2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Zach Charbonnet





  • Zach Charbonnet, 6-0/214

  • Running Back

  • UCLA


  • Zach Charbonnet Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Runs hard; physical
  • Serious ability to pick up yards after contact
  • Will power through tacklers
  • Short-yardage and goal-line back
  • Has an element of speed
  • Advanced vision
  • Good feet
  • Feel; instincts
  • Cuts well for a big back
  • Quickness to hit the hole
  • Can accelerate into the open field
  • Can push the pile
  • Has some moves to dodge tacklers
  • Can contribute as a receiver
  • Three-down-starter ability
  • Strong build
  • Can handle a big workload
  • Fresh legs




  • Weaknesses:
  • Has some stiffness
  • Runs a little upright – common for tall running backs
  • Lacks elite speed
  • Can be caught from behind
  • Never was feature back


  • Summary: A few years ago, a scout texted me that he thought UCLA had some up-and-coming backs who had the potential to turn good pro prospects. Charbonnet was chief among those talented runners and stood out while splitting carries with Brittain Brown.

    Charbonnet flashed as a freshman in 2019, averaging 4.9 yards per carry on his way to 726 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 2020 COVID-19 season was very short for the Pac-12, and Charbonnet only had 19 carries that year. Charbonnet came back to break out in 2021, averaging 5.6 yards per carry for 1,137 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 24 passes for 197 yards. As a senior, Charbonnet was even better, averaging 7.0 yards per carry while collecting 1,359 yards and 14 touchdowns. He caught 37 passes for 321 yards as well.

    Charbonnet is a sleeper back whose skill set suggests the potential for him to be a three-down starter in the NFL. He is a hard-nosed runner who runs tough and often pushes the pile thanks to his imposing size. Charbonnet has the lower body strength to move the pile and keeps his legs moving after contact.



    Even though Charbonnet is a powerful runner, he is not a slow plodder, rather he has some quickness. Charbonnet is quicker than fast, however, and lacks elite speed to run away from defenses. Still, Charbonnet has enough quickness and shows a burst to hit the hole before it closes, along with acceleration to the second level. Charbonnet will get caught from behind at times as a pro, but he was not a slow back in college.

    Charbonnet has some moves in the open field to dodge tacklers, and while he is not super elusive, he is not completely straight line. On top of his strength and quickness, Charbonnet has other good traits, like very good contact balance, vision, patience and instincts.

    In the passing game, Charbonnet is a nice option as an outlet receiver. He is smooth in space and has soft, reliable hands. As a pro, he could be a solid contributor as a receiving back and should be reliable as a blocker.

    Charbonnet could go as high as the second round in the 2023 NFL Draft, or as low as the fourth round. It all depends on how teams view his speed. Charbonnet could start out his NFL career as a backup rotational back, but he is a sleeper who could evolve into being a quality starter.



    Player Comparison: Tyler Allgeier. Some team sources have compared Charbonnet to Allgeier. However, they said Charbonnet is like a taller and more athletic version of Allgeier. Allgeier was an excellent late-round pick by the Falcons, but Charbonnet should go earlier than that in the 2023 NFL Draft.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2023 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2023 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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