It’s draft season! I’ve been busy watching a bunch of these prospects, so in the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft, I’ll be releasing my rankings. Before you read ahead, please keep in mind the following!

1. I have ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fits. Therefore, the round grade I have given considers that. For example, I may have had a 2nd round grade on a player like Trey Benson if the Eagles badly needed a running back, but I have pushed him down the board after the signing of Saquon Barkley.
2. Please focus more on the tiers rather than the exact numerical order. I use tiers when I have similar grades on players, and there might not be a lot of difference between players if they are in the same tier.
3. I try to watch as much film as I can on these guys, but I also rely on others for stats and other data. Huge credit to PFF and Dane Brugler for some of the stats and measurables used in the pieces.
4. I may mention off-the-field and injury issues in the reports, but I don’t really factor that in when ranking these prospects. However, I may mention it in the summaries.
5. If I haven’t ranked someone, that’s because I haven’t watched them! If you’d like me to watch someone in particular, feel free to comment and I’ll try to get to them before the draft.

Running Back

Tier 1

1. Trey Benson, Florida State, 6’ 217

Summary: Benson is an unproven big, physical tough explosive runner with excellent contact balance who can struggle to cut and change direction quickly. He has rare speed and size.

Eagles Thoughts: The Eagles don’t really need Benson but... if you wanted to have an explosive 1-2 punch at running back then why not? I expect he will be gone by the time the Eagles pick in the 3rd but if not, I’d support it purely for my enjoyment!

2. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee, 5’10 1/2 210

Summary: Jaylen Wright is a very strong prospect who looks the part of a starting running back. He’s an explosive back who can produce big plays and contribute as a receiver.

Eagles Thoughts: I don’t expect this to happen, but if he was there in the 3rd round I would strongly consider adding Wright. He would give the Eagles another explosive playmaker and could develop behind Barkley as he’s only 21 years old.

3. Jonathan Brooks, Texas, 6’ 216

Summary: A fascinating one-year starter who has great physicality, foot quickness, and a hard-nosed running style but will be coming off a torn ACL.

Eagles Thoughts: Brooks may be the most talented back in the class (if I desperately needed a starting running back I would have Brooks as my RB1) I wouldn’t be completely against taking him in the 3rd as he could be explosive in limited touches and become the Eagles RB2.

4. MarShawn Lloyd, Southern California, 5’9 220

Summary: Lloyd smashed the combine and the tape shows an explosive elite athlete with huge upside, but his vision has limited his production throughout his early career.

Eagles Thoughts: This is a target of mine towards the end of day 2 or the start of day 3. Lloyd has issues, but he has outstanding upside. He could learn from Barkley and complement his skillset well.

Tier 2

5. Bucky Irving, Oregon, 5’9 192

Summary: Bucky Irving is a smaller explosive back with excellent lateral movement and quickness but will probably find himself as a role player/change of pace back rather than ‘the guy’ due to size and pass protection concerns and his testing at the combine.

Eagles Thoughts: I like Irving’s skillset as a RB2/3, but wouldn’t touch him until day 3 after he tested so poorly. I would have him closer to Tier 1 if it wasn’t for his performance at the combine.

6. Blake Corum, Michigan, 5’8 205

Summary: A very smart, decisive runner with outstanding vision and patience but limited athletic ability, explosiveness, and top-end speed may impact his chance of being a starting running back. He understands the position well but just isn’t a great athlete.

Eagles Thoughts: I like Corum a lot, I just think he’s too limited of an athlete to ever be a starter, so he could be a decent rotational option at the start of day 3.

7. Tyrone Tracey, Purdue, 5’11 209

Summary: Tracey is a former receiver with explosive traits and a versatile skillset who still needs to develop as a running back. He’s an intriguing option in this class as a RB2/3.

Eagles Thoughts: I would absolutely love this guy on the Eagles on day 3. He’s going under the radar and won’t be a feature back, but he could be a great RB2/3 for the Eagles and also provide them with a back who can detach from the formation and run routes too.

8. Audric Estame, Notre Dame, 5’11 221

Summary: A physical early-down bruiser who will provide a team with a no-nonsense inside runner, but he lacks the fluidity, agility, or speed to be anything more than an early-down hammer.

Eagles Thoughts: I wouldn’t look at Estame unless the Eagles want a bruiser on day 3 to take on some short-yardage stuff and give Barkley a rest. Jalen Hurts plays such a big role in short yardage, which is why I have Estame quite low on my list, despite liking the skill set of the player.

9. Isaac Guerendo, Louisville, 6’0 221

Summary: Guerendo is a 3rd down back with limited production despite his age, but the athletic testing has you wondering if he can be more. He absolutely killed the combine.

Eagles Thoughts: I’d love to take a shot on Guerendo’s talent at the start of day 3. He is raw and may end up as a 3rd down back only, but he has real upside.

Tier 3

10. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin, 6’1 235

Summary: Braelon Allen is a huge back, with a rare combination of size and speed but the lack of elusiveness and inability to make defenders miss in tight spaces may hurt his effectiveness as a pro.

Eagles Thoughts: He’s not someone with the skillset that I’m interested in for this offense. I don’t think he is twitchy or elusiveness enough.

11. Will Shipley, Clemson, 5’11 206

Summary: Shipley looks like a “jack of all trades, master of none” backup running back with good receiving skills, and a good feel for zone runs but no real elite traits despite good production for 3 straight years.

Eagles Thoughts: I’ve got no real interest in Shipley, until later on in day 3.

As always, thank you for reading. If you want more detailed notes on each player (strengths and weaknesses) then I’m thinking of releasing my entire document this year. Keep an eye out for this and let me know if this is something you are interested in!