rookie running back – Syndication Server

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Bucky Irving, Oregon

Bucky Irving searches for a third-down role as a rookie

Bucky Irving was a productive running back in high school but did not play during his senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily shut down their football program. He joined the Minnesota Golden Gophers as a freshman and played in 12 games as a part of a three-man backfield and finished out the year as the primary rusher.

He transferred to Oregon in 2022, where he became the starting running back, playing alongside quarterback Bo Nix and wideout Troy Franklin. He led the team in rushing for two seasons while the Oregon Ducks enjoyed successful years, ending No. 6 in the nation for 2023. Irving topped 1,000 rushing yards in both seasons while quickly growing into a dangerous weapon as a receiver.

Height: 5-9
Weight: 192 pounds
40 time: 4.56 seconds

At 192 pounds at the NFL Combine, Irving was one of the lightest running backs in the class and his 4.56 40-time was just a tick below average for the group. Irving doesn’t stand out in size or speed. What has set him apart is his football IQ and overall ability to make a difference. Irving shouldn’t be measured by just his physical specs.

Bucky Irving stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2021	Minnesota	12	133	699	5.3	4	8	73	0
2022	Oregon	13	156	1058	6.8	5	31	299	3
2023	Oregon	14	186	1180	6.3	11	56	413	2

Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Elite ability to make tacklers miss.
Superior balance lets him bounce off defenders and break through arm tackles
Determined runner who falls forward for extra yards
Decisive runner with excellent vision to pick the right lane and then bounce left or right at the right moment
Good fit for offenses relying on outside runs and gap schemes
Increased use as a receiver fits well into NFL backfields and sets him apart from most other rookie backs
Highly competitive

Cons

Smaller frame naturally causes durability and inside rushing concerns
Lack of top-end speed will limit long gainers
Pass blocking needs work and lack of size could limit
Occasionally sacrifices taking the moderate gains for attempts to break a longer run
Receiving could be expanded – relied on short passes and dump-offs at Oregon

Fantasy Outlook

The concerns with Bucky Irving are naturally about his size and speed, and how much he benefitted playing behind a great offensive line on a team with a great passing game. But Irving has undeniably shown the characteristics of an NFL-quality running back as a highly productive rusher and an equally valuable receiver. He’s not likely to step into a three-down role in the NFL and may not be a primary back from the start, but he can be a significant contributor at the next level.

Irving has been compared to Keaton Mitchell and De’Von Achane – though both showed great promise last year and yet dealt with injuries.

Irving is expected to be a Day 2 pick, likely in Round 3 when the first backs should show up. Irving has the look of a third-down back that can expand into more if a need arises. He’s been linked to the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals. But as a likely third-rounder, he could end up nearly anywhere. He should produce fantasy value as a rookie, but his role and volume of work rely heavily on the scheme and backfield personnel of his new team.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Ray Davis, Kentucky

Ray Davis leaves his monster season in Kentucky for the NFL

Ray Davis began his collegiate career at Temple where he was the primary back as a freshman. He was still the most productive back in 2020 but his season was limited for four games due to the impact of COVID on their schedule and the Owls were only 1-6 on the year. Davis entered the transfer portal and landed at Vanderbilt.

After only appearing in three games in 2021 playing in the Commodores backfield committee, Davis took over as the clear starter and logged 1,042 yards on 232 rushes as a senior, and tacked on 29 receptions. His first season at Vanderbilt ended with a knee injury as his only notable health history.

