2022 Fantasy Football: Top Second-Round Running Backs
We all know that there is a steep decline at the running back position after Round 2. So, who are the best running backs to target in the second round on draft day? Currently, five running backs are going in the second round of 12-team PPR leagues. If you don’t draft a running back in the first round, you probably shouldn’t exit Round 2 without scooping up one of these tier-two running backs. We rank them not by ADP but by projected fantasy points this season. Let’s dive in.
Round 2 Fantasy Football Running Backs To Target On Draft Day
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants (ADP: 16.08)
Saquon Barkley looks like he’s in amazing shape heading into 2022. As a rookie in 2018, Barkley produced 1,307 rushing yards on 5.0 yards per attempt, 721 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns. He followed that up with a slightly less efficient year in 2019 before dealing with injuries that have prevented him from playing the majority of the last two seasons. While the injury might be a concern for fantasy owners considering drafting Barkley in the second round.
The good news for Giants fans and fantasy football owners alike is that Barkley has looked tremendous in training camp this year. He is in terrific shape and his acceleration and explosiveness have been features that the Giants’ coaching staff has been raving about all Summer. If this is what we see from Barkley this regular season, drafting him in the second round could be a steal.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (ADP: 15.31)
Despite AJ Dillon becoming a major piece of Green Bay’s offense, Aaron Jones still managed to produce his third consecutive season with 1,000+ all-purpose yards and double-digit trips to the end zone. Since Davante Adams left Green Bay, the Packers’ passing game could take a hit in 2022 despite Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball. If anything, Rodgers could increase his targets to Jones taking into consideration that the two have developed chemistry with one another over the last few years. Jones has had at least 350 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons for the Packers. Expect his share of targets to increase in 2022 as a result of the downgrade at the wide receiver position. Dillon may eat into some of Jones’ carries but Jones is the clear superior option in the short-passing game. Expect a ton of dump-off passes and screen passes from Rodgers to Jones in 2022. Aaron Jones should finish the season with around 1,000 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards, and double-digit touchdowns yet again.
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Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (ADP: 18.41)
Nick Chubb could turn up to be a solid fantasy player in 2022. With Deshaun Watson serving an 11-game suspension and Baker Mayfield out of the way in Cleveland, Jacoby Brissett will be throwing the ball for the Browns until at least December. This could lead to more rushing attempts on offense, especially through Chubb who has been a stud at the position for the team since he joined the league.
In each of the last three seasons, Chubb has rushed for at least 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. Although the Browns may use Kareem Hunt more than Chubb as a pass-catching running back, he’s not close to as efficient as Chubb, who has averaged 5.6 yards per carry in 2020, and 5.5 yards per carry in 2021. Chubb has averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry in each of his first four seasons in the NFL. At 5’11’’ and 227 lbs., Chubb is a power-back who bulldozes through opposing defenses comfortably. With Watson out until Week 13, expect Chubb to see a lot more touches as the Browns rely on him to move the chains in 2022.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (ADP: 20.91)
As a rookie last season, Javonte Williams had 903 rushing yards, 316 receiving yards, and seven total touchdowns for the Denver Broncos. While he produced impressive yardage in his first NFL season, he’d be more attractive as a fantasy football prospect if he got into the end zone more. In 2022, expect him to produce more touchdowns with Russell Wilson at quarterback and with Denver’s offensive line improving around center Lloyd Cushenberry III. With an improved offensive line heading into 2022, Williams should be having an easier time running the football. He could also receive some more targets (and accurate ones) from Wilson than he did from Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater last season. Not to mention, Williams and Melvin Gordon split carries pretty much evenly last season. Expect the second-year running back to see the bulk of touches this season. I’m anticipating a 75-25 split this year as opposed to the 50-50 split we saw in 2021. Williams is going to be an absolute stud and fantasy football owners should celebrate selecting him in the mid-to-late second round. Barring an injury, there is essentially no way that Williams doesn’t improve upon his impressive rookie campaign.
Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ADP: 21.94)
In 2021, Leonard Fournette had 812 rushing yards, 454 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns. His size and power make him one of the strongest backs in the league. The sky's the limit for Fournette who is playing for one of the best teams in the league. Last season, Fournette hauled in 69-of-84 targets from Tom Brady. He caught a whopping 82.1% of the passes thrown his way. In 2022, there is even less competition in Tampa Bay’s backfield so Fournette should flourish. Snagging him at the back end of the second round is a bit of a reach in my opinion but Ezekiel Elliott is the next running back to come off the board and Fournette should outproduce Zeke easily in 2022.
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