FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Texas running back Jonathon Brooks.

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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jonathon Brooks

Jonathon Brooks (RB – Texas)

6’0″ – 207 lbs.

Background:

Texas native who rushed 21-143-1 (6.8) over four games before redshirting in 2021. Was used sparingly the next year behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, finishing with 30-197-5 (6.6). Split carries with CJ Baxter this year, but ended up with the lion’s share and a 187-1,135-10 (6.1) line before going down with a torn ACL late in the season. Also had 25-286-1 receiving.

Positives:

Solidly-built runner who jumped right into a major role and enjoyed a lot of success this year. Big, smooth runner with good discipline to execute the play as called, minimizing negative-yardage runs. Patience and vision stand out on tape; does a nice job of waiting for blocks to develop and making good decisions, showing clean footwork to maneuver himself into the right position. Can burrow ahead up the middle for consistent gains, with good leg drive and competitiveness at the end of runs. Nice one-cut runner on stretch concepts out of shotgun looks. Shows the ability to make defenders miss in the backfield on occasion. Overall balance is very good. Surprisingly elusive in congested spaces, with subtle moves to weave through traffic and get into the open field. Able to shake off arm tackles once he gets into the open. Only has one career fumble on 266 career touches. Has the frame to pick up blitzers and was very effective in that capacity this year over a few dozen snaps. Also offers a pretty reliable pair of hands in the receiving game, with just two drops and the ability to make the first man miss out in the flats.

Negatives:

Has a tendency to run a bit more upright than you’d like. More smooth than explosive and may lack true home-run-hitting speed at the pro level. A consistent finisher in terms of falling forward and gaining some yards after contact, but isn’t exactly a sledgehammer who’s going to run over a ton of opponents. Passing-game usage was almost exclusively as a safety valve in the flats. Got hurt in his first season of significant playing time and may not be ready for the season opener, so the pre-draft medical process could significantly affect his draft position.

Summary:

One of the smoothest, most well-rounded and most consistent running backs in the class, if not the most. A scheme-versatile player who would have likely cruised to the top of the running back board had he managed to finish the season healthy. His late-season ACL injury will probably drop him down a bit for some or maybe most teams. Has the look of an every-down option when healthy, and it’d be hard to imagine him slipping out of the second day.

Projection: Round 2-3