2022 Dynamic Rookie Running Back Rankings

Before you worry about stressing who is number five in your ranks versus number seven let us take a look at the current landscape to give you some ideas. I’ve developed my Dynamic Rookie Running Back Rankings using a number of different sources along with my personal 

These are a composite of ranks through a variety of mediums.  These ranks include mock drafts, statistical models, strictly tape grades, PFF, and others. Rather than showing you which models favor which players, I have before you, a pile of lines.  Why would I do this? To show currently the landscape at the position in terms of a lack of a consensus.  The higher the line, the worse the player is projected to be.  These rankings help show a series of narratives on a player. I assure you this isn’t just like any other list, the wide receiver rankings have many smaller clusters. Let’s get right into it with 2022 Dynamic Rookie Running Back Rankings

The Dynamic Rookie Running Back Rankings are created by Bryce Williams. Follow him on Twitter @BryceNFL. 

Tier 1

Hall, Spiller, and Walker, these players are in every top three.  For the most part, though, these lines get close but do not necessarily intersect.  If I am looking at these, I rank:

1. Breece Hall – Iowa State – Hall shows all the tools, his biggest knock is home run speed, yet at the same time that’s the same knock right now for all 3 backs.  Hall may be suffering from success as he continued to put together a case for the top RB, the narrative for him to be otherwise has been a bit more belaboring.  While not used a ton in the passing game, his film shows him using his hands very effectively.

2. Isaiah Spiller – Texas A&M – He didn’t take over many games, and may not have been the best back on his own team. He does well in all three downs, however, his indecision behind the line has hindered him.

3. Kenneth Walker III – Michigan State – Walker I’ve seen tossed around comps for many one-dimensional backs, yet Walker is still competent in the passing game. You may be wondering why his upside is lower than his average, this occurs due to the upside only using three of his four positive outliers while the average takes the middle seven of nine data points into consideration.

Tier 2

4. Rachaad White – Arizona State – With one of the fastest MPH tracked this past season (21.8 mph). White is showing well on taking a level of decisiveness needed for early yard success.  The Pac-12 doesn’t have the biggest ‘hit’ rate which will leave testing to be key for White to maintain his positioning.  His measuring in at 210 lbs at the Senior Bowl should be a big boost considering the explosiveness he has shown in Mobile.

5. Kyren Williams – Notre Dame – Williams has been regarded as a “do it all” back that should be on the field early especially due to his pass protection abilities.

6. Tyler Allgeier – BYU – The converted linebackers weighs in at 220 lbs and plays with a mean streak. He is decisive as a one-cut runner, which is both a strength and weakness in his game.

7. Jerome Ford – Cincinnati – Unlike many backs in this class, Ford is actually projected to run in the 4.4’s and his film reflects this.  While being excellent in the open field, he struggles with pass-catching as well as committing to a lane quickly inside the offensive line.

Tier 3

8. James Cook – Georgia – Explosive in his touches at 7.2 yards per touch, workload issues come into play.  Could be a nice RB2 if landing in the correct situation.

9. Dameon Pierce – Florida – Pierce has looked explosive at the Senior Bowl and the way he steps up in pass protection is truly unique.  The best blend between the ceiling and floor of this group.

10. Brian Robinson Jr – Alabama – Short yardage power is the strength of Robinson, where he may not get you 10 yards but he is good for three yards and a cloud of dust on nearly any run.  Unlike many previous Alabama running backs, Robinson has questions about how well he can sustain usage as a primary back considering his limited usage in college.

11. Tyler Badie – Missouri – Baddie will be on an NFL roster as a pass-catching back initially but should be far from considered one-dimensional.  His career dominator rating of 42.2% (ratio of player’s production out of the total offense.). is second only to that of Hall in this class.

12. Zamir White – Georgia – Has similar questions about workload to his backfield mate James Cook.  Isn’t exceptional at any one thing, but is effective at many.

Tier 4

13. Zonovan “Bam” Knight – NC State – Knight’s lack of lower body power reduces his effectiveness in moving the pile during contested runs. That being said, he is quick to get to the hole for the yards before contact you like to see.

14. Pierre Strong Jr – South Dakota State – Allows his blockers to set up, doesn’t get injured, and his tape is just fun to watch.  The competition level is a question for this Arkansas native but looks to be a running back that would still excel in a zone-based blocking scheme.

15. Jerion Ealy – Ole Miss – Ealy is terrific in the open field where his speed & quickness is on full display.  Questions remain about how large of a role he can have though in the NFL.

16. Hassan Haskins – Michigan – While mostly remembered for his dominant play in the defeat of Ohio State.  His passing numbers won’t reflect it but he is pretty smooth as a receiver out of the backfield.

17. Kennedy Brooks – Oklahoma – He flashed some big games this season.  Oklahoma running backs seem to have a fairly high rate of sticking in the NFL.  Brooks should be no exception to this.  Lacks a change of gear, leading to some of the run selection choices being subpar.

Tier 5

18. Sincere McCormick – UTSA – When getting a straight line to run, McCormick is nearly in a class of his own.  Home run speed is on display for a majority of his runs.  Displays a low center of gravity.  Not the kind of RB you want taking handoffs from a shotgun formation.

19. Keaontay Ingram – USC – Performing well at the Shrine Bowl this week, his tape does jump off the page with the proper understanding of angles of attack as well as having the balance after contact.

20. D’Vonte Price – Florida International – Price makes quick cuts and catches the ball well. (Tell me you haven’t heard this a dozen times so far.)  This class has a lot of players who could contribute, landing spot seems to be a heavy determining factor along with draft capital.

21. Tyler Goodson – Iowa – Solid back who got over 1,000 yards rushing for the Hawkeyes.  Not worth a pick in your fantasy draft, but the landing spot could make him a name to pick up in the summer.

22. Abram Smith – Baylor – Converted linebacker, likely to make a roster due to special teams, an effective runner worth stashing away.

Finally, I leave you with a sample of the data for your own idea of ranges for research of your own.  Players are sorted in an order of average plus range in order to show the least volatile names relative to general rankings. 

Sources Included: Pro Football Focus Rookie Rankings, DLF January Rookie Rankings, The Devy Royale Podcast, Prospect Talk ADP January, Peter Howard Database. 

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