An analysis of Brooks from The Fantasy Footballers provides possible insight as to why he's worth the price paid

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Sometimes you get very valuable information from fantasy football sites. I found an analysis that you may want to read from The Fantasy Footballers. Perhaps you'll gain an insight as to why we moved up and got him.

As always, here are a few snippets:

"As expected, he dominated in the 2023 season. He averaged an impressive 2.03 Scrimmage Yards per Team Play, which ranks in the 86th percentile among all junior seasons since 2013."

"Naturally, after initially playing behind two NFL-caliber running backs, Brooks’ career numbers do not jump off the page. However, his 2023 campaign gave us a glimpse of just how massive his upside could be at the next level. In fact, Brooks is one of only TWO running backs in this class to exceed 2.00 Scrimmage Yards per Team Play within their first three seasons in college." 

"If you watch Jonathon Brooks’ film, you will find multiple plays in which he created yardage with his quick feet and lateral agility. He is elusive in open spaces and has an impressive ability to stack multiple cuts to avoid contact. Combined with his impressive burst and acceleration, Brooks can be a matchup nightmare in the second and third levels of the defense."

"While Brooks is not the most physical running back, he does have a knack for absorbing contact and bouncing off defenders. You see this time and time again in his film."

"He showcased a willingness to initiate contact with the pass rusher, the strength to maintain blocks, and the quickness to adjust to the defender’s moves. In addition, per PFF, Brooks was a top-three running back in the 2024 class in pass-blocking grade last season. He was also one of only two running backs in the class to average a 0% pass block pressure rate, highlighting just how effective he was as a blocker."

"In short, Brooks has tremendous upside as a prospect. Even with his ACL injury, I would still be comfortable drafting him in the early second round of rookie drafts. In fact, I would not be shocked if he finished his career as the most productive running back in this class. However, we just need to temper our expectations for his rookie year as he slowly ramps up to full health."

Marvin Elequin provides more here (including video clips):

https://www.thefantasyfootballers.com/dynasty/2024-rookie-profile-rb-jonathon-brooks-fantasy-football/

 

Basically, Brooks has the potential to be a beast, and was well worth the 46th pick (and most mocks had him going mid second round anyway). He's not JAG. Someone had to make the move and take him, and we were the ones to do it. He's elusive, has good speed and acceleration, exceptional contact balance, and is an outstanding blocker. Just like any nice RB transitioning to the league, he will need to get used to taking what the defense gives him, while also showing discriminating patience, but he has demonstrated some ability on that front in college. Brooks' only real knock is the ACL. But ACLs aren't career ending anymore, or even skill ending as evidenced by Dalvin Cook, Todd Gurley and others. We'll just need to temper our expectations during his rookie campaign while he gets back to form. Once he does, we'll finally have the talented three-down back that has eluded us since Stew retired.

[tukafan21]

I have no concern about the knee because his surgery was done by the Cowboys doctor and they badly wanted him.

To me that’s clear that they know he’s making a 100% recovery.

I still very much ease him in this year, and never be a featured back this year, no matter how good he looks.  Ideally he shouldn’t ever get more than 12-15 touches in a game, even by the end of the season.  

Then in year two we take off the reins and give him 20+ a game and hope he can be the 3 down stud that he has the potential to be.

November is a late ACL tear, no need to over load the knee in the first year of a roster rebuild

Edited April 29 by tukafan21

[toldozer]

Can't wait till we pay him 100 million dollars then trade him off for scraps only to be stuck eating a ton of dead money then use all those picks to draft a 37 year old pass rusher that can't rush

[WarPanthers89]

29 minutes ago, toldozer said:

Can't wait till we pay him 100 million dollars then trade him off for scraps only to be stuck eating a ton of dead money then use all those picks to draft a 37 year old pass rusher that can't rush

You are clearly a positive person. Great post!

[BrianS]

I hope he lives up to his potential.  I hope we are smart in how we use him.  He could be a mainstay of our backfield for the next seven or eight years.

[electro's horse]

Brooks is a fuging monster and not a need at all. He reminds me of Stewart when we already had DeAngelo. yeah holy poo this guy rules but why did we draft him?

i kinda love it. 

also full disclosure i was accidentally tripping balls during the second round. like it came on so fast and so hard i barely got to the couch in time or i would have had a floor night. 

when they drafted him, I was peaking and one of my favorite songs was hitting its crescendo and i had almost a religious experience so he's basically my favorite player of all time now. 

[hepcat]

Brooks was a good pick. He’s 20 years old and did not play a ton in college. He will bounce back from the injury. 

[electro's horse]

he's apparently already running on it. 

ACL isn't a big deal anymore, especially for a 20 year old. 

[Mage]

He reminds me of a poor mans Todd Gurley, which is still pretty darn good.  He doesn't have Gurley's top-end track speed and Gurley had more of a stronger build to him, but their playstyles and strengths as RBs are about the same.

Edited April 29 by Mage

[Mage]

17 minutes ago, electro's horse said:

he's apparently already running on it. 

ACL isn't a big deal anymore, especially for a 20 year old. 

Yep. Gurley tore his ACL around the same time in college and was playing by Week 3 and looked dominant the rest of the season.

Not that I expect Brooks to come close to that kind of impact as a rookie.  But just giving an example that proves your point.  Unless there were any complications with the surgery or recovery process, we should expect him to be at around at least 70-80% by the first week.  It should help that he won't be expected to carry the full-load.  I see Hubbard/Sanders splitting the majority of the 1st, 2nd, and short-yardage touches for the first half of the season, but Brooks should be the best pass-catcher out of the backfield on day one.

[SurvivalSloth]

I love the Fantasy Footballers. Great show and fantasy content!

[FutureDynasty]

1 hour ago, electro's horse said:

Brooks is a fuging monster and not a need at all. He reminds me of Stewart when we already had DeAngelo. yeah holy poo this guy rules but why did we draft him?

i kinda love it. 

also full disclosure i was accidentally tripping balls during the second round. like it came on so fast and so hard i barely got to the couch in time or i would have had a floor night. 

when they drafted him, I was peaking and one of my favorite songs was hitting its crescendo and i had almost a religious experience so he's basically my favorite player of all time now. 

That sounds like an amazing night! Brooks is my favorite pick of this draft. Getting the best player at their position in the second round AND getting back next years 2nd round pick is one hell of a 2nd round for Dan Morgan as a GM. 

 

Edited April 29 by FutureDynasty

[ClawOn]

1 hour ago, electro's horse said:

he's apparently already running on it. 

ACL isn't a big deal anymore, especially for a 20 year old. 

Yeah too many people think it's still 1995.

[toldozer]

2 hours ago, WarPanthers89 said:

You are clearly a positive person. Great post!

I can't poke fun at the mind bogglingly stupid things we've done? I like Brooks btw