Joel Klatt ranks the top five running backs in 2024 NFL Draft

Trust us, there will be plenty of running backs selected in the NFL Draft. But you probably won’t find any of them in the first round.

That’s why identifying the best running backs available can be a tricky process this year. There is no obvious first rounder, but teams still need a quality running back. Need evidence? Just check out all the action that unfolded earlier this week in the NFL free agency market. The big name running backs, from Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs, swapped teams.

Joel Klatt, the noted college football analyst, will be doing draft commentary for the NFL Network. And as he is doing his prep work, he’s revealing his top selections on his podcast. Let’s check them out.

1. Trey Benson, Florida State

Boy, did Benson impress the scouts at the NFL Combine. He is a bigger back with some serious speed, running a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash.

Benson does not have much wear on his body. He did not play much at Oregon before transferring to Florida State. While with the Seminoles, he came in just under 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons. However, he came the first Florida State player ever to post a catch of at least 80 yards along with a run of 80 or more.

2. Blake Corum, Michigan

Corum was the leader of Michigan’s rushing attack for the past three seasons. He also is a scoring machine. He rushed for 1,463 yards in 2022, then followed it with 1,245 last year to help lead the Wolverines national title run.

Most analysts project Corum as a late third rounder, although he could fall to an early pick on the third day of the NFL Draft. Maybe former coach Jim Harbaugh will give him a call since the Chargers need running backs.

3. Jonathon Brooks, Texas

A knee injury took out Brooks 11 games into the Longhorns season last year. Otherwise, you would be seeing more superlatives for the running back. He still managed to rush for 1,139 yards with an average of 6 yards per carry.

Brooks used to back up Bijan Robinson, the first back off the NFL Draft board last year. Doctors say he should be ready for action at the start of the season.

4. Bucky Irving, Oregon

At 5’9″ and 192 pounds, scouts wonder if Irving has the quality size to be an every down back in the NFL. He seems to be destined for the third day of the NFL Draft.

However, Irving can dash for yards. He rushed for 1,180 yards, averaging 6.3 a carry, last year. And he also caught AVG), 56 passes for 413. That is an active back.

5. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

Wright really improved his draft stock at the NFL combine. He zipped to a 4.38 time in the 40. And he notched 11 foot 2 on the broad jump. Toss in a vertical of 38 inches and you can say that Wright was the most athletic of the running backs.

And, here is another factor in his favor. Wright is only 20. For running backs, the NFL likes them younger because there is only so much wear a back can take.

Remember that the NFL Draft is April 25-27. If you are a fan of running backs, you will want to tune in on the 26th. You also can listen to all of the Joel Klatt analysis here.