With the preseason entering its final week and the regular season on the horizon, fantasy football owners are getting their final looks at potential rookie sleepers who could make an impact at some point this season. Thursday night featured three such RBs -- Dameon Pierce, Isaiah Pacheco, and Tyrion Davis-Price. Pierce and Pacheco have made waves all preseason, steadily moving up fantasy rankings, while Davis-Price has failed to carve out a role for himself.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on how these three young running backs have performed in training camp and break down down their fantasy outlooks heading into the season.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet
Dameon Pierce Fantasy Outlook: Likely Texans' starter wraps up solid preseason
Out of all the running backs selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pierce has made the most preseason noise. It appears he'll be the Texans' starting running back in Week 1. Pierce wrapped up his preseason with an excellent performance in the Week 3 finale against the 49ers on Thursday. The former Florida Gator had six carries for 37 yards and a touchdown. Pierce did not get any targets in the passing game, which might hurt his fantasy value, at least in PPR leagues. However, he's the real deal and someone who the Texans will lean on to start the year.
Pierce has seen his ADP rise over the past few weeks due to his performance in training camp and preseason debut against the Saints (five carries for 49 yards). Pierce did not play in the Texans' second preseason game last week, as head coach Lovie Smith was impressed with what he's seen from the rookie. The 22-year-old's ADP on FantasyPros is No. 103, and he's ranked No. 38 among RBs. SN Fantasy has Pierce ranked 44th among RBs in standard and PPR formats. Last season, the Texans had an on-going carousel at running back, which was not ideal for fantasy owners. That could be the case again this year with veterans Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead, but Pierce looks like he'll get a chance to take the job and run with it. He's an ideal RB3 with upside in the middle rounds.
2022 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
Isiah Pacheco Fantasy Outlook: Chiefs' handcuff could have sleeper value
Despite being just a seventh-round draft pick, Pacheco has turned heads in training camp and preseason this summer, giving him a chance to be involved in the Chiefs' offense this season. In Kansas City's preseason finale against the Packers, Pacheco had 10 carries for 52 yards, which was more than what veteran Ronald Jones II did (eight carries for 43 yards). With the way Pacheco was playing to start the preseason, it seemed like he could potentially win the No. 2 job over Jerick McKinnon. However, McKinnon's experience and pass-catching prowess gives him a slight edge early in the year.
Nevertheless, we should expect to see Pacheco on the field this season, as he can be used in the running and passing games. The Chiefs have Clyde Edwards-Helaire listed as their No. 1 back, but we know the Chiefs like to rotate backs. Last season, we saw Kansas City play Edwards-Helaire, McKinnon, Darrel Williams, and Derrick Gore to a certain extent. Williams had 1,010 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns, showing what a secondary back can do in Kansas City. Pacheco has that upside if Edwards-Helaire were to get hurt. SN Fantasy has Pacheco ranked 57th among RBs in standard and 60th in PPR formats. Consider him a handcuff to watch.
2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
Tyrion Davis-Price Fantasy Outlook: Rookie buried on 49ers depth chart for now
Davis-Price looked primed for a potential role in the 49ers' backfield this season, especially with Trey Sermon not living up to expectations last season. However, that won't be the case right away, as Davis-Price's performances in the preseason have been inconsistent. In San Francisco's preseason finale against Houston, the former LSU running back had four carries for negative-three yards and one reception for 10 yards. It was a disappointing outing for the young running back, who did not play until the fourth quarter after Jeff Mason received some carries. In last week's contest against the Vikings, Davis-Price had one of his better performances of the summer with 10 carries on 41 yards and six-yard reception.
2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team
However, it's going to be hard for Davis-Price to get snaps to start the season, with Elijah Mitchell and Jeff Wilson getting most of the carries. Mitchell is dealing with a hamstring injury, which has sidelined him for most of training camp. If Mitchell cannot play start the regular season, Wilson will take over as the starting running back with Sermon likely being the RB2. SN Fantasy has Davis-Price ranked 66th among RBs in standard and 65th in PPR formats, largely because of a long-term belief he can eventually move up San Francisco's depth chart. Coincidentally, Wilson is ranked ahead Davis-Price at No. 65 in standard leagues. If Davis-Price is seeing the field, it's because San Francisco has suffered a ton of injuries in the backfield. He's not worth drafting outside of dynasty leagues.
