Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks-RB) | ADP-39 | RB-17

Kenneth Walker was one of the draft day steals in 2022 as he finished with 189 fantasy points (Half-PPR). Walker stepped in for the injured Rashaad Penny and never looked back. He was the clear lead back in Seattle and one of the reasons why the Seahawks finished in the top 10 of total points scored at 407. Despite all that, the Seahawks couldn’t resist taking Zach Charbonnet in the 2nd round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This is alarming, to say the least if you’re looking at targeting Walker this season.

Charbonnet is more of receiving back who will undoubtedly be on the field for passing situations. My fear is his usage will continue to increase as the season progresses thus taking away more opportunities from Walker. As of now, Walker is still the week 1 starter but there is cause for concern. For me, it’s not worth the risk to draft Walker as we don’t know yet how this backfield will shake out in 2023.

Kyle Pitts (Falcons-TE) | ADP-70 | TE-7

Big things were expected from Kyle Pitts in his second season with the Falcons. Pitts was coming off one of the best rookie seasons we have seen at the tight end position. To say his sophomore season was disappointing is an understatement. Pitts was never able to replicate his rookie season success and only surpassed 10+ fantasy points in Half-PPR 2 times. His season was cut short as he missed the last 6 games with an MCL injury.

Pitts is now looking for redemption heading into next season but are we in for another disappointment? I believe we are. You can’t deny Pitts has the physical traits to be a dominant tight end but there are other factors to consider. Pitts will most likely be catching passes from Desmond Ridder for the foreseeable future. Ridder and the Falcons offense will be run-heavy with the addition of rookie Bijan Robinson. I don’t expect to see a dynamic offense for Atlanta and Pitts is not worth the risk, even at his current ADP.

Dalvin Cook (Vikings-RB) | ADP-67 | RB-30

It took a while but Dalvin Cook finally found a new home. Cook signed a 1-year deal to join Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on August 14th. Cook has been a top-tier fantasy running back since 2019 and finished last season as RB8. While this seems like a great setup for Cook, I do have some concerns going forward.

The Jets offense will look different with Rodgers now under center. You can expect to see the short-passing game we have become accustomed to seeing from Rodgers in Green Bay. This system is all about timing and getting the ball quickly in the playmakers hands. How does this relate to Cook? Well now that Breece Hall looks to be coming back to full health, I believe he is the better fit for this offense. Picture Hall in an Aaron Jones type of role in this system. Cook should still be the main goal-line back but I am worried about his usage.

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This is obviously huge news for Alexander Mattison as he will finally be the lead back in Minnesota. Mattison has a chance now to finish as a top-tier fantasy running back in 2023. Keep an eye out for our fantasy football rankings as when they are updated you will see a pretty big jump for Mattison. As for Cook, it all depends on where he lands. Let’s now look at 3 potential suitors for the star running back.

Miami Dolphins

Rumors of Dalvin Cook to the Dolphins have been circulating for months now. The Dolphins have no clear-cut #1 running back and this spot makes the most sense. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. and rookie Devon Achane round out the crowded running back room for the Dolphins. Achane was a 3rd round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft so the Dolphins have some investment there. Still, when you have a chance to grab one of the top running backs in the game you take it.

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are another team to keep an eye on as a Dalvin Cook landing spot. Denver has Javonte Williams coming back and they also signed ex-Bengal Samaje Perine this offseason. There are some factors here to consider. The first is Williams suffered an ACL tear back in October and it might take some time before he is ready. The other is Perine is more of third down running back and has never handled a heavy load. If Head Coach Sean Payton believes his team is a contender, expect him to make a move.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas is a bit of a wild card on this list but there are signs the Cowboys may be interested in Cook. Earlier this offseason the Cowboys decided to release Ezekiel Elliott and move ahead with Tony Pollard. Although Pollard has shown a ton of potential the questions are there if he can handle a full-time role. Fantasy owners would not be happy with Cook entering the mix but the Cowboys offense would become a major threat next season. Never count out Jerry Jones to make a splashy move and bringing in Dalvin Cook would certainly be that.

