On April 25, the 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit. The opportunity to present the different prospects in more detail through new thematic articles, the “Prototype”. The idea is simple: identify the perfect prospect, with the main quality of each player entered in the draft. Today, we are creating the prototype of the ideal runner.
Power: Audric Estime (Notre Dame)
Audric Estime, the Notre Dame runner, is a real bulldozer! 1m80 and 103 kilos, it's not good to stand in your way. Possessing enough speed, he can play on the first two attempts. But it is on “3rd and short” that its power is valuable for an attack. Wisconsin runner Braelon Allen is also applying in this category.
Liveliness: Will Shipley (Clemson)
Will Shipley has a lot of similarities with Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco): identical size, ability to contribute in aerial play and above all an extraordinary skill in dodging the first tackler!
Because in the NFL, linebackers and safeties are very fast, rookie runners must know how to change direction to gain yards after contact. Will Shipley will bring this dimension to an NFL franchise in 2024.
Vision: Blake Corum (Michigan)
Author of 27 touchdowns in 15 games, Blake Corum largely contributed to Michigan's university title. If he has several qualities, he is above all very intelligent in attacking the right zone: the one where there is space, the one where the defense seems more vulnerable!
Receptions: Mar'Keise “Bucky” Irving (Oregon)
Bucky Irving has a lot of quickness, which allows him to continue to gain yards after the first defender comes at him. Bucky Irving is also very effective in providing an aerial solution to his thrower: 56 receptions in 2023 bringing 413 yards and 2 touchdowns (31 receptions for 299 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2022).
Reliability: Trey Benson (Florida State)
A runner must advance the chains to relieve his quarterback. He must also score points. But probably the most important thing is that Trey Benson doesn't lose balls. In 2022, he has worn the leather 141 times and only released it 2 times (only 1 lost). In 2023, he runs 156 times without a single ball escaping him!
Protection: Jonathon Brooks (Texas)
The task was difficult for Jonathon Brooks in 2023: having to replace Bijan Robinson (Atlanta)! With 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns, he succeeded in his mission. His compact physique (1m83 and 90 kilos) allowed him to break numerous tackles, but also to effectively protect his quarterback against attacks from opposing defenders.
No player can check all the boxes in the racer prototype, but Doctor Frankenstein has the recipe!
