1. Jonathon Brooks, Texas

20
6’0″, 216lbs

Out of a relatively weak running back class, Jonathon Brooks looks to be like the consensus number 1. He would have been a potential first round pick if he hadn’t torn his ACL in early November against TCU. Brooks has a lot of potential and he demonstrated that as he averaged over 6 yards per carry through his limited collegiate career.

Strengths
– Really light workload in his time at Texas meaning he has lots of life left in his legs.
– Has the speed to take anything the distance.
– Effective in the passing game, analyzes his downfield blocks well and targets the open space.
– Shifty in the open space, quick to hit the accelerator after making a cut.
– Hits the outside lane well and turns the corner beating defenders down the sideline.
– Patient running through the tackles, lets rushing lanes open up in front of him.
– Good contact balance, is able to run through majority of arm tackles at the line of scrimmage.
– Really good hands when tasked with catching the ball in space.

Weaknesses
– A little hesitant to press down on the gas pedal as he waits for things to open up.
– Coming off an ACL tear, will the burst be the same?
– Doesn’t initiate contact as hard as you would like him to given his well built frame.
– Lack of college production leads to some question marks looming his true potential.
– Didn’t show tremendous ability in the blocking game.

Jonathon Brooks could be a lot higher on draft boards if it weren’t for tearing his ACL in November. The 20 year old running back is projected to go in rounds 2 and 3 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Running back needy teams looking for a potential stud such as the Titans (38) and the Cowboys (56) could look to get good value on a top prospect.

2. Trey Benson, Florida State

21
6’0″, 216lbs

Trey Benson barely played 2 seasons while at Oregon, he later transferred to Florida State for his final 2 years of college. Benson boasted back to back years with the Seminoles with over 900 rushing yards and 150 carries.

Strengths
– Looks like a natural runner thanks to his strong running stance.
– Super sturdy base and doesn’t slow down playing through contact.
– Holds the ball high in his chest while outrunning defenders.
– Phenomenal vision, sees cut backs and lanes before they open up.
– Creates a sense of fear amongst secondary defenders.
– Makes a variety of moves to slip in between the smallest of holes at the line of scrimmage.
– Limited as a pass catcher, however, he showed unique body control and hands when tasked with catching the ball out of the backfield.

Weaknesses
– Wastes a lot of his steps and momentum to make cuts.
– Can rush the play instead of waiting for blockers to get contact on defenders.
– Has the traits to defend against the blitz but needs to build upon the blocking foundation to be effective.
– Doesn’t run through contact as hard as you would like for a big bodied running back.


Benson looks to be a complete running back who is ready for a large workload. Projected to go in rounds 2 and 3, teams such as the Titans (38), Giants (47), or Cowboys (56) could look to draft Benson.

3. Marshawn Lloyd, USC

23
5’9″, 220lbs

Suffered a torn ACL in his freshman year at South Carolina. Lloyd was an urgent runner at South Carolina before transferring to USC in 2023. His patience and feel between the tackles improved in his senior year. He boasted a 7.1 average yard per carry in his one season at USC.

Strengths
– Patient runner between the tackles and hits the gap hard.
– Dangerous in the open space, has the contact balance and the agility to break away from surrounding defenders.
– Demonstrated the ability to flow with the quarterback in the scramble drill.
– Very effective in the passing game although he was limited.
– Quick burst once he makes the decision to get upfield.
– Does a really good job of setting up his blocks.
– Effectively uses the stiff arm when appropriate to keep defenders off of him.

Weaknesses
– Has a tendency to bounce runs outside quicker than they need to be.
– Vision doesn’t stand out when looking for a rushing lane.
– Ball security problems for him at USC in 2023.
– Doesn’t have a solid enough base to consistently pick up the blitz.

I have Lloyd a lot higher than majority of analysts because I like his short area burst and his vision in the open space. Lloyd projects to go in rounds 3-5 and looks to be a supplementary piece in an offense. The Buccaneers (89/92), Panthers (101), Chargers (105), or Broncos (121) could add Lloyd to their backfield.

4. Blake Corum, Michigan

23
5’8″, 205lbs

Blake Corum played all 4 years of college with Michigan and was a focal point of the Blues offense. Corum had an incredible final season with Michigan where he led the NCAA with 27 rushing touchdowns.

Strengths
– Extremely elusive back who has a nasty jump cut.
– Has great feel for the opening rushing lane and hits it quickly.
– Super tough to bring down thanks to his low center of gravity.
– Packs a punch near the goal line and almost always falls forward through traffic.
– Limited role as a pass catcher, but was effective on swing passes.
– Surprisingly effective at picking up the blitz.

Weaknesses
– Doesn’t possess the home run speed to outrun defenders in the secondary.
– Played behind one of the best offensive lines in college, production and numbers could be inflated.
– Seems inpatient for the hole to open up at times and will force runs early.
– Isn’t super creative at making defenders miss in the open field.
– Smaller frame back who could get swallowed up at the line of scrimmage in the NFL.

The small but freakish athlete Corum should fall just after round 2 in the NFL Draft. I would not be surprised if new head coach of the Chargers John Harbaugh, targeted his former star running back from Michigan in rounds 3 and 4, picks (69) & (105).

5. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

20
6’1″, 235lbs

Braelon Allen finished high school early to go and play with the Wisconsin Badgers. He had an incredible career with nearly 3500 rushing yards in just 3 years. He had sustained a few injuries, however, nothing substantial to sideline him throughout his time at Wisconsin.

Strengths

– Huge running back that possesses all of the physical traits you look for.
– Lowers his pad level well when initiating contact.
– Patient at setting up his blocks and feeling the hole open up.
– Yards after contact could be his middle name, he is relentless and yearns for contact.
– Seemingly unstoppable at the second level.
– Super strong base and understands positioning well when tasked to pass protect.

Weaknesses

– Can take too many steps when setting up a move on a defender.
– Takes time to ramp up to his top speed.
– Has a habit of carrying the ball away from his body.
– Could look to shed some weight to get quicker on his feet.
– Not a huge factor in the passing game.


Allen needs some developing, and isn’t seen as the quickest running back, however at the young age of 20 he may have the highest ceiling of this draft class. Teams looking to develop a monster at running back could select him in rounds 3-5 this year. Potential landing spots are, Titans (106), Giants (107), 49ers (124), Bills (144), and the Rams (154).

6. Jaylen Wright, Tennesee

21
5’10.5″, 210lbs

Jaylen Wright was explosive at his time in the Tennesee orange. He averaged 7.4 yards per carry in his senior year as a Vol which was 3rd in the NCAA in 2023.

Strengths
– Definition of a home run hitter thanks to his elite acceleration and top end speed.
– Really strong base, plays through contact at the line of scrimmage well.
– Had a limited role in the passing game but demonstrated really good hands.
– Carries secondary defenders along with him for the ride.
– Patient at the line of scrimmage and waits for the rushing lane to open up.

Weaknesses
– Can be indecisive as a runner between the tackles.
– Isn’t able to make multiple cuts within a short amount of time without giving up majority of his speed.
– More of a one cut kind of running back.
– Has an upright running stance which makes him susceptible to big hits.

I have Wright lower on my prospect list, however, teams may like the explosive potential that Wright could bring to the NFL. Look out for the Cardinals (71), Packers (88), and Buccaneers (89) as teams to target the home run hitter.