Bengals Running Back Watch: What Prospects Make Sense in 2024 NFL Draft?

Let's take a look at some of the running backs the Bengals could target

Author:
Blake Jewell
Publish date:
Mar 9, 2024 9:44 AM EST

In this story:

The Bengals have plenty of needs going into this offseason, but an underrated one could be running back. The Bengals took Chase Brown in the 2023 NFL Draft and he had some promising moments last season, but there is still uncertainty about Joe Mixon's future.

Regardless, the Bengals are expected to add a running back this offseason. Here’s a quick breakdown of some potential targets in the 2024 NFL Draft:

Jonathon Brooks, Texas

Brooks projects to be a work-horse back in the NFL. He produced last season before suffering a torn ACL.

His injury has hurt his draft stock but there is still a good chance he’ll be the first running back taken. The Bengals are unlikely to use their 49th pick on Brooks due to his injury, but an athletic back like him that has shown the ability to pass protect will certainly be on their radar.

Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

Wright has the speed necessary to be a home run hitter, as well as sufficient capabilities in pass protection. He ran for 1,010 yards on 136 attempts (7.4 YPC) last season for the Volunteers and would be a good option on day two.

Blake Corum, Michigan

Corum was Michigan’s work-horse back for their 2023 National Championship run. He could go on day two, but may fall to day three of the draft because of his size.

Corum is undersized for the position, but his athleticism and instincts could lead to a productive career in the NFL. The Bengals currently have Brown at running back. He has a similar build and speed to Corum.

Bucky Irving, Oregon

Irving is an undersized, but athletic running back and could be an excellent option for the Bengals. Irving is explosive as a runner and is a dangerous weapon in the passing game.

Like Corum, Irving is undersized and while his abilities in the passing game are certainly enticing, the Bengals could go a different route and get a bigger work-horse type of running back.

Trey Benson, Florida State

Benson is an interesting prospect for the Bengals on day two of the draft. Benson rushed for 905 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He’s a strong back that is able to make defenders miss and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He’d pair well with Chase Brown and offer a different running style. Benson is also solid in pass protection which should be something the Bengals target.

Marshawn Lloyd, USC

Lloyd is coming off a good career at USC and South Carolina. He projects to be an athletic weapon in the NFL. Lloyd won’t be a work-horse type back like we’ve mentioned, but he could be a valuable playmaker both in the running and passing game.

The primary concern with Lloyd has been his ball security, as he had some issues with that in college.

Audric Estime, Notre Dame

Estime could be the perfect running back to put in the Bengals offense in 2024. He's a big, powerful back and moves very well for his size. With Brown being the speedy option, Estime could step in on short-yardage situations and use his power to gain the needed yardage.

Estime isn’t an explosive threat out of the backfield, but he could bring a powerful element to the Bengals rushing attack. Having a combination of different types of running backs in a committee-style backfield would be ideal for this Bengals offense.

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Allen is another physical back that could bring more power to the Bengals running game. He has the size, strength, and age you want out of a rookie running back.

He’s similar to Estime in terms of frame and power, but his concerns lie with pass protection, which could be something the Bengals are looking for if they draft a running back. Overall, they’d be getting a young, powerful running back with plenty of potential.

Ray Davis, Kentucky

Davis is one of the most well-rounded runners in this draft class. He’s a high-IQ, talented running back that takes care of the ball and has the ability to be a quality receiver out of the backfield.

The problem with Davis is his age. He’s already 24 years old and has had some injuries in the past. If the Bengals were to take Davis, they’d get an NFL-ready back, he just might not be a long-term solution. With the Bengals currently contending for a Super Bowl, getting the NFL-ready running back and plugging him in right away could be a smart move.

Will Shipley, Clemson

If you want to pair a dynamic pass-catching running back with Brown, Shipley could be your guy. He's a high-level athlete and has great abilities as a pass catcher.

Shipley won’t be drafted to be a workhorse running back, but if the Bengals want to add a talented playmaker to their running back room, Shipley is someone to keep an eye on.

Isaac Guerendo, Louisville

Guerendo could be one of the sleepers in the Draft. He had an impressive performance at the NFL Combine. Although he is a speedy back, he still has the physicality to be a powerful runner in the NFL.

He's an interesting target on day three of the draft.

Dylan Laube, New Hampshire

Laube is another running back with strong pass-catching capabilities. He has good enough speed to be a talented playmaker in the NFL. He doesn’t offer as much as a pure runner as some of the other players on this list, but he could be a quality receiving threat out of the backfield for the Bengals. He also returned kicks in college.

Dillon Johnson, Washington

Johnson could be a solid pickup for a team on day three. He has good size and is experienced in both the running and passing games at a high level.

He won’t be a home-run hitter in the NFL, but he could be a solid addition to a team that uses a committee of running backs.

Kimani Vidal, Troy

Vidal's had success in both the running and passing game in college and while undersized, he has solid athleticism.

Jaden Shirden, Monmouth

Shirden could be one of the day three steals of the Draft. He's explosive and has the potential to be a home run hitter in the NFL. 14 of his 26 touchdown runs in college went for 50+ yards.

He's a small school player, but he had elite production in his time in college and although he’s undersized, he has the athleticism for that explosiveness to translate.

Jase McClellan, Alabama

McClellan could be a nice day-three addition. He’s strong in pass protection and is a high-IQ runner.

He has decent size and speed and although he’s going to be a day-three pick, he could contribute and get some solid production as a third option in the backfield.

Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State

If the Bengals don’t get a powerful back in free agency or earlier in the draft, Davis would be a bargain pick on day three. He has ideal size and runs with physicality. He had elite production in college and although he could take some time to develop, he could be a steal if the Bengals choose to take him.

Get the Latest NFL Offseason News on fuboTV! Start your free trial here.

For more on the Bengals, watch the video below and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Make sure you bookmark All Bengals for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Bengals QBs Coach Brad Kragthorpe Tells Favorite Joe Burrow Story: 'That Was Easy'

Bengals Meeting With Top Tight End Prospects, Including Georgia Star Brock Bowers

Duke Tobin Vague on Joe Mixon's Future: 'Not Going to Get Into That'

Dan Pitcher, Justin Rascati on Boosting Cincinnati's Explosive Playmaking: 'Stems From Marriage of Run and Pass'

Look: Joe Burrow Has Started 2024 Offseason Training Program

Will Bengals Sign Veteran Punter in Free Agency?

Bengals Preparing for More Tackle Turnover, Could Address Offensive Line in Draft and Free Agency

Watch: Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase Meet Up With LeBron James Following Lakers Game