PlayerProfiler is home to award winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out. This article features the most fantasy relevant 2024 NFL Draft Prospects from this class of running backs, including NFL Combine results. This is the Scholar Series with John Laub – Running Back Edition.
Ranking the Runners: 2024 Running Back Prospects
There are so many advantages to aging that are overlooked in our culture. I often contemplate the age-old debate between the exuberance of youth versus the wisdom of experience. After a decade of grading running back prospects, I appreciate the intersection between exuberance and experience, and I have concluded that the best analysts continually learn while keeping a youthful outlook to their craft.
My first foray into profiling running back prospects turned into one of the worst classes (2014) since the turn of the century. Bishop Sankey, Jeremy Hill, and Carlos Hyde came off the board in the second round. The three running backs combined for only two 1,000-yard seasons out of 15. With two 1,000-yard campaigns, Devonta Freeman became the best fantasy ball carrier in the group after being selected in the fourth round. Fortunately, an unwavering optimism to improve propelled me forward.
In order to examine the fantasy landscape at the position this year, I wanted to look at some results of relevant ball carriers since I started the Scholar’s Study Sheets. In 2014, 17 runners earned over 200 carries, 13 eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing and 12 scored over 200 PPR fantasy points. DeMarco Murray stood tall with 393 carries for 1,845 yards and 13 scores. Five years later, Derrick Henry dominated the position with 303 attempts for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns. From a macro perspective, 20 runners garnered 200 carries, 15 surpassed 1,000 yards, and 18 produced over 200 fantasy points.
Narratives in the Fantasy Football Community
Last year, the fantasy community wrote a narrative that the running back position lacked relevant performers. Christian McCaffrey led all competitors with 391 fantasy points and logged 272 carries for 1,459 yards and 14 scores. I wanted to see what the numbers proclaimed at the position overall. The final statistics paint a different picture of the position: 23 runners amassed over 200 carries, 12 exceeded 1,000 yards, and 18 scored over 200 fantasy points. The results shocked me.
Is the running back position in bad shape for fantasy owners? This largely depends on the narrative a fantasy manager trusts. There are clearly productive runners. While the next class of running backs do not have Bijan Robinson, Breece Hall, or Jonathan Taylor at the top of the rankings, there are complimentary backs—and potential fantasy producers—if the competitor lands in the right scheme with projected opportunity.
Unfortunately, within the range of outcomes, the Class of 2024 could fail to provide fantasy managers with an injection of quality starters like a decade ago. It is going to be imperative to avoid the landmines among the top prospects and identify value based on landing spot, i.e Devon Achane in Miami last year.
Scholar’s Top Running Back Prospects: 2014-24
2024 PlayerProfiler RB Rankings
I watched hours of film, took in-game notes during the fall, uploaded the career statistics, and graded the top running backs available in the 2024 NFL Draft. It is time to share the results of my endeavors with Draftniks, and Fantasy Footballers, like me, in order to find runners who will become fantasy starters.
Blake Corum, Michigan
Prospect Resume
While QB J.J. McCarthy earned the glory from laymen, RB Blake Corum drove the Michigan Wolverines to the National Championship in 2023. Avid Michigan watchers know that Corum could not be replaced in the lineup. He was named unanimous All-American in 2022 and All-American last year for the two-time Big Ten Champions. In 2023, he garnered a career-best 258 carries, gaining 1,245 yards and setting a single-season touchdown record with 27 scores. The fourth-year runner was Team Captain and Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year. He was also a Finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year and Wuerffel Trophy.
In 2022, Corum also captured the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year after scampering for 1,463 yards and 18 scores on 247 carries. As a sophomore in 2021, Corum logged 952 yards on only 144 carries, averaging a career-high 6.6 yards per carry (ypc.). After four seasons, he concluded his tenure as the all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (58), total touchdowns (61) and points scored (356). He also finished No. 7 in program history with 3,737 rushing yards. In high school, earned the Gatorade Player of the Year in Maryland and earned a four-star grade.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 5.5
Receptions: 56
Yards from Scrimmage: 4,148
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 24%
Film Breakdown and Skills
At 5-8 and 200 pounds, Blake Corum runs with the passion and fearlessness of a bigger back. He is exceptional in between the tackles and excels in a phone booth. Michigan’s runner finds the smallest of creases with traffic all around and rapidly blasts through the hole. Corum has a stupendous amalgamation of strength, twitch, denseness and vision. He combines jump cuts with lateral quickness to slip, slide, dip, twist, and turn in tight spaces. With a low center of gravity, Corum is difficult to bring down and obtains leverage versus would-be tacklers.
