2024 NFL Draft: The Running Back Class

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Lets talk about the running backs. I averaged together the rankings from CBS Sports and ESPN.

RUNNING BACKS
1. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
2. Jonathan Brooks, Texas
3. Bucky Irving, Oregon
4. Audric Estime, Notre Dame
5. Blake Corum, Michigan

CBS Sports #1 running back is Allen, and he's 62nd on their list. ESPN has Jonathan Brook as #1 and he's #72 on their list. Looks like we will not see a running back taken in the first round and might not see one until 3rd round.

What do you think of the running back class? Are there any prospects that are going under the radar?

 

[shopson67]

Trey Benson (FSU) should be in this list IMO.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Trey Benson (FSU) should be in this list IMO.

Benson made top 5 for ESPN, but was 10th by CBS. He's definitely in the mix.

 

[PDay8810]

3rd round at the earliest and my team sure could use one this year.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

3rd round at the earliest and my team sure could use one this year.

would you consider late second (almost 3rd)

 

[PDay8810]

would you consider late second (almost 3rd)

not me and I don't subscribe to rb's don't matter.

IMO..not one back this year is a top 65 pick.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Braelon Allen
- 21 years old. Will be 22 years old next January 20th.
- 6'2, 238 pounds
- Played for the Wisconsin Badgers between 2021-2023
- Second-team All-Big-10 in 2021, 2022, and 2023
- Produced 35 rushing touchdowns in 35 games, averaged 5.9 yards per carry.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Two more tapes for you all:

 

[Iggloo]

I don't think we have any potential first round running backs this year, and maybe no second round running backs. I think Brooks of Texas will be the first guy drafted. Allen is apparently seeing his stock drop after a decent but unspectacular senior season, with some teams questioning whether he is a three-down back.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Jonathon Brooks
- 20 years old. Will be 21 in July.
- 6'0, 203 pounds
- Played for the Texas Longhorns between 2021-2023
- Second-team All-Big 12
- Played in 20 total games for Texas. Only started 3 games in 2023.
- In 2023, he had 1,035 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns, averaged 6.2 yards per carry, and 1 receiving touchdown.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

I don't think we have any potential first round running backs this year, and maybe no second round running backs. I think Brooks of Texas will be the first guy drafted. Allen is apparently seeing his stock drop after a decent but unspectacular senior season, with some teams questioning whether he is a three-down back.

The problem with Allen is that he's not a pass catching RB. These are the running backs that get drafted early. Teams are most likely going to use him as a backup running back. Don't get me wrong, this is not really a "knock" against the kid. Backup running backs are very valuable for teams. On the next level, he will probably need to improve on his pass catching skills.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

The problem with Allen is that he's not a pass catching RB. These are the running backs that get drafted early. Teams are most likely going to use him as a backup running back. Don't get me wrong, this is not really a "knock" against the kid. Backup running backs are very valuable for teams. On the next level, he will probably need to improve on his pass catching skills.

can he pass protect?

 

[Clayton]

Only one I've really looked at is Blake Corum. Maybe fair to compare him to Clyde Edwards-Helaire except slightly worse. Probably not the most glowing start to looking at this RB class. If I could get Cody Schrader two rounds later then I'd go for that.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Only one I've really looked at is Blake Corum. Maybe fair to compare him to Clyde Edwards-Helaire except slightly worse. Probably not the most glowing start to looking at this RB class. If I could get Cody Schrader two rounds later then I'd go for that.

Blake is most likely going to be my #1, but so far, I have looked at Allen and Brooks. Both guys look decent.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Very weak runningback class. I wonder if we'll see someone go in the 3rd round.

Has there ever been an NFL draft where a runningback didn't go in the first 2 rounds? Benson and Brooks might be in the mix, but still...

 

[Niner Outlaw]

Very weak runningback class. I wonder if we'll see someone go in the 3rd round.

Has there ever been an NFL draft where a runningback didn't go in the first 2 rounds? Benson and Brooks might be in the mix, but still...

With such a weak RB class, it'll be interesting to see how the FA RBs fare. The high priced guys like Barkley, Jacobs, Ekeler and Henry could find a colder market than they expect. OTOH, lesser RBs like, Pollard, Moss, Swift, even Singletary, etc. could see some demand. If these RBs find a weak free agent market and few of them get signed prior to the draft, we could see the Rbs move up the draft board just out of necessity.

 

[Clayton]

Blake is most likely going to be my #1, but so far, I have looked at Allen and Brooks. Both guys look decent.

Brooks is probably the one that passes the eyeball test the most. Benson probably the 2nd most in terms of eyeball test.

Estime seems interesting if he gets the right scheme. He seems stiff and linear which is kinda awful but outside zone runs and maybe as a receiver you could get him to use his legs to take advantage of his size/speed combination. Id imagine if he makes it in the NFL it would be on a pass-heavy team that would take advantage of light boxes with his size/speed and work on his receiving skills and pass pro but his actually between the tackle running leaves a ton to be desired.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

With such a weak RB class, it'll be interesting to see how the FA RBs fare. The high priced guys like Barkley, Jacobs, Ekeler and Henry could find a colder market than they expect. OTOH, lesser RBs like, Pollard, Moss, Swift, even Singletary, etc. could see some demand. If these RBs find a weak free agent market and few of them get signed prior to the draft, we could see the Rbs move up the draft board just out of necessity.

I'm really curious to see where Barkley goes. I have to imagine he's leaving the Giants. I wonder if he'll go to Chicago. If they get Williams and Naber/Odunze in the draft and add Barkley (assuming he stays healthy), man. That would be one hell of an offense.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

Blake Corum
- 23 years old, will be 24 in November
- 5'8, 218 pounds
- Played for the Michigan Wolverines between 2020 and 2023
- First-Team All American in 2023
- Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year in 2022 and 2023
- First-Team All-Big-10 in 2022 and 2023
- Played in 45 games, 28 starts for Michigan
- In his last two seasons (27 starts) , he rushed for 2,708 yards, 47 touchdowns, and averaged 5.4 yards per carry

​

 

[Iggloo]

can he pass protect?

From what I read, no, he struggles in this area, though that is true of many college backs.

He can actually catch it OK, not great but OK. I think the concerns are that he is already a little older, and not very quick or fast. Think a Brandon Jacobs type back.