2023 NFL Draft Running Back Prospects: Bijan Robinson The Next Saquon?
Now that the Super Bowl is behind us, and the season is over we divert our attention to the offseason. We will start by focusing on the 2023 NFL Draft. The next position we will take a look at is the running backs. A lot can change between now and the draft, but these are the top five prospects at the position currently.
Top 5 Running Backs Entering The 2023 NFL Draft
1 Bijan Robinson, Texas
These rankings may change drastically between now and the draft. One thing that won’t change is Robinson sitting atop the running backs. What more is there to say about Robinson that hasn’t been said at nauseum? You can make a strong case that he’s the best offensive player in this draft and he’s the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley. Not only is he the best runner coming out, but he’s also the most natural and fluid pass-catcher. Undoubtedly, he will be the first running back off the board early in the first round and the first player drafted in your rookie drafts. Think of all the things you want in a running back and he has them all. Speed, power, vision, elusiveness, patience; he has it all. The question now is, how high can he climb in the NFL Draft? From a fantasy perspective, with the right landing spot he could legitimately be a top-three pick in re-draft leagues.
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2 Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
Gibbs will be viewed as the premier pass-catching back of this draft class. While this is true, he is much more than just that. This kid is absolutely electric and can contribute on the ground, as a returner, and of course through the air. His quickness is uncanny and combined with his stop-and-start ability, and a lethal ability to spin off contact he leaves a lot of defenders looking silly. In his career, he totaled 10 40-plus yard plays from the line of scrimmage. Whoever drafts him will be getting an outstanding pass-catcher with criminally undervalued ball-carrying skills, and an ability to break a game open on any given touch. He could be the next Austin Ekeler or Alvin Kamara for fantasy owners.
3 Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Charbonnet is probably the safest back in this draft not named Bijan Robinson. A team is going to draft him and be able to plug him in for three downs and feel comfortable riding him. He’s more than proven himself after excelling in multiple schemes. His physical traits are outstanding as are his mental ones. His combination of size, power, vision, and awareness is impressive. As well as his versatility. You can pound him up the middle and it will take more than one man to drag him down or you pitch it to him and let him beat his man to the edge. However, his most impressive trait on film is his acceleration. At 6’2 220 pounds, his ability to go from zero to 100 is incredible. Hopefully, he lands on a team that needs and is willing to utilize a bell-cow back because he checks all the boxes in that department.
4 Kendre Miller, TCU
We are very high on Miller. Probably significantly higher than any other site at this point. There is little not to like about him. He’s just 20 years old and has one of the most well-rounded skill sets in the country. He has game-breaking ability with impressive vision and creativity. We love his combination of size, speed, and toughness. He excels in all facets of the position including being a strong blocker as he’s shown an ability to stand up and take on blitzers head-on. This combined with his impressive pass-catching chops gives teams the ability to utilize him all over the field and on every down. While not overwhelming with athleticism will knock him down draft boards a bit, he will be a steal for whoever lands him. He was as productive as it gets at TCU this season scoring a touchdown in every single game.
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5 Devon Achane, Texas A&M
There is one word you are going to hear when people talk about Achane and it’s “speed.” He is the type of player you find a way to get the ball and he can change an entire game with one touch. As a track star, there is a good chance he wows at the combine and we start hearing his name a whole lot soon. He’s even surprisingly tough between the tackles when he needs to be. However, a 5’9 185-pound frame limits his touches on the next level. A team will likely look to use him similarly to how Darren Sproles was used in his career. We will see him back on punt returns and catching passes in space. While his carries may be limited, it’s likely he will surprise some people with his ability on the ground when he gets the opportunity.
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