Celebrating our 21st year of independent scouting analysis, NFLDB previews the 2023 NFL Draft RB Class.
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This week we broke down the top 10 NFL prospects, regardless of class, at Air Force, Akron, Alabama, UAB and Appalachian State. It’s our first partnership on the Profile Reports with InsideTheLeague.com and Todd Worly, veterans of evaluation and who have collaborated as part of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl team for several years.
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The NFL works in waves and fads. The proliferation of the pass game over the last decade has seen the majority of teams pass the ball 55%-65% of the time. However, in 2022, we saw 10 teams run the ball 49.3% or more. In addition, the league employed three running backs who surpassed 1,500 rushing yards, a feat that hasn’t happened in the NFL since 2012!
It seems evident that the run game is coming back around again. How much that impacts the 2023 NFL Draft remains to be seen. Regardless of the overall league viewpoint, occasionally, a ‘blue chip’ running back prospect emerges. The last time we saw such a prospect was in 2018, when the New York Giants made Saquon Barkley the number two overall pick. It also occurred in the 2016 NFL Draft, as the Dallas Cowboys made Ezekiel Elliott the number four overall selection. Those are the only two instances where a running back was taken inside the top 10 during the past decade.
One candidate who seeks to destroy that trend is Texas running back Bijan Robinson, a tantalizing runner who demonstrates few flaws in his overall game. The 2022 Doak Walker Award winner and unanimous First Team All-American is a rare combination of size, speed, power, elusiveness and burst. A top ten talent in this year’s draft, Robinson figures to make an immediate impact and could change the dynamic of an offense. A team such as the Las Vegas Raiders, who hold the seventh pick of the 2023 NFL Draft and could potentially lose All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs to free agency, would be one team worth monitoring.
Another running back who possesses starter traits would be Jahmyr Gibbs of Alabama. The compact, darting Gibbs, zigs and zags his way through opposing defenses due to his sudden burst and elusiveness. The Georgia Tech transfer averaged over six yards per carry in the SEC this past season and is also an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield. He projects as a top 50 overall selection.
2023 #NFLDraft prospect Jahmyr Gibbs accelerated to a max speed of 22.3 mph in only 5.5 seconds on this play. Elite play speed and acceleration. #ReelAnalytics
Any NFL team looking to employ a bigger, physical back would do well with Zack Charbonnet of UCLA or Chris Rodriguez of Kentucky. A bruising back, Charbonnet is somewhat limited athletically but his ability to break arm tackles and pick up yards after contact will remind many of James Conner (Cardinals). Rodriguez, who missed the first four games of the 2022 campaign due to off-field incidents, came back with a vengeance during the second half for the Wildcats. He proved capable of shouldering the workload, toting the rock 20-plus times on multiple occasions. Look for both of these bruisers to hear their name called in the middle rounds.
The real value of the running back position truly resides on Day Three. Look no further than Dameon Pierce (Texans fourth round pick) and Tyler Allgeier (Falcons fifth round pick) from a year ago. Both chosen on the final day, each player enjoyed a resounding role as rookies. NFL decision-makers will dig deep to try and unravel who will be that player this year?
An early candidate would be Minnesota workhorse back Mohamed Ibrahim, who has one of the best back stories of this draft class. Ibrahim, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during opening week two years ago, bounced back to recover and re-write the Gophers record books. Now the school’s all-time leading rusher (4,668 rushing yards), the Baltimore native re-established himself as a premier runner, gaining a career high 1,665 rushing yards on 320 carries (5.2 rushing average). There are some scouts who view the bulky back as a starter at the next level.
One of the best kept secrets in this year’s draft would be Owen Wright of Monmouth. Possibly the most effective short-yardage runner in the draft, Wright scored 16 rushing touchdowns in 11 games for the Hawks. However, it’s his grittiness, physicality and well-rounded overall game that will make Wright stick. A four down player, Wright can run, block, catch but he also participates in all special teams units. In a deep running back class, it’s unknown whether Wright will be drafted but we do know he’ll be damn near impossible to cut once he arrives at training camp.
A few names to keep your eye on RB Evan Hull, Northwestern
The ‘Hullkster’ continues to win scouts over, whether it was taking every practice rep handoff during Senior Bowl week to the end zone, or burning up the carpet at Lucas Oil Stadium (4.47 official forty-yard dash). The Minnesota native waited for his pro day to run his short shuttle (4.22) and three-cone (6.94), which are excellent marks. When you combine the skill-set, production, testing and work ethic, Hull has solidified himself as a credible mid-to-late round selection.