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Evaluating Injury Concerns and Durability

One of the primary factors to consider is Dalvin Cook’s recurring injuries, which have hindered his availability and disrupted the team’s offensive consistency. Throughout his career, Cook has dealt with shoulder, hamstring, and knee injuries that have limited his contributions on the field. These injury setbacks raise questions about his long-term durability and whether the Vikings should explore alternative options to maintain a reliable and sustainable offense.

Assessing Financial Implications

The financial commitment tied to Dalvin Cook’s contract also plays a significant role in the decision-making process. As one of the league’s highest-paid running backs, Cook’s salary has a considerable impact on the team’s salary cap space. The Vikings have already invested substantial resources in Cook, and his contract extension binds him to the team for the foreseeable future. However, with limited cap space and other areas of need, the team must carefully evaluate their next move. Whether that’s allocating a significant portion of their budget to the running back position or addressing those other needs.

Exploring Alternative Options and Strategic Planning

Given the aforementioned factors, the Vikings should consider exploring alternative options in the backfield. This may involve leveraging Cook’s market value through a potential trade to acquire additional assets that address other team needs. Alternatively, the team could focus on Alexander Mattison who has already shown can be the lead back. By diversifying their offensive approach, the Vikings could mitigate risk and create a more balanced and sustainable team.

As the future of Dalvin Cook with the Minnesota Vikings hangs in the balance, the team faces a critical decision. While no doubt Cook has undeniable talent it’s crucial to thoroughly evaluate his injury concerns, financial implications and potential alternatives. The Vikings must weigh these factors against their long-term goals and determine whether it’s time to move on from Cook. The decision they make will shape the team’s trajectory and define their commitment to building a successful and resilient franchise.

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By Charles Vakassian

Last time we did a head-to-head article, we looked at the two best running backs in the NFL Saquon Barkley and Nick Chubb. Today, we’ll be looking at a pair of veteran running backs who may be nearing the end of their respective primes.

Cook

2022 stats: 81 carries, 337 yards, 3 TDs, 11 catches on 15 targets, 74 yards (4.6 YPC)

Cook has been nothing short of a workhorse for the Vikings this year. With the exception of Week 2 against the Eagles, Cook has garnered at least 17 carries and 75 yards rushing each game. The touchdowns were slow to arrive, but he just scored twice last week, signaling positive regression in that area.

Kamara

2022 stats: 47 carries, 203 yards, 0 TDs, 11 catches on 17 targets, 110 yards (4.3 YPC)

Kamara has seen his 2022 derailed with injuries, causing him to miss multiple games. He has yet to reach the end one, partially due to Taysom Hill vulturing touchdowns, and a pass-heavy offense. Having Andy Dalton under center is also a handicap to the capabilities of the offense, and limits the scoring opportunities for everyone, Kamara included.

Head to Head Comp

Kamara has been the better receiving back, getting more targets and yards through the air than Cook. However, Cook has been the best on the ground, averaging more yards per carry and scoring three times. Kamara has yet to see the end zone. Cook also operates in a much more efficient and high powered offense, with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen making sure defenses cannot stack the box against the run. Kamara does not always have that same luxury, with the Saints receivers decimated by injuries.

Outlook for 2022 and Beyond

Both backs are at the age of 27 and locked into extensions signed with their teams. Cook and Kamara have significant injury histories as well, which does not bode well for their long-term success. And unless your name is Derrick Henry, running backs do not age particularly well. 27 is right toward the end of their effective running days. While both backs are in very similar boats, the slight edge goes to Cook, who has the better QB and offense around him. More touchdown opportunities are everything.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Minnesota Vikings will play with their hair on fire against their NFC North divisional foe in the Green Bay Packers this weekend. Over the prior 10 contests between the Vikings and Packers, the team that once featured the Purple People Eaters has won five games and tied one contest. With that said, I’m going to untwine five reasons why the Vikings can continue to have the upper ground on the Pack and come out with a victory this weekend.

