Josh Edwards of CBS Sports put together a seven-round mock draft. He has the Indianapolis Colts selecting running back Blake Corum in the third round (82nd overall pick) in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Running back isn’t one of the Colts’ biggest needs. Jonathan Taylor, who was the league’s rushing leader in 2021, is still on the roster. Plus, the team has a couple of decent backups. However, Corum would be a good pick, as he’d provide depth to Indy’s running back room.
NFL Mock Draft Has the Indianapolis Colts Selecting Blake Corum
Career at Michigan
Blake Corum played four seasons with the Michigan Wolverines. He appeared in all six games as a freshman, rushing for 77 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 73 yards and returned five kickoffs for 96 yards.
As a sophomore, Corum rushed for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns. He added 24 receptions and returned 12 kickoffs for 304 yards.
In 2022, Corum ran for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns. He finished seventh in Heisman voting behind Caleb Williams, Max Duggan, C.J. Stroud, Stetson Bennett, Hendon Hooker and Bryce Young. He was named the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player as well.
Last season, Corum picked up 1,245 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes for 117 yards and a score.
The Virginia native helped lead Michigan to its first national championship since 1997. He earned offensive MVP honors in the championship game after producing 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Corum, who finished his career with a whopping 58 rushing scores, is a legendary Michigan running back. He’s one of the main reasons the school won three straight Big Ten championships and a national title.
Should the Colts Draft Blake Corum?
Jonathan Taylor is one of the NFL’s most dangerous running backs when healthy. However, he has missed a combined 13 games over the past two years.
Taylor’s backup last season, Zack Moss, is coming off a great 2023 campaign. He rushed for career-highs in yards (794) and touchdowns (five) and chipped in with 192 receiving yards. The former third-round pick signed with the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this offseason, though.
Trey Sermon and Evan Hull, who missed his entire rookie year due to injury, are expected to replace Moss. If the Colts do indeed draft Corum, he could compete with those two players to serve as Taylor’s primary backup.
Corum is one of the top running back prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. The five-foot-eight, 205-pounder is elusive and has a knack for running with power between the tackles. He’s a patient runner who possesses very good vision.
Corum is extremely strong. At the NFL Combine, he led all running backs with 27 bench press reps of 225 pounds. He surprisingly outperformed Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt, who’s 6-foot-8 and 321 pounds. Both prospects lifted the bar 27 times, proving Corum has remarkable strength for his size.
The Colts undoubtedly need help at cornerback, safety, and wide receiver. Surely, they’ll address those positions at some point in the draft.
But if they take Blake Corum, it won’t be a foolish decision. He has the potential to develop into an offensive playmaker.
Main Image: Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
