Zach Charbonnet (Seahawks) NFL Draft Preview
Post-Draft Fantasy Impact
Zach Charbonnet was drafted as the third Running Back off the board in the second round (52nd overall). Surprisingly, but I guess not too surprisingly, it was the Seahawks who picked him.
Now the Seahawks just had rookie Kenneth Walker go off for over 1000 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and that was with him not starting until Week Six. And even that was only because Pete Carroll’s love interest Rashaad Penny was injured yet again.
Now Penny is gone, along with Travis Homer, leaving only Walker and DeeJay Dallas as the Running Backs. The Seahawks adding Charbonnet in the second round just means they must be planning to use both him and Walker to some extent.
According to Carroll, Charbonnet and Walker “will be battling” for work. So it seems like the Seahawks are content with letting the two young guys fight it out for playing time. That makes Charbonnet a bit of a risk fantasy-wise. On the one hand, he could fail to perform and see limited usage or only be used to give Walker a rest. On the other hand, he could light it up and take over a majority of the work.
My best guess as of now is that Walker sees something like 60% of the work and Charbonnet will get the rest. You just have to assume it’s Walker’s job to lose. Still, Charbonnet is going to be in high demand in fantasy drafts. Seattle loves to run the ball, so Charbonnet should still be relevant. And if Walker does get injured, Charbonnet would be a top pickup as one of the best handcuffs in the NFL. We won’t know much more till the season starts, but it’s safe to say that Charbonnet could be an early sleeper pick.
Zach Charbonnet NFL Draft Preview
Zach Charbonnet has been in the “top Running Backs” prospect list for the last few years after two great seasons for the UCLA Bruins. Before that, he was relatively unknown to the NFL draft world.
Charbonnet committed to Michigan and played in 13 games his Freshman year. He actually had a pretty solid season, rushing 149 times for 726 yards and 11 touchdowns. He added eight catches for 30 yards. The next season, which was the COVID year, Charbonnet really did nothing, finishing his Michigan career with 850 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Charbonnet decided to transfer after his Sophomore year in order to be closer to his family, and I guess it was a great decision cause he made huge waves at UCLA.
In his two seasons there, he rushed 398 times for 2496 yards and 27 touchdowns. He caught 61 passes for 518 yards but did not catch a touchdown pass. Charbonnet showed he could be relied on heavily on the ground, making him a great addition to any team.
He is currently projected as a third-round pick.
Zach Charbonnet is NOT easy to take down 😳
Charbonnet led the entire PAC-12 in rushing yards last season with 1,359.
Don’t SLEEP on the UCLA RB. pic.twitter.com/oLOMSTh69w
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) February 16, 2023
Measurables
- 6’0″ 214 lbs
- 40-yard dash – 4.53 seconds
- Vertical jump – 37″
- Broad Jump – 10′ 2″
- Bench Press – 18 reps
When should Zach Charbonnet go off the board in Dynasty rookie drafts? pic.twitter.com/htyNpuBNws
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) March 8, 2023
POSITIVES
Zach Charbonnet has a good size to be an NFL back, and that can be seen in a lot of his positives.
Charbonnet has the height and strength to break through the line of scrimmage and break initial tackles. He has good vision to find the holes in the line of scrimmage and the power to push through. Overall he is a very physical runner.
He fights for extra yards and has above-average ball security, meaning those extra yards shouldn’t end up in too many fumbles.
Going along with his size comes his ability to pass-block and pick up blitzes. Opposing defenders will have a tough time plowing through him on their way to the Quarterback.
Charbonnet really worked on his pass-catching at UCLA after not really doing much at Michigan. He has a decent route tree and good enough hands to be a threat.
He doesn’t really have breakaway speed, but he does have the quickness to get past defenders and into the open field.
Charbonnet has a high football IQ and is considered brilliant. He also had a great lockerroom presence and everyone seemed to like him…which may be underrated in today’s NFL.
UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet has impressive wiggle for a back known for his physicality… can make a defender miss in space and then bounce right off the next one.
Charbonnet might have the best power-explosion combo of any RB in the 2023 NFL Draft not named Bijan Robinson. pic.twitter.com/MD2i6Tw6vA
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) March 17, 2023
NEGATIVES
Charbonnet definitely isn’t the fastest back in this class, and it shows mostly in his acceleration. He struggles to get back up to speed after breaking a tackle or juking, making him easier to take down after initial contact.
He also lacks acceleration through the line of scrimmage and can be indecisive at times, once again making him an easier tackle behind the line.
Charbonnet needs to work on his pass blocking in general, as his size only gets him so far.
GRADE – B+
Charbonnet has the capability and skills to be a starter in the NFL, but he may be right on that line of day-one starter and backup, all depending on where he gets drafted.
Charbonnet is a good-sized back with enough speed and strength to be a threat. He is a solid pass-catcher and has enough size to at least slow down blitzers.
Charbonnet should get a shot at a big role in the NFL, but we may see him start in a committee rather than see him become the workhorse type of back right off the bat.
Happily married father of two boys. I love all sports, although prefer watching them since I’m a wildly mediocre athlete. And that’s why I write fantasy football articles! I’ve been writing for Fantasyfootballcalculator for over six years now. Besides that, I enjoy watching Badger football and basketball even though it raises my blood pressure. In my downtime, I enjoy traveling with my family, playing video games with friends, and golfing.