Davis then transferred to Kentucky as a fifth-year senior where he ran for a career best 1,129 yards on 199 rushes and totaled 21 touchdowns. He attended the NFL Combine where he recorded solid results though at 5-8, he is one of the shortest rookie running backs. Davis needed an extra year in high school due to academic grades and coupled with his five seasons in college, he’ll turn 25 years old in November.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 211 pounds
40 time: 4.53 seconds

Ray Davis stats (2019-23)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2019	Temple	12	193	936	4.8	8	15	181	2
2020	Temple	4	78	308	3.9	1	12	62	0
2021	Vanderbilt	3	44	211	4.8	1	5	27	0
2022	Vanderbilt	12	232	1042	4.5	5	29	169	3
2023	Kentucky	13	199	1129	5.7	14	33	323	7

Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Shorter but compact and powerful, he is a decisive runner that is tough to bring down and gains added yards after contact
Above average balance that allows him to remain upright when defenders do not wrap up
Never lost a fumble in college
Good vision and patience in picking the right lane which shows up even more as a valuable goal line threat
Has workhorse ability and is durable
Capable receiver that can play on all three downs

Cons

Pass pro needs work
More of an inside rusher than a speedy outside runner and his power will be more tested at the pro level
Lower level of competition in college will make the switch to the NFL a tougher challenge
Lacks the top-end gear for long gains, burst is only adequate
Will turn 25 years old in November

Fantasy outlook

Ray Davis bounced around three schools over the last five years, finally gaining notice last season in Kentucky as a powerful rusher and capable receiver that can play on all three downs. He is already the same age as Travis Etienne and Jonathan Taylor, which is concerning in a long-term view.

This is considered to be a poor year for rookie running backs and none may be drafted until the third round. Davis will be a Day 3 pick but he can offer immediate help to his NFL team. He is considered to be one of the most fundamentally sound backs in this class and while he may not be elite in any area, he is very good in most.

He could go anywhere to a team that is looking for backfield depth and may end up becoming the immediate No. 2 back depending on the situation he encounters. The Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, and Dallas Cowboys would be the more advantageous landing spots, but Davis could end up almost anywhere. He’s one to track regardless of where he lands because he is older and more mature, and able to step into any needed role.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jabari Small, Tennessee

Jabari Small is an all-around back looking to join a committee backfield

Jabari Small was a four-year player for the Volunteers who took over as the primary running back as a sophomore. He shared the backfield with Jaylen Wright in 2022 and then took a step backward in 2023 when Wright became the primary rusher and Small mixed in with Dylan Sampson.

The Volunteers finished No. 6 in the final AP poll in 2022 with an 11-2 record, while Hendon Hooker was the starting quarterback. Hooker left last year and the Vols offense wasn’t as productive. Small was also banged up last year while Tennessee went to more of a committee backfield. Small also opted out of the Citrus Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 213 pounds
40 time: 4.58 seconds

While Jaylen Wright attended the NFL combine, Small was not invited. Wright ended with the second fastest 40-time of 4.38, while Small unofficially runs around a 4.6 40-time. Not participating at the combine isn’t a plus for the 22 year old, but he will still be a consideration for teams looking to bulk up their backfield depth.

Jabari Small stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards
2020	Tennessee	10	26	117	4.5	0	4	24
2021	Tennessee	11	140	792	5.7	9	9	77
2022	Tennessee	13	157	734	4.7	13	12	106
2023	Tennessee	11	95	475	5.0	2	7	40

Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Pros

Elusive runner with above-average start-stop ability
Strong short-yardage rusher with compact frame
Strong blocker keeps him on the field
Effective inside runner who runs low and falls forward for the extra yard
Reasonable good hands when used as a receiver
While not elite in any area, he is good at everything
Good vision, follows the block and knows where to find daylight

Cons

Minimal experience as a receiver
Lack of top-end speed limits the chance of a big play, can get caught from behind
Not particularly explosive which limits him on outside runs
Projects as a lesser part of a committee backfield

Fantasy outlook

Jabari Small is expected to be drafted despite the NFL combine snub. But he’ll end up as a Day 3 pick and likely no better than Round 6. His teammate Jaylen Wright will be selected earlier thanks to his speed. Small can find a valuable role on an NFL team as backfield depth and his ability to block makes him more attractive.

