Yahoo Sports 2022 NFL draft scouting report: Texas A&M RB Isaiah Spiller
Texas A&M RB Isaiah Spiller
6-foot
217 pounds
Yahoo Sports' 2022 NFL draft grade
5.61 — possible third- or fourth-rounder; contributor potential
TL;DR scouting report
Feisty, instinctive runner with some toughness and tackle-breaking ability, but poor testing, past ball security mar his profile a bit
The skinny
A 4-star Rivals recruit (No. 153 nationally) in the Class of 2019, Spiller chose the Aggies and was thrust into action as a freshman, rushing for 946 yards and 10 TDs on 174 carries and catching 29 passes for 203 yards in 13 games (nine starts). In 2020, he ran 188 times for 1,036 yards and nine TDs and caught 20 passes for 193 yards in 10 games. In 2021, Spiller ran 179 times for 1,011 yards and six TDs and caught 25 passes for 189 yards and one TD in 12 starts. He declared early for the 2022 NFL draft.
Upside
Nice size, weight distribution, arm length for volume back
10-yard split (1.59 seconds) indicative of quick burst
Lost some baby fat early in college, which helped add juice to runs
Quick feet, excellent balance to keep violent cutting ability alive on most runs
Wicked jump cut can make defenders grasp at air
Consistently churning legs through contact to squeeze out extra yards
Flashes some intriguing pass-catch ability (see Colorado, Alabama games)
Wasn't featured in passing game but flashed enough upside to develop
Some dropped passes in 2020, but hands looked very sure in 2021
Ball security much improved in 2021 — one fumble on 204 touches
Patient runner who will wait for blocks to develop
Aggies' run blocking not nearly as effective as you'd assume
Works well to shake defenders in open space
Consistent, reliable performer for three seasons
Strong, steady season rushing averages — 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 yards per carry
Gamer who rarely missed snaps despite taking some punishment
Plenty of tread on the tires — only 615 college touches
Won't turn 21 until August — young talent with ample room to grow as a player
Downside
Disappointing testing numbers — indicative of limited athlete for the position
40-yard dash (4.64 seconds) isn't everything for backs, but that's a high number
Smaller hands (8 3/4) might explain past fumbles, dropped passes
Career fumble rate (one every 90.7 touches) raises a red flag
Split running duties all three years — not a true workhorse
Will jump cut unnecessarily — some questions about vision, decision making as runner
Tries to bounce some runs outside when the lane isn't there
Runs a bit too upright at times, gives defenders too much target
Lack of sustained elusiveness results in quite a bit of contact
Not a breakaway threat, even with open-field prowess
Pass-protection effort is there, but execution needs refinement
Special-teams value an unknown
Best-suited destination
Spiller profiles as a solid-to-good three-down back if he can continue improving his ball security and harnessing his value in the passing game. He likely could be paired effectively with a quicker back with more home-run hitting prowess, but Spiller has enough upside to command steady carries (preferably in heavier man/gap schemes — see Mizzou game for evidence of this) and occasional passes.
Did you know
Spiller's father, Fred, also played at A&M and had dreams of making the NFL as a tight end a generation ago. He redshirted as a true freshman in 1999 and played 10 games in 2000, although he didn’t record a statistic. That's where Fred's football career ended, however. Doctors told him that his back injury was serious enough that it could lead to paralysis, so he medically retired in early 2001.
Player comp
A mashup of Stevan Ridley, Chris Carson and T.J. Yeldon
Expected draft range
Rounds 3-4
