Running Back Best Ball Rankings and Analysis (Part 2) 2022

We have progressed beyond the most dormant weeks of this offseason and the player movement that has transpired during free agency has already fueled encouraging rises and concerning falls in the stock of various players. The highly-anticipated NFL Draft is also approaching, which will create another notable shift in the fantasy landscape as each selection is announced.

The Best Ball draft process is also escalating, as fantasy managers embrace the opportunity to assemble rosters that will not require any additional management following the conclusion of your drafts. That’s why the team at RotoBaller is providing the latest updates in our tiered rankings. that will help you prepare for every draft in this popular format.

We will also deliver analysis of the latest tiered rankings following every update. That includes my two-part series that will examine the always-critical running back position. This article will place the spotlight on tiers 4-9, and you can find a full breakdown of tiers 1-3 here.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

RB Best Ball Rankings

Tier 4

Elijah Mitchell, Ezekiel Elliott, Josh Jacobs  Leonard Fournette, J.K. Dobbins, Michael Carter

The rook Elijah Mitchell had 100+ total yards for the 4th time this season on Sunday 👀

32 touches
168 total yards
1 touchdown pic.twitter.com/dQQZawBaTV

— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2021

Mitchell was the 11th back to be selected during the 2021 NFL Draft when San Francisco secured him in Round 6 (194th overall). He catapulted multiple backs – including third-round pick Trey Sermon – while vaulting atop the 49ers’ depth chart and sustaining RB1 duties throughout the season. Mitchell easily led the team in carries and rushing yardage despite missing six different matchups due to lingering injuries (shoulder/finger/knee). Mitchell also finished 13th overall in attempts (207/18.8 per game), eighth in rushing yardage (963), and his 87.5 yards per game average was only exceeded by Henry, Taylor, Chubb, and Cook.

He was also fifth in yards after contact (515) while capturing a 64.3% snap share. Sermon and Jeff Wilson Jr. could conceivably provide competition for touches, but Mitchell has secured Kyle Shanahan’s trust as the 49ers’ primary back.

Elliott has descended from his customary position among the first-round selections as fantasy managers’ sense of urgency for seizing the three-time Pro Bowler has dissipated. This has been underscored by his current ADP (50/RB21), which is the lowest of his career. Elliott did finish at RB6 last season. He was also seventh in attempts (237/13.9 per game and rushing yards (1,002), and was also sixth in touchdowns (10). 

I love every single thing about this Ezekiel Elliott touchdown pic.twitter.com/5MX2WKNZfq

— Joey Hayden (@_joeyhayden) October 10, 2021

However, he also manufactured a career-worst 58.9 yards per game average, while his average in yards after contact per attempt dropped to 1.7. He was also relegated to career-lows in receiving yards per game (16.9), and yards after catch per reception (5.9). Elliott was contending with a torn PCL during the season and should theoretically operate with better health in 2022. However, he will also turn 27 in July, and the explosive Tony Pollard continually lurks as a source of siphoned touches.

Jacobs has functioned as the primary back during his three years with the Raiders, but he began the offseason amid uncertainty surrounding the team’s intentions of exercising the fifth-year option on his contract. The former first-round selection had averaged 18.4 attempts per game during 2019-2020 (18.6/18.2), but that diminished to 14.5 in 2021. That contributed to his career-low 58.1 yards per game average, which declined from the 79.8 that he attained during the previous two seasons.

Josh Jacobs goes untouched to put the @Raiders up by 21. #RaiderNation

📺: #LVvsDEN on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/95Se6Aq5RE

— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2021

However, Jacobs also assembled favorable numbers while finishing fourth overall in attempts (128/18.3 per game), rushing yardage (539/77 per game), and 100-yard performances (2) during Weeks 12-18. He also tied for sixth in touchdowns (4), while establishing new career-highs in targets (64/4.3 per game) receptions (54/3.6 per game), and receiving yardage (348/23.2 per game). Former Patriot Brandon Bolden was added to the backfield and will pilfer pass-catching opportunities. However, Jacobs should retain RB1 responsibilities as the Las Vegas offense transforms under head coach Josh McDaniels.

