The Carolina Panthers selected running back Jonathon Brooks in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Texans Longhorn has been recovering from a torn ACL he suffered nearly a year ago. With a questionable tag for Week 10, he could make his NFL debut this week.
What should fantasy managers expect from the highly-touted rookie?
Collegiate career
Brooks was one of, if not the best halfback prospect in his draft class. He was drafted highly for a reason, full stop.
The 6-foot, 207-pound RB played in one of the most loaded position rooms in recent memory at Texas, where he had to wait his turn to get on the field behind Roschon Johnson and Bijan Robinson.
He redshirted in 2021, and as a freshman in 2022, Brooks tallied 234 scrimmage yards and seven total touchdowns on just 32 touches. When he finally emerged as the starter in 2023, both his numbers and tape popped off the screen.
In 11 games as a sophomore, the talented back ran the ball 187 times for 1,139 yards and 10 scores on the ground. He’s an explosive runner and averaged 103.5 rushing yards per game on 6.1 yards/carry. Brooks also possesses good size and can take contact well, in addition to making defenders miss.
He also brings workhorse ability as a receiver, with 25 catches for 286 yards and one more touchdown through the air. It’s an underrated part of Brooks’ game which makes him a true all-around talent.
His role with the Panthers
It’s a little bit tough to tell what Brooks’ role will look like. He has high draft capital as a second-round pick, which typically indicates a large role for any player, but especially running backs. Before the season, he appeared to be in line for a bell cow share of touches upon his return from injury rehab.
However, Chuba Hubbard has excelled in Carolina so far this season and is undoubtedly the best player in a fairly dismal offense. With an average of 86 scrimmage yards a game and six total TDs, the Panthers decided to extend Hubbard on a four-year, $33.2 million deal this past week. He’s a true professional and one of the only bright spots in Carolina, but it’s fair to question what the Panthers are doing when their second-round pick is waiting in the wings.
It’s fair to assume the backfield duo will split work for the foreseeable future. Ideally, the Panthers will ease Brooks in over the next few weeks to help his transition back to game speed. Once he’s fully integrated into the offense, a 50-50 backfield split seems like the best possible outcome, though the Panthers’ offense doesn’t have enough scoring opportunities to make either player a smash start in fantasy football.
The bottom line
Fantasy managers with Brooks on their rosters may want to temper expectations for now. It would be great if he jumps right in and becomes a fantasy star, but that’s probably not a realistic outcome over the next couple of weeks.
Once he’s worked back into game shape, expect Brooks to flirt with FLEX value and RB2 upside — not for lack of talent, just due to situation.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
