SEC 2023 NFL Draft Preview: Auburn RB Tank Bigsby

When it comes to prospects from Auburn available in the 2023 NFL Draft, there might not be a more intriguing name than that of Tank Bigsby. The Tigers top running back across each of the past three seasons, where might Bigsby be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft?

SEC 2023 NFL Draft Preview: Auburn RB Tank Bigsby

Bigsby originally came to Auburn as a member of the Tigers 2020 recruiting class, considered a highly-rated four-star prospect out of Callaway High School in Georgia. Bigsby was also rated as one of the top running backs in that class, and would go on to make an immediate impact once with the Tigers.

As a freshman, Bigsby would rush for a total of 834 yards and five touchdowns on 138 attempts, ranking No. 5 in the SEC in rushing yards during the 2020 season. Bigsby would follow that up in 2021 with another big season as a sophomore, rushing for 1,099 yards and 10 touchdowns on 223 attempts to rank top five in the SEC in yards and attempts, while also emerging in the passing game by catching 21 passes for 184 yards.

This past fall as a junior, Bigsby would post yet another impressive season for the Tigers, rushing for 970 yards and 10 touchdowns on 179 attempts, while also catching 30 passes for 180 yards. Ranking top five in the SEC in both rushing yards and touchdowns as well, Bigsby would declare for the draft at seasons end, ending his Auburn career in which the former four-star had a career 2,903 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns, as well as 5.4 combined YPC.

One of the SEC’s top running backs in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bigsby is now likely to be among the first players at the position selected this April. However, when might that be, and why?

Strengths

When breaking down Bigsby’s transition to the NFL, one of his biggest strengths is the way he runs the ball. At 6-foot, 213 pounds, Bigsby is a very strong and agile runner who shows great bursts of quickness in the open field, and finds the open running lane while in the trenches.

While he hasn’t done it since the 2020 season, another strength for Bigsby could be his impact on special teams, in particular the return game. During the 2020 season, Bigsby would average 23.5 yards per kickoff return, ranking third in the SEC, and could be a potential return option in the NFL as well.

Question Marks

Arguably the lone question mark surrounding Bigsby’s transition to the NFL comes in the receiving game. While Bigsby is not a bad receiver, the Auburn standout will still likely need to improve as a route runner and pass catcher, and if he does, then Bigsby has a lot of potential as a running back in the NFL.

Potential Draft Range

Something that you will likely hear often leading up to the NFL Draft is that running backs are not likely to be selected in the first round, with a potential exception to that this year in Texas’ Bijan Robinson. Because of this, every other running back will likely start coming off the board in the second round, with Bigsby as a name to watch for across both the second-or-third rounds in particular.

Draft Prediction

Bigsby will be selected in the first half of the third round in the 2023 NFL Draft.