The 2024 NFL Draft will begin with the first round on Thursday, April 25. The beginning of the draft is supposed to be quarterback-heavy, and while there are some talented running backs in the class, none are projected to be drafted in the first round.
The second and third rounds will be held on Friday, April 26. Let’s project when the top running backs in the class will be drafted and where they will land.
Jonathan Brooks, Texas — Dallas Cowboys, No. 56
Dallas didn’t sign any big running backs in free agency and didn’t franchise tag or re-sign Tony Pollard. Owner Jerry Jones has said the team will have to lower the supporting cast that quarterback Dak Prescott had due to salary cap restrictions. This puts even more pressure on the team to draft well, which continues with the selection of Brooks who Cowboys’ scouts should be very familiar with.
Trey Benson, Florida State — Arizona Cardinals, No. 66
James Conner is only under contract for one more season and will be one year closer to 30. Running backs over 28 years old are notoriously missing out on big contracts with their current team, and if that trend continues, Conner will be hitting free agency following the 2024 season. Arizona would bring in Benson to complement Conner for a year before taking over in the backfield in 2025.
Blake Corum, Michigan — Las Vegas Raiders, No. 77
Corum was once considered the top running back in this class and still could be. Las Vegas would likely be happy with any of the trio of Brooks, Benson and Corum. I think the latter falls, and they add Corum to their backfield consisting of Zamir White and Alexander Mattison. Corum will hopefully at least complement White, with the upside of taking over the backfield if he plays as well as he did for the Wolverines.
Will Shipley, Clemson — Cleveland Browns, No. 85
Nick Chubb re-worked his current contract with the Browns coming off his torn ACL. Still, he is under contract for only one more season and then will be 29 years old hitting free agency. The recent trend has not been paying running backs that age, and Shipley gives them a dual-threat running back to at least pair with Chubb for a year. His development will determine if he can be the lead back, but the Browns at least bring in another versatile back to give them a future option.
Audric Estime, Notre Dame — Green Bay Packers, No. 88
The Packers signed free agent running back Josh Jacobs to a four-year deal to replace Aaron Jones. They brought back A.J. Dillon on a one-year deal and Estime would be someone that could be the team’s RB3 this year behind the two and then take over as Jacobs’ backup.
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin — Kansas City Chiefs, No. 95
Kansas City has Isiah Pacheco leading the backfield but hasn’t been able to find a good running back to pair him with. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was brought back on a one-year deal but has not looked like a former first-round pick. Allen allows the Chiefs the chance to reset at the position and could even take over the backfield when Pacheco’s rookie deal is up.