Cole’s Corner: 2022 Running Back Prospect Rankings

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14. Dameon Pierce – Florida

Pierce was an undervalued and underused talent during his time at Florida. The stockier running back comes with toughness and physicality yet showcased some quick footwork and fast cuts when changing direction. Pierce was hardly used in the pass game in college which means there could also possibly be some untapped potential. He will certainly add some value on a thin depth chart at running back.

Player Comparison: Rex Burkhead

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles Chargers (Wild Card – New Orleans)

13. Sincere McCormick – UTSA

McCormick is a little but stout running back who put up big numbers over the course of his college career. McCormick’s ability to quickly identify gaps peaks my interest. Not only does he have excellent anticipation skills as a runner, but he also absorbs a lot of contact for his size. McCormick offers reliable ball security which adds to his value. The largest question is if he can produce against top tier talent. When UTSA played against power five schools, McCormick’s production decreased significantly. Whether that was on him or his blockers is up for debate. If McCormick quickly finds his place in the league, I believe he could be a mid to late round steal.

Player Comparison: Devonta Freeman

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: Atlanta, Houston, Arizona (Wild Card – Tampa Bay) 

12. Hassan Haskins – Michigan

Haskins is a force up the middle, especially behind pulling guards and tackles. Despite being a taller running back, he lacks burner speed in open space. Haskins is not elusive or shifty, but he can hurdle quite well. He also meets linebacker in the hole with some pop and stands them up, this then allows his blockers to get behind him and push forward. This ability leads to Haskins becoming an ideal short yardage/redzone back. He will be used much more situationally than on every down.

Player Comparison: Marlon Mack

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: Arizona, New Orleans, Carolina (Wild Card – Jacksonville)

11. Brian Robinson Jr. – Alabama

Robinson Jr. is a running back that has drawn a ton of interest in part of his play at Alabama and his showing at the Senior Bowl, but also because of hope that he is the next star Alabama running back. Everyone is looking for the next Derrick Henry. While I do expect him to be drafted closer to the third round, I do not believe he quite meets that value. Robinson spent years waiting his turn for the Crimson Tide and when he did get plenty of time, he proved to be a north and south hardnosed runner. Despite being a north-south runner, I actually prefer him in the pass game. I believe he not only has potential as a blocker picking up blitzes, but I also like when he receives checkdown throws. As soon as the ball touches his hands he rumbles downhill and defensive backs struggle to bring him down. Robinson’s lack of explosiveness can limit him and I feel like he plays at one gear all the time. I believe he will be most successful as the second or third running back on a depth chart.

Player Comparison: Joshua Kelley

Projection: 3^rd – 5^th Round

Best Fits: Jacksonville, New York Jets, Las Vegas (Wild Card – Buffalo)

10. Ty Chandler – North Carolina

Chandler amassed 1,000 yards and doubled his career rushing touchdown total with 13 in 2021. Chandler showed his ability as a smooth runner. Despite not being packed with loads of power, he is a forward leaner when he runs. In the NFL, Chandler translates to more of a third down RB rather than being tasked as a top producer. As a receiver, he has suffered from drops on easy catches. I do not believe he will reach the level of his player comparison though there are certainly some similarities in their style of play.

Player Comparison: Austin Ekeler

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: New York Giants, Cincinnati, New Orleans (Wild Card – Las Vegas) 

9. Tyler Allgeier – BYU     

Allgeier is the true bruiser of this running back class. He plays running back like a linebacker, often times initiating the contact. This freight train of a downhill runner will be ideal in short yardage and goal line scenarios. Although Allgeier is not very elusive and not suited to be a third down back, he does possess more explosiveness than Hassan Haskins who is a somewhat similar running back.

Player Comparison: Javonte Williams

Projection: 3^rd – 5^th Round

Best Fits: Houston, Carolina, Washington (Wild Card – Los Angeles Chargers)

8. Kyren Williams – Notre Dame

Williams is a smaller, shifty running back who can provide value on all three downs. At 5’9” defenders can easily lose sight of Williams behind his big offensive lineman. Williams nearly does everything well aside from the tendency to bounce runs to the outside when he could take an easy 3-4 yards up the middle. Against NFL speed, there won’t be nearly the same success bouncing to the outside. I expect Williams to get plenty of reps as a rookie.

Player Comparison: J.K. Dobbins

Projection: 3^rd – 5^th Round

Best Fits: San Francisco, Tennessee, Arizona (Wild Card – Chicago)

7. Tyler Badie – Missouri

Badie might be one of the smallest running backs in this year’s class but he does not play small. Throughout his time at Missouri, Badie has operated as a north and south bell cow running back. He has shouldered the workload and been quite successful. In addition to the hardnosed brand of running, Badie has an excellent burst of speed. He also has some great ball security. I can’t complain about Badie’s play but it only makes sense to question if he can continue to be a bell cow for a sustained time in the NFL at 5’8” – 194.

Player Comparison: Sony Michel

Projection: 3^rd – 5^th Round

Best Fits: New York Jets, New York Giants, Tennessee (Wild Card – Dallas) 

6. Breece Hall – Iowa State

Hall and another 2022 running back prospect have many similarities. They have similar measurables and run a bit alike when putting them side by side on film. Hall does possess some more speed in open field but at times is slow to find a hole and take off. He has some struggles in pass protection and needs plenty of work improving that aspect of his game. For the Cyclones, Hall carried a heavy workload and due to his stature, I believe he could carry a heavy workload in the NFL if needed. Early on he would be a good first and second down option.

Player Comparison: Isaiah Spiller

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Arizona, San Francisco, Houston (Wild Card – Detroit)

5. Rachaad White – Arizona State

White will be one of the top coveted running backs in this class with potential to be the best of the whole group. He makes these supremely clean lateral cuts which only adds to his smooth-running ability. He has nice size and can deliver pop upon contact with a defender. As long as White has the ball in his hands it feels like he will possibly make something happen. Halfback screens are also a great way to get him the ball and let him hit the open field. The only issue for White is when the ball is not in his hands. There is still plenty of room for improvement when it comes to his pass protection. In a pass happy league, that is important for running backs. It would not be shocking if White becomes a starter immediately wherever he lands. Especially for a more run heavy organization.

Player Comparison: Arian Foster

Projection 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: San Francisco, Houston, Tennessee (Wild Card – Arizona)

4. Jerome Ford – Cincinnati

Ford initially went to Alabama prior to transferring to Cincinnati where he and Desmond Ridder controlled the backfield. Ford is a decisive ball carrier that commits to a gap that is just opening up. That decisiveness leads to Ford getting into the open field quickly where he can hit a 2^nd gear and take off. Ford also has nice hands as a pass catcher but needs to work on expanding his route tree. If Ford can early on find his way into a 1a and 1b running back tandem, then that would certainly be most ideal for him.

Player Comparison: Knowshon Moreno

Projection: Late 2^nd – Early 4^th Round

Best Fits: New York Giants, Arizona, Los Angeles Chargers (Wild Card – Philadelphia)

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