We hope you've been enjoying BSJ exclusive coverage of the 2023 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 25-27 in Detroit, Michigan. Be sure to bookmark our NFL Draft HQ Page for in-depth coverage of the New England Patriots throughout draft week. You can catch up on all of our positional previews below:
Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Offensive Tackles | Guards | Centers
Defensive Tackles | Edge Rushers | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties
Patriots Projected Running Back Depth Chart
Rhamondre Stevenson / Antonio Gibson / Kevin Harris / JaMycal Hasty / Ke’Shawn Vaughn
The collection of running backs currently on the New England roster is formidable. No matter who lines up under center for the Patriots, the team will need to lean more heavily on the ground game in 2023. Last season, New England ran the ball just 43% of the time and finished 26th in the NFL in rushing attempts; a ratio that needs to change in the other direction if they wish to reverse their fortunes.
Entering his fourth season, Rhamondre Stevenson has played 65% of the offensive snaps over the past two seasons, providing reliability between the tackles, while also showcasing the ability to be an effective receiver out of the backfield. He has 2,265 rushing yards and 782 receiving yards during his three-year career, along with 15 touchdowns. However, don’t expect many big gains, as Stevenson saw his rushing average decrease a full yard (from 5.0 per attempt to 4.0 per carry) and had just eight runs that went for first downs a year ago. He has made a public plea to be a three-down back but missed the final five games of the year due to injury, which brings his durability into question a bit.
Should Stevenson go down again, newly added Antonio Gibson will be the next man up. After spending four years in Washington, the former Memphis wide-receiver-turned-running back adds an all-purpose element to the backfield. A 1,000-yard rusher in 2021 (six fumbles), Gibson carried the rock just 65 times last season (four fumbles) but had 172 catches and 1,283 receiving yards during his first four seasons. He has also returned kicks the past two years, averaging 23.8 yards per return on 35 attempts. The Patriots are hopeful that his fumbling woes won’t arise.
Other backs under contract include Patriots 2022 sixth-round pick Kevin Harris, Kansas City Chiefs castoff JaMycal Hasty and journeyman Ke’Shawn Vaughn, all of whom will compete for a spot on the 53-man roster. With the lack of home run hitters, a change of pace speedster would greatly boost this committee.
Urgency Level: More Explosiveness Needed.
2024 NFL Draft: Running Backs
New England has not had any official 30 visits with any running backs to date. Is that a tell-tale sign of what to expect come draft weekend? One can never be sure, so let’s examine the possibilities.
It’s anyone’s guess as to who and where the first running back will be chosen. It’s possible that zero are taken within the first 50 overall picks. Leading candidates would be Trey Benson of Florida State, who owns the skill set to be an every-down back. There are sure to be lots of Longhorns chosen during draft week, including Jonathon Brooks, who is expected to be part of the ‘Texas Takeover’ during the festivities in Detroit.
Clemson runner Will Shipley is rarely discussed amongst the mainstream but is sturdy as they come, while Blake Corum of Michigan may prove to be the best of the bunch when we reflect on this class a decade from now. Expect up to a half dozen runners selected on Day 2 with some real value leftover on Day 3 of the draft. The once-heralded Braelon Allen of Wisconsin, combine snub Blake Watson of Memphis, Notre Dame bell-cow Audric Estime, who wrecked his draft stock with a porous forty-time and compact Troy scat-back Kimani Vidal are all names to keep an eye on during the final day.
Allow BSJ to introduce you to the 2024 NFL Draft running back class.
Note: HPFA = High Priority Free Agent | PFA = Priority Free Agent | FA = Free Agent | HPFA usually results in higher signing bonus, while FA types tend to be rookie camp / tryout types.
RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | PROJECTION
1. Trey Benson, Florida State, 6-0, 216, 4.39, Rd2
The most complete back in the 2024 NFL Draft, Benson is big, fast, physical and powerful. His size and speed offers an electrifying combo toting the rock. Benson has also demonstrated soft hands as a pass-catcher for the Seminoles. After two seasons at Oregon, where he endured an ACL, MCL and meniscus injury as a freshman, Benson took his talents to Florida State and bounced back stronger than ever. During his two years in Tallahassee, Benson compiled 1,896 rushing yards, 371 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns. He possesses extraordinary size, strength and speed, in addition to being a dependable blocker in pass protection. Benson is a bonafide three-down back.
“Florida State did a good job of getting me in open space. That’s where I’m at my best, I can showcase my speed, my elusiveness. Where I feel like I could have showcased more is my catching ability, being able to catch the ball out of the backfield. And more of my pass blocking.”
