There were two first-round RBs in 2023 but that doesn’t appear to be in the cards for the 2024 class
One of the most recent trends that has seemed to die down a little as of late has been the devaluation of the running back position during the NFL draft. There have been years of discourse about finding a guy in the later rounds of the draft instead of spending valuable draft capital on a guy that could be spent on a “more valuable” position. That trend was certainly bucked during the 2023 draft, where two running backs went in the top half of the first round in Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. Both rookies made huge impacts on their team. Could that lead to seeing a back taken early this season?
This crop of running backs is certainly one of the deepest ones we have seen in quite a while, with a handful of guys sitting around the same value as a perceived second-round selection, but as we have seen in the past, the perceived value isn’t always reality. A few names that could work themselves up draft boards during the pre-draft process that come to mind are:
While Corum and Benson will need excellent combines to be considered for the first round, both have an excellent track record as effective, intelligent, and versatile players at the position. Jonathon Brooks is an example of top level physical talent that could be tantalizing to a team that projects him as a future star in the league.
While the talent isn’t quite as stacked as last year ultimately it only takes on team to fall in love with any of the many running backs in the upcoming class. It is hard to say for certain that one of these players will end up in the first round, it is nice that the past few seasons have reversed the stigma on doing so.
2024 NFL Draft Running Back top 5 rankings 1.0 from Draft Wire’s Natalie Miller
The running back position was seemingly being devalued for years but experienced a bit of a bounce back with two runners going high in the first round last season.
This crop of backs is one of the deeper classes we have seen and could see a player or two go in the first round. Let’s take a look at the top five players of that group before we get to pre-draft process.
Even with Lamar Jackson and company roaring through the playoff field, it’s never too early for a look ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Baltimore currently has about $13,658,828 in salary cap space per Over The Cap, and they’re spending about $120+ million plus on the offensive side of the football.
With the Reese’s Senior Bowl fast approaching and draft coverage set to begin, we’re looking at an updated mock draft roundup for AFC Championship week.
We’re doing a 2024 NFL mock draft roundup, and the Baltimore Ravens are projected to add depth at defensive tackle
The Baltimore Ravens are 13-4 and set to enjoy a week of rest after claiming the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a much-needed first-round bye.
Even with Lamar Jackson and company ready to roar into the playoffs, it’s never too early for a look ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Baltimore currently has about $19,485,086 in salary cap space per Over The Cap, and they’re spending about $120+ million plus on the offensive side of the football.
2024 NFL draft: Bowl season RB big board from Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon
Bowl season keeps chugging along like a reliable running back ripping off first down after first down. Finding running backs who can do that in the NFL is one of the goals of the scouting process.
This year’s class doesn’t appear to have any surefire first-rounders like a year ago when Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs both came off the draft board in the top 12 picks. The early impression is that this is a good group to tailor to individual team fits, and there is a good selection of capable talent, if not any transcendent types of RBs.
We’re looking at a 2024 NFL Mock Draft and the Baltimore Ravens are projected to land cornerback Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo
The Baltimore Ravens are 11-3 and preparing for a gigantic Christmas night matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16.
Even with Lamar Jackson and company roaring toward the playoffs, it’s never too early for a look ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Baltimore currently has about $6,150,461 in cap space per Over The Cap, and they’re spending about $120+ million plus on the offensive side of the football.
Benson looks to be one of the first RBs selected in the 2024 NFL draft
The 2024 draft class is already presumably one of the deeper classes for the running back position, and with Florida State running back Trey Benson coming out early and declaring for the draft, it just got even deeper.
Benson is an impressive talent with plenty of production to back it up. Over the last two seasons since joining the Seminoles, Benson has managed to find the end zone a whopping 24 times through the air and ground. His track record shows Benson is an explosive runner, averaging 6.2 yards per carry between the two seasons and establishing himself as one of the most explosive weapons on a dominant Florida State offense.
Trey Benson declared for the NFL Draft
Will gain momentum throughout the draft process
Benson has size, explosiveness and big play ability. 220+
This season, he became the first FSU Seminole to rush for 200 yards in a game since Dalvin Cook in 2016.
