Running Back Rankings 2023 NFL Draft

Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.  Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACK RANKINGS 2023 NFL DRAFT

Running back has become an increasingly marginalized position as far as the NFL draft goes lately, with only a solitary back being selected in the top round over the past two years - and that pick (Clyde Edwars-Helaire KC) barely made it -- at number 32. Teams now generally undervalue the position and have come to the consensus opinion that quality can be had later in the draft and still provide production on the field.

This drought of high-running back sections may be coming to an end in 2023 thanks to Texas Longhorn Bijan Robinson - he’s a dominator at every level of the game. This former five-star recruit has ideal size at 6-0 220, explosive speed, the power to move the pile along with the natural instincts you look for at the position. Twenty years ago he would be viewed as a candidate for the top overall pick, in 2023, with luck he’ll make the top half of the opening round.

There’s a bit of drop-off after Robinson but still, talent can be found in the form of Alabama’s Jahamyr Gibbs, who’s not only is a shifty back with power he also excels in the receiving game.
Zack Evans from Ole Miss has a similar level of talent – he’s a natural runner and an impressive athlete who struggled with injuries in 2021 while at TCU. He transferred to Ole Miss in the off-season with the hope of gaining more exposure and especially production - and so this year will be make or break for him.
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LAST UPDATED: 04/28/2023

Player Rankings - Running Back

# Player Pos Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
1

Bijan
Robinson

RB
ATL   Mascot
ATL Mascot
215lbs 5-11 4.46 1 5.3
90.0
Bijan Robinson is an impressive athlete with ideal size and power for a traditional workhorse back. Has produced wherever he has played...
2

Jahmyr
Gibbs

RB
DET   Mascot
DET Mascot
199lbs 5-9 4.36 2 26.3
87.5
Gibbs is an extremely talented runner and one of the most malleable talents the league has seen in a long time. It is rare to see a RB...
3

Devon
Achane

RB
MIA   Mascot
MIA Mascot
188lbs 5-8 4.32 4 63.4
86.2
Devon Achane is a special player who could be the fastest player in all of college football - his combine forty will be fun to watch! In...
4

Zach
Charbonnet

RB
SEA   Mascot
SEA Mascot
214lbs 6-0 4.53 3 62.9
85.7
Charbonnet has really helped his stock this past year and his move to UCLA proved to be an excellent move. He has the ideal size for the...
5

Tyjae
Spears

RB
TEN   Mascot
TEN Mascot
201lbs 5-10 4.54 5 82.3
84.0
Spears is elite as a receiver. He runs routes as well as most receivers and has natural hands, snatching the ball away from his body. He’s...
6

DeWayne
McBride

RB
MIN   Mascot
MIN Mascot
209lbs 5-10 4.52 9 100.5
84.0
DeWayne McBride is a difficult prospect to evaluate. He is an outstanding traditional power back who has put up incredible numbers at the...
7

Sean
Tucker

RB
Syracuse   Mascot
Syracuse Mascot
207lbs 5-9 4.54 14 126.9
84.0
Tucker finishes runs well and flashes the ability to get small and squeeze through traffic. He’s a quality receiver with soft hands,...
8

Tank
Bigsby

RB
JAX   Mascot
JAX Mascot
210lbs 6-0 4.56 7 94.6
83.7
Tank Bigsby is a very solid pro prospect - who does everything pretty well, he's a shifty runner, with good leg drive and power and...
9

Zach
Evans

RB
LAR   Mascot
LAR Mascot
202lbs 5-11 4.51 8 98.6
83.5
Demonstrated the ability to track the ball over his shoulder. Good flexibility and balance to adjust to the poorly thrown pass. Good vision...
10

Roschon
Johnson

RB
CHI   Mascot
CHI Mascot
219lbs 6-0 4.58 11 106.3
83.5
He’s at his best working in space, showing the quickness and vision of a return specialist. His stop-start ability allows him to create...
11

Kendre
Miller

RB
NO   Mascot
NO Mascot
215lbs 5-11 4.58 10 103.6
83.2
He’s equally dangerous in catch-and-run situations as Miller is taking the top off a defense Not truly explosive, but possesses enough...
12

Keaton
Mitchell

RB
East Carolina   Mascot
East Carolina Mascot
179lbs 5-8 4.37 18 175.7
82.4
Mitchell keeps his pads low and consistently falls forward. Unlike most backs his size, Mitchell has the lateral movement and stop-start...

2023 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Running Back

We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.

For a much improved viewing experience (with more players) please view on a larger screen.

2023 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Running Back

We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.