Rookie Roundup: 12 Running Backs From the 2023 NFL Draft That Could Impact Fantasy Football

Two backs were taken in the first round, but others could also play right away.

There were 18 running backs selected in the 2023 NFL draft. Not all of them will make their mark in the league and even fewer will have an impact when it comes to fantasy. Still, now is the time to begin preparing for the 2023 fantasy season and beyond.

We’ll certainly learn more when we see these rookies perform in minicamps and then once the preseason gets going. For now, here’s a brief report on 12 rookie running backs who could be a factor in fantasy redrafts or dynasty leagues:

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Bijan Robinson, Falcons
First round

A three-down back, Robinson’s skill set and upside make him a potential first-round fantasy football pick and at worst a top-20 selection in redrafts. He was sensational in his final two seasons in college, putting up a combined 2,707 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns. He also averaged close to six yards per attempt and had 45 catches for 609 yards and six scores as a receiver. Robinson could bust out in 2023.

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Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
First round

The Lions shocked the fantasy world by taking Gibbs at No. 12 overall in the draft. They later went ahead and traded D’Andre Swift, leaving Gibbs to land a backfield committee with David Montgomery. An Alvin Kamara clone, Gibbs could catch 50-plus passes in what will remain a high-end Lions offense. He’ll be in the No. 2 fantasy running back or flex range in most fantasy redrafts that reward for receptions.

Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks
Second round

Charbonnet was widely considered to be a potential NFL starter, especially after he posted 1,680 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns in his final season at UCLA. Unfortunately for him, that won’t happen in Seattle. Instead, he’ll play behind incumbent starter Kenneth Walker as the No. 2 option in a potential backfield committee. Charbonnet will be a nice handcuff option at some point in the middle to late rounds, but his ceiling took a major hit.

Kendre Miller, Saints
Third round

Miller had a huge final season at TCU with 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground. Alvin Kamara could be facing a suspension, so the Horned Frog product could wind up seeing a decent role in the Saints offense behind Jamaal Williams in a best-case scenario. Miller is a bit one-dimensional as he wasn’t used much as a receiver, but he could be a player to watch if Kamara is forced to miss time.

 Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Devon Achane, Dolphins
Third round

Achane is small at 5’8” and 188 pounds, but he’s a strong pass catcher who could come right in and make an impact for the Dolphins. Their current backfield is unimpressive with Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Myles Gaskin, and none of the trio are as strong as Achane as a receiver. The Texas A&M product should etch out a pass-catching role in the offense and will be worth a late-round look in most PPR redrafts.

Tank Bigsby, Jaguars
Third round

Bigsby rushed for over 2,000 combined yards and 20 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Auburn. An elusive powerful runner, Bigsby could be used as a goal-line runner for the Jaguars during his rookie year. Still, he won’t push incumbent starter Travis Etienne for the top spot on the depth chart and will have to deal with D’Ernest Johnson and JaMycal Hasty for touches in the backfield. In a best-case scenario, Bigby could be a handcuff.

Tyjae Spears, Titans
Third round

Spears is coming off a monster season with the Green Wave, rushing for nearly 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also put up 22 catches, so Spears can be used as a pass catcher, too. The downside, of course, is that he has no chance to pass Derrick Henry on the Titans depth chart and will have to compete with Hassan Haskins to be their No. 2 back. At best, he’ll be a late-round handcuff.

Roschon Johnson, Bears
Fourth round

Johnson played second fiddle to Bijan Robinson at Texas, but he did show some flashes of potential while averaging six yards per attempts last season. He landed in a spot where he could compete for a prominent role, too. The Bears do have both Khalil Hebert and D’Onta Foreman, but the rookie runner might cause the latter to not make the roster or move down the depth chart. This will be a committee, but Johnson is interesting.

Chase Brown, Bengals
Fifth round

Brown posted a monster final season at Illinois, rushing for 1,643 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 27 passes out of the backfield, so he’s shown his ability to be versatile. The Bengals won’t give him a chance to start with Joe Mixon ahead of him, however, so Brown’s rookie season projections are limited. He could end up being Mixon’s top handcuff, but even then, he’ll be a late-0rounder at best.

Israel Abanikanda, Jets
Fifth round

Abanikanda had a breakout season in 2022, rushing for 1,431 yards with 20 touchdowns for the Pitt Panthers. He landed in a tough spot from a fantasy standpoint, though, as the Jets are loaded at running back with Breece Hall, Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight all in the mix. Unless Hall’s recovery from knee surgery causes him to miss the start of the year, Abanikanda will have a tough time being more than a late-round flier in drafts.

Zach Evans, Rams
Sixth round

Evans rushed for 936 yards and scored nine touchdowns on the ground with one touchdown reception on only 144 carries in his junior season at Ole Miss, and he has averaged at least 6.5 yards per carry in each of the past three seasons (two at TCU). Despite never taking over a backfield in college, Evans has been efficient, and there could be opportunity in Los Angeles behind an inconsistent Cam Akers. Deep leagues only. 

Deuce Vaughn, Cowboys
Sixth round

Vaughn is tiny at just 5’5”, but his stats at Kansas State were huge. He posted 1,400-plus rushing yards in each of his last two seasons, during which time he scored a combined 27 touchdowns on the ground. Still, his lack of size and the presence of Tony Pollard will no doubt limit his ability to make an impact in fantasy leagues. At best, he could be worth a late-round look in PPR formats.