Joel Klatt explains what he likes about Jonathon Brooks in the NFL Draft

Every draft ends up having its sliders and sleepers in players who aren’t among the first-day selections. For Joel Klatt, that group will include Texas RB Jonathon Brooks with what he showed him over this past season in Austin.

Klatt and Daniel Jeremiah each recently named three players to keep an eye on in the 2024 NFL Draft. Brooks ended up being one of those choices for Klatt as he just couldn’t ignore the impression that he made on him, both on and off the field, last fall.

“It’s hard for me not to go to guys that I sat with and covered. So, I’ll be interested to see where he goes. He’s not as dynamic as the top guys from last year but I think he does a lot of things well at this position, which you need to – Jonathon Brooks from Texas,” Klatt said. “I really like Jonathon Brooks from Texas. I loved his maturity when I sat with him, his leadership.”

Brooks played just three seasons for the Longhorns and only made eight starts in 22 appearances. That’s in large part due to the stable that he ran along with. He shared a backfield with at least two other pros, one who went in the Top-10 and one who went in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Still, with what he did show as a sophomore last year, Klatt sees a player that can eventually be a versatile weapon for the offense that ends up with him.

“He waited for his time behind Roschon Johnson and Bijan Robinson. Then all he did is roll out there and play like a savvy vet,” said Klatt. “Catching the ball out of the backfield, slashing running in between the tackles, hit some home runs outside.”

“I just think, like, maybe not (Jahmyr) Gibbs, Bijan-type of impact in his first year. But the ability to hurt you as a runner and a pass-catcher? He definitely has that,” Klatt said.

Brooks rushed 238 times in college for 1,479 yards and 16 touchdowns. Most of that came in his starts this last season as Texas’ leading rusher. In those appearances, he had 187 attempts for 1,139 yards and 10 scores. That’s not to mention his 25 receptions that went for 286 yards and another score in 2023.

Come the draft in a month from now, Klatt isn’t necessarily sure of where Brooks will land. He just thinks that whatever team gets him will be selecting a player that he really appreciates as a prospect.

Every draft ends up having its sliders and sleepers in players who aren’t among the first-day selections. For Joel Klatt, that group will include Texas RB Jonathon Brooks with what he showed him over this past season in Austin.