3 Rookie Running Backs Set to Scamper in 2024

Josh Larky -

Run, hurdle, and juke your way through this crash course on the top rookie running backs heading into the 2024 NFL season: Jonathon Brooks, Trey Benson and Blake Corum. We’ll be discussing their college careers, NFL landing spots, and rookie season and long-term fantasy expectations. While there’s no Breece Hall-level headliner here, all three offer serious fantasy potential without any inflated ADPs.

In case you missed it, read out our other rookie breakdowns for the 2024 fantasy football season:

Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers 

College Career

Brooks barely played his first two seasons (2021 and ‘22) at the University of Texas, since he was buried behind Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons, eighth overall in the ‘23 NFL Draft) and Roschon Johnson (Chicago Bears, 115th overall) on the depth chart. He only tallied 51 carries and three receptions during this two-year span, but he somehow managed to score seven times (once every 7.7 touches).

With a hollowed-out depth chart in 2023, Brooks broke out as a junior, finishing with 1,139 rushing yards and 286 receiving yards. After a modest start, he went on an absolute tear during an eight-game stretch in which he averaged 129 rushing yards. Unfortunately, Brooks tore his ACL during his 10th game of the season, halting his momentum last November.

NFL Landing Spot

Despite Brooks not testing at the NFL Combine while recovering from knee surgery, the Panthers were not fazed. The team traded up in the NFL Draft to select him in the second round (46th overall) , making him the first RB taken. Carolina recognized his well-rounded skill set, good vision, receiving ability and explosiveness in the open field.

QB Bryce Young struggled as a rookie, and the offense collectively scored the second-fewest points in the NFL. But, this is not the same Panthers team anymore. New head coach Dave Canales has resurrected the careers of QBs Geno Smith (2022) and Baker Mayfield (2023) in successive seasons. The team also gave out two large contracts in free agency to offensive linemen Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, traded for star WR Diontae Johnson and traded up in the draft for WR Xavier Legette (32nd overall).

Rookie Season Expectations

Sleeper projects 815 rushing yards, 273 receiving yards and six total touchdowns for Brooks. While that looks a lot like a Devin Singletary stat line on the surface, there’s potential for much more if Brooks’ ACL recovery ramps up and he starts in Week 1. Whether that happens remains to be seen, though.

On July 19, the Panthers placed him on the active/non-football injury list, an expected move that will keep him from participating at the start of training camp. He can, however, be activated at any time.

Drafters can snag Brooks in the eighth round (his Sleeper ADP is 92) as a desperation RB2 or elite bench stash.

Long-Term Outlook

Second-round RBs hit year after year, with Hall, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook and Kenneth Walker a few recent examples. Cook has similar dynasty value to Brooks right now. Brooks’ Sleeper ADP in rookie drafts is seventh overall in 1-QB leagues, while he falls to the back end of the first round in superflex/2-QB formats.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals 

College Career

Benson couldn’t have started his college career at Oregon any worse, tearing his ACL and missing all of the 2020 season. He then played in a reserve role the next season, mustering just six rush attempts.

Searching for greener pastures, Benson transferred to Florida State for the 2022 and ‘23 seasons. Benson was the lead committee back both seasons, and at first glance, his stats won’t turn any heads. He narrowly missed 1,000 rushing yards in both seasons, and he only caught 33 total passes in his FSU career. However, advanced stats like PFF’s missed tackles per rush hinted at historic efficiency, and he scored three touchdowns of at least 80 yards thanks to his insane acceleration.

NFL Landing Spot

The NFL Combine confirmed his speed on tape, and his blistering 4.39 40 time at 216 lbs. had many NFL teams salivating. The Cardinals selected him in the third round (66th overall), making him the second RB taken after Brooks. Mobile QBs like Kyler Murray keep linebackers off-balance and uncomfortable, and that should open up wide running lanes for Benson to showcase his burst.

Rookie Season Expectations

Assuming Arizona’s 29-year-old starter James Conner remains healthy, Sleeper projects just 545 rushing yards and 152 receiving yards for Benson. There’s some chance Benson overtakes Conner on merit, but that’s unlikely given how much Arizona has leaned on Conner the past two seasons.