His exceptional burst leaves defenders gasping at air. A creative runner with fancy feet, he easily changes direction and utilizes a high-level of spatial awareness to gain yards. He hides behind blockers and peripheral vision to find open space. Corum is a below average pass protector and not a dynamic pass catcher. He needs to improve in both areas to become a full-time, three-down playmaker. Corum does not exhibit breakaway speed and is inconsistent at times. A versatile runner, Corum could be placed in a gap or zone scheme at the next level. Can new Chargers’ coach Jim Harbaugh pass on drafting Corum in Los Angeles?
Scholar’s Grade: Third Round
Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
Prospect Resume
Jaylen Wright continues to climb running back rankings this offseason. In 2023, the Volunteers’ speedster established career bests in rushing yards (1,013), yards per attempt (7.39) and yards per game (84.4) on 137 carries. He became the first Tennessee back to rush for over 1,000 yards since Jalen Hurd in 2015. He led all FBS running backs with a 7.39 yards per carry average and logged six 100-yard games. More impressively, Wright blasted for multiple runs over 70-plus yards. In the summer last year, he was ranked No. 24 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List.
As a sophomore in 2022, he led the team in rushing with 875 yards and scored 10 times. In the SEC, he ranked No. 5 with five 30-plus yard runs and finished third with two 50-plus yard carries. As a true freshman, he immediately earned playing time and totaled 85 carries for 409 rushing yards and four scores. A three star recruit in 2021, Wright enrolled at Tennessee early and participated in spring practices with the Volunteers.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 6.2
Receptions: 30
Yards from Scrimmage: 2,468
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 20-percent
Film Breakdown and Skills
At 5-11 and 210-pounds, Wright is an explosive runner who possesses breakaway speed—he sprinted a robust 4.39 40 at the Combine—and strength. A home run hitter, he wields breath-taking explosivity, blasting upfield when a lane opens. With pads low, he rambles with purpose, welcomes contact and falls forward for extra yards. He excels on the corner and leaves defenders in the dust. A patient runner, Wright rapidly changes direction and easily stops and starts. He has very good lateral quickness and identifies cut-back lanes. With good hip flexibility, he also darts in-and-out of traffic and accelerates easily.
Wright musters stiff arms and leg strength to churn through tacklers. He is a proficient pass-catcher and blocker, which will get him more snaps immediately in the NFL. There are ball security concerns on film, and he does not always identify the hole well. He also needs to find a better balance between patience and aggressiveness: He sometimes leaves yards on the field while waiting for an opening. The three-year Volunteer is not a sledgehammer runner despite good size. He does not string together highlight moves to make defenders whiff. Is Wright the top running back prospect in the 2024 Class? There is a good argument that he is the best ball carrier, and he might be the first one off the board.
Scholar’s Grade: Second Round
Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Prospect Resume
Longhorns’ smooth runner declares for the NFL Draft after suffering a season-ending ACL injury in November. Projecting a nine-month timeline for recovery, Jonathan Brooks would be healthy during training camp in August. In 2023, he ascended to the top of the depth chart after Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson jettisoned to the NFL. Brooks rushed for 1,470 yards—the No. 14-most in program history—and scored 16 touchdowns, averaging 6.2 ypc. He logged six 100-yard outings and recorded four in a row, including a career-best 218 versus Kansas.
The sleek runner was tabbed as a Doak Walker Award semifinalist and finalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. Also, he was named Second Team All-Big 12 (AP) and honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. A redshirt freshman in 2022, he played in seven games and carried the ball 30 times for 197 yards and five scores. He played in only four games in 2021 and totted the pigskin 21 times for 143 yards. A four-star recruit in high school, Brooks rushed for 3,530 yards and 62 touchdowns on 295 carries (12.0 ypc.) as a senior. In Texas, he earned all-state honoree and district MVP in 2020 and was a first-team All-District basketball player.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 6.2
Receptions: 28
Yards from Scrimmage: 1,184
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 23-percent
Film Breakdown and Skills
At 6-0 and 207 pounds, Brooks wins with superb vision, sweet feet, and start-stop ability. He makes defenders miss with juke moves and excels in open space. He is also more physical than expected and possesses considerable contact balance. The sleek-footed runner smoothly bounces plays outside and bursts up field. In his toolbox, he utilizes jump cuts and lateral quickness to avoid defenders. Brooks hits the hole rapidly and embraces contact. He easily changes direction and leaves would-be tackles whiffing at air.
