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While the value of the running back position in the NFL seemingly continues to decline, young running backs on cheap contracts can be a real advantage for an offense, and it's exciting to see ball carriers go early in the NFL Draft.
In most years, it's easy to predict who the first running back off the board will be. Last year, everyone knew it was going to be Bijan Robinson, while Breece Hall was the obvious choice in 2022. The 2024 class is viewed as one of the worst groups of running backs in some time, so the RB1 is more of a mystery.
Who is the betting odds favorite to be the first running back selected? Let's dive in.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
2024 NFL Draft - RB1 Contenders
- Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
- Trey Benson, Florida State
- Jonathon Brooks, Texas
- Blake Corum, Michigan
- Ray Davis, Kentucky
- MarShawn Lloyd, USC
- Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
Who is Favored to be the First Running Back Drafted?
Note: Odds are subject to change
According to DraftKings Sportsbook around 2 p.m. EDT, Texas running back Jonathon Brooks is a -130 favorite to be the first running back to hear his name called -- likely on Friday in the second or third round. Brooks posted over 1,000 rushing yards before suffering a torn ACL and MCL last season with the Longhorns, but he evidently showed enough to make him the RB1 on some draft boards.
JONATHON BROOKS BUSTS A BIG RECEPTION AND A TOUCHDOWN
HORNS UP 7-3 pic.twitter.com/0nA8Qx3wxz
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) November 12, 2023
After a strong performance at the 2024 NFL Combine, Trey Benson is next on the list at +225 odds -- followed by Blake Corum (+400), MarShawn Lloyd (+900), and Jaylen Wright (+900). Although Ray Davis (+6000) and Braelon Allen (+3500) have been near the top of RB mock drafts at some point during the pre-draft process, both are long shots to be RB1.
Although this is viewed as a weak running back class, we can assume at least a couple of ball carriers will exceed expectations and become legitimate starters in the NFL with fantasy value. In upcoming rookie drafts, it's important to remember that draft capital matters when projecting future success.
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