Houston traded for running back Joe Mixon and then gave him a contract extension, but their depth is suspect behind him.
Mixon's contract has a possible out in 2025, the same year backup Dameon Pierce is set to be a free agent. The Texans' other two running backs on the roster, J.J. Taylor and Gerrid Doaks, have a combined 58 touches in the NFL.
Pierce had a sophomore slump in 2023 and a bounce-back season can’t be relied on with the Texans' aspirations for 2024. They’ll need to add a back that can be the future at the position, backup Mixon this season and be able to step into the starting role if Mixon were to miss time.
None of the running backs in this draft are expected to go in the first round, and there’s a chance none go in the second round as well. The third round will be the sweet spot where they start flying off the board. Houston could grab one with either of their second-round picks, but also with the team's third-round pick or with one of the Texans' two fourth-round picks.
Here are six running back targets for the Texans in the 2024 NFL draft.
Full draft target breakdowns: WR | TE | OL | DB | DT | LB | EDGE
Texans 2024 NFL draft RB targets
Blake Corum, Michigan
Measurables: 5-foot-8 | 205 pounds | 29-inch arms | 5-foot-10 wingspan | 9-inch hands
Combine numbers: 4.53 40-yard dash | 1.58 10-yard split | 35.5-inch vertical | 6.82 3-cone | 4.12 short shuttle | 27 bench press reps
The biggest concern with Corum is size, timed speed and workload, with over 700 college touches. He's a similar prospect to former Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew when he came out in the draft almost 20 years ago.
Corum is stoutly built with the ability to absorb direct hits with great contact balance. He can set up blocks and plays well off the back of them. He’s a decisive, one-cut runner who has the vision and understanding of inside and outside zone concepts. Corum routinely gets skinny and finds the space on inside runs, that when he bounces outside he catches defenses off-guard and gashes them.
He’s not a blazer and has a limited catch radius but managed to still factor into the passing game. Corum is also a willing blocker who takes on blitzes but has to fix his flaws of dropping his head and turning his body before contact.
MarShawn Lloyd, USC
Measurables: 5-foot-9, 220 pounds | 30-inch arms | 6-foot-2 wingspan | 9-inch hands
Combine numbers: 4.46 40-yard dash | 1.56 10-yard split | 36-inch vertical | 9-foot-10 broad
Lloyd isn’t a deadly receiving threat but is more than serviceable on screens, flats, underneath routes and playing off-script to get open for his quarterback. The biggest issue for Lloyd is ball security. He’ll need to correct early in his career or could get in the doghouse.
Like is the case with Corum, Lloyd is one of the few “creator backs” in this draft class. They’re each able to create space and make positive runs when the blocking isn’t there. Every move MarShawn makes is with a purpose as he understands how to use his jab step and fakes to pause an oncoming tackler and allow the extra split-second for his blocker to get into position.
Lloyd is built to take the hits and keep rolling with a balanced frame conditioned for punishing blows. In pass protection, he seeks out contact. He sees the cutback and is a deadly threat with his ability to punish the defense for not maintaining gap integrity.
Trey Benson, Florida State
Measurables: 6-foot | 216 pounds | 32-inch arms | 6-foot-4 wingspan | 9-inch hands
Combine numbers: 4.39 40-yard dash | 1.52 10-yard split | 33.5-inch vertical | 10-foot-2 broad jump
Benson is at his best when he’s playing off the back of blockers. He’s a speedster who’s a threat in the running and passing game with the ability to adjust to off-the-mark passes. His wheel route is a weapon.
Benson is a force to bring down as he runs powerful but blends it with shiftiness that can buckle defenders. Whether it’s a run or a reception he fights to stay up and defenders have to ensure he’s down. Every aspect of his game is performed with balance.
He has wasted steps out of the backfield on his change of direction, though, and doesn’t display the greatest vision nor have a feel for zone runs. As a blocker, he lacks aggressiveness and typically uses “guide hands” in which he just places them up and on the body with no punch or intent.
Will Shipley, Clemson
Measurables: 5-foot-11 | 206 pounds | 30-inch arms | 6-foot-2 wingspan | 10-inch hands
Shipley has true receiver ability and plays in the run and passing game with ballerina-type balance. His angle route out of the backfield will remind NFL teams of Alvin Kamara. He’s extremely athletic and acrobatic with contact balance and has to be tackled down.
Shipley is deadly in the open field, can line up wide as a receiver and is a patient runner whether waiting for pulling linemen or allowing the zone blocking to open a void for him. Clemson would have him lead block for his quarterback as a freshman and continued to do so last year for fellow running back Phil Mafah.
This is a running back who adds a ton of versatility to an offense and can be successful in either a zone or gap running scheme. He tended to get banged up throughout his time in college but managed to stay on the field for the most part.
Jaylen Wright, Tennessee
Measurables: 5-foot-11 | 210 pounds | 31.5-inch arms | 6-foot-4 wingspan | 9-inch hands
Combine numbers: 4.38 40-yard dash | 1.55 10-yard split | 38-inch vertical | 11-foot-2 broad
Wright saw his yards per carry increase year-over-year from 2021 to 2023. He’s best when waiting for his blockers and playing off their hips before accelerating from behind them. Wright shows true homerun speed as a back and also when placed out wide for quick screens and jet sweeps.
He’s dangerous in the open field with his speed combined with his ability to juke defenders out of their shoes. Wright played with a solid base and form when staying in for blitz pickup.
As is the case with Benson, Wright doesn’t show great vision or a fit with a team that runs zone heavily in their offense. He’ll also cause holes that are there in the line to evaporate with unnecessary jukes on air.
Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Measurables: 6-foot | 216 pounds | 31.5-inch arms | 6-foot-4 wingspan | 9-inch hands
Brooks is an explosive runner who turns defenders into gifs in the open field. He can one-cut and explode but only shows it behind pulls or when a defender jumps out in the way of his path.
Brooks has trusty hands as a receiver and whether he’s running the ball or creating after the catch, his ability at his size to move instantly is rare. The blend of speed and shiftiness gives defenses an uneasiness about them as any play could go the distance.
Brooks is coming off a torn ACL in November, though. Before the injury, he saw limited action behind Bijan Robinson in 2022. This has left him lacking and not understanding the subtle nuances of the position. He’s better in a gap scheme where he can rely on hitting the hole and making defenders miss. Pass protection is severely lacking and will limit his NFL role.
Who should the Texans draft?
There are plenty of prospects to choose from in the third round if the Texans decide to add their back of the future. While Benson, Wright and Brooks are all talented backs and deserve to and probably will be drafted in the third, they aren’t the perfect fit for Houston.
Corum, Lloyd and Shipley all fit Houston’s zone scheme perfectly. Corum and Lloyd are creator backs who can be successful even if the offensive line struggles. Shipley can provide a receiving role as well as depth to Mixon in 2024.