Fournette flourished as an every-down back, while soaring to RB3, and leading his position in targets (84/6.0 per game), and receptions (69/4.9 per game) from Weeks 1-15. He was also third in receiving yards (454/32.4 per game) entering Week 16 before the troublesome hamstring sidelined him during Tampa Bay’s final three matchups.

Fournette was also 10th in rushing yardage (812/58 per game) and 11th in attempts (180/12.9 per game) before his injury, and would have finished at the periphery of 1,000 yards if he had sustained his per game average throughout the year. Fournette also secured a 63.2% snap share while functioning in his workhorse role, and should outperform his ADP (77/RB27) if he surfaces in a favorable environment.

Dobbins was being drafted as an RB2 last season (ADP 27/RB16) before he experienced a season-ending torn ACL in August. He will now re-emerge as the lead back within a Baltimore ground game that dropped from a league-high 55.8% run play percentage in 2020 to 12th during 2021 (42.6%). The Ravens predominantly relied on a mixture of Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray, and their signal callers (Lamar Jackson/Tyler Huntley) to compile yardage during the season.

However, the return of Dobbins, Gus Edwards (ACL), and a healthy Jackson (ankle) should enable that trio to commandeer the majority of carries. Dobbins generated 805 yards (53.7 per game) and nine touchdowns on 134 attempts (8.9 per game) during 2020 and could exceed those numbers this season. That has resurrected Dobbins' status as an RB2, and he can be targeted at the onset of Round 4.

Carter was infused into a favorable environment during his rookie season, as the Jets backfield did not contain an unquestioned feature back. He operated in a rotation with Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson. However, that did not prevent Carter from leading the backfield in snap share (41.3%), carries (147/10.5 per game), rushing yardage (639/45.6 per game), and receptions (36/2.6 per game).

Michael Carter had a day 😤

118 yards on the ground for @8kMike as the @nyjets took home the W ✅#CarolinaFootball 🏈 #ProHeels pic.twitter.com/hCWueNqewz

— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) December 27, 2021

Carter also tied for second among all backs with 37 targets (6.2 per game) from Weeks 4-10 and was fourth in receiving yardage (258/43 per game), and fifth in receptions (26/4.3 per game). Carter also averaged 12.4 attempts, and 48.7 rushing yards per game from Weeks 4-11, before a high ankle sprain sidelined him for three games. Carter should emerge from training camp with an expanded workload, provided that the Jets do not add formidable competition for touches during the upcoming weeks.

Tier 5

Damien Harris. Travis Etienne, Devin Singletary, Kenneth Walker III, Kareem Hunt, AJ Dillon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

New England’s distribution of touches to multiple backs limited Harris’s snap share to 36.8%, but he still assembled the best numbers of his career. That includes his team-high 929 yards (61.9 per game) which placed him 10th among all backs. He also finished 11th in yards before contact (469), ninth in yards after contact (460), 17th in carries (202/13.5 per game), fifth in red zone attempts (44), and second in carries inside the 10 (30).

Harris capitalized on those opportunities near the goal line by stockpiling 15 touchdowns, which vaulted him to second overall. Harris should be entrusted with a respectable workload once again. However, the perpetual presence of Rhamondre Stevenson will impede Harris from commandeering sizable touch totals on a frequent basis. That reduces the motivation for selecting Harris before Round 6.

Travis Etienne for 6️⃣

Tied for the longest run in Clemson history ❗️ pic.twitter.com/EDdEFUNFOt

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 30, 2019

Etienne accumulated 6,107 yards from scrimmage and 78 touchdowns during his career with Clemson. That included 1,600+ rushing yards in both 2018-2019 and 48 receptions/588 receiving yards in 2020. This incentivized Jacksonville to seize Etienne during Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft (25th overall), which created an opportunity for him to display his enticing home-run capabilities. Unfortunately, Etienne’s devastating Lisfranc injury kept him sidelined throughout the 2021 regular season.

However, he is now positioned to confiscate a sizable role within a revamped Jaguars’ offense that will be spearheaded by Doug Peterson. The torn Achilles that was suffered by James Robinson in December has left his status unsettled while expanding a pathway for Etienne to perform with an extensive workload. Etienne should also remain heavily involved in the transformed attack after Robinson returns.

