STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: A detailed view of a Wilson NCAA football being carried by Zach Charbonnet #24 of the UCLA Bruins during warm ups prior to the start of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Zach Charbonnet: 2023 NFL Draft RB1

April 15, 2023 | Daniel Kelly | Articles

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It took me eight months, but I found my top running back (RB) in the 2023 NFL Draft, and it’s UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet.

There are only so many hours in a day, and I have worked around the clock preparing for the draft since launching the site on August 30, but thankfully time permitted me to find this Bruins’ power back.

Give me Charbonnet to tote the rock – – you can have Texas’ RB Bijan Robinson.

This UCLA runner is the most punishing, violent and the hardest runner in this draft class. There’s a reason his nickname is “The Terminator.”

That’s the NFL I come from.

Curt Warner, RB, Seahawks

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 25: Curt Warner #28 of the Seattle Seahawks carries the ball against the Los Angeles Raiders during an NFL football game October 25, 1987 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Warner played for the Seahawks from 1983-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Speaking of the NFL I come from, this is who went through my mind while watching Charbonnet run.

Not the quarterback, but the other Curt Warner (plus their first names are spelled differently), who ranks No. 69 all-time in the top-100 RBs (1983-1990 6,844 yards).

Same style of runners.

Tough, physical, punishing, no non-sense RB who ran with purpose and determination.

Not the flashiest runner in the league at that time, but one of the most respected of his era. Warner now sits as the No. 3 ranked back in Seahawks’ team history behind Shaun Alexander and Chris Warren, but ahead of Marshawn Lynch.

This is the kind of impact I envision Charbonnet having on an NFL franchise for six-seven seasons. He can be that dependable workhorse running back that a team can count on.

Consistent

One of the things I liked best about Charbonnet watching him in these 10 games (embedded below) was how consistent he is.

That also was confirmed by his stat line over the past two seasons, where his production was also consistent.

No fumbles to see here

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: Zach Charbonnet #24 of the UCLA Bruins carries the ball against the California Golden Bears during the third quarter of an NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Over the past two seasons, Charbonnet has had two fumbles, and lost one (on a total of 397 rushing attempts).

In the two seasons prior (2019 and 2020), he had one fumble that he lost (on 168 attempts).

Protecting the rock is important.

He’s a real catch

The fact he is a reliable receiver who can break tackles in the open field adds another dimension to his evaluation.

Charbonnet showed a good catch-radius, and he consistently made himself available as a safety value for his quarterback.

He’s added 61 catches to his football resume at UCLA over the past two-seasons.

First-Rounder?

I like Charbonnet – – a lot.

However, he lacks burst and he doesn’t have home-run hitting speed, which keeps him out of the first-round.

Charbonnet will hit a ton of singles and doubles, and a triples here and there.

#24 Zach Charbonnet 6-foot-1, 220 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2023 NFL Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Bust Probability: Low

Projected by 5.9% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 15, 2023 (firstroundmockdatabase.com)

2021 game film reviewed: Oregon, Utah, LSU (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 game film reviewed: USC, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Bowling Green, Arizona, and Stanford

Level of Competition: High

2021 rushing stats: 202 carries, 1,137 yards (5.6 avg.), 13 TD, long-47

2022 rushing stats: 195 carries, 1,359 yards (7.0 avg.), 14 TD, long-49

2021 receiving stats: 24 receptions, 197 yards (8.2 avg.), 0 TD, long-35

2022 receiving stats: 37 receptions, 321 yards (8.7 avg.), 0 TD, long-44

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Muscular lean energetic workhorse with patience and great determination who can catch out of the backfield. Downhill runner who bogs down running East-West. Quick, decisive, sudden and sharp feet. Hits holes hard, but occasionally too hesitant. Excellent vision. Great balance. Runs a little high. Breaks arm tackles. Flashed spin move and straight-arm. Building speed with graceful looking gliding acceleration. Meets defenders with extreme physicality. Willing selfless blocker. Reliable productive receiving option who can do damage in space.

Final words

Solid NFL starter.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.