Next up in our positional rankings series ahead of the 2023 NFL draft is one of the more polarizing positions of the modern NFL: running back.
It’s no secret that running back is largely considered one of, if not the most replaceable positions on either side of the ball.
Teams rarely prioritize running backs in the top half of the first round these days; however, this year could be different due to a truly special prospect at the top of the rankings.
But before we get started, as always, I want to go over my grading process once again for first-time readers to get them up to speed. These explanations could get repetitive once you’ve read them a few times, so feel free to keep scrolling and jump right into the rankings.
Over the last couple of months, I have evaluated over 150 players in total. This process includes me grading a minimum of three contests for each prospect before coming up with my opinions/grades.
More often than not, I would watch at least five or six games for each of the prospect before doing an evaluation, but unfortunately, there were some cases where I had trouble getting all-22 tapes, so I had to work with what I had.
The way this works is I evaluate each game that I watched individually, and then I averaged those grades into one final film grade worth a total of 20 points.
Example: blue-chip prospects (90 percent or higher) received anywhere from 18-20 points in all likelihood.
Game tape is the only criterion that is worth 20 points on my grading scale, while other areas, such as analytics, athletic score, ceiling/floor, etc., are worth a maximum of 10 points.
Keep in mind that I will be doing one final update to these rankings on the morning of the draft (April 27th). Now, let’s take a look at my top 10 backs.
1. Bijan Robinson, Texas
Quick analysis: Best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley. He’s a complete three-down back who would’ve been a top-five pick had he come out a decade or two earlier.
Grade: 95.9 (blue chip)
Ceiling projection: Top-10 pick
Floor projection: Early second round
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
Quick analysis: Electric playmaker who can impact the game on the ground as a ball carrier or through the air as a pass-catcher.
Grade: 84.7 (first round)
Ceiling projection: Late first round
Floor projection: Mid-second round
3. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Quick analysis: Big-bodied ball carrier who is surprisingly elusive and creative in the way he stays on his feet. He is capable of being a true workhorse running back for an offense.
Grade: 78.1 (second round)
Ceiling projection: Early second round
Floor projection: Early third round
4. Tyjae Spears, Tulane
Quick analysis: Special player in space who can make defenders miss in a phone booth. Is capable of hitting the home run on any given play.
Grade: 74.9 (second round)
Ceiling projection: Mid-second round
Floor projection: Late third round
5. Devon Achane, Texas A&M
Quick analysis: Possesses an ideal blend of speed, quickness, and contact balance that makes him difficult to take down.
Grade: 73.3 (second round)
Ceiling projection: Mid-second round
Floor projection: Late third round
6. DeWayne McBride, UAB
Quick analysis: Was often a man amongst boys in Conference USA. He produced ridiculous numbers over the last three seasons despite having a concerning fumbling issue
Grade: 70.0 (second round)
Ceiling projection: Late second round
Floor projection: Early fourth round
7. Kendre Miller, TCU
Quick analysis: Quick and powerful runner who tends to bounce off wimpy defenders. He finished with 816 yards after contact in 2022 (sixth-most).
Grade: 69.7 (third round)
Ceiling projection: Early third round
Floor projection: Late fourth round
8. Tank Bigsby, Auburn
Quick analysis: Physical ball carrier who sets the tone for the offense. He produced the seventh-most yards after contact per attempt despite playing behind the third-worst offensive line in the SEC.
Grade: 68.1 (third round)
Ceiling projection: Early third round
Floor projection: Late fourth round
9. Zach Evans, Ole Miss
Quick analysis: True home-run hitter who can change the game at any moment. His injury history is a major concern that could cause some hesitation in selecting him.
Grade: 65.5 (third round)
Ceiling projection: Mid-third round
Floor projection: Early fifth round
10. Roschon Johnson, Texas
Quick analysis: A victim of being behind a generational talent at the running back position, RJ is a bruising runner who can be a real hassle to bring down after breaking 46 tackles on just 96 carries.
Grade: 60.2 (third round)
Ceiling projection: Late third round
Floor projection: Late fifth round
More positional rankings from Shaun Calderon
Shaun Calderon's scouting reports
Titans draft history
