RB Blake Corum: Proven and Safe, Not Super Sexy

RB BLake Corum – Michigan
5’8″ | 205
Career Stats: (rushing) 676 ATT 3,727 yds 58 TD (receiving) 55 rec 413 yds 3 TDs

I’m lower on Michigan running back Blake Corum than a lot of other people are, but I still find elements of his game I like, and a positive case for his fantasy relevance can be argued without much difficulty. In the end, though, I don’t think even his truthers could argue Corum’s fantasy ceiling is very high.

Pros

Corum is a fundamentally sound, conceptually and technically astute running back with a history of good production and high touchdown totals. He has very good vision and footwork. Corum is decisive and a quick processor. We wouldn’t describe Courm as twitchy, but he has quickness. He does the small things well. Corum is what’s commonly called a “smart” and “high football IQ” player. He will get you the 3-4 yards you need on a play, even if usually not more.

Corum’s receiving profile isn’t prolific, which is not surprising given Michigan’s offense and the presence of teammate Donovan Edwards. But he showed he could be adequate when called upon, and 31 of his 55 career catches came in his last two years in school.

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While there can be valid concerns for MCL (possibly ACL) and meniscus injuries, a positive for Corum is perhaps we can treat his decrease in performance in 2023 as a “first year back” from the injury and have reasonable expectations that this situation improves in the NFL.

Corum’s analytical profile is very mixed. But his BMI (31.4) and RAS (8.29) are good. He also shows up well in RYOE years 3 and 4 and total PPR points in years 2-4. Corum cleared the 40-yard dash threshold time of 4.60 (4.53). His PFF rushing grades in years 2-4 were 91.1, 96.2, and 83.1. (numbers per PFF and Campus2Canton)

Cons

Corum is not a dynamic, explosive player. You won’t find too many breakaway runs or even medium-length touchdown runs. As Hayden Winks notes in this concise summary of Corum, 22 of his 27 touchdowns in 2023 came from the 5-yard line or closer. Corum also looks like a player who will need a good offensive line like he had at Michigan. He is very good at popping out from behind the line and consistently getting yards, but he does not create much independently.

As noted above, Corum had significant knee injuries. He will turn 24 in November, which isn’t something we love for incoming running backs.

Additionally, some critique Corum for still having to share snaps and touches with Edwards. This is the classic “If he’s so good, then why…” argument. I don’t find it to be unserious in the discussion of a player like Corum, but, in my opinion, that argument often gets selectively used to fit one’s overall player take.

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Analytically, Corum falls short in many metrics, including yptp (adjusted for both age and games played) in years 1, 2, and 4; age-adjusted running back dominator in years 1-3; and receptions share years 3 and 4. He also is below thresholds for career marks in ypa, yco/a, mtf/a, bay%, and y/rr. (numbers per PFF and Campus2Canton)

Summary

Blake Corum is a savvy running back who lacks dynamism, explosiveness, or a very good shot at a three-down role in the NFL. He will likely have to get short yardage, and especially goal line, duties to make a fantasy impact. While he may be described as pro-ready, and is indeed probably the running back I’d pick if I had to win an NFL game today, Corum is, in my opinion, a clear example of “pretty safe floor but pretty low ceiling.”

That said, since he is polished and pro-ready, he is perhaps the likeliest running back to produce early and, therefore, gain value as a dynasty asset to trade. Some managers might want to incorporate that in their rookie draft strategy.

Interesting landing spots for that immediate opportunity include Carolina (picks 65, 101, 141, and 142), the Chargers (69, 105, & 110), the Giants (70 & 107), Dallas (87), and Tennessee (106).

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Other spots where Corum would have more competition for touches but could contribute and/or be a priority backup to acquire include Arizona (66, 71, 90, 104, 138), Denver (76, 136), Las Vegas (77, 112, 148), Cincinnati (80, 97, 115, 148), Indianapolis (82, 117, 151), the Rams (83, 99), Houston (86, 123, 127), Tampa Bay (89, 92, 125), and Baltimore (93).

If the Jets (111) decide they want to save Breece Hall carries and/or don’t think Izzy Abanikanda is the answer as a backup, pairing Corum’s savvy play with the team’s demanding quarterback could be interesting.

As we’ve said all along, draft capital and landing spot will be especially important for running backs these days, and especially for this class. So it’s important not to be too wedded to our priors with this group. But at the moment, I have Corum as my RB6 and 23rd overall in my current superflex rookie rankings.

If he gets matched with a team like the Cowboys, or especially the Chargers (led by his college coach Jim Harbaugh), he will shoot up boards and likely be out of my comfort zone as far as price goes. Anything more than a late 2nd, maybe even mid-2nd, in a superflex tight end premium rookie draft would be a bit much for me at the moment.

Strengths

• savvy, decisive, reliable
• shifty, elusive
• “nose for the end zone”

Concerns

• top-end speed and athleticism
• age
• knee injuries

2024 Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: 2nd round in a superflex, tight end premium format

Ideal Role: committee back with possible regular short yardage/goal line usage, high priority backup for a zero RB/hero RB build

Player Comp: Ray Rice, Doug Martin, Devin Singletary, Maurice Jones-Drew, Darrell Henderson, Kyren Williams