Five RBs whose 2024 draft stock could soar following Jonathon Brooks’ injury

With Brooks out of the equation for now, here are four players (and one honorable mention) who could be battling to be the first RB off the board in the 2024 draft:

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

After rushing for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021, Henderson had a down 2022 season while splitting carries with Miyan Williams. As the Buckeyes’ lead back this year, Henderson has a team-high 648 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging an impressive 6.3 yards per carry, which ranks 14th in the country.

Henderson has arguably the best vision of any back in the 2024 class, patiently waiting behind his linemen for running lanes to open or spotting cut-back opportunities. He moves well laterally but has true game-breaking north/south speed that could be a true weapon in the right system. Henderson is the most well-seasoned and probably the most NFL-ready RB in the 2024 class.

Blake Corum, Michigan

A bit undersized at 5-foot-8 and 213 pounds, Corum will likely have his share of doubters because of his small stature. However, he brings two things to the table that NFL GMs love: he scores touchdowns in bunches and he produces explosive plays.

Corum, who returned from a meniscus tear last season that ultimately led him to skip the NFL draft and return to Michigan this year, was tied for fifth in the NCAA in touchdowns last season (18) and leads the country this year (18). He ranked in the top 20 last year in runs of 10 or more yards (36) and he’s got 16 such runs this year. Although he isn’t putting up the numbers he did a season ago, he’s Michigan’s leading rusher (794 yards) and he’s averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

Audric Estime, Notre Dame

Estime may be the RB flying the most under the radar, but that likely won’t be the case after bowl season. He’s quietly rushed for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns, which rank 17th and seventh, respectively, setting new career highs in both categories.

The 227-pound junior is one of the toughest RBs in college football to bring down, ranking fifth in yards after contact per rushing attempt (4.14), 10th in yards after contact (671), 22nd in missed tackles forced (45), per Pro Football Focus. Estime has also only had three games this year in which he’s averaged less than five yards per carry.

Will Shipley, Clemson

Though Shipley only has 592 yards rushing and four touchdowns this year, he actually offers more value than just pure numbers. He’s an excellent receiver out of the backfield (77 receptions, 508 yards, two touchdowns over the last three years), and he can turn seemingly any screen into a big gain.

He’s also very difficult to take down once he’s in space due to his strong start-and-stop ability coupled with his excellent vision and agility to shift in and out of would-be tackles. Shipley could be intriguing to a team looking for a Christian McCaffrey or Austin Ekeler-type player who is more of an offensive weapon and less of a pure running back.

Dark-horse: Trey Benson, Florida State

Benson has averaged 6.4 yards per carry and scored 19 touchdowns in his two seasons with the Seminoles, including 721 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Some of his best performances have come against FSU’s toughest opponents (200 yards, two touchdowns vs. Virginia Tech; two touchdowns vs. Miami; 97 yards, one touchdown vs. Pittsburgh).