A total of 20 running backs were selected during the 2024 NFL Draft. The majority of those rookie ball-carriers will be making their professional debuts this weekend throughout the Week 1 slate of the new campaign. Most are projected to have minimal impacts, but a small handful of first-year contributors could help decide Sunday's results.
The Carolina Panthers drafted the first ball-carrier in 2024, Texas' Jonathon Brooks, with the 46th selection. Brooks is still recovering from a torn ACL injury suffered in college and is beginning the season on the reserve/non-football injury list, ruling him out for a minimum of four contests. As we anxiously await his debut, it's two backs drafted in the third and fourth rounds that could make an immediate impact, plus one drafted much later than that.
Blake Corum
The Los Angeles Rams selected Blake Corum with the 83rd pick. Corum will provide head coach Sean McVay with a change-up option. With Kyren Williams returning punts for the Rams this season, the rookie running back should receive a decent amount of opportunities to impact the game against the Detroit Lions in Sunday’s primetime contest.
The Rams' rushing attack improved from 28th in 2022 to 11th this past season. That run-game efficiency had a dramatic impact on McVay's offensive outputs. Adding Corum should help McVay maintain last year's new-found success on the ground.
Bucky Irving
Bucky Irving has already claimed the No. 2 job in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backfield behind starter Rachaad White. An outstanding receiving back, Irving led college football with 56 receptions last season, totaling 1,593 total yards and 13 touchdowns for an explosive Oregon Ducks offense.
The Buccaneers play the Washington Commanders, who ranked 27th in rushing yards allowed per game last season and 32nd in passing yards per contest. Improving those metrics is a massive point of emphasis for new defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn, but the Buccaneers should see some opportunities to get Irving the ball in space.
Dylan Laube
The last running back drafted in 2024 could have one of the biggest Week 1 impacts. Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco took a chance on small-school back Dylan Laube out of New Hampshire with the 208th selection. Laube elevated his pre-draft stock from undrafted status to worthy flier after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
The Raiders have a crowded depth chart at running back, but both Zamir White and Alexander Mattison have never been particularly productive in the passing game. White accumulated just 15 receptions in 17 games last season and Mattison has never averaged more than two receptions per contest throughout his five-year career. Laube, who posted 699 receiving yards for the Wildcats last season, should quickly assume third-down duties in the Raiders backfield.
Other backs could make a big-time impact this season, but it probably won't occur in Week 1. Buffalo's Ray Davis, Green Bay's MarShawn Lloyd, and Miami's Jaylen Wright could prove to be eventual contributors if their number gets called as the season progresses forward. Laube, Irving, and Corum should spearhead the rookie class of ball-carriers this weekend.
