2022 Draft Board: Running Backs

Go check out my 2022 Quarterback Draft Board article if you want to get more background information on how this all works.

TOP FIVE

1) Breece Hall (Iowa State)

Analysis: Hall had a phenomenal career at Iowa State. Even after the first season he really broke out and teams knew they needed to stop him, he still did great. And then you see his 217 pound frame running a 4.39 forty and before you realize it you're already asking yourself "where do I sign up to get him."

2) Kenneth Walker III (Michigan State)

Analysis: Walker is a big play waiting to happen, and if you have any doubts about that watch his game against Michigan, you know, the one where he single handedly beat the eventual Big Ten champs. He had five touchdowns in that game and three of them were 20+ carries. He's not as big as Hall, but he's just as athletic with a little more wiggle. One year as a full time starter shouldn't scare anyone off, if anything it means there's more tread on the tires and that's a plus!

3) Zamir White (Georgia)

Analysis: When I started preparing my draft boards after the season ended I would've never guessed White would end up as my RB3, or that I would have two Georgia backs in my top 5, but here we are. Despite being viewed as the "starter" White was a part of a loaded committee which resulted in him having less than 400 carries in his college career. He also demonstrated some serious speed and explosiveness at the Combine that I didn't realize he had.

4) James Cook (Georgia)

Analysis: The thing that's stands out most about Cook is his efficiency. He only had 230 carries at Georgia, but he averaged 6.5(!) yards/carry. In the national championship game against Bama he averaged an astounding 12.8. I don't know if he'll get drafted to a team that will see him as a bell-cow back, but I'm excited to see what he can do when given more work.

5) Rachaad White (Arizona State)

Analysis: One full year of very good production both on the ground (1,000 rushing yards) and through the air (457 receiving yards). And thanks to his limited time as a starter he'll come into the league with pretty fresh legs and while his speed wasn't over the top good (4.48 forty) his explosiveness was very impressive (38" vert, 125" broad). I wasn't looking at White when the season ended, but thanks to my brother-in-law's recommendation I went and checked him out. He's got good vision coming up to the line seeing the hole and making the right cuts. And he has enough speed and acceleration to get around the edge and up field.

Sleeper: Pierre Strong Jr. (South Dakota State)

Analysis: Incredible production in his final season as a Jackrabbit. He also demonstrated great athletic ability between the Combine and his pro day. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to take him in the fourth round, or even the third if the guys above were all gone.

SURPRISINGLY LEFT OFF

Maybe Jerome Ford is a surprise to you? It really shouldn't be. After Hall and Walker it's anyone's race for that third spot and beyond.

DRAFT BOARD

My Draft Board

REMOVED FROM DRAFT BOARD

For each position there are players who either had a red flag in their college production or athletic testing (or both) that led to them being removed from my draft board. These are referred to as negative factors and can lead to one of two labels: Depleted or Empty. In order for a player to receive a Depleted label, they had to have a negative factor that significantly decreased the chances of success in players who had that same factor from 2010-2019. In order for a player to receive an Empty label, they had to have a negative factor that led to zero successful players who had that same factor from 2010-2019. There were 12 Running Backs removed from my board.

Brian Robinson Jr. (Alabama) - Depleted

Greg Bell (San Diego State) - Depleted

Isaiah Spiller (Texas A&M) - Depleted

Trestan Ebner (Baylor) - Depleted

ZaQuandre White (South Carolina) - Depleted

C.J. Verdell (Oregon) - Empty

Isaih Pacheco (Rutgers) - Empty

Jerrion Ealy (Ole Miss) - Empty

Kyren Williams (Notre Dame) - Empty

Ronnie Rivers (Fresno State) - Empty

Tyler Badie (Missouri) - Empty

Tyler Goodson (Iowa) - Empty