• Danielle Hunter

“It is time” – Kevin Greene

The Minnesota Vikings fearless edge rusher Danielle Hunter was undoubtedly on pace for a career season in 2021. He registered six sacks, 10 QB hits, and 6 TFLs in seven match-ups last season. Unfortunately, the world ended for Hunter when he suffered a torn pectoral against the Dallas Cowboys. I trust in him mopping the floor against a Packers OL that has a somewhat rusty David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins.

• Dalvin Cook

It may be easy to peg Dalvin Cook as a reason that the Viks can ruin the Packers day on Sunday. Nonetheless, I expect him to be heavily leaned on against a Packers defense that will be hard to defeat in the passing game. Cook is healthy (for now) and he can really deliver against a Packers defense that gave up 163 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs to him not too long ago.

• Jalen Reagor

I love that the Vikings made a sneaky move to acquire Jalen Reagor. He may be an NFL bust at WR, but he could be an x-factor and a difference maker as a KR for the Vikings moving forward. Interestingly (to say the least), he scored a 73-yard punt return touchdown against the Packers in his career.

• Andrew Booth Jr.

I believe that Andrew Booth Jr. is already one of the most gifted CB3s in the league & he will establish his dominance against the likes of Randall Cobb and Christian Watson in their NFC North battle. Perhaps he will show on Sunday that he deserves to be in the DROY race.

• Irv Smith Jr.

Irv Smith Jr. is healthy (after missing the entire 2021 season) and ready to unleash hell against opponents. Irv Smith Jr. The Packers allowed the 11th most fantasy points to TEs last season and it’s clearly a superb opportunity for the Vikings TE to shine right away.

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By: Jake Rajala

Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season is steadily approaching & it’s obvious that it will feel great to hear Scott Hanson’s voice each weekend. It will clearly be thrilling to witness next-level quarterbacks and talented running backs dazzle on the field. With that stated, I’m going to highlight the RB spot and project the ten best RB performances in the 2022 season.

Christian McCaffrey

I really believe a healthy Christian McCaffrey is the scariest RB in the league. CMAC was second-team All-Pro in his sophomore season and then he really blossomed in his junior campaign — where he garnered 2,392 all-purpose yds, 19 combined touchdowns, and was named first-team All-Pro. Sadly, he’s only played in 10 games over the prior two seasons combined. I still feel deeply positive about his all-around outlook as a healthy, motivated, 26-year-old that doesn’t have an abundance of tread on his tires.

Jonathan Taylor

It’s hard to ignore the talent, consistency, and situation that JT is in. Taylor garnered 1,811 rushing yds and 18 rushing TDs last season — which led him to garner first-team All-Pro honors and place second in OPOY voting. Taylor could be slightly leaned on less in the offense with Matt Ryan and his backfield is a bit more talented than last season – as these two factors could slightly hurt Taylor’s overall production.

Alvin Kamara

The New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is authentic and a superb RB. AK has made the Pro Bowl in each season. The Saints skat-back’s superior, all-around RB’s best season unequivocally came in 2020 – where he unleashed 1,688 total yds and 21 combined TDs (which resulted in getting second-team All-Pro honors). He had another fantastic output last season: 1,337 total yds and 9 combined TDs in 13 games.

According to Fantasy Pros, a suspension for Kamara is also likely to occur in 2023.

Dalvin Cook

The Minnesota Vikings running back is an extremely electric RB and he should continue to belittle his opponents in 2022. The Vikings RB ran angry for 13 touchdowns and 1,135 yds in 2019 and then managed to run for 16 TDs and 1,557 yds in 2020. Cook missed four contests last season, but he still unveiled 1,159 rushing yds six rushing TDs. I believe there is still room for a couple of top-tier seasons in his football life.

Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry has an old-school mentality and he’s also explosive. Henry ran angry for 1,540 yds and 16 rushing TDs in 2020 and then proceeded to bulldoze opponents for 2,027 yds and 17 rushing TDs (which led him to win Offensive Player of The Year in 2020). It appeared that Henry was on a rampage until he suffered a broken football in Week 8 – which caused him to miss nine contests. Father time will have an impact on Henry, but he should absolutely be an elite RB in 2022.

