Despite only seeing significant time for one season in college and suffering a terrible knee injury last November, Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks has not been immediately dismissed as an option for fantasy football managers.
Here is the fantasy outlook for Brooks this season.
Jonathon Brooks’ Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
After playing a backup role in his first two seasons at Texas, Brooks enjoyed a terrific 2023 season with the Longhorns. He averaged over 113.9 yards per game on the ground over his first 10 games with 10 touchdown runs, and he showed his versatility by catching 25 passes for almost 300 receiving yards.
However, a torn ACL suffered in his 10th game (against TCU) not only spelled the end of his season but will likely impact the start of his NFL career. Although he is credited with playing in 11 games, officially lowering his rushing yards per game average to 103.5, his appearance in the Big 12 championship game came at the end as a courtesy.
Although new Panthers head coach Dave Canales sounded optimistic he might be ready in Week 3 or 4, Brooks will start the season on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, making him ineligible until Week 5.
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Despite his injury situation, Brooks was productive enough in his one season as a full-time starter at Texas that he was the first running back selected in last April’s NFL Draft — going in the second round as the 46th overall pick.
When he does finally get on the field, if he is healthy enough, Canales probably will not have any trepidation over giving Brooks the ball a lot. Brooks averaged nearly 20 carries a game for the Longhorns in 2023 (18.7), and he had 20 or more carries in six of his 10 games.
Brooks also showed big-play capability by averaging over six yards per carry (6.2) and 12.0 yards per reception for his collegiate career.
Is Brooks a Good Fantasy Pick?
Brooks is the No. 34 running back in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings as of Aug. 26. This ranking speaks a lot to the expected production and value of Brooks for the 2024 season, even if he begins on the PUP.
Despite being an injured rookie, Brooks is the highest-ranked running back on the Panthers’ roster. He is also ranked higher than expected starters such as Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys (No. 35), the New York Giants’ Devin Singletary (No. 36), and, of course, Chuba Hubbard of the Panthers (No. 41).
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Despite starting the season on the PUP list, Brooks’ size (6’0″, 200) and ability make him a player that fantasy managers could perhaps draft in the middle rounds and stash away until he is ready to go this season.