Reigning national champion running back Blake Corum is one of the top running backs in an admittedly weak 2024 NFL Draft class. The running back led Michigan’s offense during his final season, recording 1,245 yards and 27 touchdowns on 258 attempts to go along with 16 receptions for 117 yards and an additional score.
While he lacks the deep speed to be anything more than an adequate starter, some team will likely draft Blake Corum in the second or third round. If DraftKings is to be believed, that team will probably be the Los Angeles Chargers, as they are the current favorites to select the running back with +190 odds. Following closely behind them are the New York Giants (+330), Dallas Cowboys (+750), Minnesota Vikings (+850), and the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, and Las Vegas Raiders (+1200).
Chargers Favorites To Draft Blake Corum, 6 Other Teams Listed
Nobody should be too surprised that the Chargers are the favorites to draft Blake Corum. Head coach Jim Harbaugh spent the past two seasons running his offense through Corum with the Wolverines, and he’d probably love the opportunity to do the same at the NFL level.
Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have spent the offseason talking about the importance of the run game. For better or worse, this team will establish the run in 2024, and they’ll need better running backs to accomplish that goal. Gus Edwards is a fine journeyman and J.K. Dobbins is a good low-risk, high-reward signing, but the Chargers need to draft a long-term answer like Blake Corum.
Of course, while the Chargers are the favorites, they aren’t the only team interested in adding Blake Corum during the NFL Draft. While DraftKings named five other teams, the following three are worth a deeper dive.
Other Notable Teams
Giants (+330)
The Giants lost Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles and promptly signed Devin Singletary to replace him. Singletary is coming off a strong season with the Houston Texans, but he’s not a three-down workhorse. With needs throughout the roster, New York might not be able to justify a Day 2 pick on a running back. However, if they’re going to draft anyone, it might as well be Blake Corum.
Cowboys (+750)
The Dallas Cowboys have had one of the most frustrating offseasons in recent memory. After a promise to go all-in, Jerry Jones and friends have done next to nothing to improve the roster while watching multiple key playmakers depart in free agency. If this team is going to win next year, they’ll need to make the most of every single draft pick. Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn are currently set to battle for the starting running back position. Blake Corum is considerably better than both players and could inherit a three-down role if the Cowboys draft him.
Ravens (+1200)
Derrick Henry is Baltimore’s running back of the present, but they still need a long-term answer at the position. As mentioned in his NFL Draft Profile, Blake Corum is remarkably similar to former Raven Gus Edwards, which means he’ll be a natural fit for this offense. After taking over 250 touches in each of his past two college seasons, Corum might welcome a season to two of backup work behind Henry.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
