5 Opinions on 3 Running Backs

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Footballguys hosts multiple projectors for offensive players. Often, their opinions on players are fairly similar.

But sometimes, they have differences. Stark differences.

We asked them to back up those projections, and they have.

Here are three running backs whose projections vary.

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh

Jason Wood

Harris led the league in touches last year, and while he'll remain a workhorse back, he's unlikely to match last year's tally. The coaches want to give him more rest, and the change at quarterback and the addition of George Pickens guarantee Harris won't see the massive volume of dump-off passes. He remains a compelling fantasy starter, but he won't match 2021.

Anthony Amico

Clear starting running back with zero competition. Expect one of the league's highest backfield touch rates, and Harris should catch the ball a decent amount. I'm unsure about touchdowns, but I think the offense will improve overall without Ben Roethlisberger.

Sigmund Bloom

Harris was a strong PPR play last year on volume alone. The team has expressed the desire to cut down his snaps at least slightly, and it looks like Jaylen Warren may give them a more attractive option at backup running back than Benny Snell. Add in the likelihood that the offense will include fewer dump-offs to Harris after Ben Roethlisberger retired, and his status as a first round fantasy pick may be a bit optimistic.

Maurile Tremblay

Harris is a true workhorse back likely to be near the top of the league in rushing attempts, and I think he will also remain heavily involved in the passing game. He's a safe bet due to his projected volume, and I love drafting safe players in the first round. so I am higher on Harris than most.

Justin Freeman

Najee Harris is a volume play - plain and simple. Quite frankly, I find that extremely concerning behind a bottom-third offensive line in an offense with shaky quarterback play. Harris is live to lead the league in rush attempts but would need a miracle to lead the league in production.

Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay

Jason Wood

My 2022 projections are largely built off last year's role once he became the full-time feature back, and they assume he plays 15 games (instead of last year's 14). I do project a downtick in his receiving numbers because of Rachaad White's addition and a receiving corps that now runs four deep. But I could be persuaded to bump up his receiving totals as the summer continues.

Anthony Amico

Fournette seems pretty locked into a major role, but maybe he loses receiving work to other backs. This is an elite offense with tons of scoring chances.

Sigmund Bloom

Fournette's strong RB1 season last year was unexpected, so we can be forgiven for taking some time to adjust to the new reality last year. This year, the Bucs re-signed Fournette to a contract that indicates that he's the clear three-down starter, and there's no sign that his role will differ from last season. He has already proven he can be a first-round value in this offense and role, so getting him in the second helps absorb the risk of some offensive line injuries, lowering the offense's efficiency this season.

Justin Freeman

Projecting Tampa Bay's offense is littered with question marks. Leonard Fournette put up monster numbers once the obstacles in front of him were out of the way - namely Gio Bernard. This year, the team will open with Bernard and rookie Rachaad White on the roster, both of who are threats to Fournette's volume. With offensive line concerns mounting, you simply have to balance risk-reward that Tampa is still Tampa and they are likely to lead the league in touchdowns, making Fournette a primary beneficiary.