FINAL 2022 NFL DRAFT RUNNING BACK RANKINGS
This year’s running back class is a lot like the 2019 class, down to a very good Iowa State Cyclone. It is not the best class we’ve ever seen, I don’t see one of these players becoming the next Jonathan Taylor, but there can certainly be some solid contributors at the next level. Here are the ten best running backs in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Breece Hall, Iowa State
Breece Hall is the best overall running back in this class. It is extremely hard to find any real glaring holes in his game. For such a bigger back, he has a great amount of finesse to his game. His footwork is everything you’d hope for. He just has this patience behind the line that I love, and it’s pretty similar to Leveon Bell. He tested otherworldly at the combine, and I think trusting that athleticism will help him take his game to the next level.
There are times when he is a bit too tentative and patient in the backfield. The opportunity for a big gain is there, but instead, he chooses the safer route and gets a solid gain. He has the speed to burst past defenders at the line of scrimmage, as well as the size to break arm tackles. Once he starts really utilizing his athleticism he can be a 1,000-yard rusher.
2. James Cook, Georgia
The Georgia senior is one who I firmly believe will have a better pro career than he did at Georgia. He’s a top 50 player on my board, and I’m firmly willing to plant my flag in his camp. He wasn’t utilized as the true #1 back for the Bulldogs, sharing snaps with fellow list mate Zamir White, but when his number was called he delivered. He’s a big play waiting to happen and is by far the best receiving back in the draft. While other running backs are limited to dump-offs to the flats, Cook is a legitimate route runner. He will be a dangerous versatile weapon.
3. Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
As a pure rusher, Walker is the best in the class. Just watch the Spartans barnburner against rivals Michigan for a clinic on how to effectively run the ball. When I say about Hall trusting his athleticism more, Walker is the perfect example of how to do it. He trusts his 4.38 speed and hits the hole violently. Not to say that he isn’t patient when he needs to be, but when there’s an opening Walker seizes it. The only thing really holding the 2021 Doak Walker award winner is his lack of impact on third downs. He has not shown much in three years as a receiver and there are definitely better pass blockers in the class. While a fantastic runner, he might have to serve as the punch in a 1-2 combo next to a receiving back.
4. Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
What a weird evaluation Isaiah Spiller is. There are a lot of boxes he checks off. He’s given the Aggies three good years as a starter, including some solid receiving numbers. His film is really good, a mix of smart power running and crazy agility. He is an absolute ankle snatcher in the open field, difficult for defenders to get hands-on despite weighing in at nearly 220 pounds. The problem is he’s not fast… like at all. This isn’t just because he ran a 4.64, he is not a burner on film at all. He’s agile, but the lack of speed is completely a concern. I think he has starter potential, but the upside is limited.
5. Rachaad White, Arizona State
When Rachaad White was given the keys to the offense, he did special things. Despite sharing the offense with two other rushing threats, White made a mark in his senior season at Arizona State. It’s strange to watch… White will appear to be lightly jogging while rushing by defenders. He’s just such a natural athlete that it all seems so effortless. He is a natural receiver, slippery in the open field after the catch. White and Cook are the rare few backs who can actually run legitimate routes in this class. He has star potential and should be a coveted back on day three.
6. Brian Robinson Jr, Alabama
Brian Robinson was at Alabama seemingly forever. Behind first-round pick Najee Harris, Robinson easily could have transferred away. Instead, he stuck it out and was great when given his chance. For such a big back, his feet absolutely floored me. He isn’t just some battering ram out of the backfield. He’s absolutely to set up running lanes extremely well. He’s a wizard at navigating around the line of scrimmage, qualities that Harris also showed with the Crimson Tide. He has sufficient speed for his size, and while he probably won’t rip off too many 50+ yard runs, he has enough burst to not be stopped at the line of scrimmage. He showed some chops as a receiver at Alabama, but I wouldn’t necessarily call him dynamic in that area. He is one of the best rushers in this class and will be a menace on early downs and in the redzone.
7. Zamir White, Georgia
A lot of people were shocked when White ran a 4.40 at the combine… and I’m really not sure why. I know he’s had two ACL tears, but that has not diminished his athleticism one bit. He still has plenty of juice and hits the hole violently. He is one of the better runners in between the tackles, setting defenders up well and breaking through contact. During his time as a Bulldog, he hasn’t been much of a receiver and has never truly handled a full workload. Part of this is because of Georgia’s heavy rotation of running backs, part of this has been his inconsistent health. If he stays healthy he can be the power in a 1-2 punch.
8. Dameon Pierce, Florida
One of the biggest injustices of the Dan Mullen era of Florida football was the misuse of Dameon Pierce. Only reaching 119 touches his senior season, Pierce still managed to find the endzone 16 times! He was money every time they called his name… but sadly they rarely did that. Watch him dive into three Florida State defenders at the goal line without his helmet and try not to fall in love with his game. He’s very good in the 15-20 yard range, deploying great vision and feisty running style. He wasn’t featured much as a receiver but shows potential. The biggest knock on Pierce is his middling athleticism. He should be a good backup though.
9. Pierre Strong Jr, South Dakota State
If Pierre Strong can improve his contact balance, he could possibly be a top-three back in the class. He is just so. dang. fast. He is the best mover of the running backs in this class, balancing smooth agility with blinding speed. He is a threat to score with any touch, whether that be as a rusher or a receiver. He was extremely impressive at the FCS level and then had one of the best offseasons of any prospect. He’s just small and plays like it. He does not break many tackles, and most likely won’t at the next level. His athleticism and receiving ability should make him a good change of pace back.
10. Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
The predraft process has not been kind to Kyren Williams one bit. A player who was in some analyst's top three entering the draft process… that ranking pretty much tanked with his testing. While testing isn’t everything, middling athletes have made it in the league, he put up some bad numbers. He’s undersized and ran one of the worst 40 times in the running back class. Do not just throw Kyren Williams away as a bad player though. He’s probably not athletic enough to be a full-time starter, but his closest Relative Athletic Score comp is former Fightin Irish and Detroit Lions Back Theo Riddick. That is a role I 100% think he can achieve in the league. He is a really good receiving back and packs a punch as a blocker.
Writer
-By: Jacob Keppen