Small’s NFL career depends on where he lands and what the situation is there. He’d need a set of fortunate backfield developments to occur before he’d be expected to offer more than occasional use. He is an all-around back and while he’s not likely to ever take over a game and make a major difference, he has something to offer to any NFL team.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Emani Bailey, TCU

Emani Bailey cashes in his fine senior season in search of an NFL job

After a sterling career at Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, Emani Bailey signed with the University of Louisiana where he was never more than the No. 3 running back for two seasons. Bailey transferred to TCU as a junior but played behind Kendre Miller and Emari Demercado that year. He finally had his shot as the primary back in 2023, when he led the team with 1,393 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns.

He projects as a Day 3 selection in the draft due mostly from his smaller stature, lack of experience, and a slower 40-yard dash time.

Height: 5-7
Weight: 202 pounds
40 time: 4.61 seconds

Table: Emani Bailey NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2020	Louisiana	5	10	60	6.0	0	0	0	0
2021	Louisiana	11	102	642	6.3	8	15	153	0
2022	TCU	14	31	250	8.1	2	7	43	0
2023	TCU	12	223	1209	5.4	8	25	184	1

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Decisive North-South rusher that always falls forward
Tough competitor
Patient runner that waits for his blockers and the vision to see the cutback lanes and then find the clear space for big gains
Excellent burst that translates into being able to navigate traffic and break into the open
Elusive with superior footwork and acceleration
Minor experience in receiving but has always been sure-handed with sharp routes
Plays faster than his 40-time thanks to burst and top-end gear

Cons

Pass protection needs improvement
Will run wide looking for big play and give up the shorter but certain yards inside
Smaller size will challenge even more on inside runs in the NFL
Lack of long speed will be more apparent in the NFL

Fantasy outlook

Emani Bailey only produced one notable season in college and that took four years and two schools to get there. But he was a tough, competitive runner that could slice his way through the Big 12 as the best weapon for TCU last season. But his 40-time at the NFL Combine was a 4.61 for the fourth best time among running backs and each of the slower runners carried 15 to 20 more pounds.

History has not been kind to 5-7 running backs either.

Bailey had many impressive runs last year and he has a place in the NFL as a depth player or in a committee, but he’ll need to show up with impressive plays in the preseason to expect much 2023 fantasy value. As with many of the deeper drafted players, his production will rely heavily in the backfield situation that he lands and some luck in having the depth chart shaken up enough by injuries to allow Bailey the opportunity to produce as a rookie.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Jase McClellan, Alabama

Jase McClellan led the Alabama backfield last year.

Jase McClellan spent all four seasons with the Crimson Tide, trying to break through the well-stocked backfield. As a freshman, he was behind Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr.. He gained steam to start his junior season with Harris gone and Robinson sharing the load but tore his ACL after five games.

When he returned for his junior season, he was second only to Jahmyr Gibbs and ended that year on a higher note with a string of 12+ carry games including 156 yards and two scores against Austin Peay. He finally led the backfield as a senior in 2023 when he ran for 890 yards and gained 137 yards as a receiver. He was still a part of a committee with his 180 rushes, along with Roydell Williams (111). Quarterback Jalen Milroe also ran the ball 161 times.

Height: 5-10
Weight: 217 pounds
40 time: 4.5 seconds

McClellan didn’t do anything to set himself apart in the NFL Combine and declined running the 40-yard dash where he was expected to turn in a 4.5-ish timing. He’s the right size for the position and carries the cachet of being from Alabama, but is expected to be picked up in the final rounds of the NFL draft by a team seeking to beef up their backfield depth with a chance of gaining a committee member.

Table: Jase McClellan NCAA stats (2020-23)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2020	Alabama	12	23	245	10.7	2	1	1	0
2021	Alabama	5	40	191	4.8	1	10	97	3
2022	Alabama	13	112	655	5.8	7	14	174	3
2023	Alabama	13	180	890	4.9	8	15	137	0

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Determined runner that gets all the yardage that was blocked and finishes runs to pick up the extra yards
Excellent vision combines with smart running to pick the right lanes and can cut through traffic. Good fit for a one-cut rushing scheme
Patient runner that follows the blocks to daylight
Capable receiver with the biggest hands among running backs at the NFL Combine
Has the size and strength to be a power rusher that can break tackles and handle inside rushing
Tough runner not afraid of contact

