2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Should Bengals Target UCLA Running Back Zach Charbonnet?

Cincinnati will likely add a running back at some point in the draft.

Author:
Mike Santagata
Publish date:
Feb 27, 2023 8:53 AM EST

In this story:

At 6-1, 220 pounds, Zach Charbonnet is a workhorse running back.

His rare movement ability at that size has turned him into a monster. He’s a former 4-star recruit from the state of California who played his college ball at the University of Michigan before transferring to UCLA.

While at UCLA, he was a semi-finalist for the 2022 Doak Walker Award, had the most yards from scrimmage per game, finished fourth in rushing yards per game, and was a second team All-American. NFL teams will covet Charbonnet’s size, athleticism, processing, and pass catching ability.

Where He Excels

Charbonnet has some of the best balance for any running back in the class. He rarely goes down on initial contact and will regularly stay upright, despite taking huge hits. His balance creates explosive plays out of nothing despite a defender being able to hit him square.

He combines this excellent balance with good processing and anticipation behind the line of scrimmage. Charbonnet regularly can get everything out of a play because he patiently sets up his blocks and runs through the correct hole.

Despite having long legs and running upright, Charbonnet has one of the best jumpcuts in the class. He uses this jumpcut to quickly move from the initial aiming point of a run to the hole he wants to go through.

Charbonnet is great at punishing defenders with his 220-pound frame to find hidden yards by falling forward. He is one of the most powerful backs in the class and uses it to his advantage.

Despite his size and build, Charbonnet shows very good movement ability. He’s agile enough to make jumpcuts and defenders miss while also possessing the burst required to bounce runs to the outside, make defenders angles wrong, and create explosive plays.

Charbonnet is a surprisingly good pass catcher out of the backfield. He had 37 catches this past season and showed soft hands out of the backfield. He won’t work down the field all that often, but can run anything shallow from checkdowns to choice routes.

Areas of Concern

Despite having pretty good burst and agility for his size, Charbonnet does seem to lack high end top speed. His explosive runs from half-field and beyond do not often turn into touchdowns.

He was not asked to pass protect very often. He was able to survive for the most part when he was asked, but he is raw in that area and seemed to be a little antsy and unsure of what he was seeing. He has the processing and physical build to become a high end pass protector, he doesn't have the experience.

It doesn't have a huge effect on him, but he runs very high. This leaves his legs open a little bit more than some so he may want to develop his stiff arm more. He also does not sink his hips as well as some backs which could limit his change of direction.

Overall Thoughts

Charbonnet should be a workhorse running back in the NFL from day 1.

He has the frame and size to take a season’s worth of hits, reads the defense very well and runs through contact to maximize every run play. He also has the balance and burst to turn mundane gains into explosive plays, and is a weapon as a receiver.

Charbonnet’s balance, burst, and vision make him an extremely high end runner. He has the ability to stay on his feet through contact and requires the defense to bring in multiple guys to take him down. He has more wiggle and elusiveness than he should with his build and defenders will at times completely whiff or fall off of him. He should be a good fit in any scheme as he has the vision and anticipation to play in a zone based blocking scheme and has the patience and ability to set up his blocks required for a gap and power based blocking scheme.

As a receiver, Charbonnet adds quite a bit of value in the underneath areas. He was not asked to work down the field often, so it’s unknown whether he can track the ball and be a deep threat, but that part of playing running back is not important.

Most running backs in the NFL just run checkdowns, are flat controllers, or are put on choice routes. Charbonnet excelled at all of those concepts while also showing very good hands and the ability to catch the ball outside of his frame. The only thing that stops him from taking over on every third down is his ability to pass protect. It’s not bad, it's just more of an unknown area where he is raw and needs development.

Scheme Fit

Charbonnet fits best as the primary runner in any run scheme. He may be at his best in a multiple run scheme similar to what Cleveland does with Nick Chubb. He also adds value as a receiver which makes him fit teams that throw the ball often as well.

Grade

Early Second Round

Pro Comparison

Cedric Benson

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