R.C. is building up to his dynasty rookie draft top-12 ranking. This is the running back part of his 7-part series.
Other Positions: QB | RB | WR | TE | IDP
Intro: This is part of my multi-report series on the process of putting together the candidates for the top 12/1st-round prospects for the 2023 Dynasty Rookie Draft (DRD), pre-NFL Draft. Obviously, where they ultimately land changes things -- but I want to show where I am at in the process with the intent on trying to determine/question 'just how valuable are these 1st-round DRD picks this year?' before the actual NFL Draft happens.
I go position-by-position, to talk about the group as a whole and identify the candidates worthy to be considered for the top 12, and why. Then I rank/mock draft MY top 12 candidates for 2023, as we know it now, and then rank them in a special mock draft with the 2022 rookies as we know those 2022 guys today/right now -- to try and compare 2022 with 2023.
And to be clear -- this is MY top 12…not caring much about what the hive mind consensus thinks. I'm evaluating how good these top 3-5-10-12 prospects are and whether to pursue them or get more 2nd-round picks to acquire them at a discount and trade our 1st-round picks for real/existing players, etc.
This is my my final top 12, the sixth part of this series.
In the seventh part of the series, I compare this year's top 12 with 2022's top 12 by merging the lists and ranking them together.
The Running Backs…
Alright, let's go through the NFL Combine list of RBs, in alphabetical order, and I'll see what RBs grab my attention to get on 'the list' of potential top 12 DRD candidates…
But, first, there's no need to discuss Bijan Robinson…he's obviously in from how hot his DRD ADP is…the 1.01 by a mile and how hot he is in the media, and thus the NFL…so Bijan is getting (NFL) drafted to be featured immediately, so he's definitely in my top 12 -- I just don't know where he'll be ranked just yet.
OK, onto the non-Bijan's…
Devon Achane -- tracking as a fringe top 12 DRD overall in the mainstream. I thought about putting him on the list for the respect he is getting in the NFL Draft…so, he could get to some NFL work right away as a weapon RB, but he's so small. I'm not putting him 'on the list' out of mainstream success…he can't be one of my top 12 guys.
Israel Abanikanda -- I want to see his Pro Day official results to have any hope of him to be a top 12 guy, but my feeling is = he's not gonna make it onto 'the list'. He's tracking as a top 25 DRD ADP overall. He hasn't caught any mainstream fire either but has some respect as a supposed 'next Alvin Kamara' hope. The door is still open, but for now…no entry for him.
*The unofficial/first reports on his Pro Day was reportedly great, but I think the reported results are a little fishy.
Tank Bigsby -- Not my jam. Not on my list. He's tracking as a top 20 ADP in DRDs right now.
Chase Brown -- Aced the Combine. NFL coaches and analysts love him. Came in bigger than expected…5'9"/209. He's gonna get (NFL) drafted in the top 100 and grind into work sooner-rather-than-later. So, he is going to make 'the list'.
Zach Charbonnet -- I think he's in the argument for the best NFL RB prospect for 2023, so he's definitely in. He's tracking as a top 12 DRD ADP pick right now in the mainstream.
Zach Evans -- Not a fan. Not on my list. He's running top 15 DRD overall.
Jahmyr Gibbs...
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