Austin Ekeler Fantasy Football’s Top Running Back To Target Based On ADP
Unlike in years past, true workhorse running backs who play all three downs have become somewhat of a rarity. Most NFL teams employ running back by committees or a timeshare in some capacity. Only a handful of running backs are dominant in between the tackles yet also excel as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. In PPR formats, a running back who can catch passes is perhaps the most important player on your team. Having an Austin Ekeler or Christian McCaffrey or Najee Harris is a remarkable thing. Even if that player has an off day and fails to find the end zone, the volume of the workload in the passing game can result in a momentous day in fantasy despite a pedestrian performance in the real world. With that in mind, let’s dive deep and dig up five players you should target on draft day at the running back position based on current ADPs (Average Draft Positions).
Please Note: These ADP values are based on PPR leagues.
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Top Five Fantasy Football Running Backs Based On ADP
RB Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers (ADP: 4.20)
Despite being arguably the best pass-catching running back in the entire National Football League (outside of perhaps Christian McCaffrey), Ekeler is currently being selected as the fourth running back off the board in PPR formats. It makes sense that Johnathan Taylor and CMC are being drafted earlier than Ekeler but Derrick Henry isn’t known for catching passes. He’s a touchdown-dependent asset who produces the majority of his fantasy points on the ground or by bursting past the goalline. Considering the Titans lost A.J. Brown and still have Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, the Titans may not see themselves in as many red-zone opportunities as they did in the previous two seasons. This will cut into Henry’s touchdowns. Meanwhile, Ekeler doesn’t need to score a touchdown to provide immense value. There is nobody that is going to eat into his touches and he is explosive both as an in-between-the-tackles runner as well as an elite option passing the football out of the backfield. In 16 games last year, Ekeler tallied 911 rushing yards on 206 carries, 12 rushing touchdowns, 70 receptions for an additional 647 receiving yards, and eight more touchdowns through the air. He led all running backs with 20 total touchdowns and finished as the second-best running back in all of fantasy football with 21.5 PPR points per game.
Obviously, Ekeler is a first-round talent in fantasy football but he should be going within the first three or four picks and it’s criminal for D-Henry to be selected before the talented Los Angeles Charger.
RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals (ADP: 16.73)
The Cincinnati Bengals are now one of the strongest offenses in the NFL. While their phenomenal receiving core featuring Ja’Mar Chase and Tee Higgins are the focal point of the Bengals’ offense, Mixon will continue to see many touches this upcoming season. Due to Chase’s breakout performance in his rookie season, opposing defenses will have to respect Joe Burrow in the pocket and double-team his favorite target. This should leave tons of space in the middle of the field for Mixon to bust through the hole.
Last year, Mixon rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 42 passes for 314 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Mixon is currently slated to be drafted in the middle of the second round. Fantasy owners who select a wide receiver or Travis Kelce in the first round may want to turn it back and grab one of the most electric running backs in the league. Mixon is a true RB1 and has top-five upside. I would even consider drafting him at the very end of Round 1.
RB Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ADP: 29.88)
Leonard Fournette had a great season last year for the Buccaneers. The former Jaguar rushed for 812 yards and eight touchdowns while also chipping in 454 receiving yards and two more scores through the air. Fournette has found a new home in Tampa Bay. In fact, Tom Brady targeted Fournette at least six times in Fournette’s last six games of the regular season. He can catch the ball, but also run it powerfully. Anytime Fournette got 15 or more carries in a game last season, he rushed for at least 80 yards. In the last four games of the regular season, Fournette recorded six total touchdowns, had two games with 100+ rushing yards, and three with at least 90 all-purpose yards. Through this stretch of four games, Fournette averaged 25.8 PPR points per game. Furthermore, he averaged an NFL career-high 4.5 yards per carry in 2021, demonstrating that Fournette is growing and not regressing as a player heading into his sixth season in the league. Don’t forget that Ronald Jones II has left the Buccaneers to join the Kansas City Chiefs. Over the last two seasons, Jones and Fournette have worked in a time-share, which Fournette broke free of late in 2021. Without Jones on the field, Fournette should be seeing even more carries than he did last season. While third-down specialist and veteran Giovani Bernard could see some touches alongside RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Fournette will be rushing the ball heavily this upcoming season.
At the moment, Fournette is a bit overweight. Fortunately, we are still in early July and training camp is still a month away. Even if he isn’t fit by early August, count on Fournette to be in-game shape by the time the season starts. With Tom Brady under center for another season, expect holes to continue to open up for the former first-round pick.
RB James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (ADP: 38.48)
In 2018, James Conner erupted for 973 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns on 215 carries as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He additionally produced 497 receiving yards and one touchdown through the air. However, injuries held Conner back in 2019 and 2020, pushing the Steelers to send him over to Arizona. In his first season with the Cardinals last year, Conner had a career campaign. The veteran scored 18 touchdowns (15 of the TDs were rushing) in 2021 and finished the season with 1,127 all-purpose yards. While he produced 1,470 yards from scrimmage in 2018 and 13 total touchdowns, his 18 touchdowns in Arizona last season were jawbreaking. His ability to use his 6’1’’ and 235 lbs. frame to break through tackles in the endzone was on full display last season and makes him an invaluable fantasy football asset heading into this season. In fact, Conner could be even better than he was last year now that Chase Edmonds signed with the Miami Dolphins. Surprisingly, it was Edmonds who entered last season as Arizona’s starting running back but injuries got the best of him. That’s when Conner truly stepped it up. Conner will continue to be the team’s starting running back as the Cardinals currently lack depth at the position, with Darrell Williams as the second-best rusher on the roster. Williams has great hands and excels in the passing game but Conner should see upwards of 250 carries in 2022. Expect Conner to have another huge season. He’s a dark-horse candidate to lead all rushers in touchdowns in Arizona’s lethal offense.
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RB Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons (ADP: 90.13)
After nearly a decade in the NFL, Cordarelle Patterson had his breakout season with the Falcons in 2021. Last season, Patterson rushed for 618 yards and six touchdowns and caught 52 passes for 548 yards (10.5 yards per catch) and an additional five touchdowns. With Atlanta in 2021, Patterson recorded 1,166 of his 4,270 career all-purpose yards as an NFL player. He also recorded 11 of his 29 total career touchdowns. The Falcons have unlocked Patterson’s true potential after being selected by the Vikings in 2013 as a punt-returning wideout. His 6’2”, 220 lbs. stature helped him surpass Mike Davis on the depth chart and become the Falcons’ best running back on the roster.
The Falcons parted ways with Russell Gage and Calvin Ridley is unlikely to suit up anytime soon, which means that Patterson should serve as Atlanta’s focal point in the offense. It’s up to Patterson to move the chains, especially now that the Falcons have downgraded from Matt Ryan to Marcus Mariota at the quarterback position. So why is Patterson being drafted so late? Some experts think that last season was simply a fluke. However, the Falcons don’t have any proven skill players so Patterson will be forced to shoulder the majority of the load. Yes, Atlanta drafted wideout Drake London and acquired former Las Vegas Raider, Bryan Edwards. That said, Patterson is the only reliable running back on this roster and he could serve as an RB2 or flex play in PPR formats this season. Don’t sleep on C-Patt.
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