Unless you’re in like a Super-Flex league, you’re more than likely drafting Running Back in at least two of the first 3 rounds.
And there’s nothing worse than watching your whole fantasy team tank when your lead back gets hurt, or when all the sudden they become part of a committee!
Who can you trust? Who should you reach for?
You don’t want to lose your league before it starts, so read on to see who the Kings recommend!
Dr. Dye — Aaron Jones
In some ways, this decision feels like a no-brainer, but in others, it feels like a huge risk.
We’ve all been wondering this off-season after Davante Adams went to the Raiders, who is Rodgers going to be throwing to? The answer is…no idea. So it’s feeling more and more like the Packers are going to have to run the ball, which will mean a lot of Aaron Jones, even with A.J. Dillon right behind him. But this is a 1-2 punch that isn’t going to be affected by the committee idea. Dillon more is the perfect back to spell Jones from time to time.
And here’s a stat. Last season Adams had 12 TD catches from within the 5 yard line. Maybe those sort of opportunities go to Tonyan, or maybe they go to Jones, either running or catching the ball, which he does very well and averages a little over 3 a game the last 3 seasons. In comparison, Najee Harris led the NFL last season in catches for running backs, and was just barely over 4 a game.
Right now Jones is ADP 22, so if you’re drafting early in the 2nd round, you may want to reach a little to take what could be one of the highest scoring backs of the 2022 season.
The Kid — Joe Mixon
Mixon had his best fantasy performance in 2021, and that’s not going to change this season. In past seasons, injuries have been the biggest concern for Mixon, but he shook off those concerns and became a fantasy-fan-favorite after winning people their leagues. I was one of those people (and if you’re looking for a running back in Mixon’s situation this year, Saquon is another guy you could reach for…but not this early).
Mixon posted career bests in carries, all purpose yards, TDs, and fantasy points last season, and an upgraded O-line should help to repeat that success. While he’s not a huge part of the passing game, he does have receiving upside and could realistically rush for 1,500 yards, haul in 250 receiving yards, and post double-digit TDs this season.
In your fantasy draft, picking at or around the turn is the best time to snag Mixon. If you’re sitting there in the same position I was, and you’re struggling to decide, take him! He is an RB1 on the current AFC Champions that has true 2,000 all purpose yard potential.
That’s an easy decision to me.
Johnny B — Run CMC
Christian McCaffery, the guy everyone is scared to draft…
I’ll tell you right now, I’m not. I can’t, I say, I WON’T sit here and believe that CMC is the NFL’s Derrick Rose.
Don’t be surprised when he comes out and leads the league in rushing yards by Week 6. I’m ready for him make the league remember who he is and what he is capable of. There’s always jokes and memes about the wind blowing the wrong way and CMC tearing an ACL. Laugh while you can.
As for me, I’m biting at the nail to see CMC come in and wreck shop on secondary’s throughout the league. He was a record breaking running back before the injuries, and he’s about to come in and prove to everyone that he is in fact, Still That Guy. With all the movement at the Quarterback position in the past two seasons, the Panthers NEED CMC to come back and lead this offense like he’s done time and time again.
Chef Chad — Dalvin Cook
There are very few traditional, old school RBs around anymore. In fact, is there any other than King Henry as we enter the 2022 fantasy draft season? Fantasy has changed so much, as have NFL team’s schemes. Look how few HCs are from the defensive side of the ball. QBs command the big checks.
Subsequently, coaches are better served these days finding guys that can help build a dynamic offensive attack with more than just their arm. Simply put, many QBs have become their team’s defacto RB, or at least RB2. Just for argument’s sake, who is the Bills back you want or trust drafting? Better still, which team isn’t embracing at least some form of RB by committee. I have been screaming it for years, much to the chagrin of Dr. Dye.
While the Packers will continue to win, it’s not solely because Rodgers is a savant, even while aged and without a true WR1. Rather, Dillon and Jones will be integrated differently this year. The McVay Effect appears to be a legitimate thing. The Shanahan Touch also. Lafleur deserves his props. The dogfights that set up with the Vikings this season will be a chance for Cousins to change how he is perceived by not just fantasy players, but his peers (I maintain he is grossly undervalued in this draft).
Which brings us to Kevin O’Connell. The L.A. Maestro places his next disciple in Minneapolis. We are aware McVay’s grandfather, John, was an NFL head coach and vital to the Debartolo/Policy Niners for 16 years, right? This dude is churning out head coaching talent like Bill Walsh. O’Connell was a third-round pick out of SDSU by the Patriots in 08, retiring in 2012. And once Zimmer wore out his welcome, similar to hardliners leaguewide that don’t fit anymore, McVay’s tree has established a new branch.
And the biggest unsung that O’Connell inherits may actually be Dalvin Cook. Currently ADP 8, he was 5th in touches and 11th in PPG a year ago. He went 3 for 15 in goal line carries, finishing with only 6 TDs. That is impossible. More likely a product of stodgy, outdated schemes. You see where I am going here. 16 TDs a year ago, 13 before that. A whole fresh approach will put Cook in a unique spot to finally unlock his best. He has soft hands, and up until now has been underutilized as a pass catcher. All of that changes this season.
Yeah, and J. Jeff, Theilen, a surging Irv Smith…hell, D. Cook’s backup, Mattison is solid. Even so, Cook is gonna have the most opportunities of his career. He gets all the cheapies he missed out on last year PLUS PLUS.
Calling 20 total touchdowns, and a Top 2 final RB ranking.
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