Ravens Draft Prospect: Texas RB Jonathan Brooks

Is Texas running back Jonathan Brooks the Ravens' top backfield option this offseason outside of signing Derrick Henry in free agency?

The Baltimore Ravens are rumored to be in negotiations with future Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry, but now that most of the talented veterans have been linked to a team in free agency, who should the team look toward in the draft as a backup plan?

Texas rusher Jonathan Brooks is one running back who warrants consideration in the NFL Draft. He's a big-bodied back who hasn't been able to dominate the pre-draft process. 

Measuring 6-2 and weighing 216 pounds, Brooks has the size to be a workhorse in the NFL. Another positive is that his body didn’t take a lot of hits in college because he only started for one season thanks to playing behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, two players selected in last year’s draft.

Brooks enters the league with just 266 touches from his days playing at Texas, 212 of which came in his final 11 games. As a junior, Brooks averaged 6.1 yards per carry while running for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns. He impressed on all three downs, making 25 receptions for 286 yards and a touchdown.

here is a compilation of exceedingly aesthetically pleasing block-following by jonathan brooks #asmr #oddlysatisfying https://t.co/S9vwYigXRW pic.twitter.com/yosMD5Lf8y

— Danny Kelly (@DannyBKelly) March 5, 2024

Unfortunately, Brooks's draft profile isn’t all positive. The talented rusher hasn’t been able to build any pre-draft buzz because he’s recovering from a torn ACL. Nowadays, ACL injuries are considered more season-ending than career-altering, but a major knee injury is nonetheless worth noting. 

Ravens Offer Henry $6.5 Million

Besides his knee injury, Brooks is arguably the best running back prospect in this draft class and has been compared to fellow Texas alum Jamaal Charles. If Brooks can regain his top-end speed and acceleration, he could be a dangerous weapon for the Ravens if the franchise selects him. 

Baltimore may land Henry in free agency, but depending on how far Brooks's injury drops him in the NFL Draft, the Ravens may manage to pair both together and have one of the league's premier rushing duos.