Brooks is a very good pass-catcher who can be employed in a zone and gap-scheme as a three-down back. The redshirt sophomore only registered one season as a full workload in the backfield, entering the league with fresh legs. Brooks likely needs reps in practice to regain confidence in ACL and adjust to the faster game. He does not have an instantaneous burst and needs a runway to reach full speed. A team’s final ranking of the former Longhorns’ runner will depend on the medical reports at the NFL Scouting Combine. Will organizations be confident in Brooks ability to get back on the field and how long before he is 100% healthy?
Scholar’s Grade: Third Round
Trey Benson, Florida State
Prospect Resume
After two campaigns in Eugene, OR, Trey Benson transferred to Talhassee, FL and prospered in a new uniform. As a Seminole, Benson captured the lead role and led the team in rushing each of the past two campaigns. In 2023, he carried the ball a career-high 154 times for 906 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns. In 2022, the junior caught the eyes of scouts after rushing for 990 yards and scoring nine times. Benson was named Second Team All-ACC and earned All-ACC Honor Roll. He also obtained the FSU Offensive Newcomer of the Year award.
During his college tenure, Benson had a limited pass-catching role, with only 33 receptions for 371 yards. After high school, he enrolled at Oregon, but did not get many opportunities. In 2021, he rushed for only 22 yards on six carries. Benson missed the 2020 campaign due to a catastrophic knee injury, tearing his ACL, MCL and both the lateral and medial meniscus. A four-star recruit in Mississippi, Benson was rated the No. 21 running back in the nation and the No. 6 prospect in the state. He also played basketball.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 6.1
Receptions: 24
2023 Season
Yards from Scrimmage: 2,289
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 21-percent
Film Breakdown and Skills
At 6-1 and 223-pounds, Benson profiles as a workhorse runner. Yet, he never toted the pigskin more than 156 times in any season on campus. Why did he never earn more than 200 carries? NFL organizations must solve that brain-teaser before drafting the Florida State ball carrier. Watching games, Benson’s skills are evident at times but he disappears far too often. He is a big and physical runner with atypical long speed for a large competitor. An aggressive ball carrier, he employs his frame well upon impact and has good contact balance.
Benson combines quickness, jump cuts and lateral agility with good vision to explode through narrow holes. He begins his professional career with only 316 carries under his belt and appears to have plenty of tread on the tires for future production. Running with a high pad level, the powerful back takes too many big hits and runs carelessly at times. In order to reach his professional ceiling as a three-down back, he must improve his pass blocking. He needs to be better at blitz pickup and technique to stone-wall pass rushers. Benson profiles in a similar prospect tier as Kenneth Walker and Breece Hall and might be the first runner off the board despite limited production in college.
Scholar’s Grade: Third Round
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
Prospect Resume
Braelon Allen immediately made an impact on the gridiron as a 17-year-old running back. As a true freshman in 2021, he rambled for 1,268 yards, starting four games and playing in all 12. In school history, he joined Ron Dayne, James White and Jonathan Taylor as the only true freshmen to surpass the 1,000-yard mark, posting a seven-game 100-yard streak in the second half of the season. Allen was named a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Finalist, Walter Camp Freshman All-American and Second Team All-Big Ten.