DEVIN SINGLETARY WITH THE TOUCHDOWN!!

Buffalo 7 - Miami 0
Q1 | 12:33 #BillsMafia@outletliquorny @picassospizza

pic.twitter.com/nXTVmnAiU3

— The CAP (@CrowdAssistPod) September 19, 2021

Singletary’s workload was suppressed by a rotation with Zack Moss during Weeks 1-10. as their attempts per game averages were virtually even (Singletary 8.9/Moss 9.0). Matt Breida was also injected into the equation. However, Singletary captured an expanded touch total in late November, which extracted him from the encumbrances of an overcrowded backfield.

He soared to fourth in snap share (74.5%) from Weeks 12-18, while finishing eighth in attempts (105/15 per game). Singletary also vaulted to seventh in rushing yardage during that sequence (455/65.0 per game), while finishing third in touchdowns (5). The elevated touch total also propelled him to career highs in carries (188), and rushing yardage (870). Singletary also led Buffalo’s backfield in targets (50/2.9 per game), receptions (40/2.4 per game), and receiving yards (228/13.4 per game), and eluded a major threat to his pass-catching opportunities when J.D. McKissic returned to Washington. Singletary should also retain his late-season responsibilities as Buffalo’s RB1 if the Bills do not inject additional backs into the equation.

Walker averaged 108.5 attempts and 8.5 touchdowns with Wake Forest in 2019-2020 but became a Heisman Finalist after transferring to Michigan State in 2021. He also vaulted to second overall in rushing yardage (1,636) last season, while finishing eighth in attempts (263), and touchdowns (18).

Most rushing yards after contact in college football last season

💥 Kenneth Walker III - 1,168 pic.twitter.com/x1rCbbpEpz

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) March 12, 2022

He also completed the 40-yard dash in 4.38 at the NFL Combine and registered 34.0 inches in the vertical jump, and 10’,2” in the broad jump. He should be one of the first two backs to be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft, and his ADP has elevated to Round 7 of best ball drafts.

Hunt missed nine matchups last season (calf/ankle), while finishing third behind teammates Nick Chubb and D’Ernest Johnson in attempts (78), and rushing yardage (386), His per-game averages of 9.8 attempts and 48.3 rushing yards would have produced season-long totals of 167 carries/821 yards if he had sustained those averages from Weeks 1-18. Hunt has now averaged 3.3 per game since 2020, after finishing eighth overall with a 5.5 per game average in 2019.  He should function as Cleveland’s RB2 behind Chubb. However, Johnson is a restricted free agent, who was extended an original-round tender by the Browns. His return would reduce Hunt’s chances of operating with a massive workload if Chubb is sidelined during the year.

.@ajdillon7 plows through the defense.

TOUCHDOWN! 🙌#SFvsGB | #GoPackGo

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/5obp0oSb5T

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 23, 2022

Dillon’s snap share increased from 14% in 2020 to 43% last season, as he also played in all 17 of the Packers’ regular season matchups. His burgeoning workload facilitated his rise to the team lead in rushing attempts (187), rushing yardage (803), while he finished 20th among all backs in each category. He was also 13th in first downs (50), after completing the year at 11th overall in red zone attempts (39), and 13th in carries inside the 10 (21). Dillon also led the Packers in rushing touchdowns (5), collected 34 of his 37 targets, and generated 313 receiving yards. He will remain highly involved in the Packers’ ground game and his stock would soar if Jones becomes unavailable for any reason.

The rapid descent in Edwards-Helaire’s career trajectory is underscored by the enormous drop in ADP since he became a first-round selection during the 2020 NFL Draft. His prospects of operating with a sizable workload in Andy Reid’s high-powered attack motivated managers to seize him fifth overall during the 2020 draft season but he is currently being drafted in Round 8 (ADP89/RB30) as a consequence of injuries and underwhelming performances. That includes the disappointing results from 2021, when he missed seven matchups, only manufactured 517 yards, and averaged 2.3 targets, 1.9 receptions, and an anemic 12.9 receiving yards per game. Edwards-Helaire appears destined to have his weekly touch totals restricted as the Chiefs distribute opportunities to other backs.