A three-down back is rare in the modern NFL, but Benson fits the mold of everything you would want out of one. A bigger back who can catch the football and handle the primary load in just about any system. Expect Trey Benson to hear his name called within the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Looking at the Top-6 rookies for fantasy drafts next year
The NFL season has turned the corner and is starting the final stretch. Not a lot of transition in-depth charts other than quarterbacks who have seen one of their worst seasons. We haven’t lost many of the elite quarterbacks, but Joe Burrow and Kirk Cousins sent fantasy owners scrambling. Some fantasy teams have fallen from their playoff races due to injuries, unforeseen circumstances, and bad luck. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves. It’s probably right.
So, let’s take a very early look at Top -6 fantasy rookies that you will be overspending on soon enough. The rookies will change positions in the rankings after their bowl season is over and the NFL combine has taken place. And mostly after being over-analyzed and overhyped. But the 2023 season has quietly been a banner year for rookies.
It is a rarity that rookie quarterbacks or tight ends have any fantasy value. This year, both positions contain a Top-5 player that is a rookie. The first two running backs taken are currently Top-15 fantasy backs. Wideouts were supposedly a weaker class, and yet there are currently eight in the Top-50 and four in the Top-20. Youth be served, indeed.
Here’s my current Top-6 rookies-to-be and where you can see them play. Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. are locks to be the first taken in their position. Running backs are expected to wait until Round 2, so none are obvious first-rounders. The Texas running back was in the lead to be drafted first but tore his ACL on November 11.
1.) WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (6-3, 205 lbs., 4.39/40, Ohio State)
If you’ve played fantasy football for more than 15 years, you’ll grab Harrison from name and genetic advantages alone. He is the consensus best college wideout in the nation and gained over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns for both of the last two seasons as a Buckeye. He’s tall and yet fast, explosive and strong. His size-speed combination is elite and gives him all the advantages of being fast with a huge catch radius. He’s a first-rounder and hopefully ends up with a team that has a veteran quarterback with the talent to optimize what Harrison can be. Bowl Game: December 29, Cotton Bowl Ohio State vs. Missouri
2.) WR Malik Nabers (6-0, 200 lbs., 4.4/40 LSU)
The junior Tiger followed up his promising sophomore year by catching 86 passes for 1,546 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is a bit shorter than the prototypical wideout but is thick and capable of breaking tackles. He’s been at his best in the slot where he can find the open areas and help out his quarterback as a trusted outlet. But he brings natural skills and big-play ability and comes from that NFL-wideout factory at LSU. His teammate Brian Thomas Jr. will also be a first-round pick. Bowl Game: January 1 ReliaQuest Bowl LSU vs. Wisconsin
3.) RB Trey Benson (6-0, 221 lbs. 4.5/40, Florida State ) The fourth-year junior spent the last two years as a Gator with around 150 carries and 950 yards in both seasons and up to 15 touchdowns just last year. He offers a powerful frame with quick feet and explosive burst that can excel in both inside and outside rushing. He’s fast enough to get through small creases and hard to bring down with a solo tackle. He’s been a capable receiver and caught 20 passes for 227 yards last year. Benson projects as a No. 1 running back in the NFL that can play any needed role. Bowl Game: December 30, Orange Bowl Florida State vs. Georgia
4.) QB Caleb Williams (6-1, 220 lbs., 4.59/40 USC) Rookie quarterbacks rarely have fantasy “start-ability” in their first season but then again – C.J. Stroud. After a year at Oklahoma, he transferred to USC for the last two seasons as one of the top passers in the NCAA. Over his two seasons, he threw for a total of 72 touchdowns and rushed for 21 more. He’s not a running quarterback but very mobile for a pocket passer. He was prolific with up to 500 passes thrown in a season and peaked at 4,537 yards in 14 games as a sophomore. He’s likened to Josh Allen and excels in the RPO game. He’s elusive and most dangerous when a play breaks down. He’s expected to be the 1.01 pick and will enter the NFL with high expectations. Williams will not be playing in the USC bowl game vs. Louisville.