In 2022, he started every game in the backfield and scampered for 1,242 yards, exceeding the 1,200-yard barrier for the second consecutive campaign. In the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, he earned Offensive MVP, rushing for 116 yards and a touchdown. Also, Allen was named Second Team All-Big Ten. As a junior in 2023, he was once again named Second Team All-Big Ten after playing in 11 games and scampering for 984 yards and 12 scores. He also posted career-highs with 28 receptions and 131 receiving yards. Bruce Feldman placed Allen on the 2023 Freak’s List: No. 34 overall. He finished his Badger tenure as the No. 9-most productive runner and No. 4 with a 5.85 ypc. In high school, Allen earned a four-star ranking and played both linebacker and running back.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 6.9
Receptions: 49
Yards from Scrimmage: 3,769
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 29%
Film Breakdown and Skills
At 6-2 and 240 pounds, Allen is a powerful runner who packs a wallop upon contact. The 20-year-old is a violent ball carrier and smashes through arm tackles. With natural balance, he is difficult to corral in the open field and bounces off tacklers. Allen excels in short-yardage and fights for extra yards. Despite his height, he can lower his shoulder, get small and use leverage when necessary. For a big man, he owns good burst and accelerates through the hole.
As a pass catcher, Allen has nice hands and turns up field quickly with the ball in his hands. He is a gap-runner with fancy feet, outstanding vision, and a nasty stiff-arm. Also, he shined out of the shotgun and the I-formation for the Badgers. An upright runner, he can be vulnerable to hits high if he doesn’t lower pads. Allen does not employ much wiggle and lacks lateral quickness. He does not always reach the edge of the defense and gets stalled when asked to pop outside. Overall, the former Badger has an intriguing combination of size, speed, and strength. It is within his range of outcomes to be a 1,000-yard runner with double-digit touchdowns in the NFL.
Scholar’s Grade: Fourth Round
MarShawn Lloyd, USC
Prospect Resume
A stupendous Senior Bowl week propels MarShawn Lloyd up positional rankings. Originally, Lloyd enrolled at South Carolina before transferring to USC for his final collegiate campaign last year. In his only season as a Trojan, he set career bests in carries (116), yards (820) and ypc. (7.1). Lloyd also corralled 13 passes for 232 yards and totaled nine touchdowns. In 2022, he paced the Gamecocks in rushing with 573 yards and nine scores. As a redshirt freshman in 2021, Lloyd saw action in 12 games while recovering from injury. During his first year at South Carolina (2020), he suffered a season-ending ACL tear of his left knee during the second day of training camp. Coming out of high school, Lloyd earned four-stars as a prospect and was selected to play in the Opening Finals and the Under Armour All-American Bowl. He also competed in track and field.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 5.6
Receptions: 34
Yards from Scrimmage: 1,052
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 19%
Film Breakdown and Skills
MarShawn Lloyd is a compact and well-rounded prospect at 5-9 and 210 pounds. He combines patience and power with a low center of gravity, smooth footwork and lateral agility to gain yards. In traffic, Lloyd remains composed, employs jump cuts, runs with low pads and finds small creases. Once he uncovers a lane, he has the burst and acceleration to blast forward. An effortless runner, he hits the brakes and speeds up rapidly in order to find cut-back lanes behind blockers.
When necessary, he bounces outside and reaches the edge, smoothly changing directions from East-West to North-South. Lloyd can be employed on passing downs. Yet, he needs to improve as a pass-protector. He often lined up in shotgun formation and played in a variety of run schemes in college. Throughout collegiate career, he was never an alpha-dog on his team: only 129 touches in both 2022 and 2023. Occasionally, he looks to bounce outside instead of taking the yards between the tackles. He is an upright runner who can be exposed to big hits. Can he be a 20-touch runner as a professional? Lloyd projects as a rotational ball carrier who can maximize 15 opportunities per game.
Scholar’s Grade: Fourth Round
Bucky Irving, Oregon
Prospect Resume
Bucky Irving enters the NFL after logging back-to-back 1,000-yard crusades at Oregon. In 2023, Irving was named Second Team All-Pac-12. In 14 games, he carried the ball 186 times for a career-best 1,180 yards, averaging a robust 6.3 ypc. Irving also snatched 56 passes for 413 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns. In 2022, he earned First Team All-Pac-12 (PFF) and the Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP, scampering for 149 yards and two scores on only 13 carries.
