7 RBs Who Benefited from the Draft

Photo: Geoff Burke, USA Today Sports

The NFL Draft can have a big impact on player value. Seven running backs saw their dynasty fantasy football value increase after the NFL Draft.

See Running Backs Who Were Hurt By The Draft here >>>

Brian Robinson Jr, Washington

The Washington Commanders were candidates to draft Bijan Robinson before Atlanta selected him with the eighth pick of the draft. Instead of drafting competition for Brian Robinson, the team then spent third- and fourth-round picks on center Ricky Stromberg and guard Braeden Daniels to improve their offensive line. Robinson had double-digit carries in his final eight games of the season and was locked into a starting role after returning from being shot during an attempted robbery. Washington ranked 28th in yards before contact per attempt (2.4) in 2022, so the added offensive line talent should boost Robinson’s production.

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England

Rhamondre Stevenson is a big winner of the draft. He entered the draft as the best offensive skill position player for the New England Patriots and leaves the draft as their best offensive skill position player. The Patriots also did nothing to boost their skill position players and did not bring in any drafted competition despite Damien Harris’s departure. Stevenson has RB1 overall in his range of outcomes for 2023.

Cam Akers, LA Rams

Cam Akers enters the final year of his rookie contract without any significant competition to his workload. Akers has a fascinating career arc. Akers had a rookie season timeshare with Darrell Henderson before he tore his Achilles in the 2021 offseason. He had a quick recovery and rejoined the team for their Super Bowl run. Akers then had a disappointing start to the 2022 season before he was made a game-day inactive and put on the trade market. After he was not dealt before the 2022 trade deadline, Akers returned to the lineup, started the final seven games of the season, and finished with 100 yards in each of his final three games. Akers will need to prove himself in 2023 before hitting free agency and has an open opportunity to do so.