Tier 6

 James Conner, Miles Sanders,  Melvin Gordon III, Isaiah Spiller, Rashaad Penny, Chris Carson,

ain’t seen nothin yet.. https://t.co/2WyMZXHiCS

— James Conner (@JamesConner_) March 16, 2022

Conner remained in Arizona’s lineup during 15 matchups, which established a career-high. He also finished eighth overall with 41 red zone attempts, while vaulting to third in carries inside the 10 (28), and second with 16 attempts inside the five. Conner capitalized on his opportunities by generating a career-best 15 rushing touchdowns, and those frequent visits to the end zone propelled him to RB5. It may be difficult for Conner to replicate last year’s propensity for generating touchdowns. However, his importance to the Cardinals’ attack has been solidified following his new contract (three years-$21 million), and Chase Edmonds’ departure for Miami.

Sanders should enter Week 1 atop Philadelphia’s depth chart as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. He will be operating in an offense that led the league in run play percentage (51.2%), although the Eagles also kept Jordan Howard, Boston Scott and Kenny Gainwell involved as the season progressed. Sanders led the team in attempts (137/11.4 per game), and rushing yardage (754/62.8 per game). However, he also failed to register a touchdown, while missing five games (ankle/hand).  The constraints of Philadelphia’s overcrowded backfield will remain, which should keep Sanders available until Round 9 in your drafts.

Even though many within the fantasy community were envisioning a significant workload for Williams as the 2021 regular season advanced, Gordon completed the year with an equal number of carries (203). He also led Denver with 12.7 attempts and 57.4 yards per game, was 15th overall in red zone attempts (37), and 13th with 21 carries inside the 10.

Melvin Gordon touchdowns since 2016:

12, 12, 14, 9, 10, 10

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 2, 2022

Gordon also doubled Williams’ touchdown total (8/4), while maximizing his opportunities to remain involved in the Broncos attack. He should retain a reasonable workload once again, regardless of whether he is operating in a rotation with Williams, or performing in a committee with another franchise.

Spiller averaged 5.5 yards per attempt and assembled 2,993 rushing yards during his three years with Texas A&M, while also collecting 20+ receptions in each of his seasons as an Aggie. He possesses a favorable blend of attributes that can keep him in the field as a rookie. That includes his decisiveness and physical style that supplies the ability to accrue yards after contact. Spiller chose not to participate in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine and delivered uninspiring results in the broad jump and vertical jump. However, he will have an opportunity to perform more impressively at Texas A&M’s upcoming Pro Day.

Penny averaged just 30.5 yards per game from 2018-2020 and the uninspiring results intensified from Weeks 1-13 last season (15.6 per game). However, the former first-round selection erupted statistically from Weeks 14-18, while exploding for a league-best 134.2 per game during that sequence.

.@pennyhendrixx's last 4 games:

481 rushing yards
5 touchdowns
85.2 FPTS

Did Rashaad Penny win you an @NFLFantasy Championship with this stretch 😳 pic.twitter.com/pl4yt3JDer

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2022

Penny also led all backs in rushing yardage (671), touchdowns (6), and rushes of 20+ (11), while his late-season surge launched him to second overall in Football Outsiders’ DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average). His home-run potential will result in an opportunity to build upon last year’s statistical explosion, but it is unclear whether that will transpire in Seattle.

Carson’s current ADP is over 100 slots below his draft position from one year ago as 42 backs are being drafted before he is finally chosen in Round 13. The oft-injured Carson has now missed 33 matchups since 2017, including his 13-game absence during 2021. Carson is recovering from surgery following his protracted neck issue but could receive a sizable role in a reconstructed Seattle offense whenever he resurfaces in the lineup – particularly if Penny does not re-sign with the Seahawks. Carson will turn 28 in September, and concerns surrounding his availability should delay his selection until your draft has progressed beyond Round 10.

