We will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports and player profiles. We will be providing scouting reports for over 100 prospects of the 2023 NFL Draft. We’ll update the profiles over the course of the draft prep process, from early profiles through the NFL Combine and pro days. Below we take a look at the top running backs of the 2023 NFL Draft class.
Check out our early 2023 NFL Mock Draft 
Top Dynasty Rookie Running Backs (2023 Fantasy Football)
2023 NFL Draft Summary
An undersized back with impressive vision, quickness, agility, and speed, he can run the ball between the tackles as well as he can run it outside, and offers additional value as a dangerous return specialist. Projects as an efficient change-of-pace back in a running back committee, but didn’t do a ton of different things as a receiver and struggles in blitz pickup, so it’s possible teams seeking third-down backs will look for more versatile options. Could come off the board in the second day.
Projection: Round 2-3
2023 NFL Draft Summary
A well-built back who was productive at the highest level of college football, showing the ability to get to the edge in an offense which featured a lot of outside runs from the shotgun, with the elusiveness to make defenders look silly in one-on-one situations at the second level. Passing-game value was limited in school, both as a receiver and blocker, so as it currently stands, has the look of an early-down or committee back, particularly on a team that gives him chances to stretch the defense laterally and cut upfield when holes materialize.
Projection: Round 3
2023 NFL Draft Summary
A pretty good pure runner with a strong lower body, good footwork, and who proved that he can carry the load as a workhorse in a highly productive senior season, but who is on the small side for the position, lacks special athleticism, and is a relatively straightforward safety valve in the passing game. Definitely put himself on the map this season, but is probably going to end up in a running-back rotation, probably paired with a receiving back and perhaps a more dynamic option. Looks like a mid-round pick.
Projection: Round 4-5
2023 NFL Draft Summary
A throwback runner who wastes little time charging ahead and wearing down defenses between the tackles, but who also has pretty good footwork to shuffle and find lanes, and can be elusive once he gets into the open field. Could eventually establish himself as the early-down power back in a one-two punch or grind out short yards in a committee, but might not be an ideal option on passing downs. Somewhat reminiscent of James Conner.
Projection: Round 4
2023 NFL Draft Summary
Frequently compared to Alvin Kamara, Gibbs offers a very similar combination of vision, burst, footwork, elusiveness, and physicality which make him a major threat to rip off chunks of yardage on any given snap, and could be a matchup nightmare as a versatile weapon on passing downs. Should be able to add a dynamic and explosive element to any team’s offense, and although he may end up being part of a one-two punch at the next level, big-play potential could very well earn him a place on the first day of the draft.
Projection: Round 1
2023 NFL Draft Summary
A solidly-built, smooth accelerator with home-run speed, he has the look of a real weapon on outside rushing attempts, winning the corner and racking up chunk plays down the sidelines. Has superior tools, but passing-down usage was limited in school and was never able to lock down a feature-back role at the college level, which might give some teams pause when considering him relative to some of the workhorses in the class. However, should be a safe bet to be a big-play threat as part of a running back committee, and could potentially lock down a number-one role, which should earn him a second-day selection.
Projection: Round 2-3
2023 NFL Draft Summary
A huge running back with a finesse approach based around quickness and vision but doesn’t run with quite as much power or grit as is typical given his size. Was overshadowed by Bijan Robinson in school but is a solid back in his own right and could continue to work his way into a running back rotation at the pro level. Probably more of a mid-round selection.
Projection: Round 4
2023 NFL Draft Summary
May not be the flashiest back in the class, but has one of the most pro-ready games between the tackles, with the size, vision, footwork, burst, power and physicality to grind out tough yardage up the middle and to convert opportunities near the goal line. As it currently stands, doesn’t appear to have much value on passing downs, so is probably destined to work into a team’s running-back rotation as an early-down/short-yardage power back, complemented by a receiving/blocking specialist. Could conceivably sneak into the second day and shouldn’t fall much further than that.
Projection: Rounds 3-4
2023 NFL Draft Summary
One of the most complete running-back prospects you’re likely to see, he possesses a highly impressive combination of size, vision, patience, footwork and explosiveness, showing that he can function as a reliable workhorse and make plays on passing downs as a receiver as well. Blitz pickup is one area he’ll have to continue to work on at the next level, but will probably step right into an every-down, primary ballcarrier role at the next level. Likely coming off the board in the first half of the first round as a foundational piece who can help establish a pro team’s identity on the offensive side of the ball.
Projection: Round 1
2023 NFL Draft Summary
A pretty big running back who has the quickness and patience to get what’s available and who also offers a reliable pair of hands in the passing game, but who doesn’t have the consistent grittiness of some of his peers in the class, limiting the amount of yards he can gain after contact. With some more glass in his diet, could turn into a pretty good member of a running-back committee, but may have to wait until the mid-to-late rounds to hear his name called and will likely begin his career as a reserve.
Projection: Round 6
2023 NFL Draft Summary
Not the flashiest or most gifted back in the class, but is one of the most pro-ready, showing impressive patience, vision, footwork, and competitiveness as a runner, protecting the football, and doing a pretty good job in blitz pickup, something that appears to be in short supply these days. Showed he can carry the load the past two seasons and looks like a solid bet to be among the first handful of backs off the board as a polished, safe selection.
Projection: Round 3-4
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