The 2024 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and the NFL Combine is this week. All of the talk is about the quarterbacks. Today, we are going to focus on the running backs. In these top 25 rookie running back rankings, we will make a case for the RB1. Of course, landing spot and draft capital could shake things up. But we have a good idea of who the consensus top guys are at this point.
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Top 25 Rookie Running Back Rankings: Who is the RB1?
Right now, if you ask who the RB1 is, You could get four to six different answers. A majority of the crowd is set on Jonathan Brooks. His ACL injury has some rankers hesitating, and Blake Corum is a little bit of an older prospect.
Trey Benson is a popular pick as well, a rare combination of size and speed. He also has a clean injury history. Braelon Allen, Bucky Irving, and even Jaylen Wright are getting some votes.
At the end of the day, draft capital will sort it out for us. But we know that not all landing spots are created equally. The running back market is a mess right now, and we will need to see free agency first. The top spots right now may end up filled by draft day. There is a list of at least six potential starters who are unrestricted free agents right now.
We also have a handful of cut or trade candidates. The top spots currently are Baltimore, Houston, and Dallas. The top free agents include Saquan Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard.
Some potential veterans who could be on the move are Alvin Kamara and Joe Mixon. The running back carousel is going to be fun this year. We will see some players get pristine landing spots, and we will see some muddy backfields.
This NFL Draft could bring the same thing. We could see the top running back off of the board to go to a place that had one. I put together my top 25 rookie running backs (pre-combine), and here they are.
Top 25 Rookie Running Back Rankings
1. Jonathan Brooks, Texas (Age 20)
Height: 6’0
Weight: 202 lbs.
NFL Player Comparison: “Jamaal Charles” – Lance Zierlein
Jonathan Brooks is a smooth runner with great quickness. At 6’0, his frame looks like he could add some mass as he grows. He is an elusive runner who has a great combination of speed and quickness. He only had one year of production because he was buried behind two studs at Texas.
Brooks would be the clear-cut #1 if it weren’t for the injury. He could drop if he ends up as the third or fourth back off of the board. But, his ability as a pass-catcher, on top of his rushing ability and age, has him as my number one back.
2. Trey Benson, Florida State (Age 21)
Height: 6’1
Weight: 223 lbs.
NFL Player Comparison: “Todd Gurley” – Bleacher Report
Benson’s combination of size and speed is exactly what we used to look for. We no longer put our noses up in the air at the 200-pound backs, but Benson has the size to be a workhorse. Not just the size but his pass-catching and elusiveness in space are what are most intriguing.
Benson is currently going as the RBI in consensus mock drafts and is number two on Bucky Brooks’ big board. He should get Round 2 draft capital, and a top spot could move him up to the number one on my board.
3. Blake Corum, Michigan (Age 23)
Height: 5’8
Weight: 213 lbs.
NFL Player Comparison: “Kyren Williams” – Draft Network
Blake Corum returned to Michigan with a Championship on his mind, and he accomplished that. He also had some things to prove after his meniscus tear. There really wasn’t much to prove.
This guy has been a touchdown monster. Over the past three seasons, he has had an insane 56 rushing touchdowns. He is an instinctive runner with great cutting ability and is a big play threat. His low center of gravity and sturdy frame give him great contact balance. An explosive runner with homerun potential.
4. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee (Age 20)
Height: 5’11
Weight: 210 lbs.
NFL Player Comparison: “Melvin Gordon” – Lance Zierlein
Jaylen Wright has burst onto the scene, and his burst is a major reason. Wright was clocked as the third-fastest ball carrier in 2023 at 22.2 MPH. He is an explosive runner with a compact frame.
He is quickly moving up boards, and a strong combine is expected. At just 20 years old, he has immense upside, and his lack of production is part of a lack of opportunity.
Wright only had four touchdowns on the season, but he only had 137 carries. He rushed for 7.4 yards per carry. He also had 6.4 yards a clip as a receiver. Hyper-efficient player with a big play upside.
