The running back position isn’t as important as it used to be in the NFL. Overpaying for a running back is not a very good thing and neither is over drafting one. Running backs usually are in the NFL for no longer than three to four years maybe a little longer if you are great.
Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys, and Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers were all former top 10 picks at the running back position and are now injury-prone. This is why running backs will not be drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft this year.
There will be a boatload of them going in the second round. The current top running backs in the NFL Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans, Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns, and Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts were all former second-round picks. Who are three of the potential top running backs in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Breece Hall, Iowa State
Breece Hall is projected to be one of the first running backs off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft. He is 6’1″ and weighs 220 lbs. Hall started for three years at Iowa State. He would be solid in a zone run scheme and is more a running back by committee runner.
In 12 games with the Cyclones last season, he rushed for 1,472 yards on 253 carries and 20 touchdowns. Breece Hall also caught 36 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Projected Landing Spot: New York Giants #36th overall pick.
Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
Kenneth Walker III was one of the reasons why the Michigan State Spartans were in the conversation for one of the best teams in the BIG10 conference last season. Michigan State’s offense rolled through him. He is 5’9″ and weighs 211 lbs. Walker III will be more of a first and second-down running back in the NFL.
In 12 games last season with the Michigan State Spartans, he rushed for 1,636 yards on 263 carries and 18 touchdowns. Kenneth Walker III also caught 13 passes for 89 yards receiving and one touchdown. He is not much of a receiving back. Projected Landing Spot: Arizona Cardinals #55th overall pick.
Isaiah Spiller, Texas A & M
Isaiah Spiller is 6’0″ and weighs 217 lbs. He is more likely to get drafted near the end of the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft or get drafted at the beginning of the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He is going to be a three-down running back in the NFL. There are some NFL teams that desperately need one.
In 12 games last season with the Aggies, he rushed for 1,011 yards on 179 carries and six touchdowns. Isaiah Spiller also caught 25 passes for 189 yards receiving and one touchdown. Projected Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs #62nd overall pick.