NFL Mock's Top 25: 2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings plus position rankings & analysis
By John Blair
2024 NFL Draft running back Rankings
Underrated: MarShawn Lloyd, USC
My number two back in the 2024 NFL Draft is USC’s MarShawn Lloyd. The reason I am so high on him is his combination of speed and power. He does a great job of running behind his pads and at 220 pounds he is a load to bring down. He also has terrific speed for a bigger back running the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds.
Overrated: Jonathon Brooks, Texas
A player who goes into the NFL Draft with a medical red flag is Texas’s Jonathon Brooks, who is coming off a torn ACL. Even with healthy though I still didn’t see him as one of the top running backs in the class due to his upright running style, and only average explosiveness as a runner.
Non-Power Five player to watch: Blake Watson, Memphis
One of the biggest NFL Combine snubs this year was that of Blake Watson. Watson was coming off an impressive season having rushed for 1,152 yards and catching 53 passes. He was also named to the East-West Shrine Bowl All-West Practice Team and was named the MVP of the Hula Bowl. Look for some team to take Watson late in the 2024 NFL Draft.
NFL team who needs this position: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys lost Tony Pollard in free agency, and have not replaced him with anyone so far in free agency. Even if the team signs a player in the next couple of weeks look for them to use with a day two or three pick on a running back.
Overall Rankings (NFL Draft grade I give the player)
1. Trey Benson, Florida State (second round)
2. MarShawn Lloyd, USC (second round)
3. Bucky Irving, Oregon (third round)
4. Will Shipley, Clemson (third round)
5. Ray Davis, Kentucky (fourth round)
6. Blake Corum, Michigan (fifth round)
7. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee (fifth round)
8. Jonathon Brooks, Texas (fifth round)
9. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin (fifth round)
10. Audric Estime, Notre Dame (fifth round)
11. Isaac Guerendo, Louisville (sixth round)
12. Cody Schrader, Missouri (sixth round)
13. Dillon Johnson, Washington (seventh round)
14. Jawhar Jordan, Louisville (seventh round)
15. Blake Watson, Memphis (seventh round)
16. Jase McClellan, Alabama (seventh round)