The third-year runner recorded over 1,000 yards rushing with five touchdowns. He added 31 receptions for 299 yards and three touchdowns. In 2021 as a true freshman, he played at Minnesota and garnered 133 attempts for 699 yards and eight catches for 73 yards while scoring four times. He led the Golden Gophers in all-purpose yards with 966. In high school, Irving was a four-star recruit who was the No. 9 running back recruit in the nation.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 6.1
Receptions: 92
Yards from Scrimmage: 3,587
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 21%
Film Breakdown and Skills
The Ducks’ dynamic playmaker is an undersized gamebreaker at 5-10 and 190 pounds. With breathtaking quickness and agility, he rapidly accelerates and excels on outside zone runs and on the edges in space. Irving maximizes a low center of gravity to bounce off defenders, run through tacklers, and elude opponents. His nimble feet and great vision navigate him through traffic and avoid direct hits. A competitive and fiery runner, Irving fights for additional yards. With soft hands, he is an uber pass-catcher who turns up field immediately once he secures the ball.
The Dynamic Duck does not turn the ball over with only one fumble in 552 touches. Irving possesses a thinner and lighter frame than idyllic. At times, he attempts to bounce outside when yards are available between the tackles. Can he remain as efficient as a professional as he did in Eugene? Despite profiling as a change-of-pace back, Irving could carry a bigger role than anticipated and per-touch efficiency closes the volume gap with traditional bell cow ball carriers in fantasy football.
Scholar’s Grade: Third Round
Will Shipley, Clemson
Prospect Resume
After three years on campus, Will Shipley leaves Clemson as one of the all-time runners in program history: He ranked No. 11 in career rushing yards (2,747) and finished top-10 in total touchdowns (33), rushing touchdowns (31), 100-yard rushing games (10), all-purpose yards (4,253) and kickoff return yards (904). In 2023, Shipley was voted as the team captain, Third Team All-ACC, First Team CSC Academic All-America and All-ACC Academic Team. He shared backfield duties with Phil Mafah and the two backs each totaled over 800 rushing yards. Shipley scampered for 827 yards, caught 31 passes for 244 yards and scored seven total touchdowns.
In 2022, Shipley became the first player in ACC history to be chosen as a First Team All-ACC honoree in three different categories: running back, all-purpose and specialist. He garnered 210 carries for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns and corralled 38 passes for 242 yards. He also returned 14 kickoffs for 324 yards. With 11 scores, he was only the third player (Travis Etienne, Lamar Jackson and Giovani Bernard) since 2000 in the ACC to score 11 or more touchdowns in each of their freshman and sophomore seasons.
In 2021, Shipley was named Second Team All-American and Fourth Team All-ACC (Phil Steele). He rushed for 738 yards with 11 touchdowns and grabbed 16 passes for 116 yards. As a high school recruit, he was a five star prospect and ranked among the top-50 high schoolers in the nation. He was invited to play in the Under Armour All-America Game and named Gatorade Player of the Year in North Carolina.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 5.3
Receptions: 85
Yards from Scrimmage: 2,748
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 25-percent
Film Breakdown and Skills
A dynamic runner and pass catcher, Shipley shines in space and is a natural hands catcher. A shifty runner at 5-11 and 200-pounds, the three-year playmaker combines vision, patience and lateral ability to gain chunks of yards. He changes directions handily with nimble feet and elusive stop-start ability. He also plants his foot and explodes forward. A three-down back for the Tigers, Shipley can be employed all over the formation in the passing game, manufacturing a mismatch for defenders. He catches the pass with his soft hands and turns up field quickly. As a returner, he rapidly accelerates and explodes when a lane opens: He has good spatial awareness and eliminates angles by defenders.
Shipley runs better on the perimeter than up the middle and does not illustrate a lot of power and strength in the A-gap. He does not have elite leg strength and upper body mass to smash over tacklers. Occasionally, he misses holes in traffic and prefers to bounce plays outside. Shipley is very good at all aspects of the position. Nevertheless, he does not illustrate a dominant trait to win when play breaks down. Draft capital will determine final dynasty value, and currently, Shipley appears undervalued by the community.
Scholar’s Grade: Fourth Round
Audric Estime, Notre Dame
Prospect Resume
Audric Estime kicks off his professional career after three years on campus. He catapulted up draft rankings after a spectacular season last year. The Fighting Irish runner rambled for 1,341 yards, averaging 6.4 ypc., and scored 18 touchdowns. When the campaign concluded, the bulldozing ball carrier was named Second Team All-American by the AP, USA Today and Sporting News. Estime also earned the Notre Dame Offensive Player of the Year. He etched his name in the program record books, setting a record for rushing touchdowns—Allen Pinkett and Vagas Ferguson stood atop the list with 17 scores before last year.
