ISAIAH SPILLER | Texas A&M 6’0” 217 lbs. | 08/09/2001 (Age 20)
Isaiah Spiller was drafted 123rd overall by the Los Angeles Chargers, becoming the ninth running back taken in the 2022 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Isaiah Spiller put together three productive (and nearly identical) seasons at Texas A&M. He took over the backfield as a freshman, pacing the team with 946 rushing yards and 10 TDs. He also added an impressive 29 receptions for 203 receiving yards. Despite the addition of track star Devon Achane to the Aggies’ backfield, Spiller’s 2020 season was essentially a rerun of 2019: 1,036 rushing yards, nine TDs, 20 receptions, 193 receiving yards. In 2021, Spiller’s junior season, Achane captured a larger percentage of the RB opportunities. However, with rushing QB Kellen Mond out of the picture, there was more work to go around. Spiller was able to crack 1,000 rushing yards once again while adding another 25 receptions.
Strictly from a production standpoint, Isaiah Spiller looks like a solid prospect. He produced 1.9 yards per team play in his best season, which ranks eighth in this RB class. And he was able to earn target shares of 8.4%, 8.9%, and 9.8% across his three seasons, which is a good sign for his involvement as a pass-catcher in the NFL.
ATHLETIC TESTING
In early February, many considered Isaiah Spiller to be the RB2 in this rookie class. In fact, I drafted him at the 1.03 in DFF’s Rookie Mock Draft 2.0. However, the pre-draft process was not kind to Spiller. He began to tumble when he opted out of the forty-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and performed poorly in both the broad and vertical jumps, resulting in a 24th-percentile Burst Score. When Spiller finally ran the forty-yard dash at his pro day, he underwhelmed with a 4.64 time.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
The biggest concern with Spiller’s forty time was how it would impact his standing among NFL teams. Judging by his precipitous drop to the fourth round, the NFL was, in fact, concerned. However, Spiller is walking into a decent situation in Los Angeles. While Austin Ekeler will continue to be the team’s unquestioned starter, Spiller should have little trouble beating out the likes of Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree for backup duties. Like Justin Jackson in years past, Isaiah Spiller should have the opportunity to provide spike weeks in the event of an injury to Austin Ekeler.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Isaiah Spiller possesses the skills to overcome his lack of athleticism and provide pockets of production in the NFL. But as a fourth-round selection to a team with an entrenched starter, dynasty managers should not be expecting immediate production. Instead, Spiller should be treated as a handcuff with three-down upside in the event of an injury. He’s worth considering in the mid to late-second round of rookie drafts, even ahead of Day 2 RBs Brian Robinson and Tyrion Davis-Price.
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