The 2022 fantasy football season is upon us. Finding fantasy football sleepers is never easy, but late-round selections often dictate success. The goal of this article is to identify five running backs that are being selected below their current ADP that may end up winning your league.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns
ADP-RB30
Kareem Hunt is coming off an injury-riddled season for the Browns. Hunt only managed to play eight games due to a calf injury but was productive in the games that he played.
A major concern for Hunt is his split with Nick Chubb and D’Ernest Johnson. That concern is valid, but Hunt was also a top 10 running back in PPR formats before sustaining his injury.
The Cleveland Browns have reiterated that they have no intention of trading Hunt, who is in the last year of his contract. The Browns certainly have enough weapons in their backfield sans Hunt, but a trade seems unlikely this deep into the offseason. If Hunt is traded I could see a playoff-contending team like the Bills, 49ers, or possibly even a reunion with the Chiefs. Any trade news will shake out likely prior to draft time. If Hunt was traded and had an opportunity to be a lead back, and RB1 overall finish is not out of the question.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
ADP-RB37
It took nine weeks for Rhamondre Stevenson to get out of the Belichick doghouse. After week nine, Stevenson became one of the better running backs in the NFL. Stevenson finished only eight spots behind teammate Damien Harris and finished as RB25 in total points scored.
So why is the ADP for Stevenson so low? The Patriots are hopeful that James White returns after injury and Damien Harris is in the last year of his contract. Belichick is known for not paying running backs second contracts and may ride Harris as much as he can before he leaves New England next year. The Patriots also selected two running backs in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Much like the situation in Cleveland, the Patriots could potentially move Damien Harris and get a return for him instead of letting him walk via free agency. If Harris was traded, Rhamondre Stevenson becomes a potentially top-five running back option for the remainder of the season.
RB37 is still too low. He finished RB25 last year and only played half the season.
Ronald Jones II, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
ADP-RB40
Ronald Jones II leaves one elite offense for another elite offense in Kansas City. The Chiefs lost Darrel Williams to Arizona in free agency, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is hurt on a regular basis, and Jerick McKinnon is more of a third-down back in this offense. McKinnon played well in the playoffs for the Chiefs out of necessity but seems like a guy that will be relegated to a few carries a game. The Chiefs also have extremely deep sleeper Derrick Gore on the roster as well.
Where does this crowded backfield have room for Ronald Jones II? Darrel Williams accounted for 63.6% of rush attempts inside the five-yard line for the Chiefs in 2021. Clyde Edwards-Helaire accounted for only 20.9% of the rush attempts in the red zone. This is where Ronald Jones II fits in for the team. Kansas City finished 11th in red zone touchdown percentage last year at 62.2%. Ronald Jones II has a large opportunity to be the early-down and goal-line back for the Chiefs in 2022.
Jones II will have to score double-digit touchdowns to likely pay off for fantasy owners. The Chiefs still have one of the better offenses in the NFL and taking players from elite offenses is never a bad idea, especially with an ADP of 40.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
ADP-RB60
Tyler Allgeier comes in as the deepest sleeper on this list. Allgeier is a 5th round selection by the Falcons out of BYU. The Falcons employed Cordarrelle Patterson as their starting running back last season. Patterson enjoyed your atypical 30-year-old breakout season surprising fantasy owners. Per Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Cordarrelle Patterson may see a decreased number of touches in 2022 due to a combination of age, career usage rate, Marcus Mariota at QB, and the emergence of Tyler Allgeier.
Tyler Allgeier is coming off two ultra-productive seasons at BYU. He tested poorly at the combine and slipped to the 5th round. Allgeier has impressed the coaching staff at camp. Per Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Tyler Allgeier has impressed the Falcons staff in training camp up to this point. He could carve out a legitimate role in the offense with the expected decrease in workload for Cordarelle Patterson.
Allgeier is essentially a free space for fantasy owners at RB60. Expect Patterson to get a lot of third-down work, but Allgeier may be the feature back quickly for the Falcons. If there is one player you need out of every draft, make it Allgeier.
Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams
ADP-RB17
This one is somewhat of a cop-out. Akers is the highest-ranked running back on this list, and rightfully so. Akers came back last year after a torn Achilles tendon after roughly six months of rehabilitation. That in itself was a miracle as that injury is possibly career-ending, let alone at least a year-long recovery. The rust for Akers was evident in the playoffs as he struggled against some great run defenses.
Cam Akers has a huge opportunity this season to lead the Rams backfield. Sean McVay utilizes a true workhorse running back style and Akers should see north of twenty touches a game.
Darrell Henderso seems to be his only competition at the position. Henderson has had struggles with injuries his entire career and is already nursing a soft tissue injury in camp.
What makes Akers a sleeper is his RB17 ADP. Running backs like Nick Chubb, Aaron Jones, Javonte Williams, and Ezekiel Elliot have a higher ADP than Akers and have highly ranked backups. Akers should be able to handle as many carries as he can in 2022. There’s no way that Akers should be falling into the fourth round in any drafts.
