The 2024 NFL draft isn't exactly going to be a banner year for the running back position, in fact -- don't expect to hear a single name called until Day 2.
In Mike Detillier's rankings, he's only got one back in the top 60 prospects, and that's No. 60 for Jonathon Brooks out of Texas, who will be bumped down some boards due to an injury.
Hear Mike Detillier's full breakdown of the 2024 running back class in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
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Still, the lack of high-profile options doesn't mean there's a lack of intriguing potential. Scroll below for the top 12 in Mike's rankings, as well as round projections and analysis.
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1. Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Mike's projection: Late Round 2 to early Round 3
“He had an ACL injury late in the year. I think he would’ve most likely been an early to mid second round pick, but because of the injury and we saw what happened last year with Kendre Miller, with Tyjae Spears, they kind of get kicked back a little bit because of the injury. Brooks also, man, he don’t have a lot of wear on the tires, because he was playing behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, both in the National Football League, 6-1 running back, 200 pounds. Last year he averaged 6.1 yards a carry, rushed for over 1,100 yards and he caught 25 passes coming out of the backfield. So what you see here is a guy that’s instinctive, sharp cut up the field. I remember in the offseason Archie Manning telling me they’ve got a guy there, Brooks, who I think is going to be an unbelievable player for them.”
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2. Trey Benson, Florida State
Mike's projection: Round 3
“Big, physical runner, the last two years he’s rushed for almost 1,900 yards. He’s gotten better as a receiver. He’s a bit of a body-snatcher, everything up against his body, but he’s gotten better. He didn’t start out at Florida State, he started out at Oregon. … And I think Trey will end up being a third round pick.”
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3. Marshawn Lloyd, USC
Mike's projection: Late Round 3 to early Round 4
“He was a 5-star recruit. He went to South Carolina, got injured early on. … He’s 5-9, 215, short, stocky runner and he’s hard to knock off his pegs. Man, he’s got — he runs with really good pad level, he’s quick. He runs hard inside between the tackles. He averaged 7.1 yards a rush at USC this year. Now, OK, USC didn’t have the five blocks of granite blocking for him. … He was one of the impressive guys at the Senior Bowl. I thought he really, he looked good there and he can catch the football coming out of the backfield."
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4. Brealon Allen, Wisconsin
Mike's projection: Late Round 3 to early Round 4
“One of the youngest players in this draft class. He’s just 20 years old, though he’s played 3 years and he’s rushed for 3,400 yards at Wisconsin. Talk about a brute, he’s 6-1.5, 220 pounds. … I’m glad he didn’t play in the bowl game against LSU’s defense.”
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5. Audric Estime, Notre Dame
Mike's Projection: Early day 3 (rounds 4-7)
“He’s a big runner. He rushed for over 1,300 yards this year, 18 touchdowns, and he caught 17 passes. You don’t think about Notre Dame throwing the ball a ton to the running back, but Audric is a really good football player. I think he ends up being a middle round pick and I think a good player for the National Football League."
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6. Bucky Irving, Oregon
Mike's Projection: Early day 3 (rounds 4-7)
“He started out at Minnesota and then he transfers to Oregon and he’s rushed for over 1,000 yards the last two seasons. He’s rushed — he averaged like 6.5 yards a carry, but he’s caught 87 passes in two years at Oregon. Quick, speed guy, get up the field.”
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7. Dillon Johnson, Washington
Mike's Projection: Mid Day 3 (rounds 5-6)
“Big, physical runner. … When they beat Oregon in the Pac-12 championship game, they weren’t beating them without [Johnson]. Now, he got hurt in that game, but man, he is a tough guy running between the tackles and he’s got enough scoot to hit the edge.”
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8. Blake Corum, Michigan
Mike's Projection: Mid Day 3 (rounds 5-6)
“He’s not a real big guy, 5-8, 195 pounds, you talk about a tough little dude running in between the tackles, he’s a tackle breaker for a smaller guy, he’s got enough quickness to hit the hole. This year he averaged 4.8 yards a rush, but everybody kind of knew what he was gonna do, he still rushed for 1,245 yards. He scored 27 rushing touchdowns."
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9. Will Shipley, Clemson
Mike's Projection: Late Day 3 (rounds 6-7) or UDFA
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10. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
Mike's Projection: Late Day 3 (rounds 6-7) or UDFA
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11. Cody Schrader, Missouri
Mike's Projection: Late Day 3 (rounds 6-7) or UDFA
“He’s versatile, he’ll be a later round pick, and I think size is certainly going to be a part of it. … And that sucker is tough, really, really tough.”
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12. Kendall Milton, Georgia
Mike's Projection: Late Day 3 (rounds 6-7) or UDFA
The 2024 NFL draft is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 25 in Detroit, Michigan. The New Orleans Saints hold the No. 14 pick in the first round and No. 45 overall on Day 2.
This article is the first in a draft preview series with WWL analyst Mike Detillier, check back for breakdowns of other positions leading up to the NFL Draft.