Jacksonville Jaguars select Tank Bigsby in 3rd round of 2023 NFL Draft

Auburn Tigers running back Tank Bigsby was taken in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Tank Bigsby was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2020, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. In 2020, Bigsby was the fourth ranked running back and the 37th ranked player overall. He would go on to prove to be a dominant back for the Tigers.

In three seasons at Auburn, Tank Bigsby appeared in 35 games. Over the course of his Auburn career, Bigsby rushed for 2,903 yards and 25 touchdowns. He had an additional 62 receptions for 448 yards. In 2020, he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year and was named a Second Team All-SEC performer.

After his 1,000 yard rushing season in 2021, there were rumors that Bigsby would enter the transfer portal. However, he stuck it out at Auburn, becoming a reliable source of offense for Auburn for a third season in a row.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Tank Bigsby

NFL.com scout Lance Zierlein broke down what to expect from Tank Bigsby at the next level. That begins with his NFL-ready frame that allows him to run with power or break for daylight whenever he sees fit.

Along with his great size, Tank Bigsby is a quick decision maker. That, along with his ability to make quick cuts, has helped him to become an explosive back. At the same time, his strength makes him a good short yardage option.

There are a couple of issues that Bigsby is dealing with, though. He’s an upright runner who doesn’t always know when to give up on a play and take what he can get. He’s also had some issues with fumbling the football during his time at Auburn too.

“Bigsby is an upright runner with a strong, angular frame. He runs with plus burst and can create yards even when the blocking is insufficient. Bigsby runs with a nice blend of elusiveness and power, and he can quickly process movements of the defense,” Zierlein wrote.

“Fumbling has been a concern in the past, and he might not be much help on third downs or special teams. His size, creativity and quickness could create an opportunity for teams to pair Bigsby with another back to form an effective tandem in a zone-scheme rushing attack.”