By this point in the season, you probably know if your team is a contender or not. Don’t fall into the trap of being stuck in the middle, barely making the playoffs, getting ousted in the first round year after year. This is the point to make a decision: go all in for a title, or sell the farm and start your rebuild. To help you better understand the value of the draft pick assets you may be giving or receiving in a trade, here’s my first look at the 2022 NFL Draft RB Class.
*DISCLAIMER*
These rankings will change as new information becomes available. Not everyone on these lists will declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. These rankings on based on fantasy football production, not where I think they will get drafted. Please take this into consideration as you navigate trades.
1. Breece Hall
Iowa State, 6-1 220lbs, Junior
Hall has been electric since he stepped on campus in Ames in 2019. Throughout his career, Hall has put up 3,287 yards rushing through 31 games played as of this writing. Yes, the Big 12 is not known for its defense, but Hall has been electric for the Cyclones. 41 rushing TDs and 5.3 yards per carry make Hall a solid selection to be a high round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. I think Hall can be a 40-50 reception type of RB in the NFL as well. In his career, Hall has 69 catches and 621 yards receiving. Not crazy numbers, but looks fluid as a receiver and I believe he can bring more to the NFL. Hall has the size, speed and production to be a workhorse at the next level.
2. Isaiah Spiller
Texas A&M, 6-1 215lbs, Junior
Another guy who has been dominant since first playing on Saturday’s, Spiller has the size and speed to make an impact for your fantasy teams. In 31 career games, Spiller has posted 2,743 yards rushing and 24 rushing TDs. Rushing production? Got it. Receiving production? Similar to Hall. 70 career receptions for 575 yards. Not elite, but I can easily project him as a 40-50 reception lead back for an NFL team. I’d honestly be alright with Spiller as my RB1 as of this writing, but for now I give the nod to Hall.
3. Kenneth Walker III
Michigan State, 5-10 210lbs, Junior
Walker, a transfer from Wake Forest, has been the riser of this RB class. A relative unknown prior to transferring, Walker has exploded in his first 7 games for the Spartans, posting 152 carries for 997 yards and 9 rushing TDs. There is some volatility in his game, as he has rushed for over 170 yards three times and under 61 twice. I tend to lean more towards his big games when settling on who Kenneth Walker III is. What scares me about Walker is his receiving ability. Through 27 career games, Walker has only caught 11 passes. That is concerning. I can’t really judge on whether or not he can based on the Michigan State offense. Does Walker fall into the Jonathan Taylor or Melvin Gordon type of college RB who transitioned as a receiver despite a lack of production in college? I tend to think he can, but won’t be much more than a 25-30 reception guy in the NFL. Still, Walker has all the tools to be an impact player year one for an NFL team.
4. Eric Gray
Oklahoma, 5-9, 206lbs, Junior
A transfer from Tennessee, I had high hopes for Gray in an explosive Sooner offense. The Sooners have not been as explosive as we thought, and Gray has split time with Kennedy Brooks thus far. Gray is still averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season, and I’m not sure if he can take the lead back role this season. Where I think Gray can be a force is in the passing game. Looking at his sophomore year for the Volunteers, Gray posted 30 receptions for 254 yards. I think Gray can become a solid complementary back in the NFL, who can shoulder the load if called upon. Shades of what Kenneth Gainwell is doing for the Eagles. I like Gray, and I’m probably higher on him than most. I really think he can be a RB1b on an NFL team.
5. CJ Verdell
Oregon, 5-8 210lbs, RS Junior
Verdell was one of the hotter names in draft circles following his first two seasons in Eugene. Verdell has been bitten by the injury bug throughout his career. Leg injuries derailed his 2019 year from being everything it could have been, and a broken thumb in 2020 kept him from finishing strong for the Ducks. 2021 has been the same. A strong start to the year, Verdell’s 2021 season is over due to a lower leg injury. This injury is going to drop Verdell from a lot of rankings, but with the relative weakness of this RB class, I’m comfortable taking a shot on him rebounding in the NFL. In 37 games played, Verdell has posted 2,920 rushing yards and 26 rushing TDs to go with 59 receptions and 619 yards. I really like what Verdell brings to the table as a receiver, but he is capable of running between the tackles if called upon. I think whoever drafts Verdell, if he can get healthy, is getting an absolute steal of a RB.
Let’s chat about it. What are your rankings for this class? Anyone that I missed? Let me know and stay tuned for WR edition dropping next!
