FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tahj Brooks
Tahj Brooks (RB – Texas Tech)
5-foot-10 | 230 Pounds
Background
Tahj Brooks was a three-star recruit who rotated in as a true freshman, finishing with a 69-255-4 (3.7) line. He then started four out of nine games the following year, leading the team with a line of 87-568-7 (6.5) and then put up a 147-691-7 (4.7) line the next season.
Brooks started to break out in 2023, with a massive line of 290-1,541-10 (5.3). He had an even better senior season of 286-1,505-17 (5.3). Also totaled 102-548-2 receiving throughout his career, averaging about 28 catches per year over the past three seasons.
Positives
Very compact, thickly-built back who has been highly productive throughout his career in the Raiders’ zone-based scheme, especially over the past two seasons. Decisive player who wastes little time hitting the hole, minimizing negative-yardage runs. Has five years of college experience, and it shows in terms of his decision-making and vision to recognize cutback lanes. His feet are very quick. Makes nice, sharp cuts in the backfield and is capable of occasionally making defenders miss one-on-one around the line of scrimmage.
Brooks is primarily a between-the-tackles runner (lots of inside zone), but has smooth acceleration to get to the edge on outside concepts — uses a very effective jump cut there. Very physical back who consistently gets square behind his pads and delivers punishment to would-be tacklers. Has very impressive contact balance and a competitive leg drive to maximize yardage at the end of his runs. Capable of pushing the pile to grind out tough yards.
Consistently falls forward at the end of his runs. Ball security has been very good throughout his career, with only five career fumbles on 883 attempts. Shows good awareness in blitz pickup to identify his responsibilities. Uses his compact build to engage from his feet. Has a very reliable pair of hands as a safety valve, with just two career drops. Also took some snaps as a receiver to see what he could do in the screen game.
Negatives
Spent five years in school, so he’s slightly older than your typical prospect and has a bit more tread on his tires than many backs in the class, especially given his physical style. As an athlete, Brooks is smoother and quicker than he is fast and explosive, without a ton of burst in the hole.
More of a consistent gainer than a threat to hit home runs. Will likely end up as more of a chunk runner in the league. Not the most creative or elusive runner at the second level. Missed tackles forced dropped from 96 in 2023 to 58 in 2024, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Has very reliable hands, but was used as a pure safety valve.
Summary
A very solid running back who has the compact build, vision, decisiveness, leverage, power and competitiveness to reliably grind out tough yardage between the tackles. Brooks is also reliable as both a receiver and blocker on third down. Those traits suggest he could be an early contributor at the next level, even if he’s not the fastest or most explosive back in the class.
A personal favorite and one of the most polished backs in the class, but looks like Brooks will probably be more of a mid-round pick as teams gamble on prospects with superior tools.
Projection: Round 5
Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports 
More 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports for Running Backs
Jeanty proved he’s the total package this past season, with an unbelievable combination of vision, patience, creativity, agility, power, balance and speed that nearly allowed him to break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record.
Can fit in any offensive scheme, but might be best in a scheme that runs a relatively high amount of outside zone to maximize his home-run hitting ability. After a year in which he dazzled viewers with a nonstop succession of dominant highlights, Jeanty should be a lock for the first round, potentially going in the top half of the frame. Projects as a long-term, every-down feature back who should make an immediate impact.
Projection: Round 1
Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Ashton Jeanty
Skattebo was one of the most productive and exciting players in college football this past season. He combined a natural feel for the position, smooth running skills, a tough and physical temperament and exceptional contact balance, culminating in well over 2,000 total yards on the season.
There’s not a whole lot to critique about his game, besides his lack of ideal explosiveness and long speed. Otherwise, Skattebo has the look of a potential every-down back in the league or at least the power back in a one-two punch. Could get some second-day looks.
Projection: Round 3/Round 4
Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Cam Skattebo
A fast, agile back with good burst and excellent open-field running skills, Neal functioned as a workhorse for the Jayhawks but might be more of a change-of-pace back at the next level, as he may struggle to grind out tough yardage between the tackles as a pro.
Neal’s snaps were relatively balanced throughout his career (more gap until this past season, then a little bit more zone), but might be better suited to a zone-blocking scheme where he’s able to stretch defenses out and cut upfield when he sees daylight. Probably more of a mid-round option.
Projection: Round 5
Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Devin Neal
More 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports for Running Backs
- Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
- DJ Giddens (Kansas State)
- Jordan James (Oregon)
- Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)
- Brashard Smith (SMU)
- Damien Martinez (Miami)
- Jarquez Hunter (Auburn)
- Kalel Mullings (Michigan)
- LeQuint Allen Jr. (Syracuse)
- Raheim Sanders (South Carolina)
- Phil Mafah (Clemson)
- Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech)
- Trevor Etienne (Georgia)
- TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
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