2. Jonathon Brooks, Texas, 6-0, 216, 4.49, Rd2
Some feel that Brooks was a borderline first-round talent before the torn ACL he suffered in November. The Longhorns playmaker aroused scouts with a bevy of highlight-reel splash plays before the injury, flashing next level burst and change of direction. His high gear allowed him to go zero-to-sixty real quick but only time will tell if he can regain prior form. He managed to rumble for 1,139 rushing yards and picked up another 286 receiving yards, to go along with 11 touchdowns in 11 games during his final campaign. Brooks can tend to dance around like Fred Astaire at times and doesn’t pick up many additional yards after initial contact. However, his low mileage (just 238 career carries in college) and potential still projects him as a top 100 overall selection.
“I'm a little biased, but I try to model my game after Bijan [Robinson] and Roschon [Johnson], just cause Bijan's so versatile. He can catch the ball, run, he can do everything. And then, on the other side, Roschon, he's just strong physically, he can pass, protect. He'll run through your face.”
3. Blake Corum Michigan, 5-8, 205, 4.53, Rd3
The Wolverines' workhorse is a blue-collar back who punches his timecard early and goes to work each day with a self-described ‘hustler’ mentality. Corum can do it all, run, catch block. He understands how to make good use of his front line and set up blocks, utilizing his short, thick frame to his advantage. Combined with excellent body balance and a powerful lower body (squats over 600 pounds), Corum is an elite short-yardage runner, setting a single-season school record with 27 rushing touchdowns in 2023. In addition, he provides adequate blocking and runs solid routes as a slot receiver. His prestige, character and leadership are two intangibles that put him in the upper echelon of this year’s running back class.
“My game, mentally, I just go hard each and every play. I go into it with a mindset that I can’t be stopped, I won’t be stopped and whatever the team needs me to do to win, I’ll do it. I’ll play defense if I need to. That’s just the mentality I’m bringing. A good leader, great team player, someone's going to be vibrant and smile all day long and just try to do whatever I can do.”
4. Will Shipley, Clemson, 5-11, 206, 4.39, Rd3
A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Shipley lived up to the hype during his three seasons at Clemson dicing up the ACC for 2,748 rushing yards, 602 receiving yards, 908 kick return yards and 33 total touchdowns. Known for his great work ethic, he is the first ACC player to earn all-league honors at three different positions in the same season! His size, vision, cutback ability, effectiveness out of the slot and as a returner provides the makeup of a four-down player at the next level due to his special teams valor.
“I'm the number one all-purpose back in this draft. There's no doubt about it. I can catch the football. I'm versatile. You can put me out in the slot and I catch the ball, make plays, make DBs miss, but I can also take 20 carries up the gut and make an impact that way while also protecting the quarterback which is a huge deal in the NFL.”
5. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin, 6-1, 235, 4.46, Rd4
After rushing for 1,200-plus yards in each of his first two seasons, Allen ran into a bit of a roadblock this past year, gaining just 984 rushing yards. A big, bruising ball carrier, Allen is like a runaway freight train in the open field, oftentimes forcing opponents to make ‘business decisions’ in the second level. His 2,182 yards after contact make up 62% of his career rushing yards, according to PFF. Allen also thrives in short yardage and had 35 career touchdowns in as many games. He possesses excellent footwork and vision, in addition to being a solid blocker but Allen never ran an official forty-yard dash at the combine or pro day, leaving some scouts feeling a bit less enthusiastic about his pro prospects. He may remind some of Derrick Henry, someone whom he communicates with and tries to emulate.
“I think as a player as a running back I bring a lot of physicality and a downhill running style, an old-school style. But I can also catch the ball well, run routes, pass protect. I think I bring a lot of value in that way, just being versatile. There’s a lot of things I want to work on and get better at, and be more consistent. At the end of the day, I’m young and I have a long way to go before I’m fully developed. In the right system at the right place I can be a great player.”
6. Blake Watson, Memphis, 5-10, 200, 4.40, Rd4
A terrific combination of size, speed, agility, change of direction and receiving capability, Watson is one of the true gems of the draft. A late transfer from Old Dominion, Watson stepped into the starting role after a training camp injury to their starter. He went off, racking up 1,152 rushing yards and 480 receiving yards. He met with the Patriots during the Hula Bowl, where he was named the game MVP. Watson would receive a call-up to the East-West Shrine Bowl for his stellar performance and should have won the MVP for his performance of that game as well. There’s a chance that Watson could be the highest-drafted player who was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. He showed extreme gratitude for his lone season in Memphis.
