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 H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
3

RB
Devon
Achane

5-8 188lbs 4.32
RB
MIA   Mascot
MIA Mascot
188lbs 5-8 4.32 8 63.1
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...
2

RB
Jahmyr
Gibbs

5-9 199lbs 4.36
RB
DET   Mascot
DET Mascot
199lbs 5-9 4.36 2 26.6
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...
12

RB
Keaton
Mitchell

5-8 179lbs 4.37
RB
East Carolina   Mascot
East Carolina Mascot
179lbs 5-8 4.37 24 174.7
82.4
Mitchell keeps his pads low and consistently falls forward. Unlike most backs his size, Mitchell has the lateral movement and stop-start...
30

RB
Deneric
Prince

6-0 216lbs 4.41
RB
Tulsa   Mascot
Tulsa Mascot
216lbs 6-0 4.41 35 328
73.2
Doesn't possess elite breakaway speed, but is fast enough to gain yardage in chunks when Prince finds a seam. His competitiveness and...
17

RB
Chase
Brown

5-10 209lbs 4.43
RB
CIN   Mascot
CIN Mascot
209lbs 5-10 4.43 19 121.3
81.0
His initial burst is excellent, and he’s capable of running out of a traditional setup or taking the ball lined up next to a quarterback in...
16

RB
Israel
Abanikanda

5-10 216lbs 4.45
RB
NYJ   Mascot
NYJ Mascot
216lbs 5-10 4.45 18 114.9
81.3
Abanikanda consistently falls forward, and Abanikanda will also bounce off of or shake loose from a couple of tackles to turn minimal gains...
1

RB
Bijan
Robinson

5-11 215lbs 4.46
RB
ATL   Mascot
ATL Mascot
215lbs 5-11 4.46 1 5.4
90.0
Bijan Robinson is an impressive athlete with ideal size and power for a traditional workhorse back. Has produced wherever he has played...
26

RB
Xazavian
Valladay

6-0 199lbs 4.46
RB
Arizona State   Mascot
Arizona State Mascot
199lbs 6-0 4.46 36 335.3
76.0
Valladay is a natural playmaker, at his best with the ball in his hands. Has the feet and feel running between the tackles and in the open...
24

RB
Evan
Hull

5-10 209lbs 4.47
RB
IND   Mascot
IND Mascot
209lbs 5-10 4.47 28 219.3
77.0
Hull has very good vision and a knack for picking out cut-back lanes and then breaking offchunks of yardage. A small but solidly built...
33

RB
JaTarvious
Whitlow

6-0 210lbs 4.47
RB
Western Illinois   Mascot
Western Illinois Mascot
210lbs 6-0 4.47 40 469
60.0
He’s a natural pass catcher, at his best pulling in swing passes and heading upfield. He’s a natural in the screen game as well. His hands...
27

RB
Lew
Nichols III

5-11 222lbs 4.50
RB
GB   Mascot
GB Mascot
222lbs 5-11 4.50 33 317
75.0
Nichols often thrived in the screen game, transitioning upfield quickly and showing a knack for following his blocks. He has the size and...
9

RB
Zach
Evans

5-11 202lbs 4.51
RB
LAR   Mascot
LAR Mascot
202lbs 5-11 4.51 14 99.7
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...

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.