RADIO
Believe it or not, the 2024 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away. While we can never make a perfect prediction of which teams will select which players, we do have a strong sense of major areas of weakness for individual teams.
With that in mind, we can explore some of the teams that will pursue additions at the running back position when the draft kicks off on April 25. We likely won't see any running backs on Day 1, but they'll be selected quite often on Days 2 and 3.
Let's explore our 2024 mock draft for running backs. Note that this mock draft does not include any trades.
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Round 2
Pick No. 56: Dallas Cowboys select Texas RB Jonathon Brooks
Brooks tore his ACL at Texas last year, but he has very little tread on his tires and should make a big impact following his recovery. Upon his return, Brooks can slot in as the Cowboys' immediate starter, using his swift footwork and impressive hands to compete for an every-down role. If not for the injury, Brooks would be the clear, undeniable No. 1 running back in this draft. Now, despite the torn ACL, he's still a pretty safe bet to be the first running back off the board.
Round 3
Pick No. 69: Los Angeles Chargers select Michigan RB Blake Corum
The Chargers watched Austin Ekeler depart this offseason and only brought in Gus Edwards to replace him. Corum and Edwards can form a decent two-headed monster in Los Angeles as the Chargers look to rebound following an offseason full of subtractions on offense. Plus, Corum played for head coach Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.
If Blake Corum is around in Round 2….you know what’s gonna happen Chargers fans pic.twitter.com/tm73WYaLUO
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) April 12, 2024
Pick No. 70: New York Giants select Florida State RB Trey Benson
The Giants might consider Brooks in Round 2, but in the end, they settle on waiting another round for Benson, who's also quite talented. He has impressive size and physicality to fight for extra yards on the ground, all while offering plenty of talent as a pass-catcher. With that said, his pass protection must improve at the NFL level.
Pick No. 94: San Francisco 49ers select Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright
Wright is one the most elusive and speedy running backs in this draft. The 49ers already have the league's best running back in Christian McCaffrey, so pairing him with a talented, young runner like Wright would be truly lethal. The Tennessee product does struggle with ball security and pass protection, but it'll be hard for a team like the 49ers to pass on his upside here.
Round 4
Pick No. 101: Carolina Panthers select Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen
Miles Sanders doesn't have a long-term future in Carolina and Chuba Hubbard hasn't yet cemented himself as a true RB1. Even if Hubbard does take that jump in 2024, the Panthers would still benefit from adding an extra contributor to their rushing attack. Allen is a physical, big-bodied back who excels at breaking tackles and converting short-yardage scenarios. However, he's demonstrated solid downfield speed, too.
Pick No. 121: Denver Broncos select Notre Dame RB Audric Estime
The Broncos are looking to add to their Javonte Williams-led backfield. Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin are fine depth pieces, but Estime can also make a real impact as soon as Week 1. He's an agile runner with good footwork and impressive pass-catching skills, but he lacks impressive speed.
Audric Estime is an elite workhorse RB1. At 6’1 225 with a great production profile.
To me he is by far the safest RB prospect of this 2024 class.
2nd in class Yards after contact and 2nd in explosive runs 10+ yards per attempt.
— Elite Drafters (@Elite_Drafters) April 6, 2024
Pick No. 133: Buffalo Bills select USC RB MarShawn Lloyd
Lloyd is a nightmare for opposing defenders, given his tackle-breaking skills and solid footwork. He's a decent downfield runner but also offers plenty of value in short-yardage situations. Ball security and injury concerns are the biggest knocks on Lloyd ahead of the draft.
Round 5
Pick No. 137: New England Patriots select New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube
Laube has drawn comparisons to McCaffrey, performing exceptionally well in college (albeit against a lower level of competition). He's a do-it-all back who excels on running and passing downs. It remains to be seen if he can handle the jump from UNH to the NFL, but there's no ignoring his every-down potential.