"I can't say enough about those guys," Watson said. "I mean, they welcomed me with open arms. And they brought me into this family and I learned so much from them, and hopefully they learned just as much from me."
7. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee, 5-11, 210, 4.38, Rd4
A downhill runner who has been praised by coaches for his much improved vision, smarts and maturity, Wright has developed into one of the better all-around running backs eligible for the draft. He showcases excellent cutback ability, along with breakaway speed to help keep the chain gang moving. Wright had his finest season to date this past year, surpassing the 1,000-yard barrier, while averaging an impressive 7.4 yards per carry. He was one of the more impressive backs in Mobile at the Senior Bowl and his athletic testing is likely to give him a bump up draft boards.
"I felt like I had the tape to come out and be the best back, so at the end of the day, I mean, I just took a bet on myself, so I’m betting on myself right now, and I feel I can be the top back and I’m here now."
8. MarShawn Lloyd, USC, 5-9, 221, 4.46, Rd5
An angry runner with great burst, Lloyd explodes through the hole with a hard-nosed running style, capable of moving the chains. He has proven to pound the rock between the tackles but also demonstrates enough elusiveness in the open field, enabling him to slip through would-be tacklers. After three years at South Carolina, Lloyd enjoyed his finest season to date under Lincoln Riley in Southern Los Angeles, rushing for 820 yards and nine touchdowns, plus another 232 receiving yards. However, Lloyd comes with some durability risk, as he has endured his fair share of injuries throughout his collegiate career. Something he has tried to minimize.
“My day starts with prayer and getting everything I need for the day,” Lloyd told Athletech News. “I then go to school to get a workout as well as treatment. From there, I watch a little bit of film and get ready for my classes. Once my classes are over, I head back in to get treatment and once that is done, it is all time for practice. My routine has not changed since high school. I’m a pretty consistent guy.”
9. Ray Davis, Kentucky, 5-8, 211, 4.52, Rd5
From Temple, to Vanderbilt and finally Kentucky, Davis is the definition of a NIL capitalist and will be a 25-year-old rookie. He saved his best for last, becoming the first player in FBS history to rush for 1,000 yards with three different programs, while setting a Wildcats single-season school record with 21 total touchdowns during the ‘23 campaign. A jump-cut runner who explodes through the hole and is capable of breaking tackles, Davis has also been utilized as a receiver out of the backfield. He spoke about what this NFL opportunity means to him at the combine, reflecting on his childhood in San Francisco where he was raised in foster care and was even homeless at one point, as his parents were in and out of jail.
“Statistically, I’m the 1 percent who made it out of the situation I was unfortunately in, but I made it. I’m not doing this for me. I’m doing it for a lot of other kids who are in that situation, if not a worse situation. To know that I can provide a platform and be a speaker for those kids who don’t have it, that’s the reason I keep going every day, that’s the reason I keep fighting.”
10. Isaac Guerendo, Louisville, 6-0, 221, 4.33, Rd5
A north-south runner, Guerendo was primarily relegated to backup duties during his career but answered the call to action late in the season. When injuries sprung, Geurendo was ready to jump in. He did so tallying 558 rushing yards, on 7.5 yards per carry, while hitting pay-dirt eight times in the final six games of the year. Guerendo then garnered attention at the East-West Shrine Bowl, where his draft stock began to pick up steam before turning in the fastest forty-yard dash by any running back over 220 pounds since 2003! Just for good measure, he turned in another strong performance at his pro day. While it took awhile for Guerendo to figure it out, he’s a physical back who runs with a vengeance. A trait he picked up during his time at Wisconsin, where he backed up Jonathan Taylor.
"Not only was I making the transition to college but making the transition to running back as well," Guerendo said of that time. "[Taylor] was a guy who was willing to help out younger guys a lot in that situation. I think he saw it as an opportunity for him. If he could teach it to a younger guy, that was only going to help him as far as mastering it."
BEST OF THE REST
Tyrone Tracy, Purdue, 5-11, 209, 4.48, Rd6
It took four years at Iowa and two seasons at Purdue until Tracy rediscovered himself, busting out for a career-high 716 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 2023. A jackknife weapon, Tracy totaled nearly 1,000 rushing yards and over 1,200 receiving yards for his career. In addition, he accumulated over 1,200 all-purpose yards this past season, averaging 25.5 yards on kick returns with a touchdown. He’s shifty in the open field and can also pick up the tough yards. Any contending organization with a percolating offense should look towards Tracy for an added jolt to put them over the top. He was reluctant to switch from wideout to running back at first but the move may have extended his pro career.
