2023 Top 10 Rookie Running Back Prospects

Without much introduction, we review the main reason many of us have been hoarding picks like a dragon does gold. The running back class for 2023.  Since you will be reading a dearth of information on this rookie class, I’ll try to keep things different so it’s not quite all the same information you have read before. Obviously subject to change as there is plenty of time until the 2023 NFL Draft, here are your 2023 Top 10 Rookie Running Back Prospects.

1. Bijan Robinson – Texas

Robinson has been steady at the top of the rankings for a while now. His vision and contact balance more than compensate for what looks like average athleticism on film.  He has natural hands and acceleration abilities are a bit less highlighted, but no less top-tier. Additionally, he will need to work on his pass protection more, in order for him to receive the bulk of the workload at the next level.

Considering this, his stock likely won’t risk seeing a dip until the combine, once testing numbers or a lack of testing numbers raise questions about how he translates to the NFL. Regardless of that, Robinson likely will still be the first running back selected in both the NFL Draft and your rookie drafts. He looks like a solid late first-round pick and with better testing than projected, could work his way into the top 20 selections.

2. Jahmyr Gibbs – Alabama

Gibbs has been receiving a ton of praise for his receiving work and display of game-breaking speed. His weighing 200 pounds is going to be one of the biggest questions on the day as that is a significant metric in the question of whether can he be an every-down back for a franchise. Additionally, his vision is not always consistent, his feet do often save him from the mistakes his eyes make.

To compensate, coaches will love to utilize him in the slot in order to get him out in space more often, where he is the most dangerous. Gibbs will be a definite second-round pick but with the potential to become a late first.

3. Zach Charbonnet – UCLA

When asked why he came back for his senior season, Charbonnet cited his wanting to improve in the passing game and to win the Pac-12 title. While I don’t see him winning the Pac-12 title, because USC looks all the parts of the champion of that conference, I do see where he can improve in the passing game. Not so much in pass protection, but in the receiving aspect.

However, in order for him to become a three-down back he’ll have to display stronger hands to see the field more at the next level. Furthermore, he has a near-perfect blend of size and power. Overall, he will be a third to fourth-round pick at the next level.

4. Zach Evans – Ole Miss

A former five-star prospect, Evans has speed that jumps off the tape.  Combined with his acceleration, it’s no wonder he moved to an SEC program in order to raise his draft profile after two years at TCU. For Evans, his draft stock won’t be hindered by what he can do, but more by what he cannot.  He is another runner with a lack of vision consistency who does not reliably select the optimal running lane.

For his draft stock, it will be most affected by him placing these better choices on film, as he already is assumed to test well in the spring. He will be viewed as a complete 3 down player at the next level. Tell me if you haven’t heard this before, but I see him being a mid to late second-round pick at the end of the day.

5. Tank Bigsby – Auburn

Bigsby checks boxes.  He both possesses size and athleticism, as well as he is productive in spite of loaded boxes for an otherwise pedestrian offense at Auburn.  His contact balance and vision help make up for a lack of top-end speed.  It also contributes to him translating to a goal line back at the next level in finding the seam and keeping a low pad level at the point of contact.  Slimming down some at the combine in order to produce a faster 40 is probably the only way he improves his draft stock, in order to show the speed that just is not on film.  At this point in the class, he will be a day-two pick in the NFL Draft.

6. Sean Tucker – Syracuse

Tucker has been a diamond in the rough at Syracuse. A former three-star recruit who has been the main attraction on the Syracuse offense. The analytical community will enjoy his production profile, making up the bulk of the Syracuse offense, while remaining effective. Additionally, his speed jumps off of the tape as well.

At first glance, it would dare seem like he should be much higher in this class than where he is currently ranked. He’s explosive and doesn’t shy away from contact, at times seeking it out. Furthermore, his vision and footwork are on par with Robinson for ‘top of the class’. While he isn’t known for moving the pile for finishing runs, and like most here, could use work on pass protection to stay on the field early at the next level.

One other question scouts will ponder, is why at the time of the transfer portal, did Tucker not move to a bigger program in order to raise his draft stock. Overall, I believe he will be a third-round pick at the next level with a chance to sneak into the late second.

7. John Emery Jr. – LSU

Emery is a prospect that has struggled to be on the field and it’s not due to health or talent.  He missed all of last year, as well as the first two games of this season.  He will be making his season debut against Mississippi State. Prospects with these issues tend to fall in the draft. Emery, while not an exception, has the potential to minimize the hindrance of that. Furthermore, he is a hyper-decisive runner who runs with tremendous balance and exudes speed like no other.

Based purely on running ability, I would have Emery in my top three for the class. The negatives to his game are a lack of passing work as well as pass protection. Furthermore, the biggest thing for his stock this year is staying eligible and catching passes. Emery is the most volatile running back in the class. If he didn’t play another snap, he’s a fourth-round pick. He could, on the other hand, play his way into the second round with a solid season.

8. Deuce Vaughn – Kansas State

His game is bigger than his body is. Vaughn’s size will already be nowhere near the necessary metrics for a running back. He will be a third-down weapon at the next level. Additionally, his statistical profile is better than Gibbs’ in nearly every sense of the word. Kansas State is still playing Power Five conferences and Vaughn is still producing at a high level. You have better odds of catching the Loch Ness Monster than you do of catching Vaughn.

He has an elite change of direction, displays top-end speed, and sets his defenders up well in space. Additionally, he is just as dynamic as a prospect as to where he could end up in the NFL. His draft stock sits between the second and fourth rounds of the NFL Draft. That will be heavily dependent on a team that will want a running back they don’t want to use for pass protection or goal-line work.

9. Devon Achane – Texas A&M

Achane should be a great kick-returner at the next level. He’s fast. Now that I covered that part, here is the rest of his game.  He has good contact balance and talent that as a sophomore, wouldn’t allow Isaiah Spiller a significant workload. Coaches will want him as a chess piece on the field for mismatches. His size brings durability questions, and much like Vaughn, won’t be seeing goal line work or asked to do a lot of pass protection.

Now, he can improve his draft stock with more productive running between the tackles, and posting an elite 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. He’s a 3^rd rounder at the NFL with a chance of falling to the 4th Round.

10. DeWayne McBride – UAB

McBride, I sneak onto this list as someone who on film, runs with an absolute purpose.  At 5’11 and 215 pounds, size and durability issues are addressed.  He is a downhill runner in every sense of the word.  He makes himself small in the hole and is decisive when picking the correct lane.  His draft stock will take the biggest rise if he participates in events like the Senior Bowl, where he can show that level of competition is a non-factor in his scouting assessment.  I don’t think he ends up higher than a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft, but I think he has the potential to be the next Eli Mitchell, James Robinson type that excels at the NFL level, in spite of falling through the cracks of the draft process.

So in conclusion, the hype behind the class is real. Hopefully, with perspective on these players, you can continue to look into these names further in determining what players will be second-round steals in your rookie drafts next year. The cost of 2023 firsts now, you aren’t getting them if you don’t have them already. With the depth of this list, you can still find reasonably priced 2^nd Round picks though, and land many names on this list.

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