5. Bucky Irving, Oregon (Age 21)
Height: 5’10
Weight: 195 lbs.
NFL Player Comparison: “Dameon Pierce” – Lance Zierlein
Bucky Irving is lightning-quick. I would have gone with more of a Tyjae Spears comparison. The size, the start and stop acceleration. He is an exciting player and a player that NFL teams will envision in space.
Get him on the outside and to the second level. He is gone. Irving will have a strong combine and will be high on the boards for teams looking for speed backs.
Realistic Dream landing spot for Bucky Irving?
95th Overall to Kansas City in The Third Round
Irving in the 2022 Jerick McKinnon role.
He would be electric. pic.twitter.com/0X3qvhP8fo
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) February 19, 2024
6. MarShawn Lloyd, USC (Age 23)
Height: 5’9
Weight: 217 lbs.
NFL Player Comparison: “Jerrick McKinnon” – Lance Zierlein
MarShawn Lloyd is a player that some have as the Rookie RB1 overall. He has a thick-sturdy frame at 5’9 and 217 lbs. We saw him used as more of a power back at South Carolina.
We need to see him used more in the receiving game to see him as a top fantasy option. He only had 12 receptions on 18 targets last season. They didn’t use him much in the receiving game. He was more of a check-down type of player. I disagree with the McKinnon comp.
7. Audric Estime, Notre Dame (Age 20)
Height: 5’11
Weight: 227 lbs.
NFL Player Comparison: “Jamaal Williams” – Lance Zierlein
Estime is a shifty runner with quick feet and suddenness for a big man. He is one of the bigger backs in this class and fits more of an old-school mold.
An extremely productive runner for the Fighting Irish, Estime offers a tough running style like a David Montgomery. Another player that could go anywhere from 2nd to the 5th round. His draft capital and landing spot will be important. Would love to see him in Michigan with Harbaugh.
8. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin (Age 20)
Height: 6’2
Weight: 245 lbs.
NFL Player Comparison: “Michael Bush” – Lance Zierlein
Braelon Allen is someone that some have inside the top five, and some have him as the RB1. He is a massive back with great straight-line speed. This is a punishing runner who presents big problems for defensive backs if he gets in the open field.
The combine will be huge for him as he works to cut weight and run fast. A 4.4 40 at his size will turn some heads. He could be one of the top running backs off of the board with lead-back size and potential.
9. Dillon Johnson, Washington (Age 22)
Height: 6’0
Weight: 218 lbs.
NFL Player Comparison: “Rachaad White” – NFL Draft Buzz
Dillon Johnson broke out in 2023, and his importance was really felt in the National Championship game. He tried to play through an ankle sprain, but he was limited. His role on this offense as a rusher, receiver, and pass protector was massive. Johnson added some physicality to this high-flying offense.
He has an NFL body and a well-rounded skillset. Dillon didn’t just dominate the easy competition, he proved he is the next level by dominating against the tougher opponents.
Dillon Johnson CRUSHED some Ranked Teams in 2023:
📍159 Yards, 2 TD’s Vs. Oregon (5th)
📍132 Yards, 1 TD Vs. Utah (18th)
📍267 Yards, 4 TD’s Vs. USC (20th)
📍110 Yards, 1 TD Vs. Oregon (8th)Here are some boxes that Johnson checks:
➖Size: 6’0, 218 lbs
➖Production: 1,385… pic.twitter.com/iF2pEw3eMU— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) February 27, 2024
10. Will Shipley, Clemson (Age 21)
Height: 5’11
Weight: 210 lbs.
NFL Player Comparison: “Zamir White” – NFL Draft Buzz
Will Shipley offers some versatility as a running back, a receiver, and a return specialist. Shipley is a shifty runner with quick feet that knows how to set up his opponents.
He shows off great lateral quickness in space, is a patient runner, and knows how to use his blockers. He lacks some physicality, and a committee approach could hurt his upside. But his ability as a pass-catcher is enough to keep him inside the top-10.
