Blake Corum – Runner – 23 years old – Senior – Michigan
Height: 1m77
Weight: 93 kilos
Estimated draft position: 2nd round
NFL Comparison: Aaron Jones (Packers)
University champion with Michigan, Blake Corum greatly contributed to the success of Wolverines in 2023: 27 rushing touchdowns including two in the university final.
If the NFL is an increasingly aerial league, the flavor of a runner like Blake Corum is timeless like a candy from the last century. Spicy like a Mistral Gagnant and also “small but strong” like a Pimousse.
Highlights of Blake Corum
– Game vision
– Small size
– Reliable
The first quality required of a runner is to know how to take the right space and Blake Corum is a master of this. If he is capable of overflowing to the outside, he is above all a runner to attack Gaps A (between the Center and the Guard) and B (between the Guard and the Tackle). Patient behind his blockers, he knows how to identify the space where he can make a difference.
Its lack of size is a disadvantage in some situations but an advantage in others! His center of gravity, lower than the average defender having to stop him, gives him changes in support that are too sudden for opponents. And then, it is more difficult to grab a less imposing player.
To be able to gain ground, a runner must first of all not release the ball: only 3 fumbles in 258 worn in 2023! A runner's reliability is also determined by his ability to stay healthy: apart from an injury at the end of the 2022 season (meniscus), Blake Corum has played 39 games over his last three seasons.
Weaknesses of Blake Corum
– Pure speed
– Devaluation of the position
Blake Corum is not slow but he is not that super fast type of runner. Once he has identified the area to attack, it is difficult to catch him and even more difficult to put him on the ground! But he does not have the speed that allows certain NFL runners to take flight such as Devon Achane (Miami) or Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions).
Aside from being an alien like Bijan Robinson (Falcons), runners are no longer a priority for franchises during the draft. Because NFL offenses use a committee and also because the NCAA provides a lot of talent at this position each year, it is rare to see a team use a top 50 pick at this position. Blake Corum is a major player in an offense but will probably not be chosen in the 1st round in 2024.
Possible destinations
Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens.
Blake Corum could cross the country from east to west and meet his coach Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles. Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley are at the end of their contracts while Isaiah Spiller has only played 15 games since his draft in 2022: 137 yards and no touchdowns!
Giants fans can always argue about other, more impactful needs: Who will wear the leather in 2024? With Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida free, the G-Men are left with only Eric Gray and Gary Brightwell to relieve Daniel Jones in 2024.
Blake Corum has more than proven at the highest college level and with two picks in the 2nd round of the 2024 draft (39 and 47), the Giants would be smart to use one on a runner offering few doubts about his future success.
After letting Dalvin Cook (7,000 yards and 47 touchdowns) leave in 2023, the Vikings part ways with Alexander Mattison in 2024. A franchise at the bottom of the league in rushing yards (29th NFL in 2023) should invest in this position. Jerome Ford revealed himself in 2023 but if Nick Chubb was not retained by Cleveland then the 4th NFL offense in rushing attempts would have to add a runner to his committee.
