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: 04/29/2023

Player Rankings - Running Back

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
23

FB
Hunter
Luepke

6-1 230lbs 4.61
FB
North Dakota State   Mascot
North Dakota State Mascot
230lbs 6-1 4.61 27 217.4
77.0
Demonstrated the ability to track the ball over his shoulder. Good flexibility and balance to adjust to the poorly thrown pass. Good vision...
25

RB
Camerun
Peoples

6-1 217lbs 4.61
RB
Appalachian State   Mascot
Appalachian State Mascot
217lbs 6-1 4.61 31 256.1
77.0
Peoples keeps his pads low and consistently falls forward. Unlike most backs his size, Peoples has the lateral movement and stop-start...
21

RB
Tavion
Thomas

6-0 237lbs 4.74
RB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
237lbs 6-0 4.74 30 245.5
78.9
His skills as a runner translate nicely to the next level, and Thomas could emerge as an early down back on a team that uses a zone running...
32

RB
SaRodorick
Thompson

6-0 207lbs 4.67
RB
Texas Tech   Mascot
Texas Tech Mascot
207lbs 6-0 4.67 37 338.5
60.6
Thompson has very good vision and a knack for picking out cut-back lanes and then breaking offchunks of yardage. He blends good size and...
28

RB
Jordan
Mims

6-0 196lbs 4.66
RB
Fresno State   Mascot
Fresno State Mascot
196lbs 6-0 4.66 34 325
74.0
His passing game skills are strong. He’s a natural hands catcher who turns upfield quickly in the screen game, and Mims shows a great feel...
13

RB
Kenny
McIntosh

6-0 204lbs 4.62
RB
SEA   Mascot
SEA Mascot
204lbs 6-0 4.62 21 129.8
82.1
McIntosh does a nice job with recognition as a pass protector and gives good effort. He’s patient, letting blocks develop then...
10

RB
Roschon
Johnson

6-0 219lbs 4.58
RB
CHI   Mascot
CHI Mascot
219lbs 6-0 4.58 17 106.7
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...
8

RB
Tank
Bigsby

6-0 210lbs 4.56
RB
JAX   Mascot
JAX Mascot
210lbs 6-0 4.56 13 95.1
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...
18

RB
Chris
Rodriguez Jr...

6-0 217lbs 4.52
RB
WSH   Mascot
WSH Mascot
217lbs 6-0 4.52 25 187.1
80.1
Doesn't possess elite breakaway speed, but is fast enough to gain yardage in chunks when Rodriguez finds a seam. A big back with very...
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...
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...
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...

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.