2022 NFL Draft profile: Michigan running back Hassan Haskins

Michigan football’s identity was built through a physical presence at the line of scrimmage and a rushing attack that bludgeoned opponents in 2021. Running back Hassan Haskins led those efforts and helped push the program to heights it had dreamed of reaching.

Haskins was a 2021 second-team All-American from the AFCA and third-team selection from the Associated Press. The two-time All-Big Ten honoree was voted an alternate captain by his teammates in 2021 and appeared in 37 career games for the Maize and Blue. His 2021 season was his best, starting all 14 games at running back and gathering 270 carries for 1,327 yards and a program-record 20 touchdowns. Haskins also had 18 catches for 131 yards on the year. Now, he looks to bring it all to the professional level.

Here is a look at what he could bring to the NFL.

Hassan Haskins’ info

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 228 pounds

School: Michigan

Position: Running back

Projected: 5th-6th round

Pro Day/Combine Results: 27 reps on the bench press

Strengths

A lead back had eluded Michigan in the seasons before the 2021 campaign. Haskins had did his part and fared well, but still seemed to lack the carries or workload he might have deserved. He proved in 2021 he could handle that and was leaned on heavily, especially down the stretch. Haskins is capable of whatever is put on his plate, which has endeared him to teams during the pre-draft process. He is a physical runner but is far from reckless. He displays great patience in the run game and does well to keep his balance through contact.

Haskins has also shown an ability to hurdle and keep plays alive in creative ways. His stiff arm is as stiff as they come and he has also displayed good hands in limited action. He can probably take on more in that area and be fine. Ball security is a strength here and should help him standout from his peers in the class when it gets into the mid-rounds.

Weaknesses

Haskins is a bulldozer and was a great college rusher, but lacks the burst and top-end speed the NFL likes in its backs. An ankle injury from the College Football Playoff has hurt his ability to offset those concerns during the pre-draft process. His patience is a blessing, but can also be a curse and running more decisively in the NFL will be a must. Haskins might have to become more creative in his attack given that the hurdles and jump cuts will be responded to more quickly by athletic NFL defenders. While he was productive in limited pass-catching opportunities, it is hard to call him a true three-down back.

Hassan Haskins overview

Haskins suffered an ankle injury in the Orange Bowl and has not done a ton of pre-draft work on the field this spring. He was invited to the Senior Bowl but pulled out to rehab the injury. He only did the bench press at the NFL Combine and there were no reported testing numbers from Michigan’s pro day. Haskins’ draft stock has taken a hit because of it, but teams need only put on the tape to see what they are getting.

If you want him to go run through a defender, he has it covered? Pass protection? He does well in that area. Special teams? Haskins did it at Michigan. A lack of burst and home run ability hurts him, but he is a lunch-pail player that would do well as a second running back in a rotation. Haskins is the consummate Jim Harbaugh running back and a lot of what he does should translate to the next level. When you get into the middle rounds, it becomes all about fit. Haskins probably translates best to a power/gap scheme and a role that sees him primarily running between the tackles. He can handle whatever comes his way and will quickly endear himself to the team that adds him to the rotation.