First, we looked at the quarterback position. Next up, we’ll zero in on those receiving handoffs from the signal-callers.
The running back position is the cornerstone of a solid Dynasty squad, and we’ve been spoiled with some truly elite playmakers coming through the CFB ranks in recent years. Are we going to see some of the same in the 2022 NFL Draft?
It’s always exciting to dive in and fall in love with a player’s talents and abilities well before the general public come to know who they are or what they can do on the field. With that in mind, below are my rankings and scouting notes for the incoming 2022 RB class. If you’re interested in hearing more in-depth evaluations on some of these players, make sure to check out the FantasyPros Dynasty Football Podcast!
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Let’s look at some of the players we could be drafting in our Dynasty rookie drafts next off-season.
15. Jerrion Ealy (Ole Miss)
Ealy’s a very upright runner that runs with a narrow base which limits his change of direction ability. He has surprising burst and speed that he can pull out at various moments, but his running style severely limits him. Tends to approach the line hesitantly and without much intention but does show some promise as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Needs to dramatically improve his running style if he’s going to make an impact in the NFL.
14. Master Teague (Ohio State)
Teague’s an efficient runner between the tackles, but he operates more on momentum than creating on his own. He’s difficult to bring down when he gets up to full speed, but he lacks the athleticism to change direction fast enough for an NFL RB. He’s often seen spinning behind the line of scrimmage in an attempt to change direction, and that won’t play in the NFL. He’ll need to play with a lower center of gravity and improve his change of direction skills if he wants to have a shot playing at the next level.
13. Ty Chandler (UNC)
Chandler’s a difficult evaluation. He has the traits to be a successful NFL RB, but he’s rarely able to show them off in this Tennessee offense. He’s constantly met at or behind the line of scrimmage before he can make any cuts, which makes it hard to evaluate his vision. Good burst, but not anything elite. Able to slow down and change direction easily, but nothing that’s going to wow talent evaluators. Good speed, but doesn’t have any examples of getting into the open field to evaluate his breakaway speed. Excellent pass catcher and route-runner out of the backfield. Often seen lining up out in the slot and soaking up catches. This could be his role in the NFL as a true 3rd down back, but he’ll need to improve his recognition for blitz pickup. Showed good technique on one rep on film and then made the wrong read on another play which led to his QB getting hit. If Chandler can continue to showcase his receiving ability, he’ll have a spot in the NFL.
12. Isaiah Spiller (Texas A&M)
Spiller’s a solid RB prospect that doesn’t have one particularly elite standout trait but is extremely versatile and well-rounded. He has decent vision out of the backfield but lacks elite burst to break angles. Tends to run with wider movements, which prevent him from making quick and explosive cuts. Able to absorb contact, but doesn’t shed it particularly well. Good pass-catcher out of the backfield and was heavily utilized in this fashion. Overall, Spiller’s an early Day 3 prospect, in my opinion, right now that needs to take a step forward in his athleticism to be able to break into the Day 2 conversation.
11. Keaontay Ingram (USC)
Ingram has good size for the position and he plays with active feet. He’s able to take advantage of what’s given to him and has surprising burst and speed when he identifies a hole. Struggles to change direction with elite ability, but certainly has enough for the NFL game. Good pass-catcher out of the backfield too. Ingram’s making a school switch, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can capitalize on his new surroundings, but he’s someone to watch in 2021.
10. Mohamed Ibrahim (Minnesota)
Ibrahim’s a strong and powerful RB that has some appeal as a first and second down back. He has good vision and instincts for the position, but he lacks the elite athleticism traits that will push him over some of the other backs in this class. Struggles to plant his foot and change direction horizontally. Tends to take some time to completely pivot paths. Good power and willing to lower his shoulder and embrace contact repeatedly. Lacks elite speed. Has a bit more juice than you would expect but doesn’t have another gear that he can hit when he finds the open field. No targets in the passing game on film and pass protection was a bit suspect in technique. Ibrahim’s a Day 3 prospect right now.
9. Brian Robinson (Alabama)
Robinson’s an unproven, but intriguing, RB prospect. After playing behind Najee Harris, Robinson should take on an expanded role this upcoming season. He’s a surprising athlete with decent vision at the line of scrimmage and good elusiveness in short areas. Good change of direction ability and he’s able to keep his legs churning and pick up additional yardage. We need to see what he looks like with a full workload to gauge his NFL Draft stock, but the tools are there.
