Former Texas operating again Jonathon Brooks entered the 2024 NFL Draft as among the finest all-around backs within the class. His agility, velocity, and fast toes made him an attention-grabbing goal for any operating back-needy staff early within the draft. He was additionally coming off his greatest faculty season in 2023.
Nonetheless, the 2 largest issues working towards Brooks heading into the draft had been a torn ACL that he suffered late in 2023 and restricted alternatives in faculty. Nonetheless, that did not appear to matter to the Carolina Panthers, as they chose him forty sixth total. The Texas product was the primary operating again off the board within the class.
So, will Brooks see some manufacturing in Yr 1? What’s his rookie state of affairs like in 2024? Let’s dive in and discover out if the 20-year-old has any fantasy soccer worth this season.
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Faculty Manufacturing
Brooks has gotten to study behind some stable operating backs in his faculty profession, together with Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson. Each Robinson and Johnson had been forward of him on the depth chart at Texas in 2021 and 2022, which resulted in restricted taking part in time for Brooks. He had simply 51 mixed carries for 340 yards and 6 touchdowns throughout these seasons.
Nonetheless, as soon as each Robinson and Johnson left for the NFL Draft, Brooks lastly acquired the chance to shine in Texas’ backfield. He led the best way for the Longhorns in 2023 and totaled a career-high 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns behind a formidable 6.1 yards per carry. He additionally caught 25 passes for 286 yards and one landing by way of the air. That sturdy marketing campaign raised his draft inventory and made him one of many high operating backs on this previous draft.
The very best again within the NFL Draft.
Here is each Jonathon Brooks TD 🍿@2brookss x @Panthers pic.twitter.com/mBLnrDRzQf
— Texas Soccer (@TexasFootball) April 29, 2024
It was a pleasant signal to see Brooks lastly get his probability in Texas’ offense after not getting many alternatives in his first two years. Throughout that 2023 faculty season, he confirmed that he’s greater than able to being an NFL starter someday and has the instruments to be a stable one, too. Regardless of tearing his ACL towards TCU on November 11 and never taking part in within the Faculty Soccer Playoff, the 20-year-old again confirmed sufficient good issues in his one faculty season as a starter.
Rookie Yr Scenario
The precise touchdown spot is extraordinarily vital for operating backs in fantasy, particularly these who get drafted early. Many analysts thought Brooks was going to get chosen by the Dallas Cowboys late within the second spherical — which might have been the proper spot for the rookie. Nonetheless, Dallas by no means had an opportunity as a result of the Panthers drafted him halfway by way of the second spherical at choose 46.
The Panthers deciding on Brooks this early within the draft was a little bit of a shock. There have been clearly different wants on the board, and operating again definitely wasn’t considered one of them. Carolina simply signed Miles Sanders to a four-year contract final offseason, and Chuba Hubbard confirmed some promising issues within the beginning position final yr. Hubbard ran for 902 yards and 5 touchdowns in 17 video games final season. With these two backs nonetheless with the staff, the rookie may need a tricky time seeing alternatives in Yr 1.
Panthers HC Dave Canales after drafting Jonathon Brooks
“Versatility… Get him out in house. Perimeter screens. Checkdowns. We have now a extremely cool empty package deal”
Chuba, Miles and Penny shouldn’t have this skillset
It is solely a matter of time for Jonathon Brooks pic.twitter.com/rVOO3aFrM4
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) May 6, 2024
Now, of the three backs, Brooks is certainly essentially the most proficient. So, there is a sturdy probability he’ll ultimately take over because the Panthers’ RB1 because the season progresses. However, at first of the yr, count on him to have extra of a reserve position, particularly coming off a torn ACL.
Brooks isn’t essentially in a fantastic state of affairs in his rookie yr. He’ll possible must compete for touches with two different backs and can lose out on loads of alternatives due to it. There have been higher touchdown spots for the 20-year-old in Yr 1, and Carolina was not considered one of them.
Regardless of a questionable touchdown spot in his first yr, there are a few issues trending in the precise route for Brooks as a rookie. For starters, it seems that new head coach Dave Canales needs to run the ball a ton in Carolina. That’s definitely excellent news for the previous Texas product. Canales additionally talked about that the staff plans to make the most of the younger again within the passing recreation and stated his versatility is “most likely the most important factor that stood out.”
With the best way Canales is speaking about Brooks, there’s an opportunity the rookie has some fantasy potential in Yr 1. Nonetheless, watch out about spending a premium to pick him in redraft codecs. He could be caught behind Hubbard and/or Sanders to start the yr, which might severely restrict his worth in all codecs. That ought to change, although, because the season goes on.
JONATHON BROOKS is THE RB1 in 24
💥Spectacular contact steadiness
💥Fast/Lite toes for measurement
💥Imaginative and prescient & consciousness to hit holes
💥Succesful Receiver
🏥 Some worries w ACL harm however restoration forward of schedule, minimal put on, late breakout w ascending expertise
Comfortably taking 1.10-12 https://t.co/V9Ix3WWcTA pic.twitter.com/s7VLDZc2cF
— Dynasty Dad (@DynastyDadFF) May 11, 2024
There may be definitely a studying curve for rookies within the NFL. However, as we’ve seen prior to now, as soon as we hit the second half of the season, these rookies get extra concerned on offense. That may very well be the case with Brooks in 2024. Simply be affected person with him to start out the yr as a result of there may very well be only a few possibilities for him within the first couple of weeks.
In dynasty, Brooks deserves to be a first-round choose in all codecs. He’s one of the best operating again on this draft class, and Carolina is a nice long-term touchdown spot for him. Hubbard is a free agent after the 2024 marketing campaign, whereas Sanders may be launched earlier than the 2025 season. The Panthers would save $5.225 million by releasing the veteran after this yr. This backfield will ultimately solely belong to the previous Texas star, making him a straightforward goal on the again finish of the primary spherical.
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