With James Robinson attempting a comeback from a late-season hamstring rupture, Travis Etienne is the main defender after a losing rookie season. During his final season as the Clemson Tiger, he led the country in receiving yards by a running back and ranked second in receiving yards among RBs. With an explosive pass-catching skill set on a pass-heavy offense, coupled with an underrated red-zone roll (most carries inside the five-yard line among FBS running backs of 2018-2020), Etienne ticks all the boxes of a fantasy -RB ready to make noise in 2022. And even if it’s a “committee approach,” Etienne can still thrive on Doug Pederson’s offense. Miles Sanders was RB15 as a rookie with just 53% snap share. So don’t worry too much about James Robinson being listed as a “starter” on the Jaguars’ depth chart. He’ll work in a few, but I don’t expect him to be setting the world on fire any time soon after suffering an Achilles injury. ”
– Andrew Erickson (Fantasy Pros)
“That’s easy. Any defender I’m looking for a league-changing advantage with needs to be involved in the passing game. Receptions and routes allow access to big chunks in space and massive ceiling results. The back that fits that profile is no other as Travis Etienne. His passing skills are unquestionable, having finished 14th and 4th in yards per route (per PFF, at least 20 goals) in his last two seasons with Clemson. With a lackluster wide receiver space outside of Christian Kirk and James Robinson likely to change this season, Etienne can gobble up goals and earn a reputation for goal-line jumping. A real 3 down upside swing this late in the draft is a treat. Enjoy. ”
– Derek Brown (Fantasy Pros)
Rashaad Penny (SEA): Consensus ADP – RB30 | 82nd overall
“Rashaad Penny: Skill and talent were never an issue for Penny, but opportunity and health were. Playing in just 37 games in four seasons and playing behind Chris Carson has limited Penny’s options. In the last five games of 2021, however, we may have gotten a taste of what he’s capable of. In those five games, Penny had 92 carries, 671 yards (7.2 YPC) and six touchdowns, and he was the RB1 in that span. Kenneth Walker III is the hot name in the Seattle backfield, as rookies usually are, but as long as Penny is healthy, Walker may have to wait a year before he gets the lead. I know it’s difficult to overlook injury history, but given his ADP, it’s difficult to find someone in this space who can reward managers with league-winning potential the way Penny can. ”
– Rich Plaza (fantasy scales)
Isaiah Spiller (LAK): Consensus ADP – RB46 | 122nd overall
“The lower the average draft position, the greater the reward. At the moment, Isaiah Spiller is ranked 48th and 143rd overall. Spiller could offer value in his own right if he gets goal-line work on this offense – an offense that finished fifth in the red zone last year. Spiller could be a weekly RB3 with RB2 on top and you pay RB5 prices. If Austin Ekeler missed the time, Spiller could easily be an RB1.”
– David Heilman (Sports Betting Podcast)
Thanks to the experts for sharing their advice! To learn more about their insights, follow each expert on Twitter (click on their names above) and visit their websites.
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