“I was a little skeptical at first,” Tracy said. “I didn’t know if he was trying to say I’m not a good receiver, or ‘Hey, man, we actually think you can do this.’ I kind of just prayed about it. I talked to my mom and dad about it. And my dad was basically saying, ‘I know you’ve been doing this your whole life.’”
Audric Estime, Notre Dame, 5-11, 222, 4.61, Rd6
Bucky Irving, Oregon, 5-9, 195, 4.55, Rd6
Kimani Vidal, Troy, 5-8, 213, 4.46, Rd7
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire, 5-10, 206, 4.54, Rd7
Jaden Shirden, Monmouth, 5-8, 187, 4.45, Rd7
Jawhar Jordan, Louisville, 5-10, 193, 4.56, HPFA
Kendall Milton, Georgia, 6-2, 225, 4.62, HPFA
Dillon Johnson, Washington, 6-0, 217, 4.68, HPFA
Frank Gore Jr., Southern Mississippi, 5-8, 201, 4.58, HPFA
Miyan Williams, Ohio State, 5-9, 229, 4.57, HPFA
Cody Schrader, Missouri, 5-9, 202, 4.61, PFA
Emani Bailey, TCU, 5-7, 206, 4.57, HPFA
Rasheen Ali, Marshall, 6-0, 197, 4.43, HPFA
Keilan Robinson, Texas, 5-8, 191, 4.42, HPFA
Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State, 6-0, 218, 4.57, HPFA
Daijun Edwards, Georgia, 5-10, 207, 4.71, PFA
George Holani, Boise State, 5-10, 208, 4.52, PFA
Jase McClellan, Alabama, 5-10, 221, 4.59, PFA
Michael Wiley, Arizona, 5-10, 210, 4.51, PFA
Jabari Small, Tennessee, 5-9, 198, 4.62, PFA
Austin Jones, USC, 5-10, 200, 4.58, PFA
Coleton Beck, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 188, 4.34, PFA
LaDarius Owens, Texas Southern, 5-9, 193, 4.57, FA
Jacob Kibodi, Louisiana, 6-0, 218, 4.64, FA
TaMerik Williams, North Dakota State, 6-0, 227, 4.63, FA
Isaiah Ifanse, Cal, 5-8, 205, 4.60, FA
Carson Steele, UCLA, 6-1, 228, 4.77, FA
Kavosiey Smoke, Colorado, 5-10, 202, 4.58, FA
Jyran Mitchell, Butler, 6-0, 196, 4.56, FA
Deshaun Fenwick, Oregon State, 6-1, 223, 4.77, FA
Jaylen Coleman, Duke, 6-1, 200, 4.61, FA
Lorenzo Lingard, Akron, 6-0, 202, 4.47, FA
TD Ayo-Durojaiye, Villanova, 6-0, 205, 4.70, FA
Austin Bacher, Western Oregon, 5-11, 224, 4.87, FA
Ian Wheeler, Howard, 5-10, 203, 4.43
Trey Sanders, TCU, 6001, 222, 4.53
Sean Tyler, Minnesota, 5-8, 182, 4.57
Trey Potts, Penn State, 5-9, 209, 4.59
Chris Collier, Lock Haven, 5-11, 203, 4.50
PATRIOTS SLEEPER TO WATCH
Dylan Laube, New Hampshire, 5-10, 206, 4.54, Rd7: One of the top multi-faceted running backs in the draft, Laube receives little publicity due to his small school status. He possesses the skill-set to be one of the more effective slot receivers in the draft, in addition to being a fabulous runner and tremendous return man. There seemed to be little evidence that Laube hailed from a lesser level of competition and was actually one of the fastest players timed (21 mph) during the week of practice in Mobile, an experience he revered.
“I think the biggest takeaway from that, was seeing if I’m able to compete against the best of the best and just saying, ‘hey, like, am I ready for it?’ And I think I kind of showed I’m able to play that kind of caliber and show everyone I truly belong.”
UDFA CANDIDATE
Frank Gore Jr., Southern Mississippi, 5-8, 201, 4.58, PFA: The consistent, rocked up Gore Jr. possesses a frame similar to his father, Frank Gore; their running style is also comparable. The younger version showcases excellent vision and little wasted movement, just like pops. He stays low to the ground with his short stature and hits the hole quickly. Gore Jr. could compensate for the lost production from Zeke at a fraction of the cost and can be had in the late rounds.
“Being a son of an NFL player, you have to mature a lot faster than a normal kid. The things I had to go through as a child, he probably didn’t have the expectations I have. We’re both pretty smart individuals.”
*For year-round coverage of the NFL Draft and everything football be sure to follow @ricserritella
