Jonathan Taylor started to take the lion's share of the Colts' backfield touches in Week 5 and from that point forward he averaged 26.1 PPR points per game. 1 RB in standard leagues. Jamey stopped Kupp's slide with the eighth overall pick, and even with concerns about Matthew Stafford's elbow making headlines in training camp recently, I still think Kupp is the top WR on the board and should be a top-three pick in PPR leagues. By Gene Clemons. Taylor also led the NFL in red-zone touches (92), which was not that surprising considering he ranked fifth in that category as a rookie. Taylor is running for 89.3 yds on the ground per game so far in his career. Mixon averaged 18 ppg last year, but there is talk of a further reduction in his third-down role, which limits his ceiling. As our rankings show, we give Taylor the edge as the No. Matt Brandon Oct 6th 5:45 PM EDT. Given Henrys importance to the Titans offense and Tennessees shot at contending it would be somewhat surprising to see him garner another touch count in the 330-370 range. Click here to confirm your accessLogin Now. Taylor is the consensus No. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. There are a number of ways to value players when deciding who to draft for fantasy football, but utilizing tiers has become a more common approach in the last 10 years. He caught just 19-of-31 targets in 2019 and averaged only six yards per reception. There's a reason he won this league last year. Everyone loves upside and potential steals, but there seems like way too much potential downside to grabbing CMC before No. At 22, Taylor rushed for 552 yards more than the No. Hunt will continue to see work in Cleveland behind Chubb in a Browns offense that will be run heavy until Deshaun Watson returns. With both expected to be ready for Week 1 in 2022, many fantasy owners have been wrestling with the decision of which top-tier RB to choose if they land the No. Kamara is one of the halfbacks on this list who recently landed his bag, but it hasn't altered his approach to the game. 1 RB in PPR and standard leagues. Be sure to check out our full RB PPR rankings and RB tiers before you draft! Taylor also scored 20 all-purpose TDs last season, while Henry maxed out at 17 in 20 and 18 three years ago. All of this, and more, becomes deathly clear when attempting to identify the best in all of football at the position. ? All of them will have more value in PPR formats, of course. . Gibsons value appears to be on the decline after a preseason fumble. Accept Draft Wizard My Playbook Premium Log. Of course, taking a TE and QB early means I've got Allen Robinson as a somewhat weak WR2, with the hope that he breaks out in his new offense. Combined with 40-reception upside, Taylor is a locked-in first-round RB in fantasy football drafts. He has run for 4 touchdowns this year with a long carry of 66 yds. Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? 1 RB Jonathan Taylor IND 14 $39. By using a tiered approach, fantasy managers can see where the next drop-off in talent is and make decisions about whether they need to invest in the current tier or if theyre able to wait. He's rushed for 33 touchdowns with the longest carry being for 62 yds. A myriad of variables determine how successful a running back will be at the NFL level, and the bottom line is not all of them are created equal, with some being forced to produce with much less of a supporting cast for much of their career to this point, e.g., Joe Mixon. 2022 FANTASY DRAFT STRATEGY:Snake drafts | Auctions | Dynasty | Best ball | IDP. Dillon led the Packers in carries and rushing yards and figures to see a bigger role in 2022, but Jones will limit him to mid to low RB2 value. Additionally, as it relates to who belongs in the top 10, there's also something to be said for having skins on the wall, and while some of the promising up-and-comers -- one in particular notwithstanding (scroll down) -- have a lot to look forward to, they simply haven't also been producing for as long as Jones has. Are you looking to contact Customer Support about a subscription or account related question? However, he is still expected to be the Vikings featured back and should see some positive regression on just six touchdowns from last season. Last season, Taylor was the best running back in fantasy, averaging 22 PPR fantasy points per game (ppg). He has good hands, catching nearly 85 percent of his 90 targets through his first two seasons. Etienne is also returning from major injury, and James Robinson is still expected to play a significant role in the Jaguars backfield. The Lions could re-sign the veteran running back in the offseason, especially if they don't trust Swift to stay healthy for an entire season. 1 PPR back. Najee Harris Is A Very Talented Player To be a first-round pick, it is obviously imperative that you produce at a high level in college, especially at a position that isn't valued significantly. Last season, Taylor was the best running back in fantasy, averaging 22 PPR fantasy points per game (ppg). Christian McCaffrey, Najee Harris,Damien Harris,James Conner,Josh Jacobs. VIEW ADVICE | Edit Players Summary. And he's primed for positive TD regression entering the final year of his rookie deal. Cheetahs Always Prosper (Tyreek Hill) Adams' Family (Davante Adams) Diggs In A Blanket (Stefon Diggs) Ridley's Believe It Or Not (Calvin Ridley) Nuk If You Buck (DeAndre Hopkins) Downtown A.J. Meanwhile, McCaffrey is the most prolific fantasy RB since LaDainian Tomlinson. Alternatively, if you want to chat with our analysts, be sure to join our completely free Discord server. For all of the hubbub about Tony Pollard, a justifiable nod to the potential of the Cowboys backup, it's still Elliott's throne in Dallas and for good reason. Following him are many viable heroes to anchor your roster as an RB1. