The 4 Riskiest Dynasty RBs

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The challenge of playing the dynasty format is understanding market values and when to unload risky assets. Now that the start of the season is upon us, some assets carry more risk on your dynasty roster than others. The smart move is to unload these prospects for other assets before the season, but even the best dynasty manager will overplay their hand. Whether it be because of stubbornness or the need to be correct, it’s hard for dynasty managers to admit when the players they drafted don’t hold the same value. Some managers struggle to unload these prospects before the last bit of value is dried up. But, like in life, sometimes the rush of going all-in is too exciting to pass up. As the season comes upon us, we’ll cover each position's riskiest assets on your roster. If you missed the quarterbacks article, you can find it above. This article will dive into the four riskiest running back assets on which dynasty managers will be going all-in this season.

Saquon Barkley, NY Giants

Saquon Barkley seems like the forgotten running back of the NFL. He rushed for over 1,300 yards as a rookie and finished as RB3 overall in PPR formats. Barkley finished that season with 361.6 fantasy points per game and averaged 24.1 points per game in PPR formats. The following season he suffered a high ankle sprain but was still able to eclipse 1,000 yards and finish as a low-end RB1. Unfortunately, his injury trend popped up again in 2020, with him tearing his ACL in week two and missing the entire season. He returned in 2021 but struggled to return to form on the field missing another four games with an ankle injury. He would finish as RB32 in PPR formats and be unstartable down the season's stretch. Barkley comes into 2022 healthy and playing in a new offense led by Brian Daboll. He will also play behind arguably the best offensive line in his career. All those factors will contribute to his bounce-back season in 2022, but can we trust him in Dynasty? The Giants picked up his contract this season, but there is no guarantee they will give him an extension. He is truly in a make-or-break year, and we could see his value plummet across dynasty leagues. If you're a contender, he’s worth buying and taking the risk on because his ceiling is him finishing as the overall RB1 in fantasy. His injury history is a risk, but we can’t predict injuries. Based on talent alone, he’s worth the risk in your dynasty leagues.

• Dynasty Superflex ADP: 27.00 RB7
• KTC Value: RB11
• Buy/Sell/Hold: Buy
• Current Trade Value: 2022 Early 1st

Cam Akers, LA Rams

Cam Akers returned last season from a torn Achilles in just six months in one of the most miraculous injury recoveries we have seen from an NFL player. While the recovery was impressive, his production left little to be desired. He lacked burst and only averaged 3.1 yards per touch in the last five games of the season. The one caveat to those numbers is he did face very tough run defenses in those games, but the lack of athleticism is still concerning, considering his injury. Now in the pre-season, he is dealing with a soft tissue injury with no timetable for him to return. Akers will also be competing with Darrell Henderson for snaps, and both were listed as RB1 on the first depth chart released by the team. Henderson is also dealing with a soft tissue injury, but that first depth chart should speak volumes on Akers' value. The Rams drafted Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams, showing the Rams realized they needed to add depth to that running back room. Williams is also recovering from foot surgery but should make his preseason debut this week. The Rams are also rumored to be in the trade market for a running back. There are many unknowns about Akers, and his long-term outlook is a sell in the dynasty format. There is a real possibility that we have already seen Akers' ceiling, and now would be the time to ship him to another manager in your league. If you do unload Akers, be sure to get a player and a pick in return if you can't get a 2023 late first in the deal.

• Dynasty Superflex ADP: 48.00 RB17
• KTC Value: RB19
• Buy/Sell/Hold: Sell
• Current Trade Value: Late 2023 1st/Early 2023 2nd