Todd McShay lists his top 10 running backs as NFL draft combine nears
The Senior Bowl has now come and gone, bringing more clarity to the 2022 NFL Draft picture. This year’s has no clear favorite, but there are still plenty of quality options spread throughout the board. ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has revealed his updated top 10 running backs in the 2022 NFL Draft following the Senior Bowl.
Take a look at where each running back stands in Todd McShay’s latest position rankings ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Top 10 running backs in 2022 NFL Draft
1. Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
2. Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
3. Breece Hall, Iowa State
4. James Cook, Georgia
5. Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
6. Jerome Ford, Cincinnati
7. Dameon Pierce, Florida
8. Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama
9. Abram Smith, Baylor
10. Tyler Badie, Missouri
More about the players
With plenty of time between now and the start of the 2022 NFL Draft in late April, there are still a lot of questions surrounding this year’s running back class, with no clear No. 1 option. There is not one consensus first-round pick, with essentially every expert having different opinions on the top players available ahead of the combine.
The top three seemed to have separated themselves throughout most of the college football season, but a late surge by James Cook in Georgia’s national championship run has some on his side now. Walker had the best season, with Hall showing his talent throughout his career at Iowa State. However, it is Spiller who tops the rankings thanks to his versatility in the backfield.
Kyren Williams and Jerome Ford both provide interesting options after successful college careers, along with Tyler Badie who emerged at the end of his career at Missouri but has critics who point to his size.
The slight unknowns round up the top 10 in Todd McShay’s 2022 NFL Draft position rankings, starting with Pierce and Robinson out of the SEC. Both had long and successful collegiate careers but saw limited action and made a limited impact for much of their careers. While Robinson got a chance to show off as a senior, Pierce has proven his worth in the Senior Bowl and promises to continue showing out at the combine. Rounding out the list is Baylor running back Smith, who also made fans at the Senior Bowl, after starting his career as a linebacker before a position change.