Chris Rodriguez No. 5 in PFF's 2022 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings

Photo by UK Athletics

If the 2022 NFL Draft started today, Kentucky’s Chris Rodriguez would be one of the top five running backs available, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF’s Michael Renner ranked Rodriguez No. 5 in his early 2022 NFL Draft running backs rankings, opining that the redshirt junior’s powerful running style will more than compensate for a lack of top-end speed at the next level.

Rodriguez was a bowling ball wreaking havoc through the SEC last season. The 5-foot-11, 224-pounder earned the highest rushing grade in the conference last season — yes, higher than even first-rounder Najee Harris.

Rodriguez pounded his way to 6.6 yards per carry, with 3.9 of those coming after contact. He pinballs off would-be tacklers with his low center of gravity and doesn’t try to run like somebody he’s not. While he lacks the top-end juice to really be in contention for the RB1 spot in this class, Rodriguez has more than enough to succeed in the NFL.

[PFF]

The SEC just means more, so Rodriguez is one of three running backs from the conference in the top five. Iowa State’s Breece Hall is No. 1, followed by Ole Miss’ Jerrion Ealy at No. 2, Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller at No. 3, N.C. State’s Zonovan Knight at No. 4, and Rodriguez at No. 5. For more names to watch, head on over to PFF, or simply watch Rodriguez’s highlights below.