Benson is a fun bench stash that fits into almost any redraft build, and his ADP is a palatable 106 (ninth round) on Sleeper.

Long-Term Outlook

The hope for Benson is he can be JK Dobbins – without all the injuries. Dobbins was set up to be a 1A committee back long-term alongside the mobile Lamar Jackson. Dynasty managers should hope for 12-15 efficient carries per game with a sprinkle of pass-catching. There are several high-end fantasy RB2 seasons in Benson’s range of outcomes, especially with Conner entering the final year of his deal.

His Sleeper ADP in rookie drafts is 1.11 for 1-QB leagues, and 2.02 in superflex/2-QB formats. In dynasty startups, Benson (a seventh-round ADP at 77 on Sleeper) goes in a similar range to RBs like Tony Pollard and Najee Harris.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams 

College Career

Corum’s freshman year was interrupted after six games by the COVID-19 pandemic, though he did finish second among Michigan’s RBs in carries per game. He notably received more touches than sophomore Zach Charbonnet, whom theSeattle Seahawks took 52nd overall in the 2023 draft.

The next season, Corum again took a backseat in the run game to Hassan Haskins (Tennessee Titans, 131st overall in ‘22), though he did finish fourth on the team with 24 receptions – just one behind rookie WR Roman Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers, 84th overall in ‘24).

The big breakout occurred in 2022, when Corum ran for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns. He received Heisman consideration for this performance, and he would have received early-round NFL Draft buzz had he not torn his meniscus in Michigan’s penultimate regular season game. Corum is the ultimate warrior at running back, as he tried to play on the injury against Ohio State, but felt his knee give out after two carries. Prior to that injury, Corum had averaged an unreal 161 rushing yards per game over his previous eight contests.

NFL Landing Spot

2023 was a step back statistically as Corum recovered from the knee injury, but the Rams still selected him with the 83rd pick in the draft. In a rookie class lacking many high-usage backs, Corum’s 505 carries since ‘22 separated him from the rest.

The Rams have re-made their offensive line the past couple seasons, and the pairing of QB Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay gives this team top-five scoring potential. Corum will play behind incumbent starter Kyren Williams, but he could see early action on third down, as his pass-blocking ability was bolstered by his showing at the Combine. Despite his 5’8” stature, he did 27 reps on the bench – the same number as fifth overall pick and Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt. He has the strength to go along with his speed.

Rookie Season Expectations

Unless Williams gets hurt in training camp, Sleeper projects Corum for only 110 carries, 20 receptions and 630 total yards. The real fantasy value for Corum is injury insurance for Williams, and Corum has easy fantasy RB1 upside anytime he starts.

Like Benson, Corum is an exciting bench stash with a redraft ADP in the 10th round (117 overall) on Sleeper.

Long-Term Outlook

Corum’s dynasty value is similar to other backup RBs like Tyjae Spears and Jaylen Warren. Williams is under contract through 2025, so dynasty managers may need to exercise patience.

Corum’s Sleeper ADP in rookie drafts is 2.03 for 1-QB leagues, while he falls to the mid-second round in superflex/2-QB formats. In dynasty startups, he usually goes in the ninth round (Sleeper ADP 101).

Fantasy Impact for 2024

The 2024 rookie RB class is definitely weaker than past seasons, but the ADPs reflect this. At least one of Brooks, Benson or Corum should look like a steal by the halfway point of the season.

To better prepare for the upcoming fantasy season, join a mock draft on Sleeper and practice adding these young RBs to your squad. And if you’re looking for a new, free place to host your fantasy leagues, Sleeper delivers unbeatable league customization and top-notch group chat features.

Training Camp Headlines 

A quick look at some other happenings around the league as veterans report for NFL Training Camp:

Note: This breakdown originally appeared in the Sleeper Newsletter. Sign up below to get timely updates, fantasy insights and exclusive analysis using Sleeper proprietary data.