It’s finally draft season, and we’re locking in these next two weeks as the biggest draft weeks of the year. So during this time, strategies are being devised and shared amongst millions of competitors. From zero running back to zero WR, everyone has their strategy, their my guys, and their stacks. So this article is meant to show you some guys I think at the RB position have more potential than their current ADP.

Darrell Henderson

Cam Akers coming back last year might’ve been the worst thing he did for his status as an RB1 in fantasy. According to The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, the Rams have split reps evenly between Henderson and Akers. Considering their current ADP rankings: Akers at RB18 and Henderson at RB 40. I would easily take Henderson at that ADP and allow myself to snag other top-notch skill players to fill out my roster. Henderson has averaged 600 plus yards and five touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He was also more involved in the passing game, getting a career-high 40 targets, 29 receptions, 176 yards, and 3 TDs. Henderson was the RB26 last year and was RB21 on a game average (11.2/pts per game). Henderson has averaged 11 games in the past two seasons due to injuries. While I’m not predicting he’s going all 17 games this year. I will say that for the value, I think he’s a bigger bang for the buck at his current ADP.

Brian Robinson Jr

Robinson has a chance to be a league winner this year, with the news of Antonio Gibson as the new kick returner. This turn of events makes Robinson a sure-fire bet to destroy his current ADP ranking of RB50. Gibson is 21 spots higher and seems to be sliding fast. Robinson comes from the long line of Alabama running back monsters and will look to be the goal line back. I advise everyone reading this to seek out Robinson and put him in your queue. Gibson has a fumbling problem, and with the Commanders needing a playoff appearance, the best thing for them to do is not waste a drive.

James Robinson

The Jaguars are bringing back running backs that were injured last year. One is a bargain, and one is an unproven talent. That’s right, let’s talk about Travis Etienne and his RB21 ranking. First, Doug Pederson had two running backs finish in the top 30 in the same season (Ryan Matthews and Darren Sproles) in 2016. Robinson is due back from an Achillies tear, and Etienne is coming off a Lisfranc injury. While Etienne will be back sooner and more utilized in the receiving game. Robinson should figure into the running game when he gets back. It’s going to be hard to pass up on a guy who had rushed for 1,857 yards and 15 TDs in his two seasons with the dreadful Jags. Especially when he’s RB41.

Kenneth Gainwell

The word out of camp is that Kenny G has improved at pass protection. Something that any three down back needs to know. Last year Gainwell had 544 yards from scrimmage (291 rushing, 253 receiving) along with six TDs. A few things to note about last year was that he didn’t have a 2020 season at Memphis due to Covid. That being said, he’ll get plenty of chances to take over this backfield in 2022. There’s a very real chance that at RB44 and in the league’s most run-heavy offense that Kenny G could end up paying big dividends in 2022 to whoever drafts him.

Dameon Pierce

Pierce is a new kind of animal in the NFL, he’s a brute with the knack for always falling forward. He was sparsely used in his last year at the University of Florida but had a nose for the endzone. One in every seven carries was a TD for the rookie running back. So far in the preseason, he’s shown a knack for cutting back and being patient enough to recognize what the offensive line is creating for him. And if there’s nothing there, then he’ll pave his own lane. It will be tough sledding for him as the Texans are running back. With the team looking at another losing season and likely playing from behind. I see a path to a top 20 finish for the young back as there was another young RB who was drafted to a historically bad team from a program that frequently didn’t utilize him. D’Andre Swift is his name, and in 2020 he took the fantasy world by surprise by finishing RB20 with 878 total yards and 10 TDs. Pierce has the possibility of being a weapon in this offense, and this could be the only season you’ll ever get him at RB35. So I wouldn’t waste that opportunity.

Wrap Up

Happy drafting season, everyone. The best words of advice I could give you before your upcoming draft. It simply takes the best value. The guys in this article are capable of breaking out this year and offer higher upside per their cost. I hope you enjoyed this article, and if you want more like it, then visit Bellyupfantasysports.com. Also, if you ever want to reach out to me, then my DMs are open on Twitter, and my username is @semtexmex93.