2024 NFL Draft: Top Second Round, Middle Round Prospects

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There are several top-tier projects in the 2024 NFL draft. Teams that are in dire need of a top-tier starter or potential replacement for the older running backs or those coming off of a devastating injury in 2023, may want to look to these potential draft steals during the late stages of day two and even day three.

Braelon Allen- Wisconsin

Allen looks like the definition of a pure power back. He’s more likely to bowl over defensive players similar to Ravens legend Jamal Lewis. In fact, his running style closely mirrors Lewis because of his pure power and ability to create his own yards after contact. He’s without a doubt one of the most interesting power runners any team can add. He may not be able to be much of an option on screen passes. He’s best used as a power runner to start things off early in the first quarter. He will also be a problem for defenses in the red zone. He looks like a late second-round to early third-round pick. The 6’2″, 245-pound behemoth is not the running back a team can easily pass up on top many times. Allen carried the ball 181 times for 984 yards and 12 Touchdowns in 2023. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry.

Bucky Irving- Oregon

Flashy, speedrunners who are nearly impossible to catch can also be effective playmakers in most NFL offenses. Irving doesn’t seem to possess the power running game that traditional offenses look for. However, he has good vision and great, track-like speed. Irving will be a top choice for offenses that favor speed over power. When NFL offenses think of additional playmakers that frustrate defenses, Irving has to be among the playmakers they’re looking at adding. He’s also a great pass-catching option that teams won’t necessarily get with the power runners. He likely won’t be available beyond the second round. Irving had 186 carries for 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry.

Marshawn Lloyd- University of Southern California

Lloyd is one of the most underrated prospects in this year’s draft. He’s an excellent zone runback with great ball-carrying vision and has good power. He has the balance needed to have an immediate impact. His speed is good and can make defenders miss in open space. He is lost among the star power in the 2024 draft, mainly because USC rarely gives him opportunities to run in such a pass-heavy offense. However, he was still a big part of the USC Trojans’ successful offense. He’s going to be hard to pass up on during the fourth round or later. Lloyd can also be effective in the passing game. Due to his limited use in USC’s offense, his difficult to project him as a starter in the NFL. He’s more of a developmental player with a lot of upside. Lloyd had 116 carries for 820 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry.

Other running backs to look at are Texas Longhorn’s star Jonathan Brooks and Notre Dame running back Audric Estime. Michigan’s Blake Corrum will probably be off the board before Allen and Irving. Florida State’s Trey Benson is a first-round projection.