Top 15 Dynasty Running Back Rankings 2022: Jonathan Taylor, Javonte Williams top the list

We are still months away from the start of the 2022 season, but there are always things happening in the NFL. Redraft leagues may not be on the horizon, but dynasty startups certainly are. PFN’s fantasy team (Tommy Garrett and Jason Katz) has assembled our top 80 dynasty RB rankings. The following is an updated breakdown of the top 15 running backs following the wild and crazy moves of free agency.

For a complete list of intriguing dynasty running backs, make sure to check out our breakdowns in PFN’s top dynasty RB rankings.

2022 Dynasty RB Rankings | 1-5

Who are the top five running backs in our top 15 2022 dynasty RB rankings?

1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

Of the top 15 running backs, Tommy and I ranked just two of them in the exact same spot. Unsurprisingly, one of them was Jonathan Taylor.

Taylor is coming off a transcendent sophomore season in which he led the NFL in rushing attempts, yards, touchdowns, and yards from scrimmage. He finished as the overall RB1. Taylor is just 23 years old, and he’s running behind a top-five offensive line. And now he has a stationary Matt Ryan at quarterback, which only enhances his potential for receiving work. Taylor is the clear dynasty RB1.

2. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

I was too low on Javonte Williams during our first pass at these rankings. But man, this kid is talented. In his lone start without Melvin Gordon, Williams turned 32 opportunities into 178 total yards and a touchdown.

Now, Williams is on an offense that will be much improved with Russell Wilson replacing the duo of Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater. Even if Gordon ultimately returns, I expect Williams to lead this backfield. He may not be a 70% snap share guy with Gordon around, but Williams is just 22 years old. Even if Gordon hangs around, it won’t be for more than a year or two. Williams is inevitable.

3. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

After not missing a game over his first three seasons, Christian McCaffrey has played in just 10 games over his last two years. For McCaffrey, the only concern I have is his health.

When on the field, McCaffrey remains a LaDainian Tomlinson-level force. The Panthers may reduce his workload, but this is still a clear top-five fantasy back even if they do.

4. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

As a rookie, Najee Harris finished as the RB6 in PPR fantasy points per game (minimum eight games played). He’ll already be 24 years old in his second season but is locked into a three-down role.

The Steelers’ offense really can’t be worse under Mitchell Trubisky. Hopefully, they can improve the offensive line and find their quarterback of the future within the next 2-3 years.

5. D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions

I am very torn on D’Andre Swift. We’ve seen him operate in a three-down role and excel. As a rookie, he was an excellent pass catcher, but an inefficient runner. However, I mostly chalk the latter issue up to poor play design.

The concern with Swift is two-fold: volume and offense. For Swift to truly become an elite fantasy back, the Lions need to get better offensively and commit to Swift as their guy. He’s just 23 years old and coming off an RB9 finish. This is the type of back you target in dynasty leagues. I hope the Lions don’t mess around and give other backs carries at the expense of Swift.

2022 Dynasty RB Rankings | 6-10

Who are the next five running backs in our top 15 2022 dynasty RB rankings?

6. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

Although Joe Mixon will turn 26 years old this season, he’s coming off the best year of his career. I’ve always been a Mixon supporter, but his performance never matched my adoration. I, like many others, blamed the offense. Well, it looks like we were correct.

The Bengals have a good offense now. They have an ascending young star quarterback in Joe Burrow and the best wide receiver duo in the NFL in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Mixon finished as the RB6 last season and should remain a top-10 running back for the next 3-4 years.

7. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

It feels wrong to rank a 27-year-old running back this high, but Austin Ekeler is not your typical older RB. With just 889 career touches, Ekeler does not carry the same risk of slowing down as other similarly-aged running backs.

Ekeler is tied to Justin Herbert for what should be the remainder of his career. Last season, Ekeler averaged 19.1 PPR fantasy points per game, the highest mark of his career. The Chargers boast an ascending offense, and Ekeler remains a massive part of it. As long as he stays on the field, Ekeler will be at least a mid-RB1 for the next 2-3 years.

8. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

Dalvin Cook finished as the RB10 last season, which is disappointing by his standards. The more significant concern for Cook is his health. Throughout his career, Cook has battled repeated shoulder and ankle issues. You know you’re never getting 17 games from Cook. However, you also know whenever he’s on the field, he’s the every-down back, no matter how well Alexander Mattison or any of his backups play in his stead.