Cons

Lacks explosiveness, more of a power runner through contact than a speed rusher looking for long gains
Pass protection still needs work, needs more aggression as a blocker
Work as a receiver was limited to very basic routes from the backfield
Durability concerns after a torn ACL and other dings in college

Fantasy outlook

McClellan offers an intriguing set of skills later in the draft. As with all ‘Bama backs, assessing them is harder since they benefit from a dominant O-line and yet compete for carries against other elite backs in the ever-stocked backfield. While impacted by injuries, he had to wait for his turn as the primary until he was a senior.

He can add to any NFL roster and with an expectation of being taken sometime in Day 3, he is available to any NFL team seeking to bolster their depth. McClellan will need to work his way up the depth chart before he can offer any reliable fantasy value, but in the right situation, he can become a weekly contributor. He’s not expected to become the primary back for a team, but has enough skills and potential that he is worth tracking.

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Blake Corum, Michigan

Corum brings elite rushing skills and a winning attitude

The prized high-school recruit from Maryland opted to play for the Michigan Wolverines where he he headed up an elite rushing attack and made a name for himself as one of the best backs in the country. He broke their all-time record for rushing touchdowns while playing under Jim Harbaugh who has also moved this year by heading up the Los Angeles Chargers.

After two seasons of part-time play, Corum became the Wolverine’s starting running back with spectacular results. After piling up almost 1,500 rushing yards as a junior, he again shined during the their campaign to win the National Championship ending a tick below with 1,245 rushing yards but upped his scoring total to 28 touchdowns on the season. He ended his college career by rushing for 134 yards on 21 carries for two scores against Washington to become the 2024 MVP.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 213 pounds
40 time: 4.53 seconds

Corum is only 5-8, but put on a show at the NFL Combine where he led all backs with 27 reps in the bench press, ran a solid 4.53 40-time, and added to his volume of highlight reels from the last two seasons.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-23)RB

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2020	Michigan	6	26	77	3.0	2	5	73	0
2021	Michigan	12	144	952	6.6	11	24	141	1
2022	Michigan	12	247	1463	5.9	18	11	80	1
2023	Michigan	15	258	1245	4.8	27	16	117	1

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

Superior vision combined with deadly jump cuts
Strong runner that runs through arm tackles
Tremendous burst makes him capable of chunk plays
Elite decision-making skills for picking lanes and slipping through traffic
Gym rat with rare combination of strength and speed
High character guy with a winning attitude
Smart player who also won academic honors at Michigan
A backfield asset regardless of scheme

Cons

Smaller size at 5-8 brings durability concerns; already suffered a meniscus tear to end 2022.
Marginal use as a receiver in college
Questions regarding pass protection may limit third downs
Likely better fit in a committee and lacks the size for short yardage work.
Will turn 24 during the season

Fantasy outlook

Corum was a beast for the Wolverines and instrumental in their success the last two seasons including that National Championship Offensive MVP in January. He doesn’t project as an every down back due to his size and potential injury concerns but he brings a skillset that will add to any offense. He’s more likely a Day 2 pick and may slide a little further if his previous knee issues and size cause concern.

The natural assumption is that he’d fit great with the Chargers who switch to HC Jim Harbaugh who already knows how to use him. Adding him as a complement to a back like Austin Ekeler should create a formidable 1-2 punch. He’s been speculated to end up with the Cardinals, Packers, Titans, or Bills. But he’d be a fit regardless of franchise because he brings a set of skills that would benefit any team, and that’s furthered by his intelligence and maturity. And falling out of the first round, if not the second, means any team could access him.

He brings a big name to the NFL after winning a National Championship and that could see him overvalued by some in the fantasy community. He should provide fantasy value as a rookie in a role that may expand during the season, but he’s unlikely to be asked to step in and take over a backfield. Corum has elite rushing skills but has to match them weekly against players that were college all-stars and remain healthy.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Roschon Johnson, Texas

Roschon Johnson is the “other guy” from the Texas Longhorn backfield

Roschon Johnson was a quarterback. At his high school in Port Neches, Texas, he set the school record with a career 7,710 passing yards and added 4,900 rushing yards. He committed to Texas and was moved to running back during his freshman season when team injuries caused a need for his rushing skills. He completed only one pass as a Longhorn, but served as a rushing and receiving option in the backfield for all four years.

