Blake Corum NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5′-8″
Weight: 205 pounds
School: Michigan
2024 NFL Draft: Blake Corum Scouting Report
After spending the past four seasons with the Michigan Wolverines, running back Blake Corum has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Corum played a large role in Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy attack, finishing the 2023 season with 258 carries for 1,245 yards (4.8 yards per attempt) and a staggering 27 touchdowns while adding 16 receptions for 117 yards. Thanks to his efforts, Michigan won the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Blake Corum first saw the field in 2020, but the NFL Draft hopeful didn’t see a meaningful role until the 2021 season. During his sophomore campaign, the running back finished the season with 952 yards and 11 touchdowns on 144 attempts. He earned a full workhorse role in 2022, ending the campaign with 247 carries for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Strengths
- Good north-south runner who aggressively attacks lanes;
- Above-average vision means no wasted steps following his blocks;
- Strong for his size – bounces off hits like nothing;
- Ideal short-yardage and goal line back;
- Can run well in both zone and gap schemes;
- Quick footwork allows him to evade would-be tacklers in the backfield;
- Reliable hands will let him see the field on third down.
Weaknesses
- Lacks the speed to break away from defenders – not a big-play threat;
- At 5′-8″, considerably shorter than his peers;
- Lack of size shows up in pass protection;
- Not an early declare – generally not a good thing;
- Efficiency dropped in each of the past three seasons;
- Over 250 touches in each of the past two seasons – are the hits starting to add up?
Projection: Rounds 3-4
Teams With Need At Position: Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders
NFL Comparision: Gus Edwards
Bottom Line on Blake Corum
Blake Corum is a good but not great player who will be a reliable part of a committee for years to come. The Michigan product excels at picking up difficult yards, as his above-average vision, quick lateral agility, and overall strength make him a perfect fit for goal-line and short-yardage situations. Additionally, while he’ll never be prime Alvin Kamara, the running back has soft hands that should allow him to be a decent receiver at the next level.
The biggest reason Blake Corum won’t go off the board early in the NFL Draft is his lack of ceiling. Corum simply doesn’t have the deep speed to threaten defenses – if he makes it into the second level, cornerbacks and safeties will be able to chase him down from behind with ease. Additionally, while he can catch, he shouldn’t be in on too many pass blocking reps. He has the raw strength to handle the role, but his lack of size puts him at a natural disadvantage.
From a long-term standpoint, one must also wonder about Corum’s concerning drop in production over the past three years. The human body can only take so much, and Corum’s 675 collegiate carries are a little concerning. With his yards per attempt dropping each season, will he be able to maintain his physical presence in the stronger, faster NFL?
Main Photo: Blake Corum – USA Today Sports