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Top Quarterbacks: Comparing Player Props With ADP and Rankings, Pete Carroll Is Still Going Strong and Setting the Seahawks Culture. However, it still makes sense because you must be rigid with only selecting the running backs who can anchor the RB1 spot while maintaining flexibility within the first two rounds to avoid missing elite receivers. Hes young, healthy, super-skilled, and has very little competition for touches both on the ground and through the air. You will rarely see Ekeler being taken above the other two, but if you have the third selection in drafts, hes a strong player to start your draft with. Steelers 20, Buccaneers 18: Najee Harris wasn't overly impressive (with 49 total yards on 16 touches and a receiving TD), but consider the matchup. McKissic, CommandersNyheim Hines, ColtsMichael Carter, Jets. Don't let the fact he battled through injury in 2021 throw you off of what is the glaringly obvious: Henry remains atop the mountain of best running backs in the NFL. Meanwhile, McCaffrey is the most prolific fantasy RB since LaDainian Tomlinson. CMC has played just 10 total games over the past two seasons, while Cook has never played more than 14 games. Its also imperative to pay attention to injury risks and the age factor. Hes easily one of the best receiving backs in football, as evidenced by his 70 receptions for 647 yards and eight TDs through the air. The volume he is going to see in 2022 will ensure he is one of the safest running backs available in fantasy football. Elliott had a tough year in 2021, but hes still a talented back. Thats the reason hes not among my RB1s heading into drafts. Colts RB Jonathan Taylor can be a dynasty building block. Kamara appears to be safe from an NFL suspension, at least for 2022, so his value is rising. Fournette averaged a career-high 18.3 fantasy points per game a season ago, and hell remain the top back in a Buccaneers offense that will score lots of points. Harris carried the ball 23 times for 84 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-14 win over the Browns. There's no guarantee any of those players would've come back to me if I passed in the fourth and fifth Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray were also drafted before my next pick in the sixth but one thing I've been trying to remind myself of during my mock drafts this year is that, while I think the evidence suggests early-round QBs are worth the investment, most of the people who talk about Fantasy Football for a living still view waiting at QB to be the optimal approach. 2 rusher last season (Nick Chubb) and over 600 yards more than Joe Mixon at No. This game could come down to which rushing offense steps up.. Conner should get the first shot at major work, but Darrel Williams is looming to hamper his ceiling potentially. Expectations are this will not be a direct split, but Gordon should still take enough of the pie to hurt Williams fantasy output. As the future of Ryan Tannehill begins to come into question in Nashville, and with Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Pro Football Network, LLC. There are expectations he will take a bigger role in the passing game, but could losing goal-line work to AJ Dillon offset that? 2022 RANKINGS TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs. He just struggles to stay out there from start to finish each campaign. Taylor had the most elite skills, the gaudiest stats, the best health, and the highest usage last season. 1 Overall Pick, Anthony Richardson, Wide Receivers, Dynasty IDP Rookie Draft Profile: Drew Sanders (2023 Fantasy Football), No, I'm a California resident looking for the California Consumer Privacy Act form. . DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet. At No. RBs perform a little better than their average vs HOU, This is a 4 star matchup. Use this breakdown of the top fantasy running backs to make smart draft decisions. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram for your late-breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business! Watch the NFL all season long with fuboTV. Austin Ekeler, Chargers Najee Harris, Steelers Derrick Henry, Titans. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Thats the main reason he has yet to make a Pro Bowl appearance or receive any high NFL honors. Compare Najee Harris and Jonathan Taylor careers through the years of your choosing. But I'd expect a bounce-back effort from Taylor in 2023. Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry favorites for 2022 rushing title Kevin Hickey May 18, 2022 9:16 am ET During the second half of the 2021 regular season, Indianapolis Colts running back. Hes rushed for 33 touchdowns with the longest carry being for 62 yds. Flex: RB Najee Harris, Steelers ($9,400) Do Not Sell My Personal Information. section: | slug: 2022-fantasy-football-draft-prep-cooper-kupp-najee-harris-fall-unexpectedly-in-flex-league-12-team-ppr-draft | sport: football | route: article_single_fantasy | So, you're probably thinking there is one or two honorable mentions (listed below) who deserve this spot over Jones, but if I agreed with you, they'd be in this spot. With each reception counting for a point or even just a half-point, a strong three-down receiving back jumps way up in value. