2022-23 NFL Predictions: Travis Etienne and 4 Other Running Backs That Will Breakout This Season

While running back is not necessarily the glamour position that it was in a previous era, there is still value to be found at the position. While some teams can cobble together a running game with multiple backs, there remains value in a strong lead back who can move the chains.

In 2021, there were seven running backs that rushed for 1,000 yards and seven that scored at least 10 rushing touchdowns. There were three – Jonathan Taylor, Joe Mixon, and Ezekiel Elliott – that hit both thresholds.

There is more that goes into the value of a running back beyond just churning out yards on the ground. The game is changing and the most valuable running backs change along with it.

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Here is a look at five potential breakthrough running backs for the 2022 NFL season:

Javonte Williams

The challenge for the second-year Broncos running back will be to take a larger share of the backfield work from veteran Melvin Gordon. Williams played 51% of the offensive snaps for the Broncos last season and still accumulated 1,219 yards from scrimmage with seven touchdowns. With the Broncos expected to be much improved following the acquisition of quarterback Russell Wilson, that should provide even more opportunities to run the ball and Williams should take advantage of that opportunity.

Cam Akers

A torn Achilles limited Akers to just one regular season game for the Los Angeles Rams last season, getting a handful of carries in Week 18. But Akers played a bigger role in the playoffs, and while he only averaged 2.6 yards per carry on 67 carries in four postseason contests, he should be healthy and ready to contribute to the Rams offense in a big way in 2022.

J.K. Dobbins

A torn ACL suffered in the preseason kept Dobbins out for the entire 2021 season, but he is expected to be ready to rock in 2022. His rookie season in 2020 was promising as he averaged 6.0 yards per carry on his way to 805 rushing yards with nine touchdowns. While the Ravens have veteran backups Gus Edwards and Mike Davis on hand, the opportunity is there for Dobbins to take the lead role and run with it.

Miles Sanders

As a rookie, in 2019, the Eagles running back accrued 1,327 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, which does not leave a ton of room for a breakthrough, but he missed some time in the next two seasons and had 912 yards from scrimmage with zero touchdowns in 2021, so it is still fair enough to expect that Sanders’ most productive NFL season could be coming in 2022. The Eagles have bolstered their roster and with Sanders averaging 5.1 yards per carry through his first three seasons, all he needs is to stay healthy and the production should be there.

Travis Etienne

Another player who missed the 2021 season, Etienne suffered a Lisfranc injury that ultimately required surgery on his foot to get him back on track. Etienne had great success in college, playing with Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and the Jaguars should be anxious to get Etienne opportunities that will allow him to make a difference. He may be competing with James Robinson for playing time, but Etienne will be worth watching in 2022.

Here are the odds from DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars for these five players to lead the NFL in rushing yards next season.

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