Tier 7

Chase Edmonds, Alexander Mattison, Tony Pollard, Rhamondre Stevenson, Darrel Williams, Darrell Henderson

Edmonds attained career highs in attempts (116/9.7 per game) and rushing yardage (592/49.3 per game) during 2021 despite missing five matchups (ankle/toe/rib). He still led Arizona’s backfield in targets (53), and receptions (43/3.6 per game), was 13th among backs in receptions, and tied for ninth with a 4.4 target per game average. His ADP is also rising after his relocation in Miami (two years, $12.6 million), as he will have the opportunity to commandeer a favorable workload in head coach Mike McDaniel’s redesigned offense.

Alexander Mattison is unreal 😳

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/wtYUcVypBN

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 10, 2021

Mattison remains relegated to a modest workload whenever Dalvin Cook is in Minnesota’s lineup. However, he is also capable of delivering RB1 numbers whenever Cook is sidelined, as that immediately vaults Mattison into responsibilities as the Vikings’ workhorse back. Mattison climbed to RB7/RB6 in Weeks 3 and 5 (51 carries/225 rushing yards) while Cook was encumbered by an ankle injury, and rose to RB8 in Week 13 (22 attempts/90 yards) when Cook was unavailable once again (shoulder). Mattison remains an outstanding safeguard for anyone who has drafted Cook and should provide favorable weekly scoring totals whenever he garners a sizable touch total.

Pollard remains embedded among the most coveted insurance policies with fantasy managers who are committed to securing backups for their starting backs. He secured new career highs in snap share (35%), rushing attempts (130/8.7 per game), rushing yardage (719/47.9 per game), targets (46/3.1 per game, receptions (39/2.6 per game), and receiving yards (337/22.5 per game).

Theres goes Tony Pollard 🏃‍♂️💨

Down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown! @Tp__5

📺: #DALvsNO on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: https://t.co/LMzEctbvnL pic.twitter.com/a997wSA6QS

— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2021

Pollard was also fourth in yards before contact per attempt, (3.1), and fifth in yards after contact per attempt (2.5). He would also soar into RB1 territory if Elliott would miss any matchups during the season.

Stevenson extracted himself from Bill Belichick’s doghouse to average 14.9 attempts per game from Weeks 9-17. He also capitalized on his opportunities by finishing 10th overall in yardage during that sequence (498/71.1 per game).

Such a shame that this play was called back. What a run by Rhamondre Stevenson pic.twitter.com/XQN4Fcj5gN

— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) November 19, 2021

He also eclipsed 100 yards in two of those outings, while attaining a 44.8% snap share. Stevenson will operate in a rotation with Harris but is worthy of targeting in Round 9 of your upcoming drafts.

Henderson secured new career highs in attempts (149/12.4 per game), and rushing yardage (688/57.3 per game). He also averaged 4.6 yards per attempt but was second behind Sony Michel scoring in both categories. Henderson was also sidelined during six contests (knee/reserve-COVID), while Cam Akers confiscated lead-back duties during the postseason. Akers will sustain his extensive workload while Henderson will be limited to a weekly allotment of carries.

Williams is currently an unrestricted free agent although his career-best production during 2021 has elevated him into tier 7. Williams accrued a career-high seven starts and led Kansas City’s backfield in attempts (144/8.5 per game), rushing yardage (558/32.8 per game), targets 57/3.4 per game) receptions (47/2.8 per game), and receiving yards (452/26.6 per game). He was also fifth among all back in yards after catch per reception (9.3) and can become a viable resource, regardless of whether he resurfaces with the Chiefs, or emerges in a new environment.

Tiers 8-9

Ronald Jones II, Khalil Herbert, Sony Michel, Kenneth Gainwell, Jamaal Williams, Chuba Hubbard, Rachaad White, Gus Edwards, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, J.D. McKissic, D'Onta Foreman, Kenyan Drake, Raheem Mostert, Jerick McKinnon, James White, Nyheim Hines, James Robinson, Zamir White, James Cook, Jordan Howard, Dameon Pierce, Jermar Jefferson, Samaje Perine, Boston Scott

The backs that are contained in tiers 8 and 9 are located from RB43 to RB66 in our rankings, but their value could rise or descend due to various factors that emerge as the offseason progresses.

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