Way Too Early Fantasy Football Busts for 2022 – Running Backs

In my last article, I looked at my early busts in fantasy football at the quarterback position. This time, we’re taking a look at the running backs. Considering the volatility of this position, this was a little harder to predict than I originally imagined. Nonetheless, let’s get started.

As a reminder, this is only for the 2022 season. Players who will face possible suspensions are not added on these lists.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons

Like my previous article where I stated I wasn’t doing anything special mentioning Aaron Rodgers, the same can be said here.

Patterson had his best NFL season to date in 2021, posting over 1,000 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. This was due to a few factors; the absence of Calvin Ridley, Matt Ryan’s tendency to check down, and a bad offensive line.

Already 31-years old, Patterson is well past his NFL prime. While he may provide some type of Flex appeal in fantasy football, he will not be an RB1 in back-to-back seasons. If you’re in dynasty leagues, I hope you sold early for a high price. If you’re in redraft leagues, let others reach for Patterson.

Never chase past production in fantasy football; moreso if it’s from a completely unproven player like Patterson.

Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders

I’d like to start this off by saying that I’m a huge fan of Antonio Gibson. That being said, I don’t see him finishing as an RB1 this season.

Despite his ability to gut through pain and produce, Gibson was put into a three-headed RBBC. While I’m not a big believer in Brian Robinson, I tend to believe Ron Rivera when he talks about having a similar 1-2 punch as he had in Carolina.

To be honest, this is something I’ve kind of expected; and expect to see more of throughout the league – RBBCs. While I don’t think Gibson’s fantasy football dynasty value is hurt in any way, I do have some doubts about his 2022 value.

Washington brought back J.D. McKissic, who was the true hindrance to Gibson last season. With Carson Wentz at QB, I expect McKissic to be a similar type of nuisance this season. While I expect Gibson to still get his touches, there are too many variables for me to be safe taking him as a top-12 RB in the 2022 season.

Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers

When all the hype was on Trey Sermon last season, it was Elijah Mitchell who provided fantasy football value at RB for the 49ers. This season however, I think managers may be chasing fool’s gold when targeting the RB in 2022 drafts.

The 49ers are one of the biggest users of the RBBC approach. They reaffirmed that belief by selecting Tyrion Davis-Price with Day 2 draft capital – someone who I consider more of a sleeper than the other RBs on the roster. On top of the RBBC approach utilized by the 49ers, Mitchell – and Trey Sermon – seem to have an inability to stay on the field.

I’ve seen Mitchell start to soar through draft boards given the 49ers ‘run-heavy’ approach, but I think it’s a misguided approach. Plus, if the team does finally decide to deploy Trey Lance, I fully expect to see him vulture goal line touches.

There’s too many factors for me to feel comfortable taking Mitchell, and I think he will be a bust for fantasy football managers this season.

Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

If you know me, this pick doesn’t surprise you. I haven’t been a believer in Akers pre-injury, and post-injury there’s little reason to believe.

Yes, I understand that Akers came back from an achilles tear exceptionally fast. Yes, I know he came back and played for the Rams in the playoffs. That being said, if anyone told you that he looked good in those appearances, they’d be lying to your face.

Akers managed a paltry 2.6 YPC during the 2021 playoffs. And, while his 9.5 YPR looked good, he really only averaged 2 YAC; with his Y/Tgt at 7.6.

We all know the history of running backs with Achilles injuries. While Akers could break that mold and become a star, I just don’t see it happening. Even moreso when looking at the 2022 season.

Because of the Rams offense, Akers is being drafted as a high-floor RB. I don’t think that could be further from the truth. I’m staying away from Akers in all formats, but especially in fantasy football redraft leagues. Target Darrell Henderson in the back-end of your draft; you’ll thank me later.

Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

This one I will probably end up eating crow on, but I’m sticking to my guns – at least, for now. The Eagles ran the ball at a tremendous rate last season, but that didn’t mean fantasy football production for Sanders. He didn’t score a single TD on the year and lost receiving work to Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell.

For whatever reason, the Eagles’ coaching staff doesn’t believe in Sanders the same way the fantasy football community does. He’s unquestionably an amazing runner. But, until I see differently, he’s nothing more than a poor man’s Nick Chubb for fantasy football.

With the team trading for AJ Brown, I expect the Eagles’ rushing attempts to drop drastically this season. While most would think that’d help Sanders get more valuable touches, I think it just lowers his ceiling significantly. Jalen Hurts will still vulture his touches at the goal line, and he’ll still lose targets to Gainwell and Scott.

Sanders is being drafted as a player who didn’t finish as the RB44 last season. While I think he should greatly outperform that low-bar, I don’t see many ways for him to return the RB2 value he’s being drafted at.

I love Sanders and will happily eat crow on this if I’m wrong. But with that being said, he’s one of my early fantasy football busts prior to the 2022 season.