The 2023 NFL Draft is nearly upon us. And with that comes the final edition of the PFF NFL Draft Guide, which comes loaded with scouting reports and advanced data on the class' top draft prospects.
Here are the top 10 running backs in this year's draft class, per PFF's NFL Draft Guide and big board.
1. Bijan Robinson, Texas
BIG BOARD RANK: 8
Robinson has such an uncanny ability to stop and start for a 220-pounder. And when he is at top speed, good luck trying to tackle him. Robinson set the PFF college record with 104 broken tackles in 2022.
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
BIG BOARD RANK: 34
Gibbs is a home run waiting to happen — not only on the ground but through the air. In three years between Georgia Tech and Alabama, Gibbs caught 103 passes for 1,215 yards and eight scores.
3. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
BIG BOARD RANK: 50
Charbonnet is a well-built, elusive back with bell-cow potential. He earned top-three rushing grades in the FBS in each of the past two seasons.
4. Devon Achane, Texas A&M
BIG BOARD RANK: 63
Achane has burners, quicks and contact balance — a rare combination. He broke 53 tackles on 196 attempts for an 89.8 rushing grade last fall.
5. Tyjae Spears, Tulane
BIG BOARD RANK: 84
Spears is a space player with big-time home-run potential. He’s a headache for linebackers in the open field. This past fall, he went for 1,587 yards on 231 carries with 19 scores and 1,052 yards after contact.
6. Tank Bigsby, Auburn
BIG BOARD RANK: 86
Bigsby was playing against a loaded hand more often than not behind Auburn’s offensive line. Of his 5.5 yards per carry this past season, 4.16 of them came after contact.
7. DeWayne McBride, UAB
BIG BOARD RANK: 98
McBride was the most dominant running back in college football over the past three seasons. In that span, he ran for 3,507 yards on 484 carries (7.2 yards per carry) and broke 175 tackles on 484 attempts. Unfortunately, he also fumbled nine times over that span.
8. Roschon Johnson, Texas
BIG BOARD RANK: 101
Johnson was stuck behind the best running back in the country, but when was called upon he was nearly as difficult to bring down as Bijan. He broke 46 tackles on 94 carries in 2022.
9. Chase Brown, Illinois
BIG BOARD RANK: 106
Brown is an explosive and compact running back. He may struggle to see the field if his fumble issues persist, though. He coughed up five balls this season to tie for the national lead.
10. Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
BIG BOARD RANK: 109
Vaughn is tiny by running back standards, standing at 5-foot-5 and 179 pounds. He doesn’t run like it, though. He peaked with a 93.4 rushing grade in 2021 and went for 2,970 rushing yards across the past two seasons.
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.