At age 27, Cook should still be able to give fantasy managers two or three dominant seasons.

9. Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders

Entering his age-24 season, Antonio Gibson may see his value range from very good to elite. It all depends on his role in the passing game. Despite dealing with a fractured shin all season, Gibson only missed one game (due to COVID-19) and finished as the RB16.

We’ve seen Gibson’s top-five ceiling in action. Unfortunately, it’s only come without J.D. McKissic. For a brief moment, Gibson was ready to ascend to the ranks of the elite with McKissic heading to Buffalo. Then, he had a change of heart and re-signed with the Commanders. Gibson remains an RB1, but his ceiling is capped with McKissic back.

10. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

The other guy Tommy and I ranked in the exact same spot? Alvin Kamara. After finishing as the overall RB1 in 2020, Kamara took a huge step backward in 2021. He averaged a career-low 3.7 yards per carry and caught a career-low 47 passes.

Drew Brees is not coming back, and now Sean Payton is gone as well. The Saints pegged Jameis Winston to be their starter once again, with Andy Dalton as the backup plan. With the Saints shifting to a more ball control and defense-oriented approach, Kamara’s dynasty value feels like it’s on a slow decline. I don’t see a return to the top five in the cards for Kamara.

2022 Dynasty RB Rankings | 11-15

Who are the final five running backs in our top 15 2022 dynasty RB rankings?

11. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Nick Chubb will be 27 years old by the end of the 2022 season, and at this point, he is who he is. You will never lose your league because you roster Chubb. He’s a low RB1/high RB2 with a mid-RB1 ceiling.

Chubb has averaged 16, 17.3, and 15.4 PPR fantasy points per game in his three seasons as the Browns’ starting running back. His skill set as a power runner should age well, but Chubb will never be a 20 ppg guy. That has value in dynasty, but there’s usually someone that likes Chubb more than me.

12. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

What do we do with a 28-year-old aging running back coming off a foot fracture with a high risk of reinjury? Derrick Henry massively improved his passing game work in 2021, establishing an overall RB1 ceiling. He’s also amassed 955 touches over the past three seasons.

Henry is an athletic freak, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he were one of those guys that’s supremely effective into his early 30s. At the same time, Henry’s efficiency dropped considerably in 2021, averaging a career-low (as a starter) 4.3 yards per carry. It would not shock me if Henry were a top-three running back this season. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Henry completely fell off a cliff. He’s a lot riskier than he may appear.

13. Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

Cam Akers‘ ability to return just 5.5 months after tearing his Achilles is remarkable. Following his return, Akers looked like a shell of his former self. Again, he was also 5.5 months removed from tearing his Achilles.

With guys like Marlon Mack and D’Onta Foreman regaining their explosiveness following Achilles’ tears, we should be cautiously optimistic that a 23-year-old Akers can do the same. We can also be confident the Rams will turn this backfield entirely over to Akers. If he can get back to even 90%, he will be an RB1. This ranking bakes in the risk of returning from a torn Achilles.

14. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

David Montgomery finished as the RB18 last season, averaging 14 PPR ppg. I was never a fan of Montgomery, but a crucial part of being an effective fantasy manager is the willingness to change your opinion.

My optimism regarding Montgomery’s future stems from two things. He has the same job security as a guy like Dalvin Cook. If Montgomery gets hurt, it doesn’t matter how well his backup performs — Montgomery is getting the full three-down role back as soon as he is ready. And the Bears have a new coaching staff. Justin Fields and this offense should only improve, and if they do, it will help their 25-year-old running back get closer to his ceiling.

15. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens

Much like Akers, J.K. Dobbins is also returning from a severe injury. Dobbins tore his ACL in the preseason. While ACL tears are never something we want to see, if they are going to happen, the earlier the better.

Dobbins should be fully recovered by the start of the 2022 season and is poised to recapture the RB1 role. I’m still concerned with Dobbins’ lack of receiving work (through no fault of his own). As a result, I don’t see him being a consistent RB1. However, he can still be a high RB2 as the lead back on a run-first offense that should score plenty.