One of the many rookie running backs joining the NFL and fantasy football, Tennessee Titans RB Hassan Haskins projects to be a late pick as he is dependent on injuries above him on the depth chart. With the NFL season and fantasy drafts closing in, what is Haskins’ fantasy outlook in 2022, and could he prove to be a value at his current ADP?
Hassan Haskins’ fantasy outlook for 2022
Fresh of a 2021 season that saw Haskins be one of the most efficient rushers in the nation at Michigan, fantasy managers hope that carries over to the NFL. Playing behind the best offensive line in the nation, the 6’1″, 228-pound bulldozer rushed for 1,288 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging almost five yards per carry on his 261 carries.
His standout game, which truly put him on the radar, came in The Game against Ohio State. With the snow falling in Ann Arbor, Haskins rushed for 169 yards and five touchdowns on 31 carries to topple the Buckeyes. He also had a 31-carry, 156-yard showing against Penn State earlier in the year.
Haskins is not a fancy rusher by any stretch of the imagination. He gets what is there, and what he lacks in elusiveness, Haskins makes up for in power and sheer willingness to impose his will on the defender.
That style of football could not mesh more perfectly than with the Tennessee Titans, who have a pretty decent rusher themselves. Even I, a Michigan fan, must admit some red flags in his profile. For one, Haskins has speed and quickness limitations. He will not rattle off long plays or is someone you want attempting to hit the edge. Also, Haskins totaled just 24 total receptions in his three collegiate years. Those looking for PPR upside should probably look elsewhere. Still, Haskins has a profile that never goes out of style.
How the Titans’ depth chart impacts Hassan Haskins’ fantasy projection for the season
When determining someone’s upside, you must look at the depth chart. Is there a reasonable path for a player to become fantasy relevant or gain more touches? Does anyone know if, uh, Derrick Henry is good?
Okay, but seriously, the biggest obstacle for Haskins is that he shares the field with the best rusher in the NFL. Henry led the position in fantasy PPR points per game (23.4) through the first eight weeks of 2021 and was pacing his 2020 campaign by more than 2.5 PPR points per game. He was the ultimate touch hog, averaging 29.6 per game, seven more than the next closest RB.
And although he didn’t play again until the NFL postseason, Henry still finished 15th in total touches and as the RB20 overall in just eight games played. The wheels will fall off at some point, but Henry will be asked to put the team on his back in a year where Ryan Tannehill could struggle.
Serving as the pass-catching RB, Dontrell Hilliard could bring some sneaky upside as a late-round flier. With Henry on the shelf, the Titans tried out several RBs, including the ghost of Adrian Peterson’s past. D’Onta Foreman fouond success, as did Hilliard. Hillard managed three games with 16+ fantasy points and, in Week 10, topped out with 10 targets. However, due to the different roles, he is not the direct competitor for Haskins. It’s really Henry, unfortunately.
Haskins’ ADP for 2022
With an ADP of 245, Haskins is coming off the boards as the RB73 in PPR formats, placing outside the range of players typically drafted in 12-team fantasy leagues. For context, Hilliard is currently the RB80 with an ADP of 269.
In PFN’s 2022 fantasy football redraft rankings, Haskins is the RB64 as the 187th overall player. Hilliard, on the other hand, is the RB61 as the 176th player overall. I am lower on Haskins, as he is the RB82 and 247th overall player in my rankings. Hilliard, on the other hand, is currently my RB61 (168th).
If Henry is healthy, Haskins carries little to no tangible value for fantasy due to the volume Henry commands. In this case, Hilliard is the more valuable player as the pass-catching back for a team that downgraded at receiver.
The player with the higher upside, though, is Haskins, as if Henry gets hurt, he is in line for 15+ carries in an offense that wants to run the ball. The choice is yours on which side you feel is more likely to happen. With that said, you can likely get either off waivers, depending on the size of your league’s benches.