The 2024 NFL Draft is only a couple of weeks away and it’s time to dive into the top college football prospects to know for your upcoming fantasy football drafts! This NFL Draft preview features the top 10 running back prospects in this year’s NFL Draft as you prep for dynasty fantasy football drafts. 

Depending on their landing spots, these NFL RBs could also rise up fantasy football ADP, fantasy football rankings for rookies, or in best ball drafts in the coming months. Some of the top NFL Draft running backs we’ll break down include MarShawn Lloyd, Blake Corum, Trey Benson, and Jonathon Brooks. 

Check out scouting reports, strengths, weaknesses, and possible landing spots in our below NFL Draft running back prospect rankings!

*Editor's Note: Check out Servo's first article in his series of NFL Draft prospects!

 

 

 

2024 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Top 10 Running Backs

#1 - MarShawn Lloyd, USC

Despite being overshadowed nationally by Caleb Williams at USC last year, MarShawn Lloyd has the potential to be an NFL lead back. Lloyd is an exceptional athlete who profiles as a speed runner with explosiveness and fluid cutting ability. 

He also can be a very good receiver out of the backfield with his combination of speed and athleticism making him dangerous in the open field. D’Andre Swift comes to mind when you watch Lloyd’s college tape. While he is built like a prototypical lead back, Lloyd needs to play through contact better and has to improve his vision as a ball carrier. 

#2 - Blake Corum, Michigan

In Michigan’s run-heavy offense, Blake Corum was a workhorse back who proved he can consistently take on 20-30 carries per game. That experience in a pro-style offensive scheme with a developed vision should also translate well to the NFL. While he is a bit undersized at 5-foot-7 and 210 pounds, Corum is a tough, feisty back who breaks tackles. 

His 4.53 in the 40-yard dash doesn’t jump off the page, but Corum has the short-burst acceleration and sharp cutting ability to explode through holes while using his developed vision. He is an unproven pass-catcher, though, as Michigan barely used him in that way, and his smaller frame may prevent him from being a true three-down back.

 

 

 

#3 - Trey Benson, Florida State 

Trey Benson has the physical build and athleticism of an NFL bell-cow back. At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Benson has the ideal frame while also running a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. The size-speed combo is rare to find in a rookie running back and Benson is coming off a strong 2023 season with Florida State (1,133 total yards, 15 total TDs). 

While the explosive running style is there, Benson does need to show more patience and vision to develop into a true three-down guy.   

#4 - Jonathon Brooks, Texas

A year ago, Bijan Robinson headlined the RB draft class out of Texas. Though Jonathon Brooks isn’t getting as much hype, he’s still among the top RB prospects for 2024. Brooks possesses the ideal mix of size, speed, and quickness that NFL teams look for in a workhorse back. He also has excellent vision while being a fluid, smooth runner – aided by playing in zone and gap run schemes at Texas. 

The big question with Brooks is how quickly he can return to form after suffering a torn ACL in November. Teams may pass on him because of that injury, but Brooks still has the upside to become a starting running back when healthy. 

 

 

 

#5 - Audric Estime, Notre Dame

If an NFL team is looking for a power running back, Audric Estime is the guy. He has the thick frame, physical running style, and bruising mentality to be an early-down ball carrier at the next level. Estime regularly took on 15-20 carries per game in Notre Dame’s pro-style offense, but profiles more as a change-of-pace back in short-yardage situations. 

Estime doesn’t have the speed of other top RB prospects or the overall skillset to be a true every-down RB. Still, he’s a better pass-blocker than most rookies entering the league and can carve out a legit role in year 1.

#6 - Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

Every time Jaylen Wright touches the ball, he is a big play waiting to happen. That trait can sometimes be thrown around too much, but it’s true with Wright. He has explosiveness, short-area quickness, and home-run hitting speed to emerge as a real playmaker in the NFL. 

At Tennessee, Wright averaged 7.4 and 6.0 yards per carry over the past two seasons and his 4.38 in the 40-yard dash is more evidence of his pure speed. It is a bit concerning, though, that Wright doesn’t have a proven track record as either a pass-catcher or an every-down back. Plus, his vision as a ball-carrier needs development. 

 

 

 

#7 - Bucky Irving, Oregon

Let’s start with the negatives first. At 192 pounds, Bucky Irving has a smaller frame than most rookie running backs this year. He also isn’t overly athletic or fast, clocking in at 4.55 in the 40-yard dash, and has an awkward-looking running style. 

Even so, Irving has plus-vision and downhill rushing instincts to get the most on every touch. At Oregon over the past two seasons, he averaged 6.3 and 6.8 yards per carry with 87 combined receptions for 712 yards. The production was there more often than not despite some of his physical limitations. 

#8 - Will Shipley, Clemson

Will Shipley has multiple qualities that can make him a dangerous weapon in the NFL as a three-down running back. He possesses quick-burst acceleration and big-play potential, as evidenced by his 4.40 in the 40-yard dash. Shipley also has excellent vision, superb cutting ability, and proven receiving ability. 

On that note, Clemson used him in the slot plenty where he was the first passing option at times. Shipley is a tad undersized and needs to improve as an inside rusher to become a true every-down back, but he can make an impact right away at least in a change-of-pace role. 

 

 

 

#9 - Ray Davis, Kentucky

Ray Davis may not have the bigger size or top-end speed of other rookie backs, but he makes up for it with an aggressive running style and proven pass-catching chops. While slightly undersized at 5-foot-8, Davis is compactly built and regularly runs angry with impressive tackle-breaking ability. 

He had seven touchdown receptions at Kentucky last year and is an above-average route runner out of the backfield. Again, he’s not as fast or explosive as others and profiles more as a between-the-tackles guy. A big knock on Davis is his age, as he’s 24 already after spending five seasons in college. 

#10 - Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Braelon Allen is a big, bruising running back with a thick frame and downhill running style. Similar to Audric Estime above, Allen can be excellent in short-yardage situations and on early-down carries at the next level. He was also uber-productive in college, compiling 3,494 total rushing yards and 35 TDs over three seasons at Wisconsin – averaging about 100 rushing yards and 17 carries per game. 

Allen profiles similarly to AJ Dillon as a bigger-bodied RB who can be a change-of-pace guy to a smaller, shiftier back in a committee. On that note, Allen doesn’t have a ton of quickness or short-burst agility and needs work as a pass-catcher.