{"id":103,"date":"2023-04-24T12:37:29","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T16:37:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/?p=103"},"modified":"2025-12-15T13:34:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T17:34:07","slug":"10-best-rookie-running-backs-in-the-nfl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2023\/04\/10-best-rookie-running-backs-in-the-nfl\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Rookie Running Backs in the NFL (2022)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 2022<\/a> NFL season had some dynamic rushers display their skills of running the rock on game days. Many of these talented running backs were in their first season as professionals in the League. Using our robust sports information database, this Pro-Football-Reference blog post will examine the best rookie RBs of the 2022 regular season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Top 2022 Rookie NFL Running Backs in Rushing Yardage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here are a couple of the young backs that had the most rushing yards in the 2022 NFL regular season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\"Photo\n<\/div>
\n\t

\n\t\tKenneth Walker III<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Kenneth Walker III\n  (K9<\/span>)\n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: RB\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

5-9<\/span>, 211lb<\/span> (175cm, 95kg) <\/p>\n

Team<\/strong>: Seattle Seahawks<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tOctober 20<\/a>, 2000\n \n \n in Memphis, TN<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span\"> (Age: 22-186d)<\/nobr><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tWake Forest<\/a>, \n\t\n\t\tMichigan St.<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 8 (9014th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tArlington<\/a> (TN<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Seattle Seahawks<\/a> in the 2nd round (41st overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n

Twitter:<\/strong>\n @Kenneth_Walker9<\/a>\n \n\n \u00b7\n\n\n Instagram:<\/strong>\n kenneth_walker9<\/a><\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t

\n\t\n <\/rect> <\/rect> 9<\/text> <\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\nSUMMARY<\/strong><\/span>\n

2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Career<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
\nG<\/strong><\/span>

15<\/p>\n

15<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nAV<\/strong><\/span>

8<\/p>\n

8<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

\n
\nRush<\/strong><\/span>

228<\/p>\n

228<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nYds<\/strong><\/span>

1050<\/p>\n

1050<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nY\/A<\/strong><\/span>

4.6<\/p>\n

4.6<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nTD<\/strong><\/span>

9<\/p>\n

9<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nFantPt<\/strong><\/span>

175.5<\/p>\n

175.5<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Seattle Seahawks found a real gem in the second round with the 41st overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft<\/a> in Walker from Michigan State. KW III\u2019s 1,050 yards on the ground led all NFL rookies in the regular season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\"Photo\n<\/div>
\n\t

\n\t\tTyler Allgeier<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Tyler Allgeier\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: RB\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

5-11<\/span>, 220lb<\/span> (180cm, 99kg) <\/p>\n

Team<\/strong>: Atlanta Falcons<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tApril 15<\/a>, 2000\n \n <\/span>\n \n<\/span\"> (Age: 23-009d)<\/nobr><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tBYU<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 8 (9014th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tKaiser<\/a> (CA<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Atlanta Falcons<\/a> in the 5th round (151st overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n

Pronunciation<\/strong>: \\Al-jeer<\/a>\\<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n \n

Twitter:<\/strong>\n @tylerallgeier17<\/a>\n \n\n \u00b7\n\n\n Instagram:<\/strong>\n _ty.allgeier<\/a><\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t

\n\t\n <\/rect> <\/rect> 25<\/text> <\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\nSUMMARY<\/strong><\/span>\n

2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Career<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
\nG<\/strong><\/span>

16<\/p>\n

16<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nAV<\/strong><\/span>

8<\/p>\n

8<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

\n
\nRush<\/strong><\/span>

210<\/p>\n

210<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nYds<\/strong><\/span>

1035<\/p>\n

1035<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nY\/A<\/strong><\/span>

4.9<\/p>\n

4.9<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nTD<\/strong><\/span>

3<\/p>\n

3<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nFantPt<\/strong><\/span>

143.4<\/p>\n

143.4<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Allgeier quickly adjusted from his days in the backfield at BYU to add to the Atlanta Falcons rushing prowess. Tyler was one of only two 2022 NFL rookie backs to go beyond the 1,000-yard milestone in 2022, posting 1,035 yards of the Atlanta ground attack for the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Top 2022 Rookie NFL Running Backs in Yards per Attempt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We looked for first-year RBs in 2022 with at least 80 rushing attempts during the NFL regular season. Here are the top names in yards per attempt from that group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\"Photo\n<\/div>
\n\t

\n\t\tJames Cook<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n James Cook\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: RB\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

5-11<\/span>, 190lb<\/span> (180cm, 86kg) <\/p>\n

Team<\/strong>: Buffalo Bills<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tSeptember 25<\/a>, 1999\n \n <\/span>\n \n<\/span\"> (Age: 23-211d)<\/nobr><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tGeorgia<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 5 (10767th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tMiami Central<\/a> (FL<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Buffalo Bills<\/a> in the 2nd round (63rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n

Twitter:<\/strong>\n @thegreat__4<\/a>\n \n\n \u00b7\n\n\n Instagram:<\/strong>\n ___thegreat4<\/a><\/p>\n \n\n\n

Relatives<\/strong>: Brother Dalvin Cook<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t

\n\t\n <\/rect> <\/rect> 28<\/text> <\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\nSUMMARY<\/strong><\/span>\n

2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Career<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
\nG<\/strong><\/span>

