2023 NFL Draft Prospects: Running Back

4/22/23: In 2022, Robinson averaged 6.1 yards per carry for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also brought in 19 receptions for 314 yards and two scores. Robinson is potentially the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft, and pro teams think he has rare ability and superstar potential. Sources from around the league say Robinson is the only prospect who received an elite grade and is the consensus highest-graded player for the 2023 NFL Draft. Robinson gave proof of that with a tremendous showing at the NFL Scouting Combine.

As we reported in the Hot Press, sources from a number of teams have Robinson graded higher than other recent top-five running back prospects of Saquon Barkley, Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott. Here is what one area scout shared with WalterFootball.com:

“It’s rare that the best pure runner is also the best pure receiver; that’s what makes Bijan unique,” said an area scout. “He can legitimately go run routes like a true receiver. His skill set is more Marshall Faulk than any of those guys. Saquon can obviously win in the passing game, but he’s not out running routes like Reggie Bush (Bijan does). His ball skills are as good as the top receivers in this class.

“There are other runners on his level or even a notch better, but you’re talking about the elite of every class, even on that alone. You can realistically run the offense thru him because he’s in on every situation as your RB1, 1-2nd Down, 2 minute, 4 minute. He’s more advanced all around than [Reggie] Bush, Joe Mixon, Saquon, Zeke. McCaffrey would have been like that had he been 215 pounds like Bijan. You have to go back to Faulk to find an elite runner and receiver like Bijan.”

6/22/22: Robinson was one of the best players in college football in 2021, producing a superb season for Texas. The sophomore averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2021 for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also took 26 receptions for 295 yards and four scores. In 2020, Robinson flashed his big-time skill set with 703 yards on only 86 carries – 8.2 average – and four touchdowns. He had 15 catches for 196 yards and two scores that season. Robinson has power, speed, cutting ability, and natural instincts as a runner.

4/22/23: Gibbs was phenomenal for Alabama in 2022, ripping off long runs and doing damage as a receiver. He is a superb route-runner and is an excellent weapon in the passing game. In 2022, Gibbs averaged 6.1 yards per carry for 926 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 44 receptions for 444 yards and three scores. Gibbs has elite speed and is a threat to break off a long run on any carry. While Gibbs is not big, he runs hard and is extremely fast to hit the hole. With his receiving ability, Gibbs could be a dynamic weapon at the NFL level. Teams also love Gibbs make up as he has great character and is a worker. Some TV announcers have compared Gibbs to Alvin Kamara, and some team sources say Gibbs is like Jamaal Charles or D’Andre Swift, although potentially more durable than the oft-injured Swift.

6/22/22: After the 2021 season, Gibbs entered the transfer portal and landed at Alabama. He should be a great replacement for Brian Robinson in 2022 and could become the latest early-round running back prospect for the Crimson Tide. Gibbs is a beast of a back who is put together well and runs hard. He has speed, natural running instincts, and a lot of upside.

In 2021 for Georgia Tech, Gibbbs averaged 5.2 yards per carry for 746 yards and four touchdowns. He also took 35 receptions for 465 yards and two touchdowns. In 2020, Gibbs averaged 5.2 yards per carry for 460 yards and four touchdowns. He also showed impressive receiving ability with 24 catches for 303 yards and three scores. Don’t be surprised if Gibbs becomes a star at Alabama and ends up in the early rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft.

4/22/23: A number of area scouts told WalterFootball.com that they think Miller has excellent instincts as a runner and were really impressed with his natural running ability and patience. He is a downhill physical charger who has good contact balance, an ability to pick up yards after contact, and enters the next level with fresh legs. Teams feel Miller can be a good three-down starter in the NFL. Some teams have Miller in the running for their second-round pick during the 2023 NFL Draft.

Miler averaged 6.2 yards per carry in 2022 for 1,342 yards and 17 touchdowns. He made 16 catches for 116 yards as well. While Miller handled the lead back role in 2022, in the previous two seasons, he only totaled 137 carries thanks to splitting touches with Zach Evans, among others. Miller could be a second-day or mid-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft who ends up being a nice value selection.

4/22/23: Charbonnet recorded 195 carries in 2022 for 1,359 yards – a 7.0-yard average – and 14 touchdowns. He also caught 37 passes for 321 yards. Charbonnet is a quick back with good size who runs hard and picks up yards after contact. He could be an effective three-down starter in the NFL.

6/22/22: Charbonnet ran well in 2021, ripping off yards in large chunks for the Bruins. He has a strong build and a burst to accelerate into the secondary. Some team sources said Charbonnet and former teammate Brittain Brown impressed them in 2021. Charbonnet could be one of the top senior backs in the country.

4/22/23: Achane lacks the size to be a three-down starter in the NFL, but he could be a backup runner and receiving back. Achane could be a nice mid-round value pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. As the replacement for Isaiah Spiller, Achane displayed deep speed and big-play ability for the Aggies in 2022. While Texas A&M’s offense struggled somewhat, Achane was explosive, including leading the Aggies to a win over Arkansas with 159 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Achane gave proof of his electric speed with a superb 40 time at the combine.

