6 sleeper running backs to consider in 2022

This is a different flavor of sleeper RBs than you might be used to. In no way will they burst from the double-digit rounds and win you your league, but they may win you Week 1 or 2.

This is how to play the running back game. You have to know the depth charts, a play caller’s tendencies, and an understanding that there’s a possibility for injuries every week. This position is much more fluid than your stable positions of quarterbacks and wide receivers, and good fantasy players take advantage. 

Here are some guys to keep an eye on leading up to kickoff. There’s a good chance a few of them could be the starter in Week 1.

Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans

By all accounts, this is the starter for a team that’s going to want to run the ball. Prioritize Dameon Pierce in drafts as he should get double-digit carries every game. This is not a good offense, but it’s hard to find an established player on top of the depth chart this late in drafts. 

Mike Davis, Baltimore Ravens

This is about as boring as it gets, I know.

When we use words to describe elite running backs, almost none of them apply to Mike Davis. He’s just in a really great position right now. The top two backs for Baltimore, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, are still coming back from injury and Davis is sitting on top of the depth chart until they’re healthy.

Again, this is the Baltimore Ravens. They love to run the ball. They just beefed up their offensive line, lost their top receiver, and defenses are going to be keying in on Lamar Jackson. There are going to be opportunities here.

Oh, and their Week 1 opponent? Just the New York Jets, a bottom-5 rush defense from last year. Giddy up. 

Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Rams

There’s a minor chance that Cam Akers is not back in time for Week 1. Minor chances are all we ask for with these flyers.

Last seen, Akers was plodding through the backfield 1.62 yards/carry in the Super Bowl. The most he gained during last year’s postseason was 55 yards on the ground. Sure, he came back quickly from a devastating injury, but still. Those are not earth-shattering numbers.

Coach Sean McVay has even said that he sees this as an even role between Darrell Henderson Jr. and Akers. And if Akers misses time? Henderson will have the backfield to himself on a great offense. One can do worse. 

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

This is a stash to sit on for Week 1 and see how the rushes are composed.

I think this is a fluid situation right now for Kansas City. They want Clyde Edwards-Helaire to be the guy — they spent a first-round pick on him in 2020 — but Andy Reid will give the ball to the better performer. A high draft pedigree can go so far, and CEH has been disappointing during his first two seasons.

There’s an opportunity here. Will Pacheco take advantage? 

Brandon Bolden/Ameer Abdullah/Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders

Honestly, who knows who will come out of this backfield with value? It could be none of them. It could be all of them.

Josh McDaniels will bring that frustrating Patriots backfield rotation with him to Las Vegas and continue to plague fantasy players. You know that someone will come out of this though.

If I am going to toss a dart it’s on Zamir White. Both Brandon Bolden and Ameer Abdullah are pass catchers, and White — who was drafted by McDaniels — could surpass Jacobs on the depth chart. Crazier things have happened. 

Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers

Right now San Francisco is sitting Elijah Mitchell so he can rest his hamstring, and all signs point to the sophomore starting Week 1.

This stash is a bet that the hamstring does not get better. What if we’re three days to kickoff and Mitchell is still not practicing? Does this not sound like last year when Jeff Wilson Jr. jumped into the lead role? This is another high-upside lottery pick that can pay off big dividends if Wilson starts.