2022 NFL Draft Running Backs Prospects, Predictions, and Picks

• The 2022 NFL Draft is Scheduled for April (28-30) in Paradise, Nevada
• Top RB Prospects: Isaiah Spiller (Texas A&M) and Kenneth Walker (Michigan State) 
• Modern NFL RBs must run, block, and catch with speed, quickness, and power

The 2022 NFL Draft is happening at the end of April (28-30) in Paradise, Nevada, and all thirty-two franchises will be showing up with various needs to address, one of those being a running back to help bolster the offense with a young playmaker who can contribute right away.

The modern NFL running back does a lot more than just run with the football, he also blocks during pass protection as well as catches passes as an outlet receiver and often as a legitimate route-runner, and a few can even pass the ball.

Chances are no running backs will be selected in the early parts of the first round of this draft, but there is no doubt that with this crop of running backs in the draft some will be starting their NFL careers soon, so we take a look at these potential rookies.

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There is a talented group of running backs in this 2022 NFL Draft class and during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, many showed off their ability to run fast and dodge quickly as well as catch passes while on the run.

Seen as a top prospect is Isaiah Spiller, the Texas A&M alum who averaged 5.5 yards per carry over three seasons on almost 3,000 total yards on the ground, but also turning heads is Kenneth Walker III who played his senior season at Michigan State and scored 18 rushing TDs.

Here are the top-10 running back prospects for this year’s NFL Draft, but please note that these rankings can shift as the end-of-April event gets closer:

NFL Draft Running Back Rankings

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Who Will Be the First Running Back Drafted in 2022?

For a rookie running back to be valuable in the pros he has to be ready to go right away, and it looks like Breece Hall who played in the Big 12 at Iowa State could be immediately effective, his 3,941 rushing yards and 302 receiving yards yielding 56 total TDs, a valuable dual threat back.

Our Pick:

Breece Hall, Iowa State

Were Any Running Backs Ever Selected First Overall?

It has been almost a quarter of a century since the last running back was selected first overall, that was when the Cincinnati Bengals took Penn State’s Ki-Jana Carter with the number one pick in the mid-nineties, a back who went on to play in 59 games for three different teams.

Bo Jackson is perhaps the best known of the group, the dual-sport phenom splitting his time between pro football and baseball, constantly wowing fans from both leagues.

Running Backs Selected First Overall

Who Is the Best Player in the 2022 NFL Draft?

The answer to this question can be debated forever but as with most prospect lists, the cream usually rises to the top and some names have appeared on quite a few draft rankings.

Here are the five top draft prospects in 2022, but keep in mind this list will shift and adjust as the draft gets closer:

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How to Watch the 2022 NFL Draft