RADIO
The 2024 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away. Last year, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs were top-15 draft picks despite many in the NFL devaluing the running back position.
Unfortunately, this year’s running back draft class lacks a superstar prospect. Yet, there are several talented prospects in this draft class.
Two of the bigger-name prospects this year are Michigan’s Blake Corum and Texas’s Jonathon Brooks. Let’s compare the two talented running backs.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Blake Corum’s NFL Draft Outlook
Corum nearly declared for the NFL Draft last year but returned to Michigan to win a national title. Michigan came away victorious, and Corum heads to the NFL after an impressive college career.
The former Wolverine had over 1,240 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons at Michigan. Last year, he had 27 rushing touchdowns, the most in the country. Corum is a force at the goal line and could score double-digit touchdowns as a rookie, especially if he gets drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers.
.@blake_corum’s 13th touchdown of the year! pic.twitter.com/N80MCC7lp6
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 21, 2023
Jonathon Brooks’ NFL Draft Outlook
Brooks had to wait his turn at Texas. Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson took nearly every backfield touch over the past two years. However, Brooks was outstanding in his first chance as the starting running back. He had two touchdowns on only eight touches in the team’s bowl game in 2022.
Last year, Brooks split work with CJ Baxter to start the season before becoming the lead back. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in late November against Oklahoma State early in the game. However, Brooks was outstanding before that matchup, totaling 1,139 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 contests. Furthermore, the former Longhorn dominated in multiple games last season, including the massive win over Kansas.
Texas RB Jonathon Brooks vs Kansas:
🤘 20 Rush Attempts
🤘 217 Rush Yards
🤘 2 Touchdowns
🤘 111 Yards AFTER Contact
🤘 6 Missed Tackles Forced pic.twitter.com/gWZ67aPqi3— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 1, 2023
Who Should Get Drafted First?
Both running backs are talented players. While neither will get drafted in the first round, Corum and Brooks should be Day 2 selections. Corum has far more experience, playing in 23 more college games than Brooks. However, he also has significantly more mileage on his body.
Most mock drafts have Brooks getting ahead of Corum. Similarly, most player rankings have the Longhorn star higher than the Michigan star. While both players will have success in the NFL, Brooks should be the first running back off the board.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:
More Fantasy Football Analysis
