2023 NFL Draft Running Back rankings: Can any prospect trump Bijan Robinson?

Modified Mar 09, 2023 18:53 GMT

The 2023 NFL Draft is just a couple of weeks away, and we are currently a couple of days removed from the NFL Combine. The Combine saw over 300 prospects show off their abilities, and we paid close attention to the running back position. The reason is that running backs are increasingly difficult to analyze, especially when they move from college to the National Football League.

However, we have done our bit, and now we have a top-five ranking of running backs that should be selected in next month's NFL Draft. Of course, the list features consensus running back number one Bijan Robinson and four more fantastic prospects worth keeping an eye on.

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The Consensus 2023 NFL Draft Running Back rankings

1. Bijan Robinson, Texas

Bijan Robinson has all the tools to become one of the best running backs in the National Football League in a few years. He bossed it at the college level, regularly putting up monster games in his college career.

He is currently pegged as the only running back to be selected in the first draft round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Any team that selects him will have quite the prospect on their hands. To answer our initial question, running back in this draft class can only trump Bijan Robinson in a couple of years, but not at this moment.

2022 College Stats: 258 rush attempts, 1,580 rushing yards, and 18 rushing touchdowns

2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

The latest star from the Alabama Crimson Tide is a running back factory. Jahmyr Gibbs is that good, and the versatile runner is a threat in both the rush and as a receiver. Furthermore, he has experience playing for one of the best programs at the college level, so he should look fit in a modern NFL setting. He is projected to be a mid-to-late second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

2022 College Stats: 151 rush attempts, 926 rushing yards, and 7 rushing touchdowns

3. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

Zach Charbonnet is a developmental running back with sky-high potential and a decent bet to start games in a run-first offence. He was one of the best players every time he stepped into the field for UCLA, and possesses NFL-level size.

Of course, Charbonnet is a prospect worth keeping an eye on as he makes the jump from college to the pros. He is currently projected to be a late second-round pick at best and an early third-round pick at worst in the 2023 NFL Draft.

2022 College Stats: 195 rush attempts, 1,359 rushing yards, and 14 rushing touchdowns

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4. Devon Achane, Texas A&M

Achane will have a certain role in the NFL, but he could be a game-changer in that role. With the ugly blocking he ran behind last season, he's built to contribute immediately. Devon Achane needs a coach that can play to his strengths and give him adequate protection. Once he can get this, then he'll be a terror in the NFL. He is projected to go off the board sometime in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

2022 College Stats: 196 rush attempts, 1,102 rushing yards, and 8 rushing touchdowns

5. Tyjae Spears, Tulane

Skill, pace and a winning mentality make everyone around him a tad bit better. Tyjae Spears should jump into the NFL with minimal fuss, and you can watch a couple of his clips to catch a glimpse of his immense potential. He has the kind of dynamism everyone is looking for at the position, but he has the kind of playstyle with a history of looking a lot better in college than in the NFL. Expect Spears to be selected in the late third or early fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.