Top Prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft: Running Backs
This year’s running back draft class may not have the standout talents of previous years, but it boasts a pool of versatile runners who can make an impact in the NFL. These players offer a range of skills, from elusive speedsters to powerful bruisers, providing teams with ample opportunities to find impactful contributors in later rounds.
While athletic testing at the NFL Combine has drawn scrutiny, it still provides insights into how players will perform at the next level. Standout prospects include Isaac Guerendo (Louisville), Jaylen Wright (Tennessee), and Trey Benson (Florida State), who showcased impressive athleticism.
Guerendo, who transferred to Louisville after a lackluster career at Wisconsin, boosted his stock with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash and 41.5-inch vertical jump, becoming just the fifth running back in the last five years to earn a max-99 athleticism score. Wright, at 210 pounds, ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and leaped 38 inches in the vertical, putting him in the athletic testing territory of Breece Hall, Jonathan Taylor, and Kenneth Walker III. Benson, despite a lackluster vertical jump, ran a solid 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 216 pounds.
However, the Combine also revealed prospects who may not be as athletically gifted. Audric Estime (Notre Dame) had a disappointing 4.71-second 40-yard dash, while Bucky Irving (Oregon) ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash and became the first running back since 2020 to not reach at least 30 inches in the vertical jump.
Some running backs rely on blocking to gain yards, while others possess exceptional elusiveness. Trey Benson stands out in this category, generating 0.41 missed tackles forced per attempt in his college career, the most by any running back in the 2024 class, surpassing even Bijan Robinson and Javonte Williams. Bucky Irving also demonstrated elusiveness at the collegiate level.
Tyrone Tracy (Purdue) and Dylan Laube (New Hampshire) are versatile dual-threat running backs who can both run and catch effectively. Laube led all NCAA running backs in receiving categories last season, including targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Irving also holds his own in receiving production, ranking sixth in targets and fourth in receptions among NCAA running backs last season.
Pass protection and ball security are crucial aspects of being a running back in the NFL. Jonathon Brooks (Texas), Trey Benson (FSU), and Dylan Laube stand out in these areas. Brooks received an 88.8 pass-blocking grade from PFF, the highest among 46 top 2024 running back prospects. Benson did not fumble a single time on any of his 285 career carries.
Despite the lack of top-tier talent, the 2024 NFL Draft’s running back class offers a depth of options for teams to bolster their backfields in the later rounds. Projections indicate that no running backs will be taken in the first round and only three in the second and third rounds, meaning there will be plenty of value at the position on Day 3 of the Draft.
