What they're saying about Blake Corum's stock one month out from NFL Draft
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy and a potential record number of players selected will headline the Michigan Wolverines‘ 2024 NFL Draft output. But after McCarthy’s stock, where running back Blake Corum winds up is one of Michigan’s most intriguing draft prospects heading into the home stretch of the evaluation process.
Corum, a two-time All-American and captain of the national championship-winning Wolverines is the program’s seventh-leading rusher in yards (3,737), its career leader in rushing touchdowns (58) and total touchdowns (61) and set a program record with 27 touchdowns on the ground (28 total) in 2023. He had 1,245 yards this season, which has put him in position to be one of the top backs selected in the draft.
There are pros and cons to what he might bring to the next level. Michigan’s Pro Day is on Friday, which could be one last shot to impress the NFL community at large before front offices lock their prospect boards in.
Here is what some of the national media are saying about the Michigan back’s draft stock:
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein
Blake Corum’s NFL Draft profile
Compact runner with average size, outstanding contact balance and a rare talent for finding and fitting into small crevices for short-yardage conversions and touchdowns. Corum is a bit of a one-speed runner lacking sizzle and wiggle but gets it downhill with timing and finishes runs with good forward lean. He has the hard-hat mentality to handle heavy workloads and can exploit defenses that fatigue or miss their run fits. The talent doesn’t stand out on its own, but he’s strong, competitive and team-oriented with exceptional football character. He can catch it when needed and is above average in picking up the blitz, which could earn him status as a three-down backup with a chance to find early carries as an RB2/3.
The Draft Network
Who’ll Be 1st RB Taken In 2024 NFL Draft?
Blake Corum is a little undersized (5-foot-8, 205 pounds) by traditional standards to be the first back drafted, but the +1500 odds are more favorable than they should be. Corum enjoyed as successful of a career at Michigan as humanly possible. He departs as a National Championship winner and the program’s all-time rushing touchdown leader with 56 scores.
Corum is a pro-ready runner that’s scheme versatile. He possesses elite vision and change of direction ability. New Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who coached Corum at Michigan, needs a running back and owns the 37th pick in the second round. That gives Corum a realistic chance to be the first ball-carrier drafted.
Pro Football Focus
2024 NFL Draft: College-to-pro projections for Michigan RB Blake Corum
Corum was not as efficient after his meniscus tear, but the traits of an effective back were present in 2023, specifically toward the end of the season. He lacks elite overall athleticism, but he is precise, sees the field well, has good contact balance and brings good third-down abilities. And that should yield a contributing role in the NFL.
Bleacher Report
Blake Corum NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Michigan RB
Blake Corum is an exceptionally refined runner whose size and limited athletic ability puts a ceiling on his NFL potential.
In terms of vision and decision making, you won’t find a better runner in this class than Corum. He consistently picks out the right rushing lanes and almost never wastes time behind the line of scrimmage, both of which limit negative plays. Corum is also very willing to plunge forward to get the yards that are there rather than dance around and risk wasting plays.
Likewise, Corum does an exceptional job using his blocks. For one, he understands how to stretch his runs out to the last possible moment before making a cut to draw linebackers out of the way. Corum also plays tight to his blocks, allowing him to squeeze through tight creases and minimize the amount of time that second-level run defenders have to react to him. All of that is made even better by Corum’s quick feet and shifty lateral agility.
Draft Sharks
Corum doesn’t look like a lead back in the NFL. He can be valuable for a team willing to stretch blocking schemes horizontally (or in zone) to let Corum use his speed and effort to find lanes.
I didn’t see enough receiving reps across my film sample to judge his skills there. But Corum produced solidly as a receiver across his Michigan career — especially in light of his offense’s low passing volume. As far as comps go, he’s somewhere between Justin Forsett and Jaylen Warren with considerably less physicality.
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It’s easy to assign Corum to the team now led by his college coach, Jim Harbaugh. But it can also work. The Chargers landed Gus Edwards via free agency. So if Corum does settle in as more change-of-pace back and less goal-line thumper, then he could complement the hefty Edwards.
Corum’s dynasty stock would see a bump in this spot, especially if the Chargers don’t make any other significant backfield additions. Edwards turns 29 in April and has averaged just 10.1 carries and 0.4 receptions per game for his career.
Give Me Sport
2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Blake Corum’s Scouting Report Says He’s a Cerebral Runner
Ideally, Corum will find a team that uses him as a secondary back and, with success, could elevate him to a more prominent role.
Having lost Austin Ekeler to the Washington Commanders, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Gus Edwards in free agency. Reuniting Edwards with Greg Roman is helpful, but doesn’t completely solve the Chargers’ problems at running back. Adding a back like Corum to the mix would add depth to the room.
What exactly are the Dallas Cowboys doing this offseason? Your guess is as good as mine. Right now, Deuce Vaughn, whose diminutive stature makes Corum look like a mammoth, is slated to be the team’s starting running back. Corum does the little things well enough to be the starter from the jump and keep the run game afloat.
The Minnesota Vikings were right to cut Dalvin Cook before the start of the season, but they couldn’t quite find the right replacement. Although bringing in Aaron Jones helps, he’s become more injury prone in recent years.
As Minnesota looks to continue building its skill positions, grabbing a high-floor back like Corum could be beneficial, especially with the rumors of the Vikings’ interest in J.J. McCarthy that have been floating around.