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 2022 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Overall. Tier 6: Melvin Gordon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kenneth Walker III, Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, James Robinson, Rashaad Penny, Tier 7: Michael Carter, J.D. Taylor is a threat to take it the distance from anywhere on the field, and has shown to be much better at catching passes than most had thought when he was coming into the league. (Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) Round 1 1. The 27-year-old played just 10 games in 20 and has been dinged up countless times throughout his three prior years as a pro. Its hard to go wrong with this group. Coming off of last weeks loss to the Bengals, the Steelers team seems defeated. 3:21 pm ET, a pick I've been advocating for the entire offseason, still think Kupp is the top WR on the board, I'm a firm believer in taking an early QB this season, evidence suggests early-round QBs are worth the investment, Quentin Johnston: Rookie scouting profile. While the ceilings not as high anymore, he should have the volume to be a borderline top-12 RB this year. Name Team; Name Team; Jonathan Taylor: IND: Najee Harris: PIT: D'Andre Swift: DET: Christian McCaffrey: CAR: Javonte Williams: DEN: Breece Hall: NYJ: Austin . Steelers' Najee Harris: Overcomes early fumble Rotowire Jan 8, 2023 Harris carried the ball 23 times for 84 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-14 win over the Browns. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons 15. However, health concerns combined with talented players around him limits his ceiling. He rarely coughs up the rock, posting just five total fumbles over his first 640 touches. Robinson and Gordon are projecting as the second options in their respective backfields. Indianapolis starts veteran Matt Ryan at quarterback who has never beaten the Steelers in three tries. Williams ceiling got lowered with the return of Melvin Gordon. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Not everyone agrees on the exact order the top players should be going off the board in, but there's a pretty strong consensus, to the point where you rarely find yourself surprised by much. We are predicting the Steelers go into Lucas Oil Stadium ad come away with the upset in. Hes younger, healthier, and has a better offensive line. Harris still operated as a pseudo-workhorse ranking 6th in opportunity share (70%) and 8th in total touches through the first 17 weeks of the season. Basically, hes good at just about everything. He also took Kupp in the fourth round of that one, and he very well could end up with a similarly productive duo this time around. It's easy to look at the success of the Bengals in 2021 and forget what it took for them to get there, which is to say what Mixon had to fight through to keep the team relevant and to ultimately still be around in Cincinnati for it. He has been placed on IR and won't return in 2022. 1 in PPRs with just 30-40 catches. Copyright 2019-2023. Najee Harris or Jonathan Taylor Who Should I Start? Etienne is a popular breakout candidate, but will James Robinsons return slow his rocket ship to stardom? Will they use this as a rallying point and win a very winnable game or is there just no fight left? 1 in standard leagues before getting into whether any other RB -- maybe Austin Ekeler or Najee Harris -- should go over Taylor in PPR formats. Fact is, while Jones took a step back in production in 2021, he's still every bit the dominant back he was when he delivered more than 3,000 yards from scrimmage and 30 touchdowns for the Packers in the two previous seasons. Were not talking PPR here that will be discussed a little further down this column but receiving yards still count for points in standard leagues. J.K. DobbinsCordarrelle PattersonElijah MitchellChase EdmondsMiles SandersTony PollardDevin SingletaryKareem HuntAntonio Gibson. 1 overall in fantasy football drafts? He will be healthier in 2023. He is rushing for 78.3 yds on the ground per contest. Christian McCaffrey, Najee Harris, . Pollard carries increased value in a PPR format, especially with injuries to the Cowboys RB group. In September of 20, he averaged a mere 3.9 yards per carry. Click here to confirm your accessLogin Now. Bijan Robinson is the number 1 rated RB - no surprise there. Translation: They matter, and in a major way. Najee Harris, on the other hand, enters the NFL at 23 years-old and is already an established pass-protector. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers. 6 or 7 -- and even then he's a risk. After scoring a combined 33 TDs through his 1st two seasons, Taylor scored just four rushing TDs in 2022. 2022 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex, Dont get cute. He was a top-5 runner last season before suffering a knee injury that had him running in quicksand in the second half. ADP. section: | slug: ranking-nfls-top-10-rbs-for-2022-christian-mccaffrey-plummets-with-injury-concerns-jonathan-taylor-soars | sport: football | route: article_single.us | Najee Harris. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City. He is among the most talented backs in the league, but he needs to rebound from a fantasy season that saw him tally 861 rushing yards, 143 yards receiving, and 4 TDs. Najee Harris' fantasy outlook for 2021. Singletary looks like the leader in the Bills backfield, making him a viable middle-round flex starter. Hey, remember this guy? Get insight into every teams' depth chart to see all the backups and sleepers you need to know with our 2022 RB . Jonathan Taylor Injury Update Taylor was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain following Saturday's loss to the Vikings. Gainwell could even push Sanders for touches, and Mostert would see more work if Edmonds were to go down, but he's clearly in the top two in Miami's backfield rotation. His average yards per carry sits at 5.1 and he has toted the ball 756 times.