Top 5 Running Back Prospects In 2022 NFL Draft

The 2022 NFL draft is two months away. Before long, you will see a lot of mock drafts and a lot of projections on where the top talent is going to flow in the sport. Let’s look at the running back position here, identifying the top prospects in a sport where taking running backs early in the draft has become a less advisable move in recent years, given the value one can get from acquiring veteran running backs for low prices on the waiver wire or in trades.

1. Kenneth Walker, Michigan State

The Heisman Trophy finalists did not include Walker, which was a terrible oversight and mistake. Walker clearly deserved to be honored at the Heisman Trophy ceremony. He should have been there instead of Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. Walker helped Michigan State win 10 games in 2021, and what makes Walker’s season even more special is that Michigan State did not have an especially impressive passing game. Walker did what he did when opposing defenses were game-planning to stop him and were already inclined to shut down Michigan State’s running game. Walker succeeded in spite of the attention he received. That is hugely impressive and a great indicator that he can thrive at the NFL level. Walker has open-field speed but also the toughness to fight for extra yards between the tackles. He should make a very good pro and would be a good selection for a team in the early second round which needs a backfield boost with a quarterback already in place.

2. Breece Hall, Iowa State

The Iowa State Cyclones did not have a great 2021 season, but Hall was a steady and consistent performer for head coach Matt Campbell. One thing to keep in mind about Iowa State’s 2021 season is that quarterback Brock Purdy regressed relative to 2020. Hall suffered to a degree because his quarterback wasn’t as sharp. Defenses keyed on Hall a little more and were able to contain the ISU offense for that reason. If Hall enters an NFL situation with a top quarterback, he should have a very good career. He, and the other players below him on this list, are more QB-dependent than Walker, the one running back who might be good enough to transcend the limitations of any situation he inherits in the NFL.

3. Kyren Williams, Notre Dame

In every Notre Dame game in which he played and was healthy, Kyren Williams would make at least one run which elicited an amazed reaction. Williams is an eye-popping talent who would have been even more explosive had he not battled injuries, and had the Irish developed a better passing game in 2021. One could make a strong argument that Williams is better than Hall. Those two are very close, a notch behind Walker but ahead of everyone else.

4. Tyler Allgier, BYU

The BYU offense was surprisingly good in 2021, scoring big in most of its games even though quarterback Zach Wilson moved to the NFL and the New York Jets. Allgier was the biggest reason for BYU’s offensive stability and production. He looks like a poor man’s version of Christian McCaffrey, with a diverse skill set but not quite the explosiveness McCaffrey has. If Allgier is half as good as McCaffrey, that’s a solid career.

5. Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

The Aggies struggled at quarterback last year, but Spiller – as both a runner and a receiver coming out of the backfield – is an undeniable talent who was a core part of coach Jimbo Fisher’s A&M offense the past few years. He could be a very useful piece for a team which needs versatility out of a running back.