Predicting Landing Spots for 2023 NFL Draft's Top Running Backs
The rise of platoons and timeshares may limit the amount of glory that running backs get compared to those in previous eras, but plenty of difference-makers still occupy the position, and more are on the way in the 2023 NFL draft.
While there almost certainly won't be a huge run on the position on Day 1—it's been over a decade since four or more backs were taken in the first round—plenty of running backs could be selected on Day 2.
This class has a handful of potential game-changers who could find success quickly. Whether they are bruising power backs, quick scatbacks, pass-catching specialists or feature a versatile mix of styles, the five backs below stand out as the cream of the 2023 crop.
With that in mind, let's take a look at where each has been ranked, what each brings to the table and project which team they will land with.
Bijan Robinson, Texas
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Bleacher Report Scouting Department Rank: No. 4
Bijan Robinson is the crown jewel of the running back class. He's a rare talent who projects to be a true three-down back thanks to his incredible blend of speed, strength and balance.
At 5'11", 215 pounds, Robinson has the size to withstand the rigors of 20-plus touches every week. He dominated at Texas, finishing a three-year career with 3,410 yards and 33 touchdowns on 539 carries and adding 805 yards and eight scores on 60 catches.
The 21-year-old moves incredibly well for a back of his stature, proving as much with a solid 4.46-second 40-yard dash speed and a 37-inch vertical at the combine last month.
Whether he's powering through defenders or making them miss, Robinson can do it all. Not only did he set Pro Football Focus' college record with 104 broken tackles this past season, but he's also a natural pass-catcher and capable blocker who will hardly need to come off the field.
While he has shown tendencies to be a tad greedy in searching out the home run play instead of taking what the offensive line has given him, Robinson should be able to make the adjustment and thrive.
The Dallas Cowboys would be the perfect fit for him after the organization parted ways with longtime back Ezekiel Elliott this offseason. While the team still has Tony Pollard on the franchise tag for the 2023 campaign, his future with the franchise is also murky without a long-term extension.
Derrik Klassen of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department also sent Robinson to the Cowboys in a recent mock, citing head coach Mike McCarthy's desire to be a run-first offense in 2023.
While Dallas might need a bit of luck to have Robinson fall to No. 26, it would be hard to fault the team for trading up to guarantee the Texas product remains in the Lone Star State.
Draft Prediction: Dallas Cowboys at No. 26 Overall
Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
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Bleacher Report Scouting Department Rank: No. 29
Jahmyr Gibbs can be one of the NFL's most dynamic weapons.
The Alabama product just capped a sensational season, running for 926 yards and seven touchdowns on just 151 totes, adding 444 yards and three touchdowns on 44 receptions. He can do damage both on the ground and through the air, making him a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
While Gibbs isn't the biggest back—he only measured at 5'9", 199 pounds at the combine—he packs an amazing amount of athleticism into that frame. He posted a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, a mark that trailed only Devon Achane's 4.32-second mark for the fastest time in Indianapolis at the position this year.
His smaller stature and unlikeliness to be a high-volume talent may give some teams pause, but the club that does take a chance on him should be rewarded with plenty of big plays.
Gibbs is an expert at making defenders miss if he doesn't outright blow past them. He changes direction well and can quickly ramp up to top speed. He's a surprisingly decent pass protector for his size and has the potential to be a strong return man as well.
The Crimson Tide product may not be a first-rounder because of his limitations, but he shouldn't slip past the middle of the second round.
The Atlanta Falcons could make great use of Gibbs' unique talents. The team already has a physical back in Tyler Allgeier—who breached the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie fifth-round pick last year—but would benefit heavily from a pure playmaker like Gibbs.
He could be the lightning to Allgeier's thunder, coming on the field for not only passing downs and gadget plays but also as a great change-of-pace option who could exploit defenses as both a runner and receiver.
Draft Prediction: Atlanta Falcons at No. 44 Overall
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
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Bleacher Report Scouting Department Rank: No. 42
Zach Charbonnet may not be an elite prospect, but he's a very good one with a well-rounded skill set and a ceiling as a quality starter.
He isn't the fastest back—his 4.53-second 40-yard dash time was the ninth-best among running backs at the combine this year—but he's one of the biggest in the class at 6'0", 214 pounds. He's an extremely sturdy player who has displayed fantastic balance and coordination, making him difficult for defenders to take down.
