POSITION PREVIEW RBs
A look at some of the top prospects in this year’s draft: Bijan Robinson, Texas. Projected round: 1.
The most complete back in the draft, the unanimous All-American rushed for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns and caught 19 passes for 314 yards and 2 TDs in 2022 . . . Is extremely light on his feet (especially considering his 5-foot-11inch, 215-pound frame) and strings together multiple moves seamlessly . . . Can absolutely wear down a defense . . . He changes directions smoothly — a skill likely developed from his obsession with watching Barry Sanders highlight videos . . . Will need to improve his blocking . . . Fun fact: Has his own condiment line called “Bijan Mustardson.”
Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama. Projected round: 2.
An explosive dude who is a threat to score from anywhere at any time, the 5-9, 199-pound Gibbs rushed for 926 yards and 15 TDs and caught 44 passes for 444 yards and 8 scores in his lone season with the Tide after two years at Georgia Tech (1,206 rushing yards, 8 TDs) . . . Has excellent presnap recognition and instincts . . . Gibbs has very soft and reliable hands (just one drop) as a receiver . . . Very willing blocker . . . Will need to put on some bulk, but that will happen quickly . . . Fun fact: Played darts for the first time (and won) during his combine meeting with the Cowboys.
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA. Projected round: 2-3.
The prized recruit of Michigan’s 2019 class, he led the Wolverines in rushing as freshman (726 yards and a freshman-record 11 TDs), then opted out after a down sophomore year . . . The 6-foot, 214-pounder put together back-to-back 1,000yard seasons for his home-state Bruins, including a 1,359yard, 14-TD campaign in 2022 . . . Solid receiver with 75 catches for 589 yards in four seasons with both schools . . . Fun fact: High school teammates with Kayvon Thibodeaux, the No. 5 pick in last year’s draft.
Tyjae Spears, Tulane. Projected round: 3.
A 5-9, 201-pound water bug, Spears’s quickness and escapability really pop on tape . . . He’s hard to corral and rarely absorbs direct hits . . . Spears runs low and with excellent vision and balance . . . Collected 2,910 rushing yards on 427 carries (that’s a healthy 6.8-yard average) with 31 TDs for his Green Wave career . . . Also caught 48 passes for 564 yards . . . Fun fact: Was named Senior Bowl practice player of the week by NFL scouts.
Tank Bigsby, Auburn. Projected round: 3.
A big-boy back, the 5-11, 210-pound Bigsby plays bully ball and thrives on contact . . . Consistently dips his shoulder and drives into opponents . . . Led the Tigers in rushing three straight seasons (2,903 yards and 25 TDs in 35 career games) . . . Missed only one game in college . . . Needs to develop some patience and let his blockers go to work . . . A decent receiver with nice post-catch moves . . . Fun fact: Cartavious was given the nickname Tank at age 2 because of his rowdy nature.
Best of the rest: DeWayne McBride, Alabama-Birmingham; Roschon Johnson, Texas; Israel Abanikanda, Pittsburgh; Zach Evans, Ole Miss; Kendre Miller, Texas Christian.