Young running backs Travis Etienne and JK Dobbins, both coming off seasons completely lost to injuries (left ACL for Dobbins, left foot for Etienne) present a tough draft-day decision for fantasy football owners. Etienne goes into Year 2 with the Jaguars with great optimism in a new offense, while Dobbins will try to pick up where he left off in Year 3 an integral part of the Ravens' backfield. They're in similar spots in the 2022 RB rankings and have similar ADPs, but who's the better pick?
Using half-point PPR to split the difference between standard and full, here's breaking down whom you should draft ahead of the other in 2022:
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet
Travis Etienne fantasy outlook, projection 2022
Etienne is sneaking into the top 20 at running back in most drafts. The former Clemson star has been fully healthy in his second training camp.
All the camp reports have detailed how impressive Etienne has been in practice, and he supported that by flashing in limited preseason action. There's no question Etienne is a dynamic all-around talent with good burst, fine receiving skills, and red-zone juice.
2022 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
James Robinson has been the surprise star of this backfield for two seasons, but he suffered a left Achilles' tear in late December. The team hopes he will be ready to play again in Week 1 against the Commanders, but it's also taking it slow with Robinson's recovery.
That's helped Etienne show that he should be the man to lead the backfield in key touches with Robinson in a significant complementary role when healthy.
2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
But while Robinson worked well for the two previous coaching staffs out of necessity with Leonard Fournette being moved late in 2020 and Etienne going down last preseason, Etienne is a back better suited for the offense of Doug Pederson and Press Taylor.
He may cede some of the power work and TDs to Robinson, but Etienne will dominate the Darren Sproles role for someone who coached Sproles in Philadelphia. That role turned into the Alvin Kamara role in New Orleans, and that's the more parallel profile for Etienne, with Robinson being a mashup of 2016 Ryan Matthews and '17 Mark Ingram.
Etienne might be limited to something like 750 rushing yards, but 60 catches for 500 receiving yards for a team that will be trailing and checking down often with Lawrence makes sense, especially given the unique QB-RB chemistry. Even with Robinson and Lawrence running for some scores, at least six TDs should be in reach.
2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team
JK Dobbins fantasy outlook, projection 2022
UPDATE: Dobbins' Week 1 status is question, but even if he's inactive in Week 1, he's not expected to miss much more than a game, two at the most.
The good news on the knee injury front is that Dobbins has been activated from the active/physically unable to perform list. That puts him on track to return to action in Week 1 against the Jets, although the team is erring on the side of the caution, just like the Jaguars not wanting to rush Robinson.
Dobbins doesn't have a Robinson at the moment, especially with Gus Edwards needing additional time to get back from his own torn ACL. But there's still a crowd, led by veteran additions Mike Davis and Kenyan Drake.
2022 AUCTION VALUES (Standard & PPR):
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Overall
The 2020 Ravens had an even committee with Dobbins and Edwards. Mark Ingram got about half as many carries behind them. Dobbins did deliver more than 900 scrimmage yards with nine TDs. He can return to be an explosive runner and fine scorer in 2022, but he'll again be reliant on rushing production competing vs. both the other backs and Lamar Jackson.
Dobbins was a decent receiver at Ohio State and is capable of being a dump-off outlet for Jackson when needed, but a strong rushing QB such as Jackson tends to limit those latter chances with deciding to run instead.
2022 RANKINGS TIERS & DRAFT STRATEGY:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs
At best, Dobbins might get the edge over Etienne in standard leagues, but it's shaky to base that potential on touchdowns. When receiving counts a little more, the choice is easy toward Etienne.
The pick is ... Etienne
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