As a sophomore in 2022, he paced the Irish with 920 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. The third-year rusher concluded his tenure No. 10 in rushing (2,321) and No. 5 in rushing touchdowns (29) at Notre Dame—ahead of former Golden Domers Jerome Bettis, Ricky Watters, and Kyren Williams. Coming out of high school, Estime was ranked as the No. 132 player in the nation, No. 7 running back, and No. 3 player in New Jersey. A four-star recruit, he captured the New Jersey Football Player of the Year in 2020.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 6.2
Receptions: 26
Yards from Scrimmage: 2,598
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 29-percent
Film Breakdown and Skills
While watching Audric Estime during the fall, memories of Christian Okoye, Jerome Bettis, and A.J. Dillon danced in my head. At 5-11 and 227 pounds, the bruising back mimics a first-round pick from the 1980s. Regrettably, he was born three decades too late. Estime shines in tight quarters and easily breaks through arm tackles and powers over one-on-one matchups. A patient runner with quick feet, he locates creases in traffic and blasts ahead.
He has underrated lateral agility. The big-bodied back constantly initiates contact and churns his feet until the whistle. He has very good contact balance and absorbs hits. Estime lacks quick twitch abilities and top-end speed. Estime does not illustrate advanced pass-catching skills on tape. If there is no improvement in securing the football, he will not remain on the field as a professional. He also needs to improve pass blocking. Despite the schematic changes in the NFL, there is still a role for a physical power runner, and one coaching staff will likely value Estime’s skills above other organizations.
Scholar’s Grade: Fourth Round
Ray Davis, Kentucky
Prospect Resume
Ray Davis took a road less traveled to the NFL: Enrolled at Temple in 2019, transferred to Vanderbilt in 2021 and landed at Kentucky for his final season in college last year. In 2023, he earned Second Team All-SEC after rushing for 1,129 yards on 199 carries. Davis sprinted 31 times for 10-plus yards. He registered 33 catches for 323 yards and 21 touchdowns. As a Commodore in 2022, he rambled for over 1,000 yards and snatched 29 passes for 169 yards, scoring eight times. In 2021, he only played in three games—211 rushing yards and a touchdown—before suffering a season-ending injury.
In 2019, Davis earned a varsity letter at Temple as a true freshman. He was named First Team Freshman All-America (PFF) after rushing for 936 yards and eight touchdowns. As a sophomore 2020, he only played in four games for the Owls before enduring his first season-ending injury. In high school, Davis played running back and defensive back on the gridiron. He also competed in basketball, baseball and track.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 4.9
Receptions: 94
Yards from Scrimmage: 4,388
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 33-percent
Film Breakdown and Skills
At 5-9 and 215 pounds, Davis provides a diverse skill set and tons of college production after playing five campaigns on campus. A powerful runner, he has very good vision and fancy footwork. He follows blocks well and finds cut back lanes while running hard with a low center of gravity and bouncing off tacklers. With a stocky frame, Davis employs good contact balance and picks up difficult yards.
A potential three-down back, he is a proficient pass-catcher. In order to see more snaps, Davis needs to identify pass rushers more effectively and improve hand technique while pass blocking. He is not a home run hitter, lacking elite long speed. Davis will turn 25 when the season kicks off and has over 800 carries under his belt. He has experience in very different offensive schemes and can immediately be inserted into the lineup. Davis will turn 30 when his second contract negotiations arise; but beforehand, he will need to be productive immediately to earn a raise.
Scholar’s Grade: Fourth Round
Kimani Vidal, Troy
Prospect Resume
A stupendous Combine performance propels Kimani Vidal as the top G5 running back prospect in the Class. He recorded a 4.46 in the 40 (No. 6), a 1.53 in the 10-yard split (No. 6) and a 37.50-inches in the Vertical Jump (No. 6), placing the Trojans’ workhorse runner among the elite running backs who participated in Indianapolis.
In 2023, Vidal dominated the Sun Belt and collected the Offensive Player of the Year in the Conference. He sauntered for a league-best 1,661 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also snatched 18 passes for 201 yards and a score. During the campaign, he became Troy’s single-game, single-season and career rushing yards leader and matched the program single-season record with six 100-yard outings.