Johnson split carries with Keaontay Ingram during that first year and remained second-best while playing alongside Bijan Robinson. The duo split carries with Robinson (86-703-4) slightly busier than Johnson (80-418-6) during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Robinson took a far bigger chunk for the last two years.

Johnson maintained the same sort of pace for all three seasons, typically rushing five to eight times in most matchups. When Robinson did not play in the 2021 season finale against Kansas State, Johnson rushed for 179 yards on 31 carries.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 219 pounds
40 time: 4.58 seconds

He ended with five 100-yard efforts over his 47 games for the Longhorns, but never more than one per year once Robinson showed up to dominate the workload. Johnson took advantage of his four years in Austin, graduating with a business management degree.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2019-22)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2019	Texas	13	123	649	5.3	7	23	158	1
2020	Texas	10	80	418	5.2	6	8	51	1
2021	Texas	12	96	569	5.9	5	11	83	0
2022	Texas	12	93	554	6.0	5	14	128	1

Pros

Good-sized power back that break tackles
Aggressive, decisive rusher that picks the right lanes
Tough and dependable
Great ball security – one fumble in four years
Quick feet for a big back
Solid pass protection and willing lead blocker
Special teams contributor
Not many miles on the odometer
Smart player that can learn quickly

Cons

Slower than most NFL backs
Lacks creativity
Minor receiving experience
Lacks elite burst

Fantasy outlook

Johnson is the “other guy” in the Texas backfield that was overshadowed by Bijan Robinson for the last three years, but offers plenty of skills and intangibles that will net him a role in the NFL. He’s been a selfless, coachable player that is a great team fit and it can be argued that his ceiling is unknown given the success of Robinson. He could have potentially helped his stock by transferring to a different team where he may have become their primary back.

Johnson is a big back that may lack some of the quickness to reach the corner and turn up the field. But he’s a solid addition to a backfield for short yardage, pass blocking, special teams, and inside runs.

He’ll be a Day 3 pick to a team looking to restock their backfield with solid contributors. As a very versatile utility player, he has much to offer any team. His fantasy value as a rookie is more likely to be minimal unless injuries open up opportunities, but Johnson holds future promise. He’s most likely to end up a part of a committee that can grow into fantasy-relevant production.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Zach Evans, Mississippi

Zach Evans offers the potential to become a No. 1 back.

Zach Evans was considered one of the top running backs in 2019 after the Houston-native ran for 4,867 yards and 76 touchdowns over his final three years in high school. He originally signed a letter of intent with Georgia but then was released from that commitment and eventually became TCU’s first ever five-star recruit.

His two seasons at TCU saw success though not to the astronomic level of high school. He only ran 54 times as a freshman as a part of a four-man rotation for their backfield. In 2021, he assumed a larger role and rolled up four-straight 100-yard games before injuring his toe and missing the rest of the season after just six games.

In 2022, he transferred to Ole Miss, missing TCU’s Cinderella season, and splitting the backfield there with freshman phenom Quinshon Judkins who ran for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns on 274 rushes compared to Evans’ 144 runs for 936 yards. The Rebels’ backfield had platooned three average backs in 2021 when Evans decided to join them. Judkins surprised everyone, not the least Evans.

