Top Eagles RB options in 2023 NFL Draft after Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs
We’ve been at this for a while now, so much so that there are prospects whose names we’re sick of hearing. It isn’t their fault. The Philadelphia Eagles and the rest of the 31 professional football franchises have known who many of these guys are since they were in high school, and with the NFL Draft having evolved into one of the must-see annual sports events, the information is a lot more plentiful than it used to be.
YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have helped turn NCAA prospects into microwavable NFL stars. Two of the belles of the ball are former Texas running back Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Their names have been mentioned in conjunction with the Eagles before. That’s especially true of Bijan. Tons of Birds fans would love to see him in midnight green. What if neither is taken by Philly though? Who are the guys whose names we should know? We’re glad you asked. Here are a dozen.
Here are the top 12 running backs the Eagles will find in the NFL Draft who are not named Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs.
We have pieced our draft board together. We emailed it over to the Philadelphia Eagles, and we CC’d vice president/general manager Howie Roseman. So far, there has been no response. Who would have thunk?
Still, here are 12 tailbacks whose names you’ll want to jot down. We expect to hear their names called during the NFL Draft, but if not, they’ll be at someone’s rookie camp as an undrafted free agent.
1. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA Bruins
When we’re discussing prospects that will offer the best bang for the Eagles’ draft-day bucks, Zach Charbonnet‘s name has to be mentioned. He’s rocked up. He provides a weapon in both the rushing and passing game, and from where we’re sitting, he’s the best prospect at the tailback position not named Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs.
2. Devon Achane, Texas A&M Aggies
Devon Achane stands at fie-foot-eight. He tips the scales at 188 pounds. This might be the best strength/speed combination in this year’s class. He rarely goes down on first contact, and he turned in a 4.32-second showing during the 2023 NL Scouting Combine.
3. Tank Bigsby, Auburn Tigers
Tank Bigsby put together a solid three seasons for Auburn. At the risk of sounding disrespectful, had he instead committed to the Tigers’ biggest rival, you know the guys from Tuscaloosa, and had he run behind their offensive line, we might be grading him ahead of Jahmyr Gibbs.
4. Kendre Miller, TCU Horned Frogs
Kendre Miller isn’t going to do a lot of dancing when he takes the handoff. He’s going to hit the hole and run right at the defenders. Often, he’s going to run over them, and once he gets into the open field, there will be no catching him from behind.
The main concern here is he has carried the ball a lot already during his career.
5. Zach Evans, Ole Miss Rebels
Zach Evans was a member of the same recruiting class as Kendre Miller. He was a five-star recruit while the horned rog was a two-star.
Evans is probably staring up at Miller now, but it isn’t by much. This is a nice talent who should be a day-one contributor.
6. DeWayne McBride, UAB Blazers
DeWayne McBride ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, but when you watch him play, he looks faster than that. He averaged an outstanding 7.4 yards per carry in 2022 while stacking 1,713 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. That will, most certainly, place you on some NFL radars.
7. Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky Wildcats
Chris Rodriguez missed the first month of the most recent college football season because of his DUI arrest earlier in 2022. Upon his return, he displayed some tough running. That and his frame that appears to be capable of taking a pro-style beating could lead to his selection on Day 2 or Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
8. Chase Brown, Illinois Fighting Illini
Typically, when you tune into Big Ten football games, you aren’t doing so to check out Illinois, unless you’re an alum of course. Chase Brown, however, is worth the price of admission. We’re thinking this is a mid-rounder who possesses both speed and toughness. He ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
9. Tyjae Spears, Tulane Green Wave
As is the case with Illinois, the Tulane Green Wave isn’t one of those college football powers whose games you’re seeking on a Saturday. As is the case with Chase Brown, Tyjae Spears is a solid second-day prospect. He’s a solid five-foot-ten and 210 pounds.
10. Roschon Johnson, Texas Longhorns
Roschon Johnson probably didn’t tote the rock as much as he would have liked this past season. That’s what happens when you’re Bijan Robinson’s backup though.
Still, this young man is on everyone’s NFL Draft board as he’s good enough to eventually become a three-down starter with proper coaching.
11. Sean Tucker, Syracuse Orange
Every once in a while, you find talented football players at basketball schools. Ask Brian Westbrook. He’d definitely agree.
Sean Tucker cut his teeth with the Syracuse Orange. He stacked 3,182 yards, 622 receiving yards, and 31 total touchdowns throughout 33 games that spanned three NFL seasons.
12. Keaton Mitchell, ECU Pirates
It’s always fun to see guys explode at small schools. Frankly, we’re pulling for Keaton Mitchell. He’s small but explosive and a home run waiting to happen. Some might question the level of competition he faced, but his 31 runs that went for 15 yards or more led college football in 2022.