In 2022, he was named Second Team All-Sun Belt, scampering for 1,132 yards and 10 scores on 231 carries. He topped the 200-yard mark twice (242 yards against ULM and 208 yards versus Arkansas State) and was just the second player in the same season at Troy to race for more than 200 yards in multiple games. In 2021, he earned Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt after rushing for 701 yards and five scores, and as a true freshman in 2020, he recorded 516 yards and four touchdowns. As a high school recruit, he was a three-star prospect and ranked among the top 65 runners in the country.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 5.1
Receptions: 92
Yards from Scrimmage: 4,710
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 32-percent
Film Breakdown and Skills
The Vidal game film I watched during the past two months provided the most impressive tape study of the offseason. Yet, trepidation clouded my analysis because the Trojans compete as a G5 team in the Sun Belt. A herculean ball carrier, Vidal dominated opponents and logged an impressive production profile. He checked a lot of boxes in my processes; nevertheless, I had to wonder about his athletic ability in relation to other runners in the class. At the Combine, Troy’s all-time leading runner illustrated elite-level skills that translate to the NFL.
At 5-8 and 213-pounds, the former Trojans’ warrior is a stout and compact runner, who is also shifty and smooth. With a rare blend of balance, agility and instincts, he enjoys contact and packs a punch when being tackled. Vidal churns through arm tackles and stiff arms opponents in order to gain extra yards. With tremendous short-area burst, he easily changes directions with elusive footwork. Vidal is a patient ball carrier who employs tempo to evade defenders. At times, he stiff arms tacklers to escape. He is a capable pass catcher and excels on screen and swing passes. Vidal likely gets selected on Day 3 of the Draft and gets an opportunity to illustrate his skills as a professional.
Scholar’s Grade: Fifth Round
Cody Schrader, Missouri
Prospect Resume
In the past decade, no player has risen from near obscurity to prospect as far as Cody Schrader. From 2018-2021, Schrader played for Truman State, and in 2021, he earned the Great Lakes Valley Conference Co-offensive Player of the Year. He led NCAA Division II with 2,074 rushing yards, including 24 touchdowns. Betting on himself, Schrader enrolled at Missouri and walked onto the football team in 2022. He topped the Tigers in rushing with 746 yards and nine touchdowns. Schrader played in all 12 games while making nine starts. He also snatched 19 passes for 137 yards.
The fifth-year back was even better his second year in the Tigers’ black and gold. He paced the SEC in rushing with a whopping 1,627 rushing yards. Schrader also scored 14 times and caught 22 passes for 191 yards. He was named First Team AllAmerican, Doak Walker Finalist and captured the Burlsworth Trophy (outstanding walk-on in the nation). In high school. he played both linebacker and running back. A four-year starter, he concluded high school with 834 rushes for 6,759 yards and 99 touchdowns and caught 53 receptions for 659 yards and five touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he totaled 481 tackles, 14 sacks, five fumble recoveries, and one interception.
Key Career Statistics
Yards per Carry: 5.4
Receptions: 54
Yards from Scrimmage: 2,700
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 35-percent
Film Breakdown and Skills
At 5-8 and 207-pounds, Schrader is a powerful competitor who runs with a low center of gravity and challenges tacklers with a muscular and stout frame. He finds creases between the tackles and uses a nasty stiff arm and sleek spin moves to gain yards. In short yardage and goal line situations, the former team captain sparkles as a chain mover. His vision and instincts allow him to identify cut-back lanes. A one-cut runner, Shrader pushes the pile with strong leg drive when necessary. An instinctual pass catcher, he adjusts to poorly thrown balls and rapidly turns upfield to move the chains. He only fumbled once last year on 298 touches.
A versatile performer, Schrader has been employed in many different schemes and lined up in shotgun and pistol. He is patient behind the line of scrimmage, following blockers. Schrader does not have breakaway speed and is an older prospect. After six years in college, he has lots of mileage with over 1,000 touches. The 24-year old lacks elite athleticism; nonetheless, has many traits that coaches will covet on the roster as a backup runner.
Scholar’s Grade: Fifth Round
Check out John’s QB Rookie Rankings here – 2024 NFL Draft Prospects – Top 6 QBs | Dynasty Fantasy Football (playerprofiler.com)
