New York Giants Draft Prospect: RB Zach Charbonnet

Zach Charbonnet, RB

Height: 6’0
Weight: 214 lbs.
Class: Senior
School: UCLA
Arm length: 32”
Hand size: 9 ⅞”
Age: 22 (01/08/2001)

Combine Measurements

40-yard-dash: 4:53
10-yard-split: 1.54
Vertical jump: 37”
Broad jump: 10’2”
Bench press: 18

A former four-star recruit out of Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California, where he was the 4th RB and 8th Californian recruit during the 2019 cycle. He was the 46th recruit during that cycle.

Charbonnet originally attended the University of Michigan. He played two seasons with a very productive freshman year but transferred to UCLA after contributing to a running back by committee with the Wolverines. Oaks Christian was also the high school attended by Kayvon Thibodeaux, Alex Bachman, and Michael Pittman Jr.

Notables

Charbonnet displayed his entire skill set in his fantastic 2022 campaign, resulting in a First-Team All-American honor. He rushed for 1,359 yards with 14 touchdowns and added 37 catches for 321 yards through the air in Chip Kelly’s offense; he also rushed for 1,137 yards in 2021 - the first season on campus at UCLA.

He was also talented at Michigan, where he rushed for 726 yards and 11 touchdowns in his freshman year. However, he wasn’t a bell-cow back, and he only received 19 carries through five games in 2020, which led to his transfer. He appeared in 18 games with nine starts for the Wolverines. Charbonnet has a full skill set, and while he may lack breakaway speed, good luck corralling him in tight spaces.

Strengths

Excellent size, with a thick filled-out frame
Very good athlete with deceptive elusiveness
Combines quick feet with excellent lateral agility and good change of direction
Impressive one-cut ability with a smooth jump-cut to make defenders miss in confined spaces
Very good at avoiding contact when it is imminent - contorts body well
Good vision approaching the LOS - does well to bait defenders toward the LOS to set up blocks
Exercises excellent patience to pick and choose the most advantageous opportunity
Uses his jump cut after baiting defenders to a desired location; excellent feel to allow OL to get to the second level
Excellent play strength and tackle balance - EMBRACES contact with elite physical toughness
Understands how to angle his body to avoid big hits - will lower his shoulder if necessary
Elite ball security - only two fumbles on 556 rushing attempts in college
Good receiver out of the backfield, albeit he mainly ran simple routes
Hands catcher that extends away from his frame - good concentration
Excellent functional strength and overall ability in blitz pickup vs. LBs

CAL: Q1, 3:22, 3rd & 12 INC
Oregon: Q1, 6:42, 1st & 10 QB scramble
Utah: Q3, 1:11, 3rd & 8 Touchdown
Colorado: Q2, 5:11, 1st & 10 INC
Bowling Green: Q1, 13:57 3rd & 12

Sufficient choice of angles taking on DBs in pass protection; strength still excellent

Get More 2023 Draft Profiles here.

Weaknesses

Lacks elite breakaway speed
Will get tracked down from behind
A bit upright if he’s not embracing contact
Operated mostly out of the shotgun at UCLA; a lot of his singleback snaps were counter
Primarily ran flare routes at UCLA
Missed spring workouts during his true freshman year with a knee injury that required surgery

Summary

Zach Charbonnet is a physical back with more athletic ability than some suggest. While he lacks the breakaway speed to hit home runs, he’s a constant threat to hit doubles and triples due to his decision-making approach at the LOS, his ability to make defenders miss in the alley, and his balance through contact. Also, if you need one yard, he’ll get it through sheer toughness and power - he has no fear of lowering his shoulder.

I was impressed with Charbonnet’s elusiveness in cramped areas; one would think he’s claustrophobic because he does a damn good job freeing himself of constriction. His jump cut and vision for the rushing path allow him to find advantageous paths to daylight. He also adds value as a reliable check-down option with good hands, and he packs a punch in pass protection as a stable force in the pocket.

Charbonnet can get a bit upright if he’s not embracing contact, and his route tree wasn’t advanced at UCLA, but he has a three-down skill set and should make a team very happy somewhere on day two of the 2023 NFL Draft.

GRADE: 6.38 NF

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