Nick Chubb

It may seem blasphemous to peg Nick Chubb at this spot, but I feel more inspired by the other ball carriers. Still, Chubb should be a top-tier RB for yet another season. The Browns RB1 (sitting in front of Kareem Hunt – who has seemed to bury the hatchet with CLE), ran angry for 1,259 yds and 8 TDs last season. PFF slabbed him an 81.7 grade for his 2021 performance.

Elijah Mitchell

I believe that Elijah Mitchell is one of the most underrated skill players in the league. Mitchell was quite potent behind the Trent Williams-led OL in only nine games a season ago: 963 rushing yds and five rushing TDs. The 49ers full back Kyle Juszczyk and former Harvard grad believes that Mitchell’s ability to simplify things in the 49ers offense led to his success as a rook. Juszczyk stated, “It’s a complicated offense, and sometimes the best way to come into a complicated offense and be successful is to simplify things. And I think that’s something that Elijah did in his first year. You talk about the wide zone and it being a one-cut offense. That’s how Elijah approached it, and that, I think, is his strength….He’s decisive and he just puts his foot in the ground and gets upfield. ook. Mitchell obtained a 76.3 grade by PFF for his 2021 outcome, too. With that said, I do expect Trey Sermon, who has impressed this off-season, to be more involved in the 49ers offense in his second season (which should put a dink on Mitchell’s production).

Saquon Barkley

The New York Giants running back is far from dead in my opinion. Barkley’s best season was in his rookie year (2,028 total yds and 15 combined touchdowns) and then he accumulated 1,441 total yards in 13 games as a sophomore. Unfortunately, disaster struck the young, gifted RB (as he suffered a torn ACL after two games in 2020). He also sat out of four games last season – or was playing healthy behind a brutal OL in the other 13 match-ups. I suspect Barkley to return to the PB behind a much-improved OL in the upcoming season.

Joe Mixon

The reigning AFC Champion, Joe Mixon, is slightly in the shadow of the Bengals impressive QB-WR duo. Nonetheless, let’s not forget that Mixon is a dangerous bell cow RB (1,205 rushing yds and 13 rushing TDs last season). PFF nicely gave the Bengals RB a 79.5 grade for his 2021 outcome. Mixon will also benefit next season from an improved OL (as Cincy brought in Alex Cappa, C Ted Karras, and of course: La’el Collins).

Austin Ekeler

The Los Angeles Chargers have a surreal QB-RB combination (between Justin Herbert & Austin Ekeler). The Chargers versatile ball-carrier had a personal-best 911 rushing yards with a career-high 647 receiving yds last season. Furthermore, Ekeler had total of 20 touchdowns — which undoubtedly edged out his previous single-season best total TD count (11). Ekeler should have worse rushing production than last season with Isaiah Spiller in the RB room, but his all-around ability in a high-powered offense should still help register around 1,300 all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Minnesota Vikings will be fighting vigorously not to miss the playoffs for the third straight season. Kevin O’Connell will bring new energy and a unique offensive attack to the 2022 Vikings squad. It’s already been reported by NBC Sports that Dalvin Cook is lining up at WR in training camp for Captain Kirk. The Vikings Pro Bowl RB is known for being an electric ball-carrier, but he was potent quite potent as an all-purpose RB in 2019 (519 receiving yds with 1,135 rushing yds). Coincidentally, Cousins threw his least amount of interceptions in 2015 (6) since his rookie season (one game started as a rook).

The Vikings had the 10th best passing offense (passing YPG) and Cousins unleashed the ninth-most passing touchdowns last season. Cousins could be more efficient with Cook as a pass-catching threat and it would be hard for opponents to prepare for WR Justin Jefferson, WR Adam Thielen, and WR/RB Cook.

There were a couple of other training camp observations for the Vikings. According to The Athletic, the Vikings RG position witnessed a rotation between Jesse Davis and Chris Reed, so it will be fascinating to see which OL profile wins the open competition. The intriguing CB position is obviously highlighted by Patrick Peterson and Andrew Booth Jr. Unfortunately, the Vikings second-round pick is still rehabbing an injury on the sidelines.

