Seahawks Draft: Ranking RB Prospects - One-Two Punch with Kenneth Walker III?
With less than two weeks remaining until the 2023 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks will soon be on the clock with the fifth overall pick and hold 10 total selections, presenting a prime opportunity to bolster their roster with young talent.
Coming off a sensational 1,000-yard season that culminated as a runner-up finisher for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Ken Walker looks poised to become one of the league's best backs as the bell cow in Seattle's backfield. But after losing Rashaad Penny and Travis Homer in free agency, the team only has two runners currently on the roster, making the position a significant area of need heading towards the draft.
As part of my annual prospect rankings, here's where each of the top running back prospects from the 2023 class falls on my top 300 with quick scouting reports and reported visits with the Seahawks if applicable.
*Players are listed in order by position with overall ranking in parenthesis.
Tier 1 - First-Round Talent
1 (9). Bijan Robinson, Texas
One of the best running back prospects to come into the league in years, Robinson presents the complete package with agile footwork to make defenders miss, excellent vision identifying creases to explode through, and a powerful, compact 215-pound frame to bulldoze over tacklers when he needs to. While he's not the fastest back, his 4.4 speed will suffice with his other impressive traits, including outstanding hands out of the backfield and steadily improving pass protection that should make him a rare bell cow in today's game.
Tier 2 - Second/Third-Round Talent
2 (35). Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
The latest star back to emerge from Tuscaloosa, Gibbs doesn't pack quite the same punch between the tackles as Robinson at 199 pounds. But he's a smooth glider out of the backfield who excels as a cut and go runner and knows how to put defenders on skates on the perimeter and at the second level, opening the door for frequent explosive runs. His pass catching and ability to create with the football in his hands as a receiver may be his biggest calling cards, however, making him one of the most dynamic playmakers in this class.
© Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY
3 (81). Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Reported Visit: Combine Formal
A bruiser by nature with powerful lower body pistons, the 214-pound Charbonnet loves to get downhill and let his pads do the talking rather than get cute trying to make tacklers miss. He's not an overly elusive runner and doesn't have an extra gear to regularly hit home runs, but he's a reliable chain-moving engine for an offense as a durable workhorse who can handle extensive carries and dish punishment. He also offers surprising versatility as a pass catcher and protector, versatility that could vault him as high as the late second round.
4 (90). Tyjae Spears, Tulane
Though on the smaller end of the size spectrum for a running back at 201 pounds, Spears runs with more oomph behind his pads than expected and he's electric making defenders miss once he gets to the second level, possessing the second gear to rip off explosive runs in bulk. A prior knee injury could concern teams, but he showed no ill effects last season starring as an every down back and with a developing game in the receiving and pass pro department, he's likely gone on day two.
Tier 3 - Day Three/Undrafted Talent
5 (99) - Kenny McIntosh, Georgia
A jack of all trades and master of none in the backfield, McIntosh won't run away from defenders and doesn't have enough pop behind his pads at 204 pounds to consistently live between the tackles either. But he does have quality contact balance to bounce off of tackles at the second level, surprises with his juice running off tackle, and finishes most of his runs with authority. Add in his quality hands as a receiver and he has a shot to be a back who has a more productive NFL career than college.
6 (110) - Roschon Johnson, Texas
Stuck in the shadow of Robinson, Johnson never got a chance to be the feature back in Austin, but he still rushed for 2,190 yards in his four-year career with the Longhorns and averaging 5.6 yards per carry, he finished in the top 10 in yards after contact per attempt (4.28), using his 223-pound frame to consistently break tackles. He also did damage with soft hands out of the backfield, catching 56 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns, making him an appealing three-down back on day three.
7 (118) - Chase Brown, Illinois
Though he's not a big back at only 205 pounds and won't bowl over defenders, Brown is a tough-nosed runner who will occasionally push the pile and creates extra yardage slipping through arm tackles, which helped him eclipse 1,600 rushing yards last year. Known for his track speed, he also made substantial improvements running between the tackles and also added third down versatility to his resume by setting career-highs in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns as a junior.
8 (126) - Tank Bigsby, Auburn
Aptly named, Bigsby runs angry between the tackles, more than capable of shucking arm tacklers off of him and dragging those who manage to wrap him up for several yards after contact. He doesn't offer great value as a receiver and hasn't played much special teams, which could drag him down a peg or two in the draft, but his decisive, physical running style and underrated elusiveness should allow him to find a home early on day three to compete for early down duties right away.
9 (144) - Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh
Enjoying a breakout year for the Panthers in 2022, Abanikanda racked up nine games with at least 100 yards, showcasing his track speed at 216 pounds torching defenses as one of the ACC's best home run threats. He lacks patience at times allowing blocks to materialize in front of him and runs with less physicality than desired at his size, but if he can prove himself as a viable receiving option, he has enough working for him to be a starter in time due to his explosive tendencies.
10 (149) - Zach Evans, Ole Miss
Talent-wise, Evans could be a day two back after nearly averaging seven yards per carry in his college career with two programs. He possesses elite speed and shiftiness in space, a combination that can allow him to go the distance anytime he touches the football, and he's more physical than advertised at point of contact. But he has a lengthy injury history that limited his production and teams will have to look into his medicals before taking a chance on his talent.
