Jonathon Brooks NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Carolina Panthers RB

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 216

HAND: 9¼"

ARM: 31½"

WINGSPAN: 75⅞"

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40-YARD DASH: N/A

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: N/A

BROAD: N/A

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POSITIVES

— Above-average long speed. Enough gas to break away on explosive runs.

— Good on-demand burst. Kicks into high gear in a hurry.

— Above-average quickness and change of direction. Makes defenders miss in space.

— Good maneuverability at the second level. Can weave through traffic and bounce runs to the outside.

— Functional pass-catching ability.

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NEGATIVES

— Below-average balance and power. Regularly goes down on first contact. Doesn't move piles.

— Below-average discipline and command as a runner. Often unwilling to hit a gap full speed and embrace contact.

— Suffers from being too creative at times, both behind the line and at the second level. Stops his feet a lot.

— Low energy pass protector.

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2023 STATISTICS

— 11 GM, 187 ATT, 1,139 YDS (6.1 AVG), 10 TD; 25 REC, 286 YDS (11.4 AVG), 1 TD

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NOTES

— Born July 21, 2003

— 4-star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 8 career starts

— 2023 second-team All-Big 12

— Suffered a torn ACL late in the season versus TCU, missed final four games of the year

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OVERALL

Jonathan Brooks is a twitchy, explosive back who could use more refinement and muscle to round out his game.

Brooks' quickness is the first thing that pops off the screen. Behind the line of scrimmage, he has the lateral explosion to switch rushing lanes with ease at the last second. That same explosive ability shows up at the second level. Brooks has the juice to make defenders miss in space, and he is always hunting for chances to prove it.

Brooks has a good speed profile as well. He can kick into high gear almost instantly when he wants to, which helps for ruining pursuit angles on the edge. Once free, Brooks doesn't have elite home run speed, but he can threaten 20-plus-yard runs any time he hits open grass.

On the flip side, Brooks is not a strong runner. He is on the lighter side at 207 pounds, and it shows. Brooks struggles to run through contact at the line of scrimmage, and he regularly goes down on first contact at the second level. He rarely pushes piles or finds extra yards.

Brooks isn't a decisive or commanding runner, either. He often gets himself in trouble at the line of scrimmage. Brooks is not the type of runner who is okay with plunging ahead into a car wreck for three yards, even when that's the only option available. He leaves yards on the field as a result.

Brooks can be a useful committee back in the NFL with a chance to develop into something more. He has enough quickness and speed to be a weapon. Brooks isn't built like a true lead back, though, and he does not yet have the strength or decisiveness as a runner for that role.

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GRADE: 7.1 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 79

POSITION RANK: RB3

PRO COMPARISON: Jerome Ford

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

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