The South Florida Sun Sentinel opens its eight-part series previewing top players in the 2023 NFL draft (April 27-29) with running backs. This year’s class is considered fairly strong at the top, a departure from a year ago when no running back was taken in the first round. The Dolphins aren’t looking for a running back this year, or at least that’s not a top need right now. But you never know what can or will happen in the weeks leading up to the draft.
Bijan Robinson, Texas
At 6 foot 1, 220 pounds, he rushed for 1,580 yards last season as a junior. He’s averaged 226 carries each of the past two years, which means he can carry a big workload, and he also had 60 receptions for 805 yards and eight touchdowns in his career, which means he can stay on the field for third down.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
Gibbs, a Georgia Tech transfer, rushed for 926 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns, but at 5-9, 199 pounds his big thing is his versatility. Gibbs had 1,215 yards receiving on 103 receptions in three seasons. Gibbs is a shifty, crafty runner who is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball.
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Charbonnet, the Michigan transfer, rushed for more than 2,500 yards and 27 touchdowns in the past two seasons at UCLA. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry last season, fourth in FBS. He’s not especially fast (he ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash) but he’s effective and knows how to use his 6-1, 214-body to get power and speed when needed.
Devon Achane, Texas A&M
Achane (pronounced A-chain) is about speed. He runs a 4.32-second 40-yard dash, But he’s small. At 5-9, 188 pounds he’s not someone who can take lots of carries and run between the tackles. Rather you want to get him the ball in space. Last season he had 1,102 yards rushing on 196 carries (5.6 yards per carry). Achane, who ran the 60-meter dash and sprint relay for Texas A&M’s track team, is also effective as a kickoff returner.
Tank Bigsby, Auburn
Bigsby (6-0, 210) is a quality, straight-ahead runner who can cut and change direction quickly. However, he’s not a third-down back and doesn’t offer special teams help so his contribution must be weighed against that backdrop. Still, the guy is money. He rushed for 970 yards (5.4 ypc) and 10 touchdowns last season after totaling 1,102 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns in 2021. Bigsby, a physical runner who can break tackles, is a Day 2 prospect.
Best of the rest
Texas’ Roschon Johnson (6-0, 219; 93 carries, 554 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns) is one of the most intriguing prospects, and the fact he played behind Robinson only adds to the intrigue. DeWayne McBride (5-10, 209; 1,713 yards rushing, 7.3 yards per carry, 19 TDs) of Alabama-Birmingham is considered a top-five prospect by some. Zach Evans (Mississippi), Kendre Miller (TCU), Sean Tucker (Syracuse) and Kenny McIntosh (Georgia) are all worth watching.
Class grade: C+
One year after no running back was selected in the first round there’s only one first-round prospect this year — Robinson. After that, perhaps someone else sneaks into the bottom of the first round but this is mostly considered a wait-and-see year for running backs.
Look for Day 2, the second and third rounds, to be active for running backs with a lot of value picks possible. This class could produce a few players with staying power but it doesn’t seem many have multi-year Pro Bowl potential.
Teams in need
If you’re talking about teams with Super Bowl aspirations, put Buffalo near the top of the list. Dallas, which gave its franchise tag to Tony Pollard, who is coming off leg surgery, might also look to enhance its backfield. The Los Angeles Chargers could also be looking to improve their situation along with Carolina, Cleveland and Tampa Bay.
Dolphins’ focus
The Dolphins return their top four running backs — Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin in addition to fullbacks Alec Ingold and John Lovett. It’d be hard to see the Dolphins using one of their four draft picks on a position already manned by returning veterans.
