Dynasty Fantasy Football Buys: Running Backs
With the NFL off-season frenzy well underway, we here at the Faceoff Sports Network think it’s time to focus on optimizing your dynasty team! In this article I’ll talk about some overlooked running backs that I think are trending upwards for 2022 that you should consider trading for. Some of these running backs will never have a cheaper price tag, so let’s get right into it with Dynasty Fantasy Football Buys: Running Backs.
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Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
2021 PPR Finish: RB12 | Age: 24
This is the one case on this list that isn’t your classic “buy low” case, but statistically, Josh Jacobs regressed in 2021. In 2020, he finished as the RB8 and tallied up 15.4 fantasy points per game. In 2021 he slid a little bit, finishing as the RB12 and compiling only 15.1 points per game. With Davante Adams coming in, this Raiders offense should be much more dynamic and score significantly more points than in 2021, where they finished in the bottom half of the league in points per game. Jacobs should see more work and especially more red zone carries. If you can buy the slight dip, go for it. I expect him to be a very consistent RB1 in 2022.
Melvin Gordon, Free Agent
2021 PPR Finish: RB21| Age: 28
Melvin Gordon is currently a free agent. Seemingly there is no team that values his services, and fantasy managers are falling into the same line of thinking. Take it from a diehard Broncos fan who watched every second of every game last year, Gordon still has a lot of juice. Splitting time with Javonte Williams, Gordon still racked up over 900 yards and 8 touchdowns while racking up 4.5 YPC, which was better than Williams. If you’re ranking NFL running backs based on pure talent, Gordon would still be top 20 in my eyes. If he lands in a spot where he can get even 40-50% of the work, he’ll be a valuable fantasy asset and the best handcuff in the league. It seems like no one wants this guy, but you should. Throw some lowball offers out there and see what happens.
Michael Carter, New York Jets
2021 PPR Finish: RB29 | Age: 22
2021 4th round pick Michael Carter had an overall disappointing rookie season but showed flashes of playmaking ability. He averaged 4+ YPC and also had a respectable 36 receptions. The Jets made no significant signings at the running back position, so Carter is in line for much more work in 2021. With quarterback Zach Wilson hopefully improving, LT Mekhi Becton coming back from injury, and the signing of RG Laken Tomlinson, the Jets offense should be much better in 2022, which would benefit Carter greatly. He only had 25 red zone carries last year, which for reference was just as many as Bills running back Zack Moss. Carter is young, has legit talent, and is due for more work in a better offense. He’s a guy you should really be trying hard to acquire.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
2021 PPR Finish: RB38 | Age: 22
Another rookie who disappointed in 2021. Chuba Hubbard disappointed us for different reasons, as he was given a lot of opportunities after the injury to Christian McCaffrey, but didn’t do much. The big factor for Hubbard’s fantasy value is the previously mentioned McCaffrey. It’s been rumored that Carolina has been shopping him, which makes sense given the fact that they are rebuilding and McCaffrey’s inability to stay on the field and massive contract. Even if they don’t trade him, we know McCaffrey is very injury prone and in the chance he misses games, Hubbard becomes a borderline RB1. I’d try trading for Hubbard in the chance that maybe his owner just thinks he’s a typical backup running back.
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
2021 PPR Finish: RB44 | Age: 24
It was a miserable 2021 for Miles Sanders, but his finish as RB44 can be attributed to mostly two factors. First, he didn’t score a single touchdown despite 20 red zone carries. He was terribly ineffective in those opportunities as well, averaging less than 2 YPC. Second, he was not used as a receiver nearly enough. He’s a more than capable pass-catcher but was only targeted 34 times in 12 games. Jalen Hurts is the main reason for both of these numbers being so low, but you’d have to imagine that he will score touchdowns and will get more than 34 targets in 2022. After an awful 2021, his value is probably as low as it’ll be for the foreseeable future. Make a move and take a shot on Sanders.
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
2021 PPR Finish: RB83 | Age: 27
Chris Carson only played four games in 2021 before suffering a neck injury that ultimately ended his season, but in those four games, he was pretty effective. He tallied 232 (4.3 YPC), three touchdowns, and also had six receptions. Former 1st-Round pick Rashaad Penny came on very strong at the end of the year and is gaining a lot of traction in the dynasty community, but Carson is still just 27 and has proven to be a reliable option for Pete Carroll. Not to mention that Penny has been in line to take over as the RB1 on this offense for four years now. I don’t think Carson is ever going to go back to being a bell-cow back, but I don’t think he’s just the backup now either. He’s still going to get a large chunk of that pie. He’s the ultimate buy-low candidate for me. I think he’ll be an asset in 2022.
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
2021 PPR Finish: RB152 | Age: 29
Raheem Mostert’s case is similar to Carson’s, as both are aging running backs, coming off a season-ending injury, and seemingly behind a younger option on the depth chart. The Miami Dolphins signed Mostert on a one-year deal, while also signing running back Chase Edmonds to a two-year deal for much more money. Edmonds is clearly the starter and is Plan A, but Mostert is a really interesting Plan B option who has shown flashes over the years. New Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel was the offensive coordinator in San Francisco last year and their run game coordinator for four years before that. He obviously likes Mostert as a football player. He’s one of the faster running backs in the NFL and has serious big-play ability. Should Edmonds miss time (missed five games in 2021), Mostert is a really good fantasy option if he stays healthy. You could probably get him for almost free in your dynasty league.
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