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2024 NFL Draft: Running Back Big Board

2024 NFL Draft: Running Back Big Board
2024 NFL Draft: Running Back Big Board

The NFL Draft process is underway with draft declarations, all-star game decisions, and the Combine in the rearview mirror. Big boards will be released, and then some. Who are the best running backs on the 2024 big board? Teams that need a young rusher should have a few to select from. Who will step up and become the stars they are projected to be? How many will go in the first round, if any, for a position that’s being devalued?

Note: All RAS scores are courtesy of @MathBomb

In case you missed the other positional rankings, they can be found below

Quarterback

Onto the rankings!

“Winner”

1. Trey Benson | 6’0 216 | Florida State

After two injury-marred seasons at Oregon, Benson transferred to Florida State, where he shined. He was the bellcow behind the Seminoles’ resurgence into a national power. Although he fell short of breaking the 1,000-yard barrier twice, it was very close. He increased his touchdown production and receiving production as a senior. Benson is an athlete who makes everything look smooth. His footwork, vision, and instincts are a major plus to his game. The testing numbers from the Combine bear that out, where he scored an impressive 9.70 in RAS. As a result, he should be the first running back off the board on Day 2. The athletic and style profile is similar to that of breakout Chiefs star Isiah Pacheco.

2023 Statistics: 156 attempts for 906 yards and 14 touchdowns; 20 receptions for 227 yards and one touchdown

Player Comp: Isiah Pacheco

RAS: 9.70

Round Projection: Second

“Place”

2. Johnathan Brooks | 6’0 216 | Texas

Brooks was off to a fantastic start as Bijan Robinson’s heir, but he suffered an unfortunate ACL tear late in the 2023 season. Teams will pore over his medical file, and it is unknown how long the recovery process will take. He’s a true dual threat out of the backfield with great route running ability and plus hands. Footwork and instincts are major pluses in his game as well. Despite being a one-year starter, he possesses great vision and football IQ. He compares physically and stylistically to former Oklahoma great DeMarco Murray.

2023 Statistics: 187 attempts for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns; 25 receptions for 286 yards and one touchdown

Player Comp: DeMarco Murray

Round Projection: Second to Third

“Show”

3. Marshawn Lloyd | 5’8 220 | USC

Lloyd has been rising up the boards this offseason after a great 2023 that earned him a Senior Bowl invite. He was the best back in Mobile, showing out in every practice. The former Trojan continued his good run of form at the Combine, where he tested well. He’s part of an exclusive club of rare transfers who went from USC to USC in either direction. While he doesn’t have the numbers like some of the other prospects, he can become a starter in the pros. A definite riser who secured a spot in this board’s top three. His game features plus instincts, vision, and football IQ. A willing pass blocker as well when called upon. He compares similarly to longtime Panthers star runner DeAngelo Williams.

2023 Statistics: 116 attempts for 820 yards and nine touchdowns; 13 receptions for 232 yards

Player Comp: DeAngelo Williams

RAS: 8.57

Round Projection: Third

“Final Four”

4. Bucky Irving | 5’9 192 | Oregon

Irving transferred to Oregon before the 2022 season, where he had a 1,000-yard season. In 2023, he was one of the best running backs in the class, and he produced immensely as a runner and receiver. His significantly increased productivity annually is a good sign for his career. Size is a concern, as he weighed in at 192 pounds at 5’9. He’s an exceptional athlete on tape and is excellent laterally and in a straight line. Many defenders were caught unaware of his cutting ability on tape. He profiles as a stout backup running back in an RBBC. It’s certainly possible that he could be a Day 2 selection. The former Duck profiles similarly to Tennessee’s breakout rookie sensation Tyjae Spears athletically and stylistically.

2023 Statistics: 186 attempts for 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns; 56 receptions for 413 yards and two touchdowns

Player Comp: Tyjae Spears

Round Projection: Second to Third

“Faster Five”

5. Ray Davis | 5’8 211 | Kentucky

The three-time transfer had a great finish to his collegiate career at Kentucky. Davis was very productive in the past two seasons, ending with over 1,400 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023. He’s a shifty runner with dynamic, explosive burst ability, although the Combine doesn’t show it due to poor testing there. The former Wildcat runner stood out at the Senior Bowl amidst a solid class of backs in Mobile. Due to his production and tape, particularly against Florida, he projects as an early Day 3 selection. Teams will love his productivity from throughout his career. The stylistic and physical comparison for him is former Georgia star D’Andre Swift, who has carved out a nice pro career.

2023 Statistics: 199 attempts for 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns; 33 receptions for 323 yards and seven touchdowns

Player Comp: D’Andre Swift

RAS: 4.61

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

Sixth Gear

6. Jaylen Wright | 5’10 210 | Tennessee

Wright definitely has another gear compared to other runners in this class. As expected, he tested very well at the Combine and had a solid showing in Mobile, further boosting his stock. However, he needs to prove that he has lateral quickness more often than the straight-line speed he’s known for. The former Volunteer broke out as a sophomore with 800+ yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022 before posting a 1,000-yard campaign in 2023. He’s an electric athlete with the ball in his hands. Teams would be wise to scheme him open like Jahmyr Gibbs instead of pounding him up the middle. His stock has settled into the early Day 3 range for teams intrigued with his athletic ability. He compares physically and athletically to Miles Sanders and Justice Hill.