Dylan Laube is a guy folks… pic.twitter.com/ANEAuaRwnV
— Coach Luke Krumich (@KrumichSports) January 30, 2024
Pick No. 148: Las Vegas Raiders select Oregon RB Bucky Irving
Zamir White has the inside track to Vegas's lead-back role after Josh Jacobs departed for Green Bay, but the Raiders can't trust him as their every-down back. Irving catches plenty of passes and rarely fumbles, making him a strong complement to White. With that said, there are concerns about his size and effectiveness versus blockers in pass protection.
Pick No. 150: New Orleans Saints select Clemson RB Will Shipley
Shipley is capable of making cuts downfield while also showcasing strength at the line of scrimmage. He'd give the Saints another depth option as Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams get older.
Pick No. 156: Cleveland Browns select Kentucky RB Ray Davis
Davis's struggles in pass protection make him a liability on third down, but he's an effective insider runner who fights for every inch and can be deployed in short-yardage situations. In this sense, he complements Jerome Ford quite well and can handle short-yardage situations if Nick Chubb isn't fully recovered by Week 1.
Round 6
Pick No. 195: Pittsburgh Steelers select Washington RB Dillon Johnson
Johnson is a physical player who takes on heavy contact and fights for extra yards at the line of scrimmage. His tendency to meet multiple defenders could make him prone to injuries, but he's shown a tendency to make plays happen at all costs. He's a surprisingly solid pass-catcher but has noticeable struggles in protection.
Pick No. 208: Las Vegas Raiders select Purdue RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
The Raiders land another running back in the form of Tracy, who played with quarterback Aidan O'Connell at Purdue in 2022. He's one of the better pass-catchers among this year's running back class, and he showcases above-average elusiveness through an impressive package of spin moves and jukes. He can also make a major impact on special teams as a returner.
Pick No. 217: Los Angeles Rams select San Diego State RB Isaiah Davis
The Rams lack significant depth behind Kyren Williams, so it'll be key for them to address the backfield in this month's draft. Davis has good balance and footwork, and his pass-catching skills are strong enough to earn third-down opportunities. With that said, he's unlikely to break off big plays due to subpar speed and his struggle to break tackles.
Round 7
Pick No. 226: Arizona Cardinals select Alabama RB Jase McClellan
The Cardinals feel good about their backfield with James Conner and Emari Demercado, but they also know Conner isn't the long-term answer at running back. Adding McClellan bolsters Arizona's depth chart. The Alabama product shows off his versatility as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher, but he lacks game-changing speed.
Pick No. 236: Jacksonville Jaguars select Georgia RB Daijun Edwards
Edwards isn't a major threat running downfield, but he has enough physicality and strength to make an impact in short-yardage situations. Jacksonville should feel good about entering 2024 with a backfield of Travis Etienne Jr., D'Ernest Johnson, Tank Bigsby, and Edwards.
Stat of the day:
Daijun Edwards rushed for 146 yards on 20 attempts today against Vanderbilt.
He is the first Georgia running back to rush for more than 145 rushing yards in a game since D’Andre Swift had 179 yards against Kentucky in 2019. pic.twitter.com/Kqn385RsaI
— Jonathan Williams (@Dr_JWill) October 14, 2023
Pick No. 246: Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Missouri RB Cody Schrader
Schrader isn't a great receiver, so his ideal landing spot would be somewhere with an established running back who excels in catching passes. Tampa Bay offers just that. Rachaad White had a terrific 2023 campaign, and now the Buccaneers can supplement his contributions with the short-yardage prowess of Schrader.
Pick No. 254: Los Angeles Rams select Marshall RB Rasheen Ali
The Rams had to feel panicked about their running back depth when Kyren Williams missed time last year. This mock already saw them draft Davis, and now they add another running back in Ali. He's a talented pass-catcher and short-yardage ball-carrier who also stands his ground as a blocker.
Pick No. 256: New York Jets select Louisville RB Jawhar Jordan
Jordan runs routes well and shakes off defenders with his impressive elusiveness. Such elusiveness is necessary, though, because he lacks acceleration and bursts moving downfield. There are also concerns about his ability to break tackles at the NFL level.
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