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2023 NFL Scouting Combine Winners and Losers: Running Backs

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Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson
Shane Manila Posted On March 8, 2023
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With the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine now in the past tense, it’s time to take a look at what we have learned from this year’s edition. This running back class is deep, versatile, and has a chance to provide several high-end assets. A few running backs met or exceeded our expectations, while a couple face-planted during Sunday’s showcase.

Winners

Bijan Robinson, Texas

I can’t do an article about winners at the Combine and not at least mention Robinson. His 6.80 prospect score was the best in the class, and better than both Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker from last year’s class.

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Robinson’s college production was elite, his size is elite, and every tool used to measure a human being’s athleticism is elite. He is elite.

In case there was any doubt, Robinson is the number one overall pick in every rookie draft, regardless of format.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

Gibbs looked excellent in all the physical drills for running backs on Sunday. Everyone knew that Gibbs would be fast, and his 4.36-second 40-yard dash was the second fastest among running backs at this year’s Combine. There was some concern that Gibbs would weigh in very light, but he weighed in at respectable 199 lbs, though he didn’t hit the 200 lb threshold he got close enough to allay most of our concerns.

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As Scott Barrett notes below, BMI is a more important measure than raw weight when it comes to running backs, and Gibbs’ BMI exceeds those of some really good running backs who weighed in at or near his weight. Robinson is in a tier of his own, then comes Gibbs, then everyone else in this draft.

Chase Brown, Illinois

After a mixed bag during Senior Bowl week, Brown needed a strong Combine and he did not disappoint. He led all running backs in vertical and broad jumps while checking in with the fifth-best 40 time while adding in a 30+ BMI. Brown has enough receiving chops, 27 receptions as a fifth-year junior last year, and the requisite speed/size to play on all three downs in the NFL

Devon Achane, Texas A&M

Achane had a brilliant Combine. His size was by far the biggest concern surrounding his profile, but he measured in at 5 ‘8 1/2 and 188 lbs. While he’s small, he’s not obnoxiously so and has more than enough size to be used as a weapon in the NFL. He’ll never be a bell cow but his skill set means he doesn’t need to be, to be a fantasy asset. His 4.32 40 ranked first (fourth all-time for running backs), and his 1.51 10-yard split ranked second, and his on-field speed might be faster than that. Achane is an excellent pass catcher and he looked fluid and natural as a pass catcher during the receiving drills for the running backs. If Achane can get 15 opportunities (targets + rushing attempts) per game, he could put up some crooked fantasy numbers.

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Courtesy of Sports Reference.

Tyjae Spears, Tulane

Spears had an excellent Senior Bowl week that helped his draft capital in the eyes of many scouts and mocks. Entering the Combine, NFL Mock Draft Database has him as the RB5, with day three capital. After his performance at the Combine, maybe he could sneak into day two consideration.

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Though he passed on running a 40-yard dash, Spears finished second in the vertical jump and thirrd in both the broad jump and three-cone drill. While his long speed can be knocked, he’s explosive and shifty, and he crested the 20-catch threshold in his final season at Tulane last year.

Deneric Prince, Tulsa

Prince produced the highest RAS score of all running backs at this year’s Combine.

That followed a strong Shrine Bowl that helped boost his stock, despite a less-than-impressive college career. I didn’t even know Prince existed up until today, but I’m going to have to dig a bit deeper into this metric marvel.

Losers

Sean Tucker, Syracuse

Tucker’s best skills are speed and athleticism. Instead of showing out and highlighting his supposed calling cards, he decided to take the day off, which was an interesting decision. Pre-Combine, Tucker was seen as a fourth-round running back, and not testing won’t help him move up the board.

Kenny McIntosh, Georgia

McIntosh put up the third-worst 40 of all the running backs at the Combine, crawling to a 4.62 finish. He also ran a slow 10-yard split. This isn’t what many of us expected for a player who was thought of as a fast player. Largely a one-trick pony during his time at Georgia, McIntosh is giving me flashbacks to Kyren Williams last year.

Tavion Thomas, Utah

Thomas finished last in the 40, by a full 0.07 of a second, last in the 10-yard split, last in the vertical jump, and second to last in the broad jump. This was not a good Combine for Thomas, and he has UDFA written all over him.

As in every step of the journey towards our rookie drafts, remember the Combine is just one data point. We still have pro days, where a player like Sean Tucker might decide to run a 40, and blaze a 4.4, which would partly shift our views on him. Most importantly we still have the NFL Draft. If any of the above backs are drafted with day one or day two draft capital, even those I’ve listed as losers above, they suddenly become a lot more viable as fantasy assets.

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2023 NFL Scouting Combine Winners and Losers: Running Backs
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