Height: 5-11
Weight: 202 pounds
40 time: 4.45 seconds

Evans’ chance to become the primary back in a promising backfield was cut short by Judkins’ monster season. Rather than spend his final year as the relief back for Judkins, Evans declared for the NFL draft. Unlike in high school, Evans never again played as the featured back in college, so his ceiling hasn’t been fully explored.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-22)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards	TD
2020	TCU	9	54	415	7.7	4	8	62	0
2021	TCU	6	92	648	7.0	5	10	102	1
2022	Ole Miss	12	144	936	6.5	9	12	119	1

Pros

Smooth and natural runner
Has the jets to take it to the house when he breaks free
Elite burst, explosive acceleration
Speed to get around the corner on sweeps
Fights for yardage, can absorb hits and keep running
Prototypical size for running back
Balance through contact a major plus
Sets up defenders to miss their tackle
Agility and power combine to reach second level and beyond
One of the top pure runners in this rookie class

Cons

Five fumbles on just 290 college carries
Minimal experience as a receiver
Lack of creativity when he runs
Ideally in a zone-heavy scheme
Pass protection needs further development

Fantasy outlook

Evans is a Day 2 prospect that should be within the first five or six running backs selected. He’s likely to be added to a team searching for rushing talent to add to a committee backfield though he has the potential to become a full-time back, even if his college resume denied him that role. He’s always been an effective rusher but will need to add more work as a receiver to become what the NFL looks for in a full-time or even a primary back.

His college experience wasn’t as great as his high school production suggested and his production was a function of the situations that he found at both of his colleges. The expectations for 2022 with the move to Ole Miss were high but he was eclipsed by the freshman Quinshon Judkins. That leaves Evans with an incomplete look at what he is capable of producing.

Evans timing has worked against him, so he’s harder to evaluate. That could mean that an NFL team gets a steal in the second or third round if he rises to what some believe his potential to be. He enters the NFL inside a deep and competitive running back class this year, so he’ll be somewhat overshadowed from the hype with Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. That will make him a value pick in fantasy drafts.

Where he lands and the situation there always impacts any rookie, and Evans hasn’t been overly lucky with what happened around him in college. But he brings solid potential as a committee back, particularly working with one of reception-heavy backs who need help with relief carries and early down runs. His upside is still notable and while a risk, he could surprise on the right team.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Tank Bigsby, Auburn

Tank Bigsby is an early Day 3 prospect that could surprise

Cartavious “Tank” Bigsby was a much-coveted recruit by colleges thanks to winning the Class AA Georgia Player of the Year as a junior, when he ran for 2,221 yards at Callaway High School. That led him to sign with the Auburn Tigers where he became their primary running back even as a rookie. He won the SEC Freshman of the Year and First-Team Freshman All-SEC.

He became the Tigers’ Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he ran for 1,099 yards and ten scores on 223 carries. He topped 100 rushing yards in five games and handled up to 29 rushes per game.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 215 pounds
40 time: 4.56 seconds

Tank Bigsby declared for the NFL draft after his junior season when he rushed slightly less but turned in a career-best 30 catches for 180 yards. He saw fewer carries per game but added up to six receptions as a more complete weapon. He brings north-south ability but developed more last year than just an inside runner crashing through the line.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2020-22)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards
2020	Auburn	10	138	834	6.0	5	11	84
2021	Auburn	13	223	1099	4.9	10	21	184
2022	Auburn	12	179	970	5.4	10	30	180

Pros

Tough inside runner with legs that don’t stop churning
Great balance and sharp cuts while in traffic
Soft hands and increased role as a receiver
One-cut runner that can break off long runs
Solid pass protector
Runs angry at the goal line
Excellent horizontal cutting for a bigger back
Prototypical size
Adequate straight-line speed to pick up chunks of yardage

Cons

Occasionally too patient waiting for a clear lane
Can leave yards on the field trying to make a bigger play instead of just taking what the defense is giving
Lacks elite speed – only 4.56 but ran a 4.45 at his Pro Day
Pass experience limited to check-downs

Fantasy outlook

Bigsby’s name should be called early on Day 3 in Round 4 or Round 5. That means he’s available to any team needing a complementary back that can potentially evolve into their primary. A common knock on him is that he’s good in every way but not quite great in any. There’s plenty of need in the NFL for a running the quality of Bigsby, and he’ll be added by a team looking for more than just backfield depth.