In 2022, Achane averaged 5.6 yards per carry for 1,102 yards and eight touchdowns. He also brought in 36 catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns. In 2021, he averaged seven yards per carry for 910 yards and nine touchdowns. That season, he caught 24 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown.

4/22/23: Evans averaged 6.5 yards per carry in 2022 for 936 yards and nine touchdowns. He also notched 12 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown. Evans impressed team sources with his speed and running ability. In terms of talent, he is a first-rounder, but with how running backs slide in NFL drafts, he could end up being a second-rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft.

6/22/22: After entering the transfer portal, Evans landed with Ole Miss, and he could be a star in Lane Kiffin’s offense. The talented Evans (5-11, 195) could break out in 2022.

Evans averaged 7.0 yards per carry in 2021 for 648 yards and five touchdowns for TCU. He had 10 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown as well. Evans flashed big-time ability in 2020 by averaging 7.7 yards per carry on his way to 415 yards and four touchdowns. He made eight receptions for 76 yards as well.

4/22/23: McBride is a shifty runner who has quickness to go with a strong build. In 2022, he averaged 7.4 yards per carry for 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns. McBride also ran well in 2021, averaging 6.7 yards per carry on his way to 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a pro, McBride could use some development in the passing game. He could be a nice value pick on the second day of the 2023 NFL Draft.

4/22/23: Over 2022, McIntosh averaged 5.5 yards per carry for 829 yards and 10 touchdowns. He showed nice receiving ability as well, recording 43 catches for 504 yards and two touchdowns. McIntosh is a tough, physical downhill back who also is a good receiver. He ran more slowly than expected at the combine.

6/22/22: McIntosh has not taken a big workload given the crowded Georgia backfield, but he has flashed serious ability on his limited carries. The big back McIntosh averaged 5.7 yards per carry over 58 carries in 2021 for 328 yards and three touchdowns. He was impressive also as a receiver with 22 catches for 242 yards. In 2020 and 2019, McIntosh averaged 5.3 and 7.0 yards per carry.

4/22/23: Rodriguez was out for the opening month of the 2022 season because of a DUI arrest earlier in the year. After returning, Rodriguez played well, showing power and decisive downhill running. The Kentucky offensive line really struggled in 2022, having lost a lot of talent to the NFL, but Rodriguez ran well, putting up an average of 5.2 yards per carry for 904 yards and six touchdowns. He also had five receptions for 41 yards.

6/22/22: Rodriguez was a tough runner for Kentucky in 2021. He has quickness, the strength to pick up yards after contact, and an ability to rip off yards in chunks. His fumbling issues from 2020, however, continued somewhat in 2021. Rodriguez must improve his ball security, but he has the skill set to be a starter or No. 2 back in the NFL.

Rodriguez waited with Bennie Snell running well for Kentucky, but in 2020, Rodriguez showed he is an impact-making back in his own right, averaging 6.6 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns. Rodriguez flashed in 2019 as well, averaging 7.5 yards per carry as a backup.

Rodriguez is a thickly built back with some speed. He hurt his draft stock with a DUI arrest in 2022.

4/22/23: Brown could be a mid-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft because he is a power runner with a strong build and toughness. In 2022, Brown averaged 5.0 yards per carry for 1,643 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also took 27 receptions for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Brown ran faster than expected at the combine.

For the NFL, Brown looks like a solid No. 2 back who might develop into being a starter. He is a tough downhill runner with quickness to hit the hole and strength to run through contact. Brown has impressive knee bend to run behind his pads and contact balance to keep his feet. As a pro, Brown could be a Jamaal Williams-style back.

4/22/23: Spears was one of the best backs in college football in 2022, averaging 6.9 yards per carry for 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Spears lacks some size, but he runs hard and has some speed. He could be a nice secondary back for the NFL.

4/22/23: Tucker averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 2022 for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 36 passes for 254 yards and two scores. NFL sources say they view Tucker as a backup three-down runner at the next level. They shared they feel he has good instincts, but is not overly powerful or fast. Tucker also struggles in pass blocking. Hence, they view him as a backup.

6/22/22: Tucker ran really well for Syracuse in 2021, averaging 6.1 yards per carry for 1,496 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 255 yards and two scores. Tucker has a strong build to go along with quickness and versatility.

4/22/23: In 2022, Gray averaged 6.4 yards per carry for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns. He recorded 33 catches for 229 yards as well. Gray helped himself with a solid week of pratice at the Senior Bowl.

6/22/22: Gray could be a riser if he ends up being the lead back for the Sooners in 2022. He split carries during the past three seasons, but flashed some running ability in his opportunities. In Lincoln Riley’s offense, Gray was a very good receiver, totaling 66 receptions over three seasons. He could be a backup receiving back candidate for the NFL.

