These are the 2024 Rookie Running Back Rankings – Top 10 RB Rankings and Dynasty Rookie Draft Strategy!
1- Braelon Allen – Wisconsin | Age: 19
I am flag planting Allen in my overall rankings and within his position as my RB1 overall. Allen is a beast. He is 6-2 and weighs 245 pounds and is the youngest RB prospect in this draft class at only 19 years old. A mega producer at Wisconsin, Allen ended his Badgers career with nearly 3,500 rushing yards and 35 TDs.
Draft capital will be an important factor for Allen, but I find it hard to believe that there is not some assurance from the NFL that teams view him as a Day 2 selection. He should run somewhere close to 4.55- a solid number for someone his size. Few running backs in this class can handle the volume Allen can. He also took a big step forward as a receiver this season, with 28 receptions.
2- Blake Corum – Michigan | Age: 23
Corum was a mega producer at Michigan, scoring 58 rushing TDs in his Wolverines career with three seasons of 950 rushing yards or more. He was the offensive lynchpin pin during Michigan’s dream 15-0 National Championship season.
Stylistically he reminds me of Ray Rice and has some Kenneth Walker to his game. He reportedly will run an impressive 40-yard dash time and has a compact frame that should hold up at the next level.
3- Trey Benson – Florida State | Age: 21
Trey Benson was the first Florida State Seminole to rush for more than 200 yards in a game since Dalvin Cook, and like Cook, Benson should hear his name called on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. Benson clocked in at 22 MPH this season and has the sort of size-speed combination that NFL teams love. There are reports that he could run the 40-yard dash in the low 4.4s at 6-1, 220 pounds.
The wildcard for Benson is a 2020 knee injury while at Oregon. Health has not been an issue for Benson since he arrived in Tallahassee, but how NFL teams view him after his physical will be telling. Benson has a good shot at Day 2 NFL Draft capital.
4- Audric Estime – Notre Dame | Age: 20
Estime has size, speed, and home run hitting ability. He will weigh in at 225-230 pounds and clocked in at 20.9 MPH this season. Estime was also incredibly productive during his time in South Bend. His 18 rushing TDs were the most in school history, and his 1,341 rushing yards were the No. 4 most. A proficient runner, Estime averaged 5.9 and 6.4 yards per carry over the last two seasons.
Youth is on his side, as he is only 20 years old, and he will not turn 21 until September. Despite the Bell Cow usage, Estime has manageable tread on the tires. He will be an appealing player for NFL teams and should hear his name called on Day 2.
5- Jonathan Brooks – Texas | Age: 20
I love Brooks’ game. He had similar Yards Per Carry averages to Bijan Robinson this past season. He had to wait his turn in Austin behind Robinson and Roschon Johnson. The Redshirt sophomore displayed explosiveness as a runner and also talent and efficiency as a receiver.
The only reason Brooks is this low in my rankings is because he tore his ACL this past season for the Longhorns. I am open to Brooks moving up way up in these rankings, but I want to make sure he is trending in the right direction recovery wise and the draft capital he receives reflects this.
6- Bucky Irving – Oregon | Age: 21
Want the next 190 pound RB that drafters will be excited about? Look no further than Irving. After the success of Jahmyr Gibbs, Devon Achane, James Cook, and Kyren Williams, drafters will be way more willing to use high rookie draft picks on smaller running backs, and Irving could see his name rise up this offseason.
Irving is an exciting back who excels in space and can make defenders miss. He was also the most productive pass catcher among all RBs in the nation with 53 receptions in 2023. Irving started his career at Minnesota and thrived after transferring to Oregon. He finished the season with over 1,400 combined yards.
7- Will Shipley – Clemson | Age:21
Shipley broke out as a freshman at Clemson and rushed for over 2,700 yards and 31 TDs during his three-year career. But for at the next level, Shipley’s best trait is his pass-catching ability. He caught 85 passes in his career and has solid size at 210 pounds. Expect him to immediately slot in as a third-down back plus for whatever team drafts him. Shipley is highly effective in the screen game, and if he lands correctly, he could immediately put up solid reception numbers.
8- Marshawn Lloyd – USC | Age: 23
Lloyd has a small sample size but was highly productive this season at USC. He has a compact frame and low tread on the tires. He had his best season as a collegiate in 2023, finishing with nine TD runs and 7.1 yards per carry.
9- Ray Davis – Kentucky | Age: 24
Davis was a mega-producer this season at Kentucky, dominating the opportunities and production. He posted back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards in the SEC (he played previously at Vanderbilt) and scored an eye-opening 14 rushing TDs in 2023.
Davis has also shown promise as a receiver, with 62 receptions over the past two seasons, and seven TDs in 2023. The issue with Davis is his age. He is 24 years old and a lacks the unknown upside factor and youth that several other running backs in this class have. With that being said, much like 2022 seventh rounder Chris Rodriguez, Davis will most likely hear his name called on Day 3.
10- Dylan Laube – New Hampshire | Age: 23
Laube is a player who could see his stock rise during the Senior Bowl. He led FCS in All Purpose yardage in 2022 and caught 68 passes in 2023. He has a versatile skill set and could be a post Mobile riser. Laube played in only one game against FBS competition this year and scored three TDs with an insane 12 catches for 295 yards in New Hampshire’s overtime loss to Central Michigan.
Top Players to Watch
Jaylen Wright – Tennessee
Dillon Johnson – Washington
Rasheen Ali – Marshall
