RADIO
The whole concept of a "running back committee" feels fake at this point. Back in the day when there were a bunch of high-usage RB1s in the league, you never wanted to draft a running back who was in a "committee." There were just far too many options available who would get more touches per game.
That might be changing some -- the number of players with 250 or more carries rose from four in 2021 to eight last year -- but there's still not a ton of running backs with full control of backfields.
Aside from potentially Bijan Robinson, every rookie running back this year is going to be splitting snaps with someone. So for the purposes of this article, we'll be looking at rookie running backs who project to be part of more complicated committees, splitting running back snaps three or more ways. I'll also be ignoring players who I don't see having a major role, such as Israel Abanikanda with the Jets and Chase Brown with the Bengals.
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De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
The 2023 Miami Dolphins backfield will probably be about as confusing as the 2022 Miami Dolphins backfield was. Heading into training camp, the team has the following running backs on the roster, listed in alphabetical order: De'Von Achane, Salvon Ahmed, Myles Gaskin, Raheem Mostert, and Jeff Wilson Jr.
First, I don't know if I see the logic of spending a third-round pick on a running back when you have Mostert and Wilson already, but that's what the Dolphins did in the 2023 draft. Mostert led the team with 181 carries last season, gaining 891 yards while also catching 31 passes for 202 yards. Wilson played just eight games after coming over from the 49ers but had 84 carries in those eight games, finishing with 392 yards.
Mostert and Wilson aren't elite backs, but they make for a solid tandem. And now, Achane joins them. The Texas A&M product had a good collegiate career, rushing for 1,102 yards and eight touchdowns last season with the Aggies while also catching 36 passes. I think he can make an impact as a receiver, but it'll be tough to beat out Mostert and Wilson for carries.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
The Bears let David Montgomery go in the offseason and brought in D'Onta Foreman, pairing him with Khalil Herbert. Then, they took Texas running back Roschon Johnson in the fourth round.
Now, I'm a fan of Johnson. I have watched a lot of Texas football. While he's no Bijan Robinson, he averaged 6.0 yards per carry as his backup this past season with Texas. If Robinson weren't a Longhorn, Johnson would have been a bigger name amongst college football fans.
It's just hard to see Johnson having much of an impact in Chicago as a rookie, though. I love his size and ability to make plays between the tackles, but he isn't just contending with Foreman and Herbert for carries. He's also got quarterback Justin Fields, someone the Bears will call a lot of designed runs for. There is just not a lot of volume in Johnson's immediate future.
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
I debated even talking about Kendre Miller here because this definitely could end up being a two-player backfield with Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. Kamara is a talented, multi-faceted player, and Williams led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last year with 17 for the Lions.
But there's that whole potential suspension thing hanging around with Kamara. He was arrested in 2022 for a fight in Las Vegas and while he wasn't disciplined for it last year, the expectation is that he will be in 2023. In that case, Miller would have a better chance to see the field.
The former TCU running back ran for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns last year and caught a career-high 16 passes. But with most of his impact with the Horned Frogs coming on the ground, would a Kamara suspension really open up that much more work for him?
Williams doesn't add much value as a receiver, so I imagine Miller would be on the field for some passing plays. But he doesn't have a history of producing as a receiver, either. The stuff Miller seems best at -- tough yards and touchdowns -- are the things Williams is best at, and Williams has shown he can do it at the NFL level.
Zach Evans, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have a crowded backfield. In addition to sixth-round pick Zach Evans, they have Cam Akers and Kyren Williams. It would be easy to just throw Evans into the "Unlikely To See The Field Much" section that's coming up later in this article.
But I'm not going to, mostly because I want an excuse to talk about Zach Evans since he was one of my favorite prospects in this draft class. Evans played two seasons at TCU before landing at Ole Miss last year, where he had 144 carries for 936 yards and also caught 12 passes for 119 yards. He had nine rushing touchdowns plus one more in the receiving game.
Evans led the SEC in rushing yards per attempt in 2022. In 2021 when he was at TCU, he was fourth in the nation in rushing yards per attempt. He's a fast, athletic player who can do a lot with the ball in his hands. He's got breakaway speed and can run through contact as well.
That's why I wish he weren't in this Los Angeles Rams backfield. Akers played well down the stretch last season after a poor start and Williams adds some receiving chops. I just don't see where the snaps for Evans will come from.
Notes On Other Rookie Running Backs
Let's just quickly go through every other rookie running back and put them into various categories.
Clear No. 1 Back
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Clear No. 2 Back With A Chance To Get Serious Snaps
- Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Probable No. 2 Back But Needs An Injury To Have Value
- Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Unlikely To See The Field Much
- Israel Abanikanda, New York Jets
- Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
- Eric Gray, New York Giants
- Evan Hull, Indianapolis Colts
- Kenny McIntosh, Seattle Seahawks
- Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders
- Deuce Vaughn, Dallas Cowboys
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