The ten finest operating backs within the 2023 NFL Draft, ranked

Even in a pass-heavy NFL, the excitement surrounding the incoming group of rookie operating backs is robust.

Many imagine the 2023 NFL Draft options one of many deeper lessons on the operating again place to enter the draft in a while. A minimum of one again looks like a first-round lock, whereas a number of others have generated important Day 2 buzz. How every prospect performs on the subsequent stage stays to be seen, however it’s no stretch to imagine that a number of beginning operating backs may emerge from this 12 months’s draft.

SB Nation polled a number of of its draft analysts to find out a consensus high 11 operating backs on this 12 months’s class.

1. Bijan Robinson, Texas

Robinson is arguably probably the most proficient operating again prospect since Saquon Barkley in 2018, so it’s no shock he completed because the unanimous No. 1 again. An electrifying mix of dimension, velocity, energy, agility, pass-catching potential and creativity, the 2022 first-team All-American figures to be a right away star on the subsequent stage.

2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

Gibbs was voted because the unanimous No. 2 again within the class behind Robinson in our polling, and after the season he had at Alabama in 2022, that’s no shock. Although not the larger again on the market, he’s extremely shifty, has spectacular breakaway velocity, runs with willpower, and affords loads of worth on passing downs.

3. Devon Achane, Texas A&M

The consensus was heavy on Achane being the third-best operating again prospect within the 2023 draft. Working a 4.32 40-yard sprint helped again up the findings on tape: He’s probably the most explosive runners on this 12 months’s draft. He’s removed from an influence again however has fast ft and home-run potential written throughout him.

4. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

Charbonnet is a troublesome runner with an NFL-ready body and arguably the perfect contact stability on this 12 months’s class. He’s removed from the shiftiest again within the nation, however he’s greater than able to breaking free for large good points often together with his stable breakaway velocity.

5. Tyjae Spears, Tulane

Spears exploded onto the scene after tallying 1581 yards and 19 touchdowns on the bottom this previous 12 months. A inventive runner with fast ft and superb acceleration out of the backfield, he’s like lightning in a bottle and looks like a robust guess to be chosen inside the first 100 picks.

6. Chase Brown, Illinois

With two 1,000-yard seasons to his identify and the most effective athletic profiles on this 12 months’s operating again class, Brown is likely one of the most entertaining runners within the 2023 draft. He’s an excellent athlete with a well-rounded ability set with the potential to be a stable starter on the subsequent stage.

7. Roschon Johnson, Texas

Have been it not for Bijan Robinson’s presence forward of him on Texas’ depth chart, there’s a robust probability Johnson can be extra generally considered as a top-5 operating again on this 12 months’s class. Although unproven as a bell-cow again, one may argue the dearth of an enormous workload may gain advantage him as a robust runner with shifty ft for his dimension.

8. Tank Bigsby, Auburn

Bigsby concludes his time at Auburn with 2903 dashing yards and 25 touchdowns in three seasons. He doesn’t have elite breakaway velocity however is agile in a vacuum and runs with loads of willpower in between the tackles.

9. Israel Abanikanda, Pitt

Abanikanda is a licensed speedster out of the backfield who may carve a distinct segment for himself in a committee on the subsequent stage. A scarcity of constant ball-carrier imaginative and prescient hurts his draft inventory a bit, however he’s one of many extra athletic weapons this 12 months’s draft has to supply, and he has a decrease middle of gravity that offers him good contact stability.

10. Zach Evans, Ole Miss

The primary five-star recruit to signal with TCU, Evans headed to Ole Miss and showcased his spectacular lateral quickness and game-breaking acceleration, regardless of enjoying in a stacked backfield. He has had damage and fumble issues in his collegiate profession, however he looks like a top quality complementary again on the subsequent stage.

11. DeWayne McBride, UAB

McBride proved to be a divisive prospect in our voting, having acquired two sixth-place votes but additionally some a lot worse numbers on different ballots. He’s removed from probably the most beneficial again to have on third downs, and his athletic potential is simply first rate for his place. Nonetheless, he’s a troublesome runner with a easy operating movement and an aggressive edge when tacklers come to satisfy him.