RUNNING BACKS
The countdown is on. The time to prepare before the 2023 NFL Draft is rapidly coming to a close. Broto Player Comparisons are tweaked and updated to showcase all of the incoming rookies. Several data points are used to create confidence comparisons relevant to fantasy football production specifically. Analytical data is pulled and referenced from Peter Howard’s extensive public CFB database. Confidence comparisons are then formulated by our transcendent mathematics magician and Broto’s lead data analyst Santiago Casanova @BRotoFFCasanova.
To help prepare managers for their upcoming dynasty league rookie drafts, we will get better acquainted with some of the incoming prospects and their potential fantasy football player comparisons.
The 2023 NFL Draft class runs deep with running back talent. Let’s look at some of my top-ranked rushers and their Broto Player Comps.
2023 Broto Fantasy Player Comparisons: Wide Receivers
2023 Broto Rookie Player Comparisons: Tight Ends
Bijan Robinson - Texas
Broto Fantasy Player Comparisons
Bijan Robinson has the highest ceiling and safest floor of any prospect in the 2023 draft class, regardless of position. The dead-to-rights RB1 in dynasty compares favorably to some of the best fantasy producers and generational running back prospects we have seen over the last decade. Robinson’s versatility is cemented by a rock-solid production profile backed by superb athleticism and presumed first-round draft capital. Truthfully, his peak potential is likely far beyond the names listed above.
Jahmyr Gibbs - Georgia Tech/Alabama
Broto Fantasy Player Comparisons
Jahmyr Gibbs is admittedly a difficult prospect to attach a logical player comparison. His 199-lbs frame brings justifiable concerns as to whether or not the dual-threat dynamo can maintain a three-down workload at the NFL level. His production profile appears closer to an elite wideout than a pure rusher as more than 25.0% of Gibb’s total routes have come from either in the slot or outside as a true X receiver, topping all running backs in the class by a wide margin. An unmatched level of attention to detail in his route running and pass-catching ability puts Gibbs in rarefied air amongst the greatest collegiate receiving profiles any running back has ever assembled. The former Georgia Tech and Alabama product has arguably the highest ceiling of any running back in this class not named Bijan Robinson. Managers should, however, keep in mind that the upside does not come without risk, evident by Gibbs’ lowest level Player Comps.
Zach Charbonnet - Michigan/UCLA
Broto Fantasy Player Comparisons
Zach Charbonnet is a two-down grinder with immense power and pure rushing upside. There is no wonder as to why the Michigan-turned-UCLA recruit has positive player comparisons to a bruising thumper such as Nick Chubb. Further comparisons to Michael Carter, Alexander Mattison, and James White suggest that Charbonnet is best suited as a committee back to start his career with a limited pass-catching profile capping his upside to early-down work.
Tank Bigsby - Auburn
Broto Fantasy Player Comparisons
Tank Bigsby is one of my personal favorite prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft cycle. A stellar freshman breakout in the SEC set Bigsby up for an incredible trajectory as one of the brightest young prospects in the NCAA, sharing similar praise to Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. Several coaching changes and incompetent offensive schemes left Bigsby’s development to deteriorate as Auburn struggled to put together a capable offensive game plan in any given week. Bigsby’s once-promising profile diminished but the intangible upside of a dominant young running back still lurks beneath the depths of his regressing production. Favorable comparisons to David Montgomery and Jamaal Williams paint a positive picture of what Bigsby can bring between the tackles. If Bigsby can return to the form that saw the young back smash through SEC defenses before he was old enough to vote, these current player comparisons will be nothing more than a formality that reminds managers of a safe and sturdy floor of production.
Devon Achane - Texas A&M
Broto Fantasy Player Comparisons
Devon Achane packs a big punch in a pint-sized frame. Measuring in at 5’8” and 188 lbs caps Achane’s impressive analytic profile to that of an outlier status. His lowest confidence comparisons are also the most positive in Marshawn Lynch and Lamar Miller, giving further evidence to the uphill battle Achane faces as an undersized running back with projected Day 3 draft capital. His class-leading speed and open-field rushing ability are certainly enough to lift the Texas A&M alum into relevance but a positive landing spot and coaching scheme will likely play the biggest role in Achane’s path to NFL production.
*BONUS SLEEPER RB*
Sean Tucker - Syracuse
Broto Fantasy Player Comparisons
Sean Tucker is being vastly overlooked in comparison to lesser prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Tucker exhibits incredible breakaway in-game speed, boasting a decorated track and field sprinting resume to go alongside three years of positive production at Syracuse. Health and injury concerns leading into the 2023 NFL Combine/Draft may keep Tucker from solidifying his profile with top-tier draft capital but make no mistake, the hulking speedster is well worth the cost of admission in your upcoming rookie drafts should he clear medical testing.
Much respect, thank you for reading. If you have any continued thoughts and would like to share, I am always available for an open conversation on Twitter: @PsychWardFF or Instagram: @psychwardff.
You can find my other works as the Lead Writer and DOC at BRoto Fantasy Football.
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By Matt Ward
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.