NFL Draft Profile: Running Back Jonathan Brooks, Texas
Strengths, weaknesses and a summary of running back Jonathan Brooks.
Jonathan Brooks
Position: Running Brooks
School: Texas
Play Style: Every-Down Back
Age: 20
DOB: 7/21/2003
Height: 6'0
Weight: 216 lbs
40-Time: 4.45
FantasySP Position Ranking: 1
Round Projected: 2
NFL Comp: Javonte Williams
Summary
The only reason Brooks isn't the consensus RB1 in this draft class amongst almost all talent evaluators is that he'll be returning off of a torn ACL as a rookie in 2024. With that said, he's also just 20 years old and has only carried the ball 238 times throughout his entire college career. Other than that, he has all the traits that NFL scouts look for in a young running back.
His speed, explosiveness, size and versatility make him a potential every-down type of player at the next level. There is a chance he's eased in as a rookie because of the knee injury, nevertheless, it would be short-sighted to opt for a lesser running back for that reason unless there is something more alarming in his medical reports that we are not yet aware of. We'd expect him to go at some point in the second round, and while he should be the first running back off the board, he's not a lock to be.
Strengths
- Elite acceleration
- Very elusive
- Still very young
- Limited workload up to this point
- Shows off excellent agility and quickness
- Efficient runner but has the feet to put moves on moves when necessary
- Good footwork, has quick, light feet to evade defenders
- Has the skill set to excel as a pass-catcher on the next level
- Breakaway ability
- Dangerous when he bounces outside
- Tough to bring down on the second level
Weaknesses
- Lacks power and doesn't break a ton of tackles or push piles forward
- Subpar in pass protection
- Injury concerns coming off a torn ACL
- Can be indecisive behind the line on occasion
- At times will look for the home run play instead of taking the easy yards
- Limited sample size to prove how vast a workload he can handle
Our Take
After watching the film of the top backs in the 2024 NFL Draft, we came away most impressed with Brooks. He is our top-ranked back and believe he has a shot to be a rare bell-cow back in today's NFL.
Granted, this isn't a particularly strong draft for the position and we don't believe he should be a first-round pick or anything like that. We do think he has the best shot in this class to become a franchise RB1 and that he should be the first back off the board in the middle of the second round.
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