2023 Statistics: 137 attempts for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns; 22 receptions for 141 yards

Player Comp: Justice Hill / Miles Sanders

RAS: 9.80

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

“Seventh Heaven”

7. Blake Corum | 5’7 205 | Michigan

Corum was part of an ultra-productive backfield duo at Michigan. In 2023, he was the leading rusher for the national champions, with over 1,200 yards and an astounding 27 touchdowns. At just 5’7, he’s on the shorter side, but he tested very well at the Combine to offset some concerns. Teams will love that he has two years of immense production on his CV. Testing indicates that he has great lateral agility. He projects to be an early Day 3 selection with upside as a potential starter down the road. The former Wolverine star physically and stylistically resembles former Boise State star Doug “Muscle Hamster” Martin. He does well in the passing game, as well.

2023 Statistics: 258 attempts for 1,245 yards and 27 touchdowns; 16 receptions for 117 yards and one touchdown

Player Comp: Doug Martin

RAS: 8.24

Round Projection: Fifth to Sixth

“Eighth Wonder?”

8. Kimani Vidal | 5’7 213 | Troy

Vidal exploded onto the scene in 2023 with an impressive 1,600-yard and 14-touchdown showing for Troy. Last season, he could’ve been the best back in the state of Alabama. The former Trojan tested very well in the speed and explosion drills at the Combine to further boost his stock. However, his size, at just 5’7, does limit him, but a low center of gravity never hurts. He performed well at the Senior Bowl. His physical and stylistic comparison resembles that of former La Tech star Kenneth Dixon. A day 3 selection is in the cards for the outstanding runner.

2023 Statistics: 297 attempts for 1,661 yards and 14 touchdowns; 18 receptions for 201 yards and one touchdown

Player Comp: Kenneth Dixon

RAS: 8.81

Round Projection: Sixth

Day 3 Diamonds

9. Braelon Allen | 6’1 235 | Wisconsin

Allen is finally draft-eligible after coming on like gangbusters as a freshman and continuing his run of form as a sophomore. As a junior, he suffered a bit of a downgrade in yards but maintained his touchdown production. He’s one of the bigger backs in the class and knows how to use the size to his advantage. Speed isn’t his greatest asset, so he might be limited to RBBC duty to start his pro career. He didn’t test at the Combine. The former Badger won’t provide teams with a steady diet of home runs but will get them consistent four yards. His physical and style profile resembles another former Big Ten runner, Hassan Haskins.

2023 Statistics: 181 attempts for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns; 28 receptions for 132 yards

Player Comp: Hassan Haskins

Round Projection: Sixth

10. Dylan Laube | 5’9 206 | New Hampshire

Laube has had a rock-star offseason with an invite to the East-West Shrine Game that was upgraded with a promotion to the Senior Bowl. He absolutely shined in Mobile, where he had an argument for the best running back there. Besides his RB duties, the prospect was asked to do receiver drills at the Combine. He’s an excellent receiver out of the backfield and proved it in multiple locales. Laube is probably the best dual-threat running back in the class. He tested very well in the agility and explosion drills. Speed wasn’t a concern as he’s known to be quicker than fast. The former New Hampshire product compares similarly to Javonte Williams.

2023 Statistics: 161 attempts for 745 yards and nine touchdowns; 68 receptions for 708 yards

Player Comp: Javonte Williams

RAS: 8.74

Round Projection: Sixth to Seventh

Late Day 3 Gems

11. Will Shipley | 5’11 206 | Clemson

Another running back who made a name for himself as a freshman faltered later on in his career. Shipley had a great sophomore season but fell off tremendously as a junior due to injury and inconsistency. He’s a great athlete that didn’t test at the Combine. He has proven that he’s a capable dual-threat out of the backfield multiple times throughout his career. The former Clemson rusher isn’t the biggest, so pass blocking may sometimes be an issue. He’s projected to go in the middle to late Day 3. This prospect’s profile is similar to Michigan State’s Javon Ringer.

2023 Statistics: 167 attempts for 827 yards and five touchdowns; 31 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns

Player Comp: Javon Ringer

Round Projection: Seventh

12. Isaiah Davis | 6’0 218 | South Dakota State

Davis was the sauce behind the Jackrabbits’ national championship teams. The star runner has been very productive, averaging over 100 yards per contest for the past three seasons. While he didn’t blow the doors off at the Senior Bowl, he had a good outing nonetheless in Mobile. He wouldn’t be the fastest running back at the Combine, but he tested very well in other areas. The former SDSU star compares similarly to former Florida running back La’Mical Perine physically and stylistically.

2023 Statistics: 178 carries for 1,192 yards and 14 touchdowns; 20 receptions for 172 yards

Player Comp: La’Mical Perine

RAS: 9.01

Round Projection: Seventh to UDFA

Joseph Yun

A Titans fan who loves the NFL, College Football (Go Ducks and Noles), along with the Braves, Las Vegas Aces, Red Wings, and Manchester United. Draft scout / analyst who has been credentialed to the best all star game of them all, the Senior Bowl. Follow me on Twitter for more good stuff!

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