The Vikings will strive to be well-rounded, but their biggest horse is still unequivocally Justin Jefferson. The third-year WR was named a darkhorse MVP candidate by NFL.com. It’s not a huge surprise that Jefferson is receiving a lot of hype, as he’s been a 1,400+ yard WR in each of the past two seasons. It’s also worth mentioning that WR Cooper Kupp won OPOY last season and was crowned Super Bowl LVI MVP. Jefferson might be the next WR to bring home gold hardware, while potentially really helping his team take positive steps forward.

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The Minnesota Vikings dazzling running back Dalvin Cook has made the Pro Bowl in each of the past three seasons. Cook has been phenomenal for the Vikings his last five seasons as a Viking. Here is a closer look at potent the Vikings RB has been ins his career thus far:

• Three 1,100+ rushing yard seasons
• 13+ rushing touchdowns in two of the past three seasons
• 1,500+ total yards in two of the past three seasons

It’s obvious that Cook has been a rockstar and a near-mythical Vikings figure in his career leading up to this point. With that said, there have been hypothetical trade scenarios with the star RB. Dean Jones from “The Viking Age” suggested four teams that could trade for Cook in 2022. So, should the Vikings really ship out Cook? Well, here are the pros and cons of trading away a gifted talent like Cook.

Pros of trading away Cook

• Cook will count $12 million against the cap in 2022. The Vikings would save $2.69 million at least if the Viks moved on from him before June 1st. They could make sure the potential trade partner needs to take on his signing bonus, as well.

• Alexander Mattison has been a superb RB2

• Cook is 27 in August and the peak RB age is 27

• Cook is injury prone (he’s missed eight games in past three seasons)

• The Vikings could get a quality draft pick in return

Cons of trading away Cook

• They will hurt their chances of winning a Super Bowl with veterans like Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen

• Cook could top-tier RB for 2-3 more seasons

• They will likely not open up “a lot of space” by trading away Cook

• The Vikings may not discover a stud with the potential draft pick they receive for Cook

Verdict

I really do not want to see the Vikings trade away Cook, especially because Cousins was recently extended by the Vikings. A healthy Cook (and Danielle Hunter), a talented Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, led out by Cousins can absolutely chase a Super Bowl in these next few seasons together. It wouldn’t be easy for Cousins to make the Vikings a playoff contender without his electric RB, as well. I expect the Vikings to keep the superb RB, find other ways to open up cap space and improve from their 2021 campaign.

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By: Jeremy Trottier

Kirk Cousins has been one of the more controversial quarterbacks in terms of what to do with him and how to handle his contract.  Guaranteeing him a base salary of $35 million in 2022 will certainly make things harder for Minnesota, as his dead cap hit would be enormous.  However, being able to run through that dead cap a year sooner may be worth it if they can get a young QB in there, or even give someone on the roster a shot.  With that, in this article, I will be going over the pros and cons of trading Kirk Cousins, in a short, bulleted format, and then deciding whether or not Minnesota should trade him this offseason or not.

Pros

1. The first pro of trading Kirk Cousins would be allowing the team to fully commit to a youth movement.  Moving on from the 33 soon-to-be 34-year-old QB allows the Vikings to fully push for youth, and this may be good for a player such as Justin Jefferson as it shows they are trying to improve and not just be stagnant.  

2. The second pro of trading Kirk Cousins would be as I mentioned previously, allowing a young quarterback to take over.  With Kellen Mond on the roster and having a year to learn the offense, it could be time to let him take a shot at starting.  Another note is that the Vikings could choose to draft a QB, and while it is not an exceptional class they would likely have a few good options at the 12^th overall pick.  

3. The third and final pro to trading Cousins would be getting value back for him, especially with the QB class being somewhat mediocre seemingly.  The Vikings could get a pick or two for Cousins for sure, likely during day 2, and that is more than they would get by keeping him another year and then letting him walk in the 2023 free agency.  More draft capital is always nice and helps push more towards youth as previously mentioned.

Cons

1. The dead cap would be the main con in trading Cousins, as right now they would be looking at roughly $45 million if they were to cut him prior to June first.  However, if they found a suitable partner to trade with, they would only be looking at $10 million in dead cap space and a savings of $35 million.  Weighing this cost will be the difference between the cap being a pro or a con.