The explosive Tulane runner showed up to Mobile with jet fuel rockets strapped to his ankles—Spears ran as if he were shot out of a cannon this week. He presents an exciting blend of burst, vision, and speed, is a capable pass-catcher and is a willing blocker; he looks like a top 50 talent.
A sturdy-built running back, Gray quietly went about his business and turned in a solid week at the Senior Bowl. It was good to see him flash his pass catching capabilities, an aspect of his game that he was effective in both at Oklahoma and Tennessee. He’s a YAC monster.
Catered towards the die-hard draftnik, our newsletter will be bringing you even more of the names you need to know. Our in-depth scouting analysis includes background information, medical reports, stats, and more. We use a unique player rating scale, which measures each prospect's immediate impact level, potential developmental grade if a player maxes out his potential and a final projection of what type of player they will ultimately become.
2023 NFL DRAFT BIBLE BIG BOARD: RUNNING BACKS
Bijan Robinson, Texas, Jr, 5110, 215, 4.46 (1.52), 0936, 3138, 7468, 37”, 10-4, NIC, Rd1
Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama, Jr, 5091, 199, 4.36 (1.52), 0928, 3048, 7428, 33.5”, NIC, Rd2
Tyjae Spears, Tulane, rJr, 5100, 201, 4.48e, 1000, 3068, 18, 39.5”, 10-5, 4.32, 7.27 SRB, NIC, Rd2
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA, Sr, 6003, 214, 4.53 (1.54), 0978, 3200, 7558, 18, 37”, 10-2, 4.46, 7.16, NIC, Rd3
Devon Achane, Texas A&M, Jr, 5084, 188, 4.32 (1.51), 0848, 2900, 33”, NIC, Rd3
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky, Sr, 6000, 217, 4.58, 0858, 3058, 7358, 19 33”, 9-06, 4.31, NIC, Rd3
Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh, Jr, 5110, 217, 4.41, 0828, 3200, 41”, Rd4, NIC
Tank Bigsby, Auburn, Jr, 5115, 210, 4.56 (1.54), 0948, 3200, 21, 32.5” , 9-11, NIC, Rd4
Chase Brown, Illinois, rJr, 5094, 209, 4.43 (1.53), 1000, 3100, 7518, 25, 40”, 10-7 NIC, Rd5
Kenny McIntosh, Georgia, Sr, 6002, 204, 4.62 (1.54), 0900, 3048, 7638, 32.5”, 9-05, 4.69, 7.69, NIC, Rd5
Sean Tucker, Syracuse, rSo, 5090, 207, 4.49e, 0948, 3000, 7338, NIC, Rd5
Zach Evans, Mississippi, rSo, 5110, 202, 4.52, 1028, 3158, 33.5”, 10-01, 4.26, 7.08, NIC, Rd5
Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State, Jr, 5050, 179, 4.36e, 0948, 2768, 17, 35.5” , 9-8 NIC, Rd6
Roschon Johnson, Texas, Sr, 6002, 219, 4.58 (1.52), 0958, 3200, 7678, 31.5” , 10-2 NIC, Rd6
Kendre Miller, TCU, Jr, 5110, 215, 4.54e, 0938, 3238, NIC, Rd6 (Did not work out – INJ; knee)
Evan Hull, Northwestern, Jr, 5101, 209, 4.47 (1.53), 0928, 3058, 21, 37”, 10-3, 4.38, 6.90 SRB, NIC, Rd6
Eric Gray, Oklahoma, Sr, 5094, 207, 4.62, 0968, 2958, 14, 37.5”, 9-10, 4.20, 7.25, NIC, Rd6
Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina, rSo, 5077, 179, 4.37 (1.48), 0928, 3068, 38” , 10-6, NIC, Rd7
