NFL Draft: Saints snag RB Zach Charbonnet with pick 71
It's shaping up to be a productive season for the New Orleans Saints offensively after acquiring quarterback Derek Carr, reworking the deal of wide receiver Michael Thomas, and bringing in running back Jamaal Williams. All those moves are positive, but no team can have enough offensive firepower. In the latest mock draft by Pro Football […]
It's shaping up to be a productive season for the New Orleans Saints offensively after acquiring quarterback Derek Carr, reworking the deal of wide receiver Michael Thomas, and bringing in running back Jamaal Williams.
All those moves are positive, but no team can have enough offensive firepower. In the latest mock draft by Pro Football Focus, they have the Saints getting a surprising selection in the third round in the form of UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet.
Star running back Alvin Kamara is facing a potential suspension in 2023, and free-agent addition Jamaal Williams doesn't figure to be a long-term solution. If Charbonnet is available at this pick during the real draft, which we don't expect, the Saints might run this pick in.
This would be Christmas in April for the Saints.
Charbonnet started his career at another different powerhouse school, Michigan. During his two seasons there, Charbonnet ran for 850 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The California native returned to his home state in 2021 to play for the Bruins. Charbonnet didn't waste time making his mark as he garnered second-team All-Pac-12 honors after tallying 1,137 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns and added another 197 yards receiving.
Charbonnet took that momentum and carried it over to his senior campaign. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 and first-team All-American honors with 1,359 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns and another 321 receiving yards.
At the NFL Combine, Charbonnet put together a very solid performance. He ran a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash, posted a 37-inch vertical, and a 10'2" in the broad jump.
Charbonnet uses his size at 6'0" and 214 pounds to make it difficult for defenders to bring him down with his underrated power and balance. Also, Charbonnet has some wiggle to him to elude tackles and has the patience to let runs develop.
If the Saints could get three capable running backs to go with Thomas and Chris Olave in the passing game, it would make them extremely difficult to defend. So, time will tell if New Orleans has an opportunity to bring Charbonnet on board.
