NFL Draft 2023: Eagles’ top options at running back
As the 2023 NFL Draft nears, were taking a look at every position on both sides of the ball to find some options for the Eagles throughout the three-day event. We already looked at LB, CB, DT, edge and S.
At running back, the Eagles lost Pro Bowler Miles Sanders in free agency after he joined the Panthers on a four-year, $25 million deal. The Eagles will miss Sanders but it never seemed likely theyd bring him back on a big contract.
Without Sanders, the Eagles were left with Kenny Gainwell and Trey Sermon. They then brought back Boston Scott on a one-year deal and signed Rashaad Penny. Penny is a former first-round pick who has been extremely productive in the NFL but has also been injured often and the Eagles probably cant rely on him.
Need level: Medium
Heres a reminder of the Eagles six picks in this draft:
1-10
1-30
2-62
3-94
7-219
7-248
And here are some running back options throughout the draft:
First-round options
Bijan Robinson, Texas (5-11, 215): The Eagles arent likely going to spend a first-round pick on a running back even one that appears as special as Robinson. If Robinson somehow made it to their second first-round pick, it would be a possibility but drafting him at 10 really doesnt seem to be in the cards. But that doesnt mean Robinson isnt a special player. He is. Robinson is a do-it-all running back who has immediate Pro Bowl upside. He did have 539 carries in college but was extremely productive for the Longhorns.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama (5-9, 199): An option late in the first round or perhaps in the early portion of the second round, Gibbs is the second-best running back in this class. Its almost not even fair to call Gibbs a pure running back because of his ability as a pass-catcher. In his three-year college career, Gibbs had 104 catches for 1,217 yards and 8 touchdowns. Hes not as big as Robinson but is a huge playmaker and will be fun to watch at the next level.
Mid-round options
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA (6-0, 214): After starting his career at Michigan, Charbonnet starred under Chip Kelly at UCLA and rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons with 27 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 37 passes as a senior.
Tyjae Spears, Tulane (5-9, 201): Spears has a small but compact frame that took 229 handoffs for over 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2022. Suffered an ACL tear in 2020 but led Tulane in rushing the next two seasons.
Devon Achane, Texas A&M (5-8, 188): Speed. Speed. Speed. Achane has it. Hes undersized but theres just no ignoring his 4.32 in the 40 at the combine, especially because that speed shows up in games too. In addition to his duties as a running back, he was an elite kick returner in college too. While Achane doesnt have a big frame, his track speed will make him an intriguing option on Day 2.
Tank Bigsby, Auburn (5-11, 210): His real name is Cartavious but Tank is way more fun. Bigbsly finished his three-year Auburn career with over 2,900 yards on 540 carries. He also had back-to-back 10 TD seasons in 2021 and 2022.
Chase Brown, Illinois (5-9, 209): The well-built 23-year-old rushed for over 1,600 yards in 2022 and also caught 27 passes. But hes not just some bruiser. He ran a 4.43 at the combine and also has change-of-direction ability. He finished his college career with 676 rushing attempts and 58 receptions, which is an awful lot of usage.
Late-round sleeper(s)
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky (6-0, 217): Rodriguez is a big, powerful downhill runner who averaged 6.2 yards per carry in his career at Kentucky. Rodriguez was a team captain in 2022 but was suspended for four games after being charged with driving under the influence and careless driving. In the eight games he played in 2022, Rodriguez still managed for rush for 904 yards and 6 touchdowns. Hes not much of a threat as a receiver but could be a rotational, power/goal line back.
Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota (5-8, 203): Ibrahims injury history, including an Achilles tear in 2021, could push him deep into Day 3. But Ibrahim is a tough-nosed runner who had 53 rushing touchdowns in his college career. Worth a flyer as a downhill runner in a rotation.
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