There was a lot of activity at the running back position in this season’s draft. Throughout each round, some guys were picked that significantly impacted their programs and could make that same transition at the next level.
We know Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs will make the largest impact amongst this class, but let’s look at some other guys taken later that will find themselves a role on their respective teams.
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Rookie Running Backs That Could Make an Impact
Devon Achane (MIA)
The Dolphins have a lot of fast guys on their roster already, so Achane and his 4.32 40-yard dash will gel perfectly in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
The Dolphins running back situation was a mess last season, and as a result, they had the second-fewest rush attempts and were 22nd in yards per carry.
Achane is small, but it helps him find gaps, as he averaged 6.4 yards per carry in three years at Texas A&M . He can catch the ball and accumulated 60 catches in the last two seasons averaging 8.5 yards. That will help him increase his snap share, and Miami wants someone to confidently use to balance this offense.
Kendre Miller (NO)
Miller checks off all the boxes of a workhorse running back. He has the size, speed, and explosiveness you want in a three-down back.
A legal issue still looms over Alvin Kamara, which could result in a suspension, and if he misses time, Miller could be the guy to step up.
Other new Saints running back Jamaal Williams finally saw a large workload last season in Detroit and had his first 1,000+ yard season with 17 touchdowns. With that season being the only one where he had over 160 carries, you wonder if he can replicate it.
Zach Evans (LAR)
Evans decided to move to the SEC in his final season in a stellar defensive conference and finished with 6.5 yards per carry and nine touchdowns for Mississippi.
Evans fell in the draft but has the talent to become a steal. The Rams wanted him, so they traded up to the sixth round.
We know the history of Cam Akers in Los Angeles – he’s had ups and downs and has seen his usage diminish, with Darrell Henderson Jr. and Malcolm Brown getting snap shares in the past. If Evans can prove himself with his ability to break through the line of scrimmage, you could see his snaps rise consistently.
DeWayne McBride (MIN)
McBride’s numbers explode off the stat sheet – In 31 games at UAB, he rushed for 3,523 yards, 7.3 yards per attempt, and 36 touchdowns. Although he was drafted in the seventh round, McBride’s talent exceeds that position.
There have been rumors of the Vikings wanting to move on from Dalvin Cook, and even if Cooks remains in Minnesota, his history of injuries could mean an opportunity for McBride.
Long-time Vikings backup Alexander Mattison has never proven he could sustain a more extended workload, and that could benefit McBride if they find themselves competing for carries.
Tank Bigsby (JAC)
Bigsby was a beast in the backfield and rushed for a total of 5.3 yards per carry in his three seasons with Auburn. He was revered for his brute strength and ability to crash through the line of scrimmage, but he has the speed to cut to the sideline and gain yards there.
You might not love the spot where Bigsby landed, but that doesn’t mean he won’t have value.
Travis Etienne is likely the RB1 in the backfield, but he doesn’t possess the sheer power of the Tank. Last year Bigsby averaged 4.17 yards after contact and runs up the gut through traffic, something Etienne has struggled with.
Don’t be surprised when you see Tank getting a good portion of the goal-line handoffs.
Zach Charbonnet (SEA)
Here’s another talented running back that was put into a less-than-favorable situation.
Charbonnet is an electrifying runner who led the PAC-12 with 135.5 rushing yards per game last year and finished with 27 touchdowns and 6.3 yards per carry in two seasons at UCLA. Undoubtedly, he could have been drafted to a different team and given the feature back role.
Just last season, the Seahawks drafted Kenneth Walker, and he established himself as the clear No. 1 RB when Rashaad Penny went down.
How will these two be able to co-exist and each make an impact?
Charbonnet’s ability in the passing game makes him a valuable piece in this offense, whereas Walker never established that part of his game in Seattle or Michigan State. Pete Carroll was experimenting by lining Charbonnet up as a slot receiver in rookie camp. This could mean we see both on the field simultaneously, and with his catching ability, Charbonnet could be a sneaky value in PPR.
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