Who is RB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft Class?

April 24, 2024

Between Trey Benson, Jaylen Wright, MarShawn Lloyd, Jonathon Brooks, Blake Corum and Braelon Allen, there are a lot of strong incoming RB options. Who is the RB1 that fantasy players must keep their eye on? Read on for more!

It’s no secret that the 2024 class does not have a dominant Round 1 lock running back in the fold. However, there are a number of backs that profile as Day 2 selections and can step in and make an immediate impact on the gridiron. I would argue that there are at least eight incoming rookies who should see a significant year-one workload. 

The 2024 class profiles similarly to the 2013 class - a class in which there were no Round 1 picks, but there were many running backs who went on to have successful seasons. Notable members included Giovani Bernard, Le'Veon Bell, Eddie Lacy, Latavius Murray, and Rex Burkhead.

With multiple running backs capable of filling various roles in the upcoming class, who is the RB1? Different analysts have differing opinions. Names like Trey Benson, Jaylen Wright, MarShawn Lloyd, Jonathon Brooks, and Braelon Allen are all popular picks. I’m planting my flag on Blake Corum.

Why is Blake Corum the RB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft Class?

Was his college production boosted by playing behind one of the best offensive lines in college football history? Yes, we can’t ignore that fact. But we also can’t ignore the fact that Corum ran for 3,757 yards and 58 touchdowns in his career at Michigan.

Measuring in at 5-foot-8, 205-pounds, his bowling ball build and position-leading strength (27 bench press reps) makes up for his short stature. He is plenty fast, as he clocked a 4.53 40-time, and showed the ability to break long runs in college (career-long 67 yards). Corum is the most complete back in this class and has legitimate three-down upside as he enters the league.

Blake Corum may have the quickest feet in the entire NFL Draft 😳

https://t.co/rBetShi6ft

— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) March 14, 2024

With free agency passing and premium running backs now off the market, there are a handful of golden landing spots for incoming rookies. The Cowboys let Tony Pollard walk without a replacement and the Chargers lost Austin Ekeler with only early-down thumper Gus Edwards walking in the door, opening two landing spots that will allow rookies to have immediate top 10 upside. If Corum finds himself in Dallas or in Los Angeles with his college coach, his fantasy value will see insurmountable increases.

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