Camerun Peoples, Appalachian State, Sr, 6013, 217, 4.61 (1.56), 0968, 3258, 7818, 19, 37”, 10-1, 4.56, NIC, Rd7
Deneric Prince, Tulsa, Sr, 5116, 216, 4.41 (1.53), 0928, 3128, 35.5” , 10-4, EWS, NIC, Rd7
Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota, rSr, 5080, 203, 4.55e, 0900, 2858, 6958, NIC, PFA
Owen Wright, Monmouth, rSr, 5090, 214, 4.61, 1000, 3028, 7400, 16, 34”, 4.35, 7.04, NFLPA, PFA
Emanuel Wilson, Fort Valley State, rJr, 5104, 226, 4.57, 0900, 3328, 7918, 34.5”, 10-0, 4.39, 7.23, NFLPA, PFA
DeWayne McBride, UAB, Jr, 5100, 209, 4.57e, 0948, 3058, 7318, 20, NIC, PFA
Xazavian Valladay, Arizona State, rSr, 5112, 204, 4.46, 0848, 3068, 7618, 22, 40”, 10-03, 4.32, 7.00, PFA
Tiyon Evans, Louisville, rSr, 5094, 225, 4.52 (1.61), 0848, 3038, 30.5” NIC, PFA
SaRodorick Thompson, Texas Tech, Sr, 5114, 207, 4.67 (1.56), 0900, 3158, 32.5”, 10-0, 4.70, 7.25 SRB/NFLPA, NIC, PFA
Travis Dye, USC, Sr, 5100, 201, 4.54e, 0928, 2878, 7028, 16, 27”, 8-11, NIC, PFA
Emari Demecado, TCU, rSr, 5080, 205, 4.57, NFLPA, PFA
Ellis Merriweather, UMass, rSr, 6010, 220, 4.68, 0968, 3328, 7748, 19, 34.5”, 9-06, 4.31, 7.17, TROP, PFA
Titus Swen, Wyoming, rJr, 5104, 209, 4.50, TROP, PFA
Khalan Laborn, Marshall, Sr, 5085, 204, 4.52, 0958, 3000, 7248, 23, 38.5”, 10-05, 4.40, 7.08, HULA, PFA
Tavion Thomas, Utah, Jr, 6030, 237, 4.74 (1.62), 0928, 3118, 7600, 19, 40”, 9-10, 4.69, NIC, PFA
Darius Hagans, Virginia State, Sr, 5115, 207, 4.48, 26, 36”, 10-5, 4.37, 7.08, NFLPA, PFA
Lew Nichols III, Central Michigan, rSo, 5096, 222, 4.58, 22, 37”, PFA
Ronnie Brown, Shepherd, rJr, 5106, 190, 4.45, 10-03, NFLPA, PFA
Aidan Borguet, Harvard, Sr, 5082, 205, 4.58, 0958, 2948, 7268, 35, 36”, 9-09, 4.37, 7.29, CGS, PFA
Toa Taua, Nevada, rSr, 5084, 204, 4.69, 0928, 2828, 7058, 20, 32.5”, 4.44, 7.40, HULA, PFA
Jordan Mims, Fresno State, rSr, 5103, 196, 4.65, 0928, 3138, 7500, 18, 30”, 9-05, 4.52, 7.50, HULA, PFA
Shaun Shivers, Indiana, rSr, 5051, 187, 4.51, 0858, 2900, 6968, 14, 31.5”, 9-2, 4.45, 7.12, PFA
Jaleel McLaughlin, Youngstown State, Sr, 5076, 192, 4.44, 0858, 3038, 7248, 17, HULA, UDFA
Jarek Broussard, Michigan State, rJr, 5083, 192, 4.66, 0838, 2868, 6818, 13, 32.5”, 9-09, 4.47, 7.32, CGS, UDFA
Percy Agyei-Obese, James Madison, Sr, 5111, 214, 4.53e, 0858, 3200, 7600, 20, UDFA
Charles McClelland, Cincinnati, rSr, 5106, 192, 4.56, 0848, 2968, 7100, 12, 32”, 9-10, 4.60, 7.46, HULA, UDFA
Christopher Brooks, BYU, Sr, 6006, 219, 4.63, 0848, 3100, 7548, 21, 37”, 10-02, 4.35, 7.13, HULA, UDFA
Chris Smith, Louisiana-Lafayette, rJr, 5085, 194, 4.49, 0878, 3038, 7238, 12, 36”, 4.44, 7.20, TROP, UDFA
Todd Sibley Jr., Albany, rSr, 5090, 225, 4.56, 21, 28”, 9-01, 4.45, 7.30, TROP, UDFA
Hassan Hall, Georgia Tech, Sr, 5102, 196, 4.46, 0948, 3048, 7458, 18, 37”, 10-10, 4.00, 7.21, CGS, UDFA