2023 NFL Draft: Breaking down the top 5 prospects at each offensive position heading into the combine

Just ahead of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, it’s time to break down my top 5 rankings for all the offensive positions. These rankings are subject to change, of course, because the combine carries decently heavy weight in my evaluations.

Before I begin, remember, these are my individual rankings, not the full CBS Sports prospect rankings, which is an aggregate of the rankings of Ryan Wilson, Josh Edwards and myself.

Here are my top five 2023 NFL Draft prospects at each offensive position: 

Quarterback

1. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State (CBS Sports overall rank: 4)
2. Bryce Young, Alabama (3)
3. Anthony Richardson, Florida (19)
4. Will Levis, Kentucky (6)
5. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (70)

I’ll get it out the way first — Stroud doesn’t have the improvisational brilliance of Young nor the athletic prowess of Richardson or Levis. Those facts will be hindrances to his time at the NFL. I trust him the most as a passer. He’s not perfect. But his arm talent, arm strength, accuracy, and anticipation blend together awesomely on the field, and I love how one bad throw or series doesn’t define him in a specific game. Young has wild creative skills. Insane poise. I’m a little concerned about his size and lack of a monster arm. 

Richardson is big and twitchy and explosive with a bazooka connected to his shoulder. He’s raw. Not so raw that he can’t be developed as a pro. He has All-Pro upside. Levis does too, I just feel like he should be further ahead in his maturation by now. Hooker can be a quality pocket passer. He’ll be 26 during the playoffs next year though, and there’s not anything special about his game from a traits perspective. 

Running back

1. Bijan Robinson, Texans (18)
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama (17)
3. Devon Achane, Texas A&M (64)
4. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA (132)
5. Kendre Miller, TCU (192)

Robinson is every bit as special as Saquon Barkley… except for pure speed. We’ll see how Robinson runs — if he does at all — this week in Indy. Remember, Barkley ran 4.40 at 230 pounds in 2018. 

Gibbs is underrated. Dude flies, is sneaky elusive, and catches the rock comfortably. Reminds me a lot of Alvin Kamara or Austin Ekeler. Yeah, that good. Achane is cruising at an altitude well under the radar… until this week. He’s going to scorch the 40-yard dash track inside Lucas Oil Stadium and garner serious Day 2 buzz afterward. Charbonnet is your classic old-school between-the-tackles back with some juice, and Miller’s contact…