This week, FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt refreshed his list of the top 50 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, including among the elites Texas running back Jonathon Brooks at No. 46. Klatt ranked Brooks between Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson and fellow Texas standout Ja’Tavion Sanders.
“At 46, I’ve got Jonathon Brooks,” Klatt said. “This is a guy I really believe in. His leadership ability, his ability also to do everything on the field. Whether you want him to run between the tackles or outside, hit home runs or gain tough yards, or catch it out of the backfield, he can do it all.
“That versatility is where, I believe, value is created for a running back, and he’s got value.”
Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023. He also had 25 catches for 286 yards and one touchdown in the 10 games he played prior to his ACL injury. Despite his injury, the Texas native has had little wear and tear over the course of his collegiate career. In 2021 and 2022, he carried the ball a combined 51 times compared to 187 carries in 2023.
Cowboys host Brooks for top-30 visit
The Dallas Cowboys hosted Brooks for a top-30 prospect visit this week leading up to the draft. Once considered a shoo-in for a first-round selection, the running back’s ACL tear late in the Longhorns’ season makes him a bit more attainable for a team like Dallas, potentially in the second round.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones opened up about Brooks and his recovery from ACL surgery, which was performed by the team’s own specialist.
“It always helps when one of the doctors you’re very familiar with does the surgery,” Jones said on Monday. “That’ll be very helpful. Obviously, he’s a guy we follow right in our backyard in Texas. He’s got a lot of skill sets. If it wasn’t for the injury, he would’ve ultimately been rated the best back in the draft. Any time that a back is coming off an injury, you have to take those things into account.”
Despite being fresh from injury and surgery, Brooks has a timeline for recovery that puts him back on the field in July. It’s great news for the Cowboys who let starter Tony Pollard walk for a new contract with the Titans this month.
“Our understanding is that he has a great chance to be ready to not miss anything, start training camp and go to work,” Jones said. “We’ll see. I don’t want to preempt anything.”
Besides the Cowboys, several more teams have hosted Brooks for prospect visits leading up to the draft. He has interest from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers as well.
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