11 (153) - Kendre Miller, TCU
A key cog in the Horned Frogs rise to prominence, Miller paced an underrated ground game with over 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns. Possessing plus burst for a 215-pound back, he ripped off chunk plays slipping through arm tackles and shooting past linebackers at the second level. He didn't offer much as a receiver, generally showed little interest in picking up blitzers in pass protection, and is coming off a knee injury, so limitations as an early down back likely slide him to the fourth or fifth round.
© Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
12 (159) - Dewayne McBride, UAB
Under the radar after not running at the combine, McBride has a few notable red flags on his resume, including issues with ball security and limited work as a receiver and pass protector. But while he will have to clean up the fumbles that dogged him, the 209-pound runner has the goods to find a role as an early down battering ram after averaging north of 4.5 yards per carry after contact last season. If he can develop a bit as a receiver, there's potential to be a quality starter in the right landing spot.
13 (163) - Eric Gray, Oklahoma
Finally latching onto a starter role in 2022, Gray put his entire display of playmaking attributes on display with nearly 1,600 yards and 11 touchdowns from scrimmage. While he's not a pile mover and doesn't break many tackles with power at 207 pounds, he's slippery in space with quick, decisive cuts that leave defenders empty handed and he has developed into a reliable receiver and pass protector, hinting at a future as a positive contributor on third downs and the upside to be an eventual starter.
14 (169) - Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
Generously listed at 5'5, Vaughn carries a rocked-up 179-pound frame and runs with far more tenacity than expected. An electric play-maker who shoots through creases like he was launched from a cannon, he rushed for over 1,400 yards each of the past two seasons and also did plenty of damage with over 1,200 yards as a receiver. He won't be a bell cow in the league and pass protection could be problematic, but it won't be due to lack of effort from this feisty, versatile runner.
15 (174) - Devon Achane, Texas A&M
A tantalizing speed/quickness prospect, Achane ran a blazing 4.32 40-yard dash at the combine and that giddy up can be seen on his game tape leaving defenders in the dust. He's a sparkplug who can bounce runs and bang cutbacks to daylight once he finds green to let his wheels do the work and his upside as a receiver will be desirable. What likely holds him back, however, is his lean 188-pound frame that isn't conducive to a large workload or taking on defenders in pass protection in the NFL.
16 (186) - Evan Hull, Northwestern
One of only three running backs in the nation last year to run for over 500 yards and produce over 500 receiving yards, Hull has a knack for falling forward for extra yardage and possesses reliable hands as an outlet out of the backfield when called upon. Faster than advertised with 4.4 speed, his lack of elusiveness may put a cap on his ceiling as a change of pace back, but his physical mentality will mesh well with run-centric teams that also covet soft-handed backs in the passing game.
17 (192) - Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
A downhill grinder with three 1,000-yard seasons for the Golden Gophers, Ibrahim stands out as a blue collar runner who performs at his best between the tackles and runs with reckless physicality to his own detriment at times. He battled numerous injuries at the college level and that history coupled with his running style and average athleticism may scare some teams. But he has a nose for the end zone and his workmanlike mentality should lead to a mid-day three selection.
18 (202) - Sean Tucker, Syracuse
Running with a low center of gravity and plenty of fight, Tucker churns out yardage with a blend of patience and physicality, finding creases and building speed to bounce off of tacklers. He doesn't have the accelerator to turn chunk plays into the 20-plus yard variety often and his receiving contributions will limited to swings and screens, but as an early down back, he has a shot to carve out a role in the NFL.
19 (214) - Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky
The textbook definition of a hammer in football terms, Rodriguez isn't going to make defenders miss often and doesn't have the speed or quickness to generate many breakaway runs. But as a short-yardage back, he runs with plenty of toughness and will take defenders for a ride to move piles for additional yardage. Likely a late day three pick, he will have to prove himself as a situational runner and special teamer.
20 (235) - Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina
Under 180 pounds with a slender frame, Mitchell won't be a traditional workhorse back who can rack up carries in bunches and teams will have to be creative with how they get the ball in his hands. But he could be an exciting complementary third down back with legitimate 4.37 speed and pass catching ability, making him a fun late day three flier to compete for snaps on offense and special teams.
21 (239) - Deneric Prince, Tulsa
Prince ran in the 4.4s at the combine at 216 pounds, exhibiting top-notch speed that doesn't always translate into his play between the lines. He's a bit of a plodder who has to get downhill quickly to pick up yardage and doesn't have enough lateral quickness to manufacture yardage making tacklers miss. There may be more untapped potential here due to his athleticism, but he has to run with more pop behind his pads and contribute on special teams to stick around in the league.
22 (248) - Camerun Peoples, Appalachian State
Production-wise, Peoples ran through defenses in the Sun Belt averaging more than six yards per carry in his career and scoring 33 touchdowns. But like Prince and Rodriguez, athleticism and football skill limitations put a cap on his potential in the pros beyond being a situational short yardage back or special teamer. While he brings his hard hat to work and has plus vision, he simply doesn't have the juice to make defenders miss and has limited pass catching acumen.
Previous Positional Rankings
Defensive Tackle | Quarterback | EDGE/Defensive End | Center | Linebacker | Receiver | Cornerback
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