2. The other con to trading Kirk would be the NFC being weaker than it has been in a long time.  Tom Brady is gone, and the Bucs are looking at a lot of free agents this offseason potentially leaving.  The Packers are dealing with potentially losing Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams.  The Rams are aging, but are still in contention.  There is a good chance that the Vikings would take the division with Kirk at the helm if Rodgers and Davante leave, so losing out on this would be a potential cost to trading him.

Analysis

My view on the situation?  Trade him.  As much as it may be worth the potential playoff run, the ability to get a rebuild/reload moving faster and get some HUGE savings for this free agency period would be enormous for the Vikings.  $35 million in a very top-heavy free agency class would be great to build a defense and get moving quickly on team restructuring.  Showing players like Jefferson, Darrisaw, and Cook that you are committed to quickly fixing the team and not accepting failure is great for morale and keeping them all in-house. 

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By Jesse Moeller

Who doesn’t like Superheroes? I have yet to meet a person who is not a fan of Superheroes, and whether you prefer the DC likes of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, or the Marvel Heroes such as Captain Marvel, Iron Man, or Thor. It is safe to say that we all have a favorite hero.

Superheros are the ones who save the day, and what if I told you that your fantasy team could have a hero to win you your league? Here is where the Hero RB comes in to save the day for your team. That running back is the Superhero of your team as you battle foes for 17 weeks in a journey to win the championship. To quote James Gordon, ” He’s the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now.”

Why does your team need a Hero RB? To put it bluntly, the elite fantasy running back gives you a massive edge over the competition. So let’s dive into these numbers to provide you with an idea of why the Hero RB is so important for your team.

In 2020 the average points scored by a top 12 running back or an RB1 were 263.61. We are not looking for your average hero, and we want more. The citizens require a superhero like Alvin Kamara. In 2020, Alvin Kamara dominated fantasy football and put up 377.8 points or 25.2 PPG. Suppose you take away Kamara’s numbers. And look at the other top 12 running backs. The RB2-RB12 produced 253.3 Points or 15.83 PPG. That means Kamara was almost 10 points better than any other RB per week in fantasy. That is the hero we need to win you a championship. As we look back on the yearly numbers, it is evident how important the RB1 is in fantasy. I will post the last five years’ worth of data for you to see.

2020 RB1 = Alvin Kamara 377.8 Points, 23.61 PPG (+7.78 PPG)
2020 RB2-RB12 = 253.3 Points, 15.83 PPG

2019 RB1 = Christian McCaffery 471.2 Points, 29.5 PPG (+12.43 PPG)
2019 RB2-RB12 = 273.16 Points, 17.07 PPG

2018 RB1 = Saquon Barkley 385.8 Points, 24.1 PPG (+5.77 PPG)
2018 RB2-RB12 = 293.39 Points, 18.33 PPG

2017 RB1 = Todd Gurley 383.3 Points, 23.95 PPG (+7.51 PPG)
2017 RB2-RB12 = 263.09 Points, 16.44 PPG

2016 RB1 = David Johnson 407.8 Points, 25.5 PPG (+9 PPG)
2016 RB2-RB12 = 264.12 Points, 16.5 PPG

The combined averages are striking. No one player gives you more of an immense advantage over the competition than the RB1. Here are the numbers from 2016-2020.
The average RB1 season posted 405.18 Points, 25.32 PPG (+8.49 PPG)
The RB2-RB12 average = 269.41 Points, 16.83 PPG.

Now that is a superhero I can get behind. The effect this has is everyone chases that Superhero RB in the first few rounds of the draft. It pushes up running backs who cannot carry the baton ahead of players at other positions. Enter the Hero RB strategy. It allows you to target one of the top-rated fantasy running backs and add elite pieces to your roster at different positions besides running back. Below is the list of the Hero RB you should target in your draft this season. They can take your teams to super places that other running backs are not capable of.

Captain Marvel – Christian McCaffery

like Captain Marvel, CMC stands head and shoulders above the rest. There is a reason CMC is the consensus 1.01 of fantasy drafts and Superheros. Others cannot do what he does on a football field. If you have the first pick, take the Superhero who puts the others to shame. It’s CMC’s world, and we live in it.

