Let's Set Odds: Which Running Back Will Be Selected First in the NFL Draft?

The NFL Draft combine is in full swing with a majority of the 2022 class testing in all different ways for the 32 professional teams.

One of the key talking points of the combine has been the running back position as this is a deep class but may not have someone selected until the second round. Here are some hypothetical odds for who will be selected first of all the running backs come NFL Draft night on Thursday, April 28th.

First Running Back to Be Selected in NFL Draft

• Breece Hall, Iowa State: -250
• Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M: +200
• Kenneth Walker, Michigan State: +400
• Kyren Williams, Notre Dame: +700
• Dameon Pierce, Florida: +850
• James Cook, Georgia: +1200

Breece Hall, Iowa State

Hall has been projected as the first back taken since the process has begun, but he dazzled at the combine, especially on Friday when he clocked in with an official time of 4.39 on his 40 yard dash.

The Iowa State running back rushed for over 3,000 combined yards over the last two seasons, scoring 41 rushing touchdowns. Hall's impressive 40 time only helps his cause. He has great size for a running back at 6'1", 200 pounds.

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN has Hall as his top ranked running back prospect and NFL Mock Draft Database has the RB with an average rank of 51, appearing in the first round in more than 12% of mocks that are tracked by the website.

Kenneth Walker, Michigan State

Don't sleep on Walker, the Heisman Trophy candidate for a good portion of last season. Walker was a one man show for the Michigan State offense, racking up 1,725 all purpose yards out of the backfield and accounting for 19 touchdowns.

According to NFL Mock Draft Database, which compiles 289 mock drafts and 27 big boards, has Walker rated as the No. 61 prospect, so he's slightly behind Hall in terms of the composite rankings and appears in 6% of mock drafts.

Walker also showed out at the combine, posting a 4.38 40 time, which puts him in elite company amongst his peers.

While Hall may be the early front runner to be the first back taken, don't be surprised if Walker's big season and impressive combine catches a teams eye to take a chance on him in the second round.