8. Sincere McCormick (UTSA)
McCormick’s a patient and deliberate runner at the line of scrimmage. He’s able to approach the line and shuffle his feet to put himself in the best situation to explode through. When he picks his spot, he goes. Good burst and agility for his size. Able to freeze lower level defenders momentarily and explode by them by breaking the angle. Able to change direction horizontally fluidly. Doesn’t run with much power and could stand to improve this aspect of his game. Has good speed in the open field but is unlikely to break away for 50+ yard runs against NFL competition. Natural pass-catcher and doesn’t appear to be a liability in pass protection. He’s someone to watch heading into the 2022 NFL Draft.
7. Eric Gray (Oklahoma)
Gray’s a smart and instinctive runner whose feet are connected to his eyes. Good vision in between the tackles and knows how to set up defenders to create new lanes for himself. Lacks elite burst or top-end speed. Has enough to get by in the NFL, but he needs to improve this aspect of his game if he wants to make a significant impact. Great pass-catcher and great pass-protector. Overall, a solid back that could see his stock skyrocket this upcoming season if he can add some lower body explosiveness.
6. Kevin Harris (South Carolina)
Harris is a big and physical RB prospect that will remind some people of Jonathan Taylor. However, Harris has nowhere near the burst or long speed that JT had coming out of Wisconsin. Harris has good vision when approaching the line, and he’s able to plant his foot and change directions horizontally well for a player of his size. Runs with power. Able to lower all 225 pounds of his frame and blow back incoming defenders. Good contact balance and able to keep his legs moving and shed tacklers well. Excellent pass-catcher out of the backfield. Able to get out and run routes and be a threat in the receiving game. Will never come off the field. Bit of a liability in pass protection. Needs to learn how to anchor a bit better. Overall, an intriguing prospect that has the traits, but he’ll need to improve his burst and speed if he’s going to truly ascend into the top-tier of this class.
5. James Cook (Georgia)
Cook’s an exciting playmaker out of the backfield. While he doesn’t have the prototypical size to be a bellcow RB in the NFL, he’ll be able to fill a very valuable role as a pass-catching back. He has excellent hands and can make difficult catches look easy. He has good speed and burst to break angles and he can create after the catch. He lacks size and power, but he should fill a JD Mckissic or Nyheim Hines type role in today’s NFL.
4. Cam’Ron Harris (Miami)
Harris is an intriguing RB prospect that does the little things well. He plays with light feet, and he’s able to change his horizontal momentum almost seamlessly. Able to maximize vision behind the line of scrimmage with his footwork. Rough offensive line in front of him, so it’s hard to judge if he’s reading the right holes because they’re closed up before he even gets there. Lacks elite burst or agility but has enough to be serviceable in the NFL. Needs to play with more power at his size. Tends to get stopped immediately at first contact versus playing with a low pad level and driving defenders backward. Good pass-catcher out of the backfield and shows promise in pass protection.
3. Zamir White (Georgia)
White’s an extremely smart and intelligent RB prospect. He has tremendous instincts for the position and plays with light feet. Able to set himself up for new running lanes so easily and able to jump gaps surprisingly well for his size. Plays with good speed for his size, but nothing that’s going to be able to break away for big 50+ yard runs in the open field. Great power and contact balance. Able to drag defenders with him. Needs to show more from a pass-catching perspective. Showed natural hands, but only one target on film. Has the traits to succeed in pass protection but needs more reps and experience to develop quicker processing speed. The tools and traits are all there for White to solidify himself as RB1 in this class.
2. Breece Hall (Iowa State)
Hall’s an incredibly smart and intelligent RB prospect that has a great feel for the game. He has tremendous vision at the line of scrimmage and finds the delicate balance of patience versus decisiveness. Able to allow his holes to develop but then plant his foot quickly and get upfield when he has to. Good burst and able to plant his foot in the ground and change any direction quickly. Runs with power and good balance. Able to keep his feet underneath him nicely. Good and natural pass-catcher out of the backfield and capable in pass protection as well. Able to turn on the jets when he hits the open field. Overall, an early Day 2 prospect right now.
1. Kyren Williams (Notre Dame)
Williams is the total package at RB. He’s a smooth runner in between the tackles with excellent footwork. Able to control his momentum so well and change direction fluidly. Able to make defenders miss in a phone booth (Alabama game). Fantastic top-end speed and able to pull away once he finds the open field. Keeps his legs churning and bounces off contact surprisingly well for a player of his size. Excellent pass-catcher and pass protector. Will never come off the field. If he can add a few pounds and still maintain his speed and athleticism, look out.
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Kyle Yates is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Kyle, check out his archive and follow him @KyleYNFL.