Captain America – Dalvin Cook

When Cook puts on that Vikings uniform every Sunday, he transforms into one of the world’s greatest Superheroes. No matter what you throw at him, he has a way of beating you with his strength, speed, and intelligence on the football field. In addition, Cook knows how to set up his talent to defeat you. When Cook is on his game, he is unstoppable.

Thor – Saquon Barkley

There is no one more talented on the football field than Saquon Barkley. His combination of size and speed is among the best in football. When Barkley is firing on all cylinders, it is the equivalent of watching Thor with Stormbreaker dismantle the competition. There is no defense for someone who is not human. Barkley is as close to a supernatural being on the football field as we can get. Draft Barkley with confidence this fall, and the NFL will remember how special a player he is in 2021.

Spider-Man – Alvin Kamara

Watching Kamara continue to obliterate defenses with his pass-catching ability is a thing of beauty. It’s the same with every Spide-Man movie. You have no idea how Peter Parker will win, and you know that he will. No matter the villain he is matched up against, Parker finds a way. Kamara is the same way. We know New Orleans will feature Kamara in the passing game, yet defenses cannot stop it. So do not hesitate on Kamara this year. Pick him and enjoy the Super look of your team.

Iron Man – Ezekiel Elliot

Last year, Elliot fell on hard times as he lost his quarterback and most of his offensive line. But, just as Tony Stark without his armor, Elliot without his quarterback and linemen is not the same. This year, the Cowboys upgraded the Iron Man suit for Elliot and should be as good as new behind those behemoths upfront. With all systems firing for J.A.R.V.I.S., it will be a banner year for Elliot to show he’s a first-tier Superhero. So, draft Elliot with belief, as it’s the year he comebacks to show how good he is.

Black Panther – Aaron Jones

There is no fresher running back in the league than Aaron Jones, so it only fits that his Superhero is Black Panther. Jones possesses the Swagger that oozes out of T’Challa. Good things happen for the Packers offense when Jones has the ball in his hands, as he is a true difference-maker. Aaron Rodgers is the vibranium to power Jones suit on the football field. As long as Rodgers plays in Green Bay, the Black Panther will be a nightmare for defenses in the NFL.

Hulk – Derrick Henry

Name a better pairing than the Hulk and Henry? I do not think you will be able to find one. Henry is a force that is simply bigger and stronger than you are. If he wants to move you, he will. Whatever you do, do not make Henry angry, as it will not end well for NFL defenses. Just ask Josh Norman how it turned out for him. What makes Henry so unique is that you could put him on any team, and he will succeed in the NFL. The size and strength are something we have never seen before in the NFL at the RB position. Tale Henry in the back half of the first round and enjoy another top 10 seasons.

Now that we have our Superheros picked out, we now set our sights on other positions. Only a select few running backs belong in the first few rounds of fantasy drafts, yet managers push them into the top two rounds of fantasy drafts. Let managers make that mistake and grab elite talent at other spots in your draft’s first four/five rounds.
Here are some of the players your should target in rounds 2-4 of your draft:

Round 2: Stefon Diggs, Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, D.K. Metcalf
Round 3: Darren Waller, Allen Robinson, Ceedee Lamb, Terry Mclaurin
Round 4: Julio Jones, Tyler Lockett, Amari Cooper, Kyle Pitts

Each of the options listed is a better fantasy option than the running backs going in those rounds. The Hero RB strategy gives you the freedom to build a team of superheroes that your league mates cannot compete against. By following this strategy, it is clear what an advantage it gives you to start the season.

The last part of this strategy is to focus on the end of roster construction. Hammering wide receiver early in the draft, you can fire countless darts at running backs late in the draft. If you have those elite wide receivers locked down early, drafting wide receivers late is a waste of roster space, as they will not play. Spend the draft capital wisely on the likes of Travis Etienne, Miles Gaskin, Chase Edmonds, Zach Moss, Tony Pollard, and Gio Bernard. Search for that hero we did not know we needed. Hit on that late-round pick and you can lock up the championship before the season has begun.

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