Derrick Henry is the Clear RB1 for Fantasy Football In 2022
With fantasy football season on the horizon, it’s never too early to look at position rankings and gauge where to take a certain player in a position group. One of the most talked about positions is running back, and that is because you typically see a running back go first overall if you know what you’re doing. Here at Vendetta Sports Media, we had a writer recently publish who they think has a chance to be RB1 this upcoming year, and while his list was not very good to begin with, there was a clear omission that I cannot let slide. There is one man who far and away should be the consensus RB1, and that is Derrick Henry.
I will first address the reason why he was left off the list I tagged above. We were told that Derrick Henry is “too old” to be in consideration for the top guy in fantasy football for 2022. To me, that is absurd. Henry is only 28 years old. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Garrett, 28 for a running back might as well be in his mid-30s or older! That is the case for most guys I will give you that. But Henry is just a different breed. Also, there are guys on this list who are just a year and two years younger than him with more injuries than Henry. So, this age debate doesn’t make a lot of sense.
It’s All About The Stats
I will turn your attention to a very interesting stat from last season that will hold A LOT of weight in this debate. Here are your top 10 rushers last season in terms of yards.
- #1 Jonathan Taylor (1,811)
- #2 Nick Chubb (1,259)
- #3 Joe Mixon (1,205)
- #4 Najee Harris (1,200)
- #5 Dalvin Cook (1,159)
- #6 Antonio Gibson (1,037)
- #7 Ezekiel Elliott (1,002)
- #8 Elijah Mitchell (963)
- #9 Derrick Henry (937)
- #10 Damien Harris (929)
Now, if you remember last season, Henry missed almost half of it due to a foot injury. Notice how he is still TOP 10 IN THE LEAGUE IN RUSHING. Think about that. The guy ahead of him played 3 more games than he did, and he had 26 more yards. Henry led the league in YPG with 117.1 — 10.6 more than the next best in Taylor. Henry was on pace for 1,990 yards last season which would have led the league. But this “old man” just can’t produce like that this season, I guess.
To me, and to most people who actually watch the NFL, it is clear as day that Derrick Henry has to be the clear RB1 for 2022. His production last season was unbelievable and now with rest and a full recovery from his injury, the sky is the limit for him. You must draft Henry first overall in your fantasy leagues, and if you don’t, you’ll likely regret it.
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