The Top Five Running Backs In The 2024 NFL Draft!
In recent years, the NFL has seen a decline in the usage of a true bell-cow running back carrying the load for their team. The Tom Brady-led Patriots proved you did not need a star there to succeed and, ultimately, that teams only needed a serviceable guy to get four or five yards when called upon. The Chiefs doubled down on this by waiting to draft their running back of the last two Super Bowls in the seventh round in his draft.
However, teams like the Lions, who utilized rookie running-back Jahmyr Gibbs, still see massive value in having a playmaker at running back. The 49ers also proved this after having Christian McCaffrey lead the way for them to make it back to the Super Bowl. Plenty of teams will be looking for high-end running-back talent, so here are the top five running backs in this upcoming NFL draft.
5) Blake Corum, Michigan
Corum was electric at Michigan and was likely the main reason the Wolverines walked away with a national championship in 2024. Behind the best offensive line in CFB, Corum dominated the opposing defense and scored at will for Michigan. While Corum is exceptionally talented, a few significant things worry me. First, he ran behind the best line in college football for several years.
He shouldn't be punished for this; it is not his fault, but it is something to remember when comparing his stats to other players. Corum is also relatively small for an NFL running back, at only 5'8, 214 pounds. Corum is an incredibly hard runner and can read blocks like a pro. While I wouldn't take the Wolverine in the first three or four rounds, he could be a solid low-risk and high-reward pickup for a contender late in the draft.
4) Dillon Johnson, Washington
The man who lost to Corum in the national championship is just barely above him. Johnson is a massive back, coming in at 6'0 and 218 pounds. Johnson transferred to Washington and exploded onto the scene, dominating when given the ball and racking up over five yards per carry for the Huskies this past year.
Johnson's only real knock is a slight lack of presence in the receiving game. In an air-raid style offense that heavily utilizes the pass at Washington, Johnson recorded less than 200 years and no touchdowns through the air. While this is not a massive concern, it should be something to be wary of, given how much running backs are expected to do as receivers as well.
3) Audric Estime, Notre Dame
Estime has the prototype physique for a bruising back in the NFL at 5'11, 227 pounds. Estime appears a bruiser-back on paper, but he mixes it with a surprising swiftness that allows him to dance around defenders and gain extra yards at every possible opportunity. Estime had six yards per carry, recorded 18 total TDs for the Fighting Irish this year, and proved a reliable option whenever needed.
Like Johnson, he only has a little experience through the air. Still, Estime can dive for extra yards at every possible opportunity and pick up any yards that can be picked up. Estime would be an excellent third-round (or later) pick for anyone needing a decent back who just needs to get yards. But with his bruising size, Estime will fight well for any team that picks him up.
2) Trey Benson, Florida State
Benson had fewer carries than any of the guys mentioned on this list. Despite this lower amount of carries, Benson still picked up 14 touchdowns and was pivotal for Florida State having a case to be in the college football playoff. Benson is another massive back, coming in at 6'1 and 223 pounds. Benson is a traditional bruiser back who powers forward whenever given the ball and can fight forward.
Benson has also proven to be a very solid pass-blocker whenever needed, as he did an excellent job for Jordan Travis and the Seminoles. In an era where teams are very weary of wear and tear on running backs, a bruiser of Benson's talent with as little mileage as he has is rare and could be incredibly valuable to a contender. Expect Benson to go in the draft in the late second or mid-third round.
1) Jonathan Brooks, Texas
Texas had the first running back off the board last year with Bijan Robinson, and they should have it again with Jonathan Brooks. Brooks is a pure athlete and likely the best receiver of any of the backs named so far. This is likely due to his ability to stop, start on a dime, and take his time with the ball. Brooks doesn't force any runs but allows it to come to him. Brooks also has incredibly agile feet, enabling him to juke out linebackers and defensive backs.
At 6'0 flat and 202 pounds, Brooks has the build of the modern running-back made to catch, run, block, and everything else in between. Along with an ability to fake out defenses in play action, Brooks takes his time and emulates a lesser version of Michigan State Le'Veon Bell's incredible vision and patience. Brooks is the most diverse with his skills and should easily be the first back off the board in this year's draft.
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