The UCLA product fights hard for extra yardage and uses his strength to shrug off weak tackle attempts. He won't create huge plays often, but he has showcased some surprising acceleration and deceptive in-game speed at times that could catch defenders off guard.
While he wasn't asked to do much pass-blocking at UCLA, his other attributes should make him net positive in that area. Factor in his proven ability to work as pass-catcher—he caught 37 passes for 321 yards this past season—and it's hard to see a scenario in which Charbonnet doesn't earn a good chunk of playing time right away.
The Miami Dolphins could be the best team for him to land with. The club has churned through plenty of veteran castoffs and young prospects, but no Miami player has gone over the 1,000-yard rushing mark since Jay Ajayi accomplished the feat in 2016.
Drafting a talent like Charbonnet could help the 'Phins finally end that streak of ineptitude. He'll likely be the best back with three-down potential available when they are first on the clock—the team forfeited its first-rounder this year because of tampering, effectively putting it out of the running for Robinson—on Day 2.
Draft Prediction: Miami Dolphins at No. 51 Overall
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Devon Achane, Texas A&M
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Bleacher Report Scouting Department Rank: No. 45
Devon Achane is one of the most intriguing talents in the entire draft. Not only is he an exceptionally fast running back—only two defensive back prospects posted a better 40-yard dash time than Achane's 4.32 seconds—but he's also shockingly powerful.
The Texas A&M product has an uncanny ability to withstand contact and remain upright, a trait not often seen in a player this quick. While Achane doesn't have the size to be an every-down back—he stands a shade under 5'9" and tipped the scales at 188 pounds—he projects to be far more than a gadget player.
He is a phenomenal rusher who uses more than just his world-class speed and acceleration to pick up yardage. He possesses top-flight vision and pace, waiting for holes to open and setting up blocks while also quickly bouncing outside and turning on the jets if needed.
A team won't want to deploy Achane in short-yardage or goal-line situations, but there is little reason to doubt the Aggies star's ability to contribute between the 20s. Achane should be an excellent addition to a platoon that already has a power back, making a team such as the Buffalo Bills a great landing spot for him.
The Bills desperately need to inject some playmaking ability into their backfield after the ground game stalled in the playoffs. Buffalo's backs mustered a meager 38 yards on 11 carries in an embarrassing season-ending loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
With Devin Singletary now with the Houston Texans, the Bills need a running mate for James Cook, the team's second-round pick last year. While he had a promising rookie year—racking up 507 yards on 89 carries and hauling in 21 receptions for 180 yards—he only found paydirt on three occasions.
Getting a big-play threat like Achane to complement the steadier Cook will raise the ceiling on Buffalo's rushing attack and make it one to be feared in 2023.
Draft Prediction: Buffalo Bills at No. 59 Overall
Sean Tucker, Syracuse
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Bleacher Report Scouting Department Rank: No. 69
Sean Tucker may not have the pedigree of some of the other backs in this class, but he just capped a nice career at Syracuse and should find a home on an NFL roster.
He is an explosive prospect who does his best when he gets outside. He's able to accelerate to the perimeter quickly and can be tough to stop once he gets a full head of steam going upfield.
While Tucker's work between the tackles leaves a lot to be desired, he does have the potential to be a contributor there as well. The 5'9", 207-pound back stays tight and compact but too often looks to bounce outside rather than plow through open holes.
This lack of vision and decisiveness hurts his ability to be a top back, but he'll find a role because of his impressive burst. It's also a trait that helps him in the receiving game, where he showed he can be an asset while catching 64 passes across three collegiate seasons.
The New York Giants would be a nice pairing for Tucker. The team relied heavily on Saquon Barkley to shoulder its offensive load last year but needs to reduce the superstar back's volume.
Barkley may have had a resurgent 2022, but he logged a career-high 295 carries on the heels of two injury-marred campaigns. The team could be looking for a replacement if he suffers another injury in 2023, which could be his final season for Big Blue regardless because of his franchise-tag status.
Tucker may not be on the same level as Barkley, but the Maryland native could be a great backup option early in his career while developing his inside rushing skills enough to eventually become a starter.
Draft Prediction: New York Giants at No. 128 Overall
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