5.) RB Blake Corum (5-7, 210 lbs., 4.38/40 Michigan) The four-year back for the Wolverines has been the centerpiece of their offense and ran for 1,436 yards and scored 19 times but tore his meniscus in December and had surgery. He returned as a senior and ran for 1,028 yards and 24 touchdowns. He totaled 57 scores in his college career. He’s a hard-working compact back with the burst and speed to score on any play and can still play inside with his one-cut ability. Good at finding the lanes and exploiting empty space. He has potential as a receiver and can be a primary back. Playing on the No. 1 ranked team doesn’t hurt his stock. Bowl Game: January 1, Rose Bowl Michigan vs. Alabama
6.) WR Rome Odunze (6-3, 201 lbs., 4.34/40 Washington) The four-year Husky is a fourth-year junior that’s ready for the NFL after posting 81 catches for 1,428 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. It was his second season with high production. He makes great use of his frame to to defeat cornerbacks and makes contested catches. Considered an advanced route runner, he’s accomplished making sideline catches and has the ability to gain separation and then use his wide catch radius. He’s expected to be a first-rounder. He’s the central receiver for No. 2 Washington. Bowl Game: January 1, Washington vs. Texas
About Last Night…
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
New England 21, Pittsburgh 18
So not a lot of points, but more than we expected.
The Patriots shocked the world, and probably themselves, when they posted 21 points over the first 20 minutes of the game. They never scored again, of course, but after being shut out last week (for the second time), any touchdown was a treat and three of them had to make for a giddy halftime.
Bailey Zappe passed for 240 yards and three touchdowns for a rarity with the Patriots. Hunter Henry (3-40, 2 TD) turned in his best fantasy game of the season, while JuJu Smith-Schuster (4-90) was the last man standing with DeVante Parker out, and he got to help beat his old team. Ezekiel Elliott delivered the fantasy points to owners who had waited all year for what just happened. He rushed for 68 yards on 22 carries, and led the Patriots with seven catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.
The Steelers had to switch to Mitchell Trubisky and the results were not encouraging. He only passed for 190 yards and one score to Diontae Johnson (3-57). George Pickens was limited to just 19 yards on five receptions, and Najee Harris only gained 29 yards on 12 rushes and caught three passes for 19 yards. Jaylen Warren was much better, gaining 11 yards on seven carries and catching four passes for 29 yards.
The game ended the Pats’ five-game losing streak and provided a much-needed reprieve. The Steelers have reason to be considered. The failure to generate any real passing or rushing production will be a bigger problem with three road games on the horizon.
How Oregon transfers peformed in Week 13 of college football
After 13 weeks, the 2023 college football regular has met its end. The Oregon Ducks will play in the Pac-12 Championship against the Washington Huskies, looking for a spot in the College Football Playoff. For many of the Oregon transfers, the 2023 season ends in Week 13, but many others still have football left to play.
At UCLA, there are several former Ducks that will get to play in a bowl game this December, Cam McCormick and the Miami Hurricanes are bowl-eligible, and Trey Benson’s Florida State Seminoles are headed to the ACC championship — and possibly the College Football Playoff.
Below is a check-in with the performance of all of the Oregon transfers in the last week of the 2023 season.
How Oregon transfers performed in Week 10 of college football
It was a busy week across the college football world. Oregon won its game, 63-19, and Washington beat USC in a close battle. Several other games around the country caught Ducks’ fans attention due to their College Football Playoff implications for Oregon. None of these games seemed to go Ducks fans’ way though. Texas beat Kansas State. Alabama took down LSU, and Florida State handled Pitt.
Speaking of Florida State, Oregon fans had another reason to watch that game: Trey Benson. The Ducks’ transfer running back has been having an impressive season, and his performance on Saturday was one of his best games of 2023.
Continue reading to check in with the rest of Oregon transfers.