He’s also yet to find his ceiling, so he could develop further in the NFL and become better than he already is. He handled 30 catches last year, but they were dump-off passes and he has much to learn if he is to become a receiving back that runs actual routes.

He’s been likened to Dalvin Cook and David Montgomery. Bigsby will be snapped up on Day 3 by a team that didn’t buy an early round back but still wants someone to fill a role as a rookie. He has enough upside that he’ll be worth a later-round fantasy draft pick but it depends on where he lands and the situation there to better adjust his expectations as a rookie.

Expect that he’ll wind up on a team searching for a solid No. 2 back to pair with their current starter. That could include the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, or Los Angeles Chargers.

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

Zack Charbonnet deserves a three-down role in the NFL

Zack Charbonnet racked up 4,471 yards and 62 touchdowns at his California high school and was among the top-rated running backs as a senior. He had already signed with Michigan prior to his senior season when he had just posted 2,049 rushing yards and 23 during his junior season.

He needed knee surgery prior to his freshman season and missed practice time until late summer. Charbonnet was still the primary back that year while sharing with Hassan Haskins. He set the Michigan freshman record with 11 rushing touchdowns. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Michigan only played six games and Charbonnet was limited to only 19 carries while Haskins saw the bigger workload. That led Charbonnet to enter the transfer portal and end up in UCLA as a Junior.

Charbonnet became the workhorse back he should have always been, leading the Bruins for the next two seasons. He returned for his outstanding senior season when he rolled up 1,680 total yards and 14 touchdowns. Charbonnet was a First Team All-American and a semifinalist for the Doak Walker and Walter Camp awards. He ranked No. 15 in the nation in rushing yards despite missing two games.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 220 pounds
40 time: 4.53 seconds

He will be one of the first running backs drafted and in the Top-5 if not the Top-3. Charbonnet offers all the measurables and skill set that historically pointed at an NFL workhorse though current offensive systems are less likely to rely so heavily on an individual running back. He’ll still attract plenty of fantasy attention.

Table: Player NCAA stats (2019-22)

Year	School	Games	Runs	Yards	Avg.	TD	Catch	Yards
2019	Michigan	13	149	726	4.9	11	8	30
2020	Michigan	5	19	124	6.5	1	6	41
2021	UCLA	12	203	1137	5.6	13	24	197
2022	UCLA	10	195	1359	7.0	14	37	321

Pros

Prototypical North -South power back, determined runner with no wasted motion
Runs downhill – gains speed and velocity as he runs
Only three fumbles on 641 college touches over four years
Solid pass protection blocking
Patient when following blocks
Outstanding in short yardage, keeps his legs churning
Strong lower body breaks tackles
Smart player with high football intelligence
Popular in the locker room, good character
Maintains balance through contact
Solid vision yields best path in traffic

Cons

Not quick in initial cuts
Average receiver that had some drops
Fast but not elite speed
Relies more on power than elusive moves

Fantasy outlook

Charbonnet is a mature, four-year running back that projects as a starter in the NFL. He’s a bit more of a throwback to the power rushing style of the past but offers receiving ability and solid pass-pro blocking so he can stay on the field all three downs. At the least, he’s a solid pick for a team looking for help on first and second downs, and can find a role in any NFL backfield.

He is a complete back but his skills will be tested in the faster and stronger NFL. The expectation is that he will be a Day 2 selection and more likely near the end of the second or start of the third round. That makes him available to any team who needs backfield help but don’t want to spend a first or high second-round pick to get the upgrade. That would make him a potential target for the Bills, Cowboys, Jaguars, and Rams.

Outside of Bijan Robinson, Charbonnet is the only other highly-rated rookie back that carries the size for a heavy-duty role in the NFL. The other early picks are faster but also fifteen pounds lighter or more. Depending on where he lands, Charbonnet could carve out a significant role as a rookie since he’s a power-runner first and offers receiving skills as a way to remain on the field.

Charbonnet has been compared to David Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Cedric Benson and Arian Foster. He’ll get the chance to become an immediate contributor and challenge to become the No. 1 running back for his team.