16<\/p>\n

16<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nAV<\/strong><\/span>

5<\/p>\n

5<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

\n
\nRush<\/strong><\/span>

89<\/p>\n

89<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nYds<\/strong><\/span>

507<\/p>\n

507<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nY\/A<\/strong><\/span>

5.7<\/p>\n

5.7<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nTD<\/strong><\/span>

2<\/p>\n

2<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nFantPt<\/strong><\/span>

84.7<\/p>\n

84.7<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The bloodline of James Cook is strong in NFL rushing as his brother Delvin has made his mark already. James proved to the Buffalo Bills and the rest of the NFL that he is also an explosive talent out of the backfield. The second-round selection<\/a> out of Georgia averaged 5.7 yards rushing per attempt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\"Photo\n<\/div>
\n\t

\n\t\tBreece Hall<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Breece Hall\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: RB\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

6-1<\/span>, 220lb<\/span> (185cm, 99kg) <\/p>\n

Team<\/strong>: New York Jets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tMay 31<\/a>, 2001\n \n <\/span>\n \n<\/span\"> (Age: 21-328d)<\/nobr><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tIowa St.<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 4 (11467th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tNorthwest<\/a> (KS<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: New York Jets<\/a> in the 2nd round (36th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n

Twitter:<\/strong>\n @BreeceH<\/a>\n \n\n \u00b7\n\n\n Instagram:<\/strong>\n breecethebeast23<\/a><\/p>\n \n\n\n

Relatives<\/strong>: Stepfather Jeff Smith<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t

\n\t\n <\/rect> <\/rect> 20<\/text> <\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\nSUMMARY<\/strong><\/span>\n

2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Career<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
\nG<\/strong><\/span>

7<\/p>\n

7<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nAV<\/strong><\/span>

4<\/p>\n

4<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

\n
\nRush<\/strong><\/span>

80<\/p>\n

80<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nYds<\/strong><\/span>

463<\/p>\n

463<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nY\/A<\/strong><\/span>

5.8<\/p>\n

5.8<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nTD<\/strong><\/span>

4<\/p>\n

4<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nFantPt<\/strong><\/span>

96.1<\/p>\n

96.1<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

This young New York Jet made the most of his first season by scorching opposing defenses at the rate of 5.8 yards per carry. Hall was well worth the 36th overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft<\/a> used by Gang Green on the Iowa State product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Top 2022 Rookie NFL Running Backs in Receiving <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The passing game has become an essential element for NFL running backs. When a first-year player can rack up some yards by catching passes, it is a special bonus for his team. During the 2022 season, one rookie RB did it better than any of his peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\"Photo\n<\/div>
\n\t

\n\t\tRachaad White<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Rachaad White\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: RB\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

6-2<\/span>, 210lb<\/span> (188cm, 95kg) <\/p>\n

Team<\/strong>: Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tJanuary 12<\/a>, 1999\n \n <\/span>\n \n<\/span\"> (Age: 24-102d)<\/nobr><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tNebraska-Kearney<\/a>, \n\t\n\t\tMount San Antonio JC<\/a>, \n\t\n\t\tArizona St.<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 4 (11467th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tCenter<\/a> (MO<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> in the 3rd round (91st overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n

Twitter:<\/strong>\n @chaad_3<\/a>\n \n\n \u00b7\n\n\n Instagram:<\/strong>\n chaad__3<\/a><\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t

\n\t\n <\/rect> <\/rect> 29<\/text> <\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n <\/rect> <\/rect> 1<\/text> <\/svg>\n\t<\/a>\n\t
+1<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\nSUMMARY<\/strong><\/span>\n

2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

Career<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
\nG<\/strong><\/span>

17<\/p>\n

17<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nAV<\/strong><\/span>

4<\/p>\n

4<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>

\n
\nRush<\/strong><\/span>

129<\/p>\n

129<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nYds<\/strong><\/span>

481<\/p>\n

481<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nY\/A<\/strong><\/span>

3.7<\/p>\n

3.7<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nTD<\/strong><\/span>

1<\/p>\n

1<\/p><\/div>\n\n

\nFantPt<\/strong><\/span>

89.1<\/p>\n

89.1<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

White hauled in 50 receptions for 290 yards during the regular season, 70 yards more than any other rookie RB. Of course, it didn\u2019t hurt that Tom Brady was the signal-caller checking the ball down to him in the progressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Top 2022 Rookie NFL Running Backs in Scoring Points <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This year saw some of the most potent offenses in the NFL\u2019s history. Some of these lofty numbers were attributed to the efforts of first-year running backs. A handful of these rooks impacted their team\u2019s rushing attack by placing the ball in the end zone. The leader in the clubhouse was discussed above, Kenneth Walker III with nine TDs, but here are the other rookie RBs with a nose for the goal line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\"Photo\n<\/div>
\n\t

\n\t\tIsiah Pacheco<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n Isiah Pacheco\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: RB\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

5-11<\/span>, 215lb<\/span> (180cm, 97kg) <\/p>\n

Team<\/strong>: Kansas City Chiefs<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tMarch 2<\/a>, 1999\n \n <\/span>\n \n<\/span\"> (Age: 24-053d)<\/nobr><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tRutgers<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 7 (9523rd overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tVineland South<\/a> (NJ<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> in the 7th round (251st overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n

Twitter:<\/strong>\n @isiah_pachecoRB<\/a>\n \n\n \u00b7\n\n\n Instagram:<\/strong>\n lil_poppy856<\/a><\/p>\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n