2024 NFL Draft- To 10 Running Backs

The NFL Draft is nearing, and this year's crop of running back prospects are not as flashy as 2023. There are no Bijan Robinson's (chosen at 8th overall by the Atlanta Falcons Last season there were two running backs selected in the first round (ATL-Bijan Robinson-#8 and DET-Jahmyr Gibbs-#12) and 18 running backs taken all together.

Complete list of every RB pick from the 2023 NFL Draft:

Round 1, Pick 8: Bijan Robinson, Texas

Round 1, Pick 12: Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

Round 2, Pick 52: Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

Round 3, Pick 71: Kendre Miller, TCU

Round 3, Pick 81: Tyjae Spears, Tulane

Round 3, Pick 84: Devon Achane, Texas A&M

Round 3, Pick 88: Tank Bigsby, Auburn

Round 4, Pick 115: Roschon Johnson, Texas

Round 5, Pick 143: Israel Abanikanda, Pitt

Round 5, Pick 163: Chase Brown, Illinois

Round 5, Pick 172: Eric Gray, Oklahoma

Round 5, Pick 176: Evan Hull, Northwestern

Round 5, Pick 193: Chris Rodriguez, Jr., Kentucky

Round 6, Pick 212: Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State

Round 6, Pick 215: Zach Evans, Mississippi

Round 7, Pick 222: DeWayne McBride, UAB

Round 7, Pick 235: Lew Nichols, Central Michigan

Round 7, Pick 237: Kenny McIntosh, Georgia

This season there are no Saquon Barkley’s or Bijan Robinson’s at the top of the draft. However, this is a deep draft and you should be able to find quality, productive running backs in the mid-rounds.

1. Texas- RB- Jonathan Brooks (6’0” 207 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• Athleticism
• Vision
• Cutting ability

Weaknesses

• Speed
• Decision making
• Injury history

Jonathon Brooks spent 2022 as a backup to Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson at the University of Texas. He ran for 1,139 yards in 2023 before suffering a torn ACL on November 11th. Brooks was given good news during medical checks and a medical recheck at the combine in Indianapolis. According to many NFL personnel his knee is recovering well ahead of time and he should be good to go for training camp. The health news should put Brooks at the top of most boards.

Projection- 2nd round pick

 2. Michigan- RB- Blake Corum (5’8” 214 lbs)

Strengths

• Patience
• Pass catching
• Cutting ability
• Vision

Weaknesses

• Breakaway speed
• Frame
• Wear and tear

Blake Corum is a quality running back who succeeds at running between the tackles. His vision and cutback ability will help him to turn most carries into positive yardage. He will not wow you with speed or with power, but his consistency can’t be overlooked.

Projection- 2nd or 3rd round

3. Tennessee- RB- Jaylen Wright (5’11” 210 lbs)

Strengths

• Speed
• Athleticism
• Explosiveness
• Cutting ability

Weaknesses

• Frame
• Pass blocking
• Pass catching
• Vision

The NFL is all about speed and Jaylen Wright is blessed with a ton of it. He is explosive and has the cut back ability to take any play to the house. He did not add much to the passing game while at Tennessee, but Draft Nation would not be shocked to see him get ample time to evolve his game around pass catching. 

Projection- 2nd or 3rd round

4. Florida State- RB- Trey Benson (6’1” 221 lbs)

Strengths

• Return experience
• Burst
• Changing direction
• Cutting ability

Weaknesses

• Patience
• Pass blocking
• Pass catching

Trey Benson projects as a two down running back who can move the ball for you on the ground. At this point, his game lacks the ability to succeed as a pass blocker or as a receiver out of the backfield. He is a talented enough running back for a team to plug him into a starting lineup and be a part of a solid 1-2 punch.

Projection- 2nd or 3rd round

5. USC- RB- Marshawn Lloyd (5’9” 210 lbs)

Strengths

• Agility
• High motor
• Vision
• Cutting ability

Weaknesses

• Size
• Inconsistency
• Power

Marshawn Lloyd has all the tools needed to be a productive NFL running back. He has speed, vision and all the athleticism you want from a ball carrier. However, Lloyd has been inconsistent at times throughout his career and must show an NFL team that he has the determination and focus to succeed. He could be a steal in the middle rounds of this draft.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

6. Notre Dame- RB- Audric Estime (5’11” 233 lbs)

Strengths

• Size
• Vision
• Athleticism
• Pass catching
• Tough to bring down

Weaknesses

• Speed
• Runs upright at times
• Pass blocking
• Leverage

Estime is a running back who was not highly regarded coming into the 2023 season for Notre Dame. He started the season strong and ended up being one of the top running backs in the country. He finished the season with 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns. He could be a nice complimentary piece to a team’s backfield. Estime is a solid mid-round pick.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

7- Wisconsin- RB- Braelon Allen (6’2” 238 lbs)

Strengths

• Burst
• High motor
• Power

Weaknesses

• Agility
• Fumble issues
• Stamina

Braelon Allen started the 2023 season as one of the top rated running backs in the class. He struggled at times during the season and seems to lose power and stamina as games go on. He has also had issues with ball security during his career. He is a tough runner who will lower his shoulder and welcomes contact. Definitely worth a flier in the later rounds.

Projection- 5th or 6th round

8- Kentucky- RB- Ray Davis  (5’10” 216 lbs)

Strengths

• Route running
• Pass blocking
• Pass catching
• Cutting ability

Weaknesses

• Size
• Patience
• Power

Ray Davis is a versatile running back who can run,catch and block. He runs low and hard and is tough to bring down one-on-one. He does not excel in any one area and lacks the speed and overall power to make a game breaking play. He has enough upside to have teams lining up late in the draft to bring him on board.

Projection- 5th or 6th round

9. Clemson- RB- Will Shipley (5’11” 210 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• Playing in space
• Vision
• Balance

Weaknesses

• Frame
• Speed
• Big play ability
• Physicality

Will Shipley can be a versatile weapon in an offense with a creative offensive coordinator. He can line up on the outside and can run routes from anywhere in the formation. He will not overpower or outrun a defender and he will be limited by his frame. 

Projection- 6th or 7th round

10. Oregon- RB- Bucky Irving (5’10” 194 lbs)

Strengths

• Speed
• Hands
• Patience
• Big play ability

Weaknesses

• Size
• Physicality
• Pass blocking

Bucky Irving has game breaking speed and can change a game in a drop of the hat. The team who selects Irving will have to find ways to get him into open space. He is not physical enough to be a 3-down back but could be a lethal weapon for a team if used correctly.

Projection- Round 6-7