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Mike Fanelli breaks down which running back will be the first selected during the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 2024 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away. While everyone wants to talk about the quarterback class, the draft is bigger than one position.
Last year, there were two first-round running backs, as Bijan Robinson was the eighth overall pick, and Jahmyr Gibbs was the 12th overall selection. Unfortunately, there isn’t an elite running back prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, there are a handful of talented running back prospects. Which one will be the first running back off the board? Let’s dive into the three candidates to be the first running back selected.
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Jonathon Brooks – Texas
Brooks didn’t see a massive workload at Texas until the 2023 season. He had to wait his turn behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson. However, the former Longhorn star was outstanding last year. He had 187 rushing attempts for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns before tearing his ACL in the 11th game of the season against Oklahoma State.
The explosive running back was on fire before getting hurt, totaling at least 98 rushing yards in eight consecutive games. More importantly, Brooks can be a difference-maker in the passing game, totaling 25 receptions for 286 receiving yards and a touchdown last year.
Jonathon Brooks BUSTS A BIG RECEPTION AND A TOUCHDOWN
HORNS UP 7-3 pic.twitter.com/0nA8Qx3wxz
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) November 12, 2023
Trey Benson – Florida State
Benson started his college career at Oregon, totaling six rushing attempts for 22 yards and a touchdown in 2021. He transferred to Florida State before the 2022 season and became a star. Benson had over 900 rushing yards and at least nine touchdowns in back-to-back years at Florida State, playing a massive role in the team’s undefeated regular 2023 season.
While he never had over 1,000 rushing yards any year in college, Benson averaged 6.1 yards per rushing attempt at Florida State. Furthermore, he has outstanding speed, running a 4.39 40-yard dash at 216 pounds at the NFL Combine, the third fastest among running backs.
Blake Corum – Michigan
Corum is the most accomplished running back in the 2024 NFL Draft. The star running back nearly declared for the draft last year but decided to return to school for one more season with the goal of winning a National Championship. Corum made the most of his final year in college, totaling 258 rushing attempts for 1,245 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Blake Corum COULD NOT BE STOPPED‼️
Michigan takes the lead in OT 👀 #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/FfeVQlHAAQ
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
The former Michigan star led the country in rushing touchdowns in 2023. Many believe the Los Angeles Chargers will draft Corum after his former college head coach, Jim Harbaugh, joined the team this offseason. Don’t be surprised if Corum is the first running back off the board at the top of the second round to the Chargers.
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