While the running back position has lost some of its former glory, it’s still one that can make a difference for NFL teams. A lot of the reasoning behind the argument that they don’t matter anymore is that you can find solid contributors later in the draft. That is true, but in this draft there’s less top end talent and a lot of replacement level players. Who are the potential difference makers for NFL and fantasy football teams, and who should we be excited about?
2024 NFL Draft Running Back Prospect Rankings
Honorable Mentions
Not everyone can crack the top five, but it would be irresponsible to not talk about some of these players. Ray Davis and Cody Schrader are both older backs who bring very different things to an offense but are complementary backs at best. Schrader’s film study shows a guy who does all the little things right but doesn’t have the high-level athleticism to dominate the next level. Marshawn Lloyd’s athleticism inspires confidence, but he missed open holes far too often to sneak into the top five.
Audric Estime is a dump truck at the contact point, and oozes with potential. He’s going to be an exceptional goal line back for a team, but his short area quickness leaves a lot to be desired. If we could take Lloyd’s feet and match them with Estime’s vision and frame, we’d have a monster running back prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. Jaylen Wright is going to turn some heads at the combine with his home run speed (which is all over his tape) but his frame is going to put him on a pitch count.
5. Blake Corum, Michigan
Reliable. Sturdy. Good mileage. Corum is the Toyota Camry of running backs. He brings more in the open field than people give him credit for, but his advanced metrics like yards after contact per attempt went down this past season, despite being a year older. How much of this was a nagging injury? We’ll have to wait and see, but he’s going to be a safe option for teams looking for an immediate contributor.
Pro Comp: Fun Sized Jamaal Williams
4. Bucky Irving, Oregon
Everyone is searching for the next De’Von Achane. Irving doesn’t possess the same top-level speed (Achane is a track star) but he does have a similar contact balance in a compact build. What he brings to a passing attack can’t be understated, and he can win tag in a phone booth.
Pro Comp: A cartoon bullet bouncing around a house after someone misses
3. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
Sometimes Allen is a rhinoceros with a point to prove. Sometimes he’s an oversized ball carrier who runs too upright. That makes sense, since he played his entire college career as a teenager (he will play his entire rookie season at 20 years old). Watching Allen’s tape is a roller coaster, where the highs are incredibly high, but the lows make him feel like A.J. Dillon 2.0. Once he finishes developing, he is the type of player that can take over the NFL.
Pro Comp: Timid Brandon Jacobs
2. Trey Benson, Florida State
Among the 2024 running back prospects, Benson is the one that looks the part the most. He’s almost like a generic Madden generated player after you’ve been in a franchise for ten years. He does most things well and can slide into being an offense’s workhorse back almost immediately. The big knock on him is that he’s a bit of a homerun chaser, but that can be coached out. If anything, teams should want a guy whose biggest problem is he tries to score too often.
Pro Comp: Rashard Mendenhall with ball security
1. Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Two words – smooth operator. Brooks seemingly glides over the field, and makes everything look easy. On an offense loaded with receiving threats Brooks was able to carve out some nice production this past season. If you put Isiah Pacheco on one end of the spectrum, Brooks finds himself on the exact opposite. He’s still powerful and has great leg drive through contact, he just doesn’t look like he’s trying to kill every worm on the field while he does it.
Pro Comp: Shady McCoy but they nerfed him
Full Audio Breakdown on 2024 Running Back Prospects
Main Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
