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Week 5 Every-Down Linebackers

Running Backs Who Must Be Rostered in 2022

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Catches separate the good fantasy running backs from the ELITE ones. Here are three RBs who MUST be rostered in 2022.

Elite pass-catching running backs can make up for the lack of receivers on someone’s fantasy team. These running backs can put up 20 points every single week with the total yards plus catches they put up every matchup.

With that being said, here are three running backs that MUST be rostered in the 2022 fantasy football season.

Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara has been one of the best fantasy weapons since he entered the NFL in 2017. As a rookie, he was able to finish as the RB3 and average 19.5 points per game. Since then, Kamara has only been one of the best weapons in fantasy football. He has yet to finish outside the top nine running backs in PPR format.

Kamara is a special breed of running back who is more lethal in the passing game. Having an RB that can catch out the backfield — and as much as receivers — can separate a team to the top in their league.

Since entering the league, Kamara has the most catches by a running back at 373, the most receiving yards, and the second-most receiving touchdowns. He missed four games in 2021 and was still able to finish as the RB8 in PPR leagues and be the RB4 in PPG.

Kamar has an ADP of RB9 in redraft leagues for 2022 and that is extremely low. Being able to draft him at the start or middle of the second round is a STEAL. A fantasy star since entering the NFL, Kamara should be drafted as a top-five running back and it will be a disservice and an insult to your own fantasy knowledge if you do not take him in 2022.

Although a suspension is looming for the battery charges during pro bowl weekend, Kamara can help win leagues when he returns in week seven.

Travis Etienne

There are a lot of good things that come from rookie running backs. Najee Harris last season finished in the top five. The year before that, Jonathan Taylor finished in the top five. Alvin Kamara also finished in the top five his rookie season.

Technically, Etienne will be a rookie in the 2022 season. He has A new head coach who has proven he can win. Etienne’s college quarterback under center is shaping up for a magical 2022 season in Jacksonville. He had over 100 catches in his four seasons at Clemson with 83% of those catches coming in the final two seasons.

Being able to play again with his college quarterback, Trevor Lawrence will prove to benefit not only Etienne but the franchise guy in Lawrence. Since training camp started, coach Doug Pederson said that Etienne has been very impressive and has been lining up in numerous spots.

A running back that can do that screams RB1 in fantasy football and is being compared to Alvin Kamara and D’Andre Swift, two guys who have top-five upside. Not drafting Etienne in 2022 is like not tying your shoe and then going for a run.

The manager who doesn’t draft Etienne will end up disappointed for not thinking clearly. Besides Breece Hall, Etienne is the other “rookie” with a top-five upside in 2022.

D’Andre Swift

The next Alvin Kamara to enter the NFL has already arrived. D’Andre Swift is that second-round running back this season that will finish in the top five for running backs. Everything checks out and he is a spitting image of Alvin Kamara.

Swift appeared in just 13 games in 2021 due to injury but he left his mark in those 13 games. He finished number five in receiving yards, four in receptions, second in target share percentage (among running backs), and number eight in fantasy ppg.

Being the focal point of the Detroit Lions offense, Swift will take on the Kamara role just like he has been doing for years in New Orleans.

Swift is being drafted in the second round of redraft leagues. He has the best chance among all non-first-round running backs to finish as THE RB1 in 2022.

Thank you for checking out my running backs that must be rostered article! You can read all of my articles on my IDP Guys’ author page. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @NBF_Clo and @IDPGuys (we have offense too) and please check out our website at idpguys.org.

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