4/22/23: In 2022, Johnson averaged 5.9 yards per carry for 559 yards and five touchdowns. He had 14 receptions for 128 yards and a score too. Johnson is a tough and physical runner who could be solid backup in the NFL. He put up a faster than expected 40 time at the combine.

6/22/22: Johnson would be a starter at most schools, but with the Longhorns featuring perhaps the best back in the nation in Bijan Robinson, Johnson is the backup. Johnson put together solid production as a complementary back over the past three seasons. He is a big running back who has more receiving ability than many large backs.

4/22/23: Over the past three seasons, Bigsby was a tough runner for the Tigers. He is a strongly built back with enough quickness to hit the hole. Bigsby put together his best season in 2021 with 4.9 yards per carry for 1,099 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes for 184 yards that season. In 2022, Bigsby averaged 5.4 yards per carry for 970 yards and 10 touchdowns. He caught 30 passes for 180 yards.

4/22/23: Vaughn is a superb football player who can be a dominant runner. He is quick, strong for his size, has excellent instincts, and is super elusive. Vaughn shows phenomenal moves to juke and dodge tacklers, making them look bad when they try to take him down. Vaughn is the son of Chris Vaughn, a long-time scout with the Cowboys who also coached at Arkansas, Ole Miss, Memphis and Texas.

If Deuce Vaughn were three or four inches taller, he would be an early-round pick, but at 5-foot-5, some NFL team sources think he will slip to the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Some scouts say Vaughn is similar to another Kansas State legend, Darren Sproles.

In 2022, Vaughn averaged 5.3 yards per carry for 1,558 yards and nine touchdowns. He also had 42 receptions for 378 yards and three touchdowns. In 2021, Vaughn averaged 6.0 yards per carry for 1,404 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 49 yards for 468 yards and four touchdowns.

4/22/23: In 2022, Peoples averaged 5.9 yards per carry for 593 yards and five touchdowns. He recorded six receptions for 43 yards as well. Peoples is a big back, but he ran slower times at the combine.

6/22/22: Peoples is a big power back who has a thick build and possesses the strength to run through tackles. In 2021, he averaged 5.6 yards per carry for 926 yards and 14 touchdowns. He ran for 1,124 yards – a 6.7-yard average – and 23 touchdowns in 2020. It would help Peoples to show more receiving ability as a senior because he only has made five receptions across his career so far.

4/22/23: Hull ran hard for Northwestern in 2021 and 2022 while also showing receiving ability. In 2021, he averaged 5.1 yards per carry for 1,009 yards and seven touchdowns while catching 33 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. As a senior, he averaged 4.1 yards per carry for 913 yards and five touchdowns. He also hauled in 55 receptions for 546 yards and two touchdowns in 2022. Hull was faster than expected at the combine.

4/22/23: Evans averaged 6.3 yards per carry in 2022 for 525 yards and six touchdowns. He made six catches for 13 yards as well. Evans was dealing with an undisclosed injury and missed a few games. He should have returned to Louisville for next season rather than enter the 2023 NFL Draft, but he decided to leave school.

6/22/22: Evans transferred to Louisville after the 2021 season. He ran hard for Tennessee last season, totaling 525 yards and six touchdowns over only 81 carries. He also took four receptions for 74 yards and another touchdown. While Evans did not assemble big production, his talent was intriguing enough for NFL advance scouts to include him on their watch list for the 2023 NFL Draft.

4/22/23: Ibrahim averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2022 for 1,665 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also notched seven receptions for 50 yards.

6/22/22: Ibrahim was a tough runner for the Gophers in 2018 and 2020, topping 1,000 yards in both season. His 2021 season was limited to just 30 carries before suffering a leg injury that ended his year. Ibrahim could rise if he returns to his pre-injury form in 2022.

4/22/23: Thompson averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2022 for 684 yards and seven touchdowns. He notched 23 receptions for 119 yards and a score as well.

6/22/22: Thompson has been a solid back for the Red Raiders. His receiving ability really stood out in 2019 and 2020, as he racked up 60 receptions over that time. If Thompson runs well as a senior, he could rise.

4/22/23: Thomas averaged 4.8 yards per carry during 2022 for 687 yards and seven touchdowns. He had six receptions for 43 yards as well.

6/22/22: Thomas broke out in 2021, averaging 5.4 yards per carry for 1,108 yards while racking up 21 touchdowns. It would help Thomas to show more receiving ability in 2022 because he only has four receptions during his college career.

4/22/23: Ali took a leave of absence from the Marshall program for much of 2022. He returned to the team late in year, totaling 47 carries for 273 yards and a score and two receptions for 10 yards and a touchdown for his short season.

6/22/22: Ali only had five carries in 2020, but he broke out as a redshirt sophomore in 2021, averaging 5.6 yards per carry for 1,401 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also was a dangerous receiver with 46 receptions for 342 yards and a touchdown. Ali could stand to add some strength to his frame, but he could be a riser to keep an eye on now that he has some experience.