The 2022 free agent running back class has a good group of running backs entering free agency, including running backs with starting experience. The running backs should have a good opportunity to find a starting job.
Leonard Fournette’s value hit rock bottom when he was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. Fournette rehabilitated his market over the past two seasons, won a Super Bowl, and is coming off an RB6 finish with 69 receptions. Those 69 receptions were the third-most among running backs in 2021. Fournette’s career turnaround from being cut by the team who earned the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft in multiple years to earning the starting job for the Super Bowl champion was remarkable. Priced as an RB3 at present in Dynasty, Fournette will be 27 in 2022 with a multiple-year contending window still in his range of outcomes. At the cost of a second-round rookie pick, Fournette is a good investment.
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James Conner is coming off an RB5 finish, rehabilitating his value in Arizona after leaving Pittsburgh on a downward trajectory. Conner, like Fournette, will play his 2022 season at 27 years old. Conner was second at the position in rushing touchdowns and could be best valued if he returns to Arizona. Conner’s status would take a jump if he returned to Arizona and Chase Edmonds left in free agency. At worst, Conner should find an injury-away opportunity in free agency, with the upside for a 2022 starting job. The common ask from dynasty GMs for Conner is a second-round rookie pick but is unlikely to rise significantly if he lands a starting job.
Melvin Gordon
Melvin Gordon teamed up with Javonte Williams to form a strong 1-2 punch in the Denver backfield in 2021. Gordon finished as RB18 on the season and was top 12 in his forced miss-tackle rate. Gordon will be 29, so the contractual options may be more limited for him than the younger Conner and Fournette. Gordon at the cost of a third-round rookie is an upside bet with little downside.
Sony Michel was traded to the Rams to fill in after Cam Akers was injured in the summer of 2021. Michel played a full 17 game season, only the second time he has played a full season in his four-year career. Michell did increase his receiving work, with 33 targets on the season and 21 receptions, the best two performances of his career. With Akers returning from his torn Achilles, Michel is likely to go elsewhere in free agency and may have to settle for an injury-away job. Michel has a median draft position of the 18th round in Superflex drafts the past month, making him a potential target for those selecting backup running backs in the range.
Chase Edmonds enters free agency with a total of 15 starts in his four-season career. Edmonds saw a career-high in touches in 2021 (159) and total yards (903) but missed five games with injuries. With durability questions, Edmonds projects more as a committee or injury away running back than a week one starter after free agency. Edmonds has a legitimate trade range between third and second-round rookie pick equivalence and could be an arbitrage candidate.
David Johnson is coming off the worst season of his seven-year career, with the fewest receptions (32) and receiving yards (225) outside of his injury-shortened 2017 season. Johnson was marginalized in the running game in Houston, as his 67 rushing attempts ranked third among Houston’s running backs behind Mark Ingram and Rex Burkhead. Johnson’s career may be on the last legs, but a contending team, interested in a pass-catching running back should be interested in a cheap contract. As an early reveal player, Johnson is worth a deep stash where he can be cut if he shows poorly in the early phases of his next contract.
Rashaad Penny had a frustrating rookie contract with the Seattle Seahawks. He played in a total of 37 of 65 career games while battling multiple injuries. Penny saved his best for last, with six straight double-digit carry games in 2021, including 135 or more rushing yards in four of the final five games. Penny will likely need to settle for a prove-it deal with little guaranteed beyond year one. Of the running backs on this list, Penny has the potential to be the biggest difference-maker on this list. Penny has been selected in the 40s of the position in recent drafts and is one of the few players in the range that could massively outproduce his cost.
Ronald Jones II never established himself as a season-long starter in Tampa Bay but managed 978 yards on 192 carries in 2020 before Leonard Fournette’s ascension to the leading running back role for the past season. Jones only has 488 carries on his career, so there has been limited accumulated wear and tear. However, Jones presents a limited receiving threat, with only 76 receptions in 55 career games. Jones could be an injury away-type or a running half of a committee backfield in either Tampa Bay or elsewhere in 2022.
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