2023 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Zach Charbonnet

The NFL Draft is behind us, rookie drafts are taking place, and as dynasty managers, we are looking ahead to the upcoming season. In our Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update series, we break down all the incoming fantasy-relevant rookies, looking at their profiles and where they fit. The basis of the rookie profile involves the usage of STORM analysis, focusing on five key components: Situation, Talent, Opportunity, Risk, and Market.

SITUATION

Name: Zach Charbonnet

Position: Running Back

Pro Team: Seattle Seahawks

College Team: UCLA (Michigan)

Draft Status: Round two, Pick 52 overall.

Charbonnet landed in a tough situation. In back-to-back drafts, the Seahawks have spent second-round draft capital on the running back position. After drafting Kenneth Walker in the second round of the 2022 draft with the 41st pick overall, they went back to the well this off-season.

Walker would finish the season as the Seahawks primary running back after injuries to Rashaad Penny and the rest of the Seattle backfield would limit their ability to consistently field a healthy backfield. Pete Carroll has long wanted to establish the run; with Russell Wilson in Denver, it seems as good a time as any to ensure he has the depth to do so. Since Marshawn Lynch, it appears that the Seattle backfield has been in-flux.

This is a tough landing spot to get a read-on. On the one hand, you can get excited that a team spent day two of draft capital on a running back and almost drafted amongst the first fifty players taken. On the other, he is coming into a backfield where Walker established himself as a Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie running back.

There is a very positive aspect to landing in Seattle. In his rookie season, Walker dealt with a hamstring injury before camp, a sports hernia during camp, and a rolled ankle in December. As you might have heard, Carroll wants to establish the run, and he will ensure that Seattle has the depth to keep the backfield flowing.

TALENT

Zach Charbonnet Combine Results:

Height: 6′ 0 ⅜”

Weight: 214 lbs

Arm: 32″

Hand: 9 ⅞”

40-Yard Dash: 4.53 seconds

10-Yard Split: 1.54 seconds

Vertical Jump: 37.0″

Broad Jump: 122″

Bench Press: 18 reps

Charbonnet has the size and frame to be a three-down back. His speed at the combine was not electric. But when watching Charbonnet, he builds up speed, he plays with average acceleration, and while he might not be a home-run hitter at the NFL level, he can produce chunk plays.

His vertical jump scores, 80th percentile, and broad jump, 75th percentile, show a glimpse of the leg strength evident in the film. He is a physical runner that works between the tackles and breaks arm tackles. With that leg power, he can work to the second level and build up speed to gain yards in chunks.

OPPORTUNITY

Seattle Seahawks Depth Chart:

Data Courtesy of 4for4.com

There are a lot of opportunities for Charbonnet. Fantasy Twitter has never been a fan of Walker the receiving back, and Charbonnet did flash the skills necessary to be a three-down back at UCLA.

Penny went to Philadelphia while Travis Homer left for the windy city and the Chicago Bears offense. In a sign that Seattle wanted to strengthen the running back room, the Seahawks didn’t just stop at Charbonnet as they brought in Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh as well.

Walker is the more talented pure runner—the speed and strength to be a force. But needs to learn to take what is given to him at times. To limit the boom-bust plays.

Overall, the high-end upside is going to be a risk. Will he be able to be a bell-cow back? Are you going to need an injury to Walker to maximize spending on an early first-round pick? Look for what might be more of a committee led by either Walker or Charbonnet in Seattle.

RISK

Data Courtesy of Sports-Reference

Seattle spending high draft capital in back-to-back drafts makes Charbonnet a risky investment. The team already invested a high pick in Walker. But drafting Charbonnet at nearly the same spot this year does say a lot about the organization’s desire to establish the run.

His stats in the last two years at UCLA were fantastic in Chip Kelly’s offense. As discussed, there will likely be more of a committee split in Seattle. Carroll wants to ensure that his running backs are healthy as the season progresses.

The Seattle offense has long been based on the running game. Using the run game to open up play-action and explosive plays in the passing game. The team has attempted to get more out of screen passes and look for Charbonnet to try and remedy some of that to stop the pass rush.

MARKET

Data courtesy of DLF May SuperFlex Rookie ADP

Charbonnet is currently being drafted as the RB4 and the sixth player being selected in SuperFlex rookie drafts held over at Dynasty League Football in May, which is honestly right in the proper range for him. He is going to see competition for touches with Walker, and you will need an injury for him to see the same opportunity that Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson will. I am a bit old-school and would still take him over Achane. It is also a mistake to take Dalton Kincaid over Charbonnet.

There is a strong top three in the wide receiver group that I prefer right now over Charbonnet and maybe Zay Flowers as well. His draft spot is exactly where it needs to be, and it should be a solid addition with league-winning upside if Walker misses time due to injury.

Data Courtesy of DLF Dynasty Trade Analyzer

There is some excellent trade value for teams that likely were in the playoffs. If I can get Derrick Henry for Charbonnet, that is a snap-accept. Float that late first-round pick out there in your leagues and see what you can get. Tyler Karp put in a great article about rookies with rough landing spots, so head over there to get some more reading.

The talent is there for Charbonnet to be a solid contributor, but owners should be wary of the landing spot. If you draft him with that knowledge, he can be a substantial addition to your fantasy team.