2024 NFL Draft: Odds for first running back selected
This NFL Draft more than any other illustrates the trend of how the league doesn’t covet the running back like it used to do.
There likely will not be a running back selected in Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft. For context, there were two last year (Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs). And we may not see one called until late into Friday’s draft session, when the NFL drafts its second and third rounds.
The top back taken may be one who still is rehabbing from ACL surgery. Or maybe it will be Michigan’s touchdown machine or a star from Florida State. We’ll use DraftKings Sportsbook for the latest odds.
Jonathon Brooks, Texas (-110)
Brooks waited his turn behind Robinson when both were at Texas. And once Brooks earned the starting job, he looked like he was on his way to a Doak Walker Award. Instead, he tore his ACL in mid-November on the road against TCU.
Still, his tender knee ligament won’t stop teams from looking at him in the second round. ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper called him the best back in the draft. “Had he not been hurt – and I’m not a running back in the first round kind of guy – I would have had early to mid second, Kiper said.
Trey Benson, Florida State (+220)
Benson spent the last two years at Florida State after originally playing for Oregon. While in Tallahassee, he proved himself to be a big-play producer with three touchdowns of at least 80 yards.
Joel Klatt, a college football analyst for FOX Sports, had Benson as the top back in the NFL Draft. He wrote: “I like his vision. There are times when Benson can be a bit upright, but that’s usually the case for taller running backs, like Derrick Henry. I’m not trying to compare him to Henry, but he’s shown that playing upright can work at the next level. His style will play well in the NFL.”
Blake Corum, Michigan (+400)
Here’s a draft sub-plot for you. Former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is now with the Chargers. And he needs a running back. Could he go with Corum? All the running back did was score 27 touchdowns for the Wolverines in 2023.
Former running back Maurice Jones-Drew analyzes the draft for NFL Network. He wrote that Corum has “above-average contact balance” and “thrives as a short-yardage back.” Jones-Drew isn’t sure about Corum’s catching skills, but thinks he can be an asset out of the backfield.
Jaylen Wright, Tennessee (+750)
Wright says he models his game after former Tennessee Vol Alvin Kamara. And that’s a good thing if you want an NFL team to draft you.
Jones-Drew described Wright as “an explosive runner with breakaway speed at the second level. With pass-catching talent to pair with his linear running style, Wright has a real chance to one day be an NFL starter.”
MarShawn Lloyd, USC (+900)
Lloyd started his career at South Carolina, then transferred to USC. So he had one season playing in the same backfield as Caleb Williams, the likely top pick of the NFL Draft.
Lloyd only had 291 carries in his college career, so he doesn’t have a lot of wear and tear. Lance Zierlein, a draft analyst for NFL.com, wrote of the running back: “Lloyd’s flashes on tape could lead a team to envision a more expansive role for him in its offense, but based on his play, he feels more like a good complementary option with big-play potential.”
Chances are, the first back goes off the draft board sometime Friday night. To catch up on all the On3 NFL Draft news, click it here. And you can check sports betting trends here.