The Carolina Panthers took a chance on running back Jonathon Brooks in the 2024 NFL Draft, investing a top-50 pick in the talented offensive weapon just months removed from a torn ACL. Unfortunately, it already appears as if Brooks’ future with the team is bleak.
Brooks, age 21, broke out during the 2023 season with the Texas Longhorns. After serving as a backup behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, Brooks emerged as the Longhorns starting running back in 2023. The 6-foot running back excelled, rushing for 1,139 yards with 11 total touchdowns and a 6.1 yards-per-carry average. He then suffered a season-ending ACL tear on Nov. 11, 2023.
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- Jonathon Brooks stats (ESPN): 9 carries, 22 rushing yards, 2.4 yards per carry, 3 receptions, 23 yards
On pure talent, Brooks was the best running back in the 2024 NFL Draft but he fell into the second round due to the ACL recovery. Carolina traded up to the 46th overall pick to land him, hoping he could emerge as a featured part of their offense after he fully recovered from knee surgery.
Brooks didn’t make his NFL debut until Nov. 24, more than a year after his ACL tear. Carolina eased him into action, giving him just 11 total touches in his first two games. Then, on Dec. 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Brooks suffered a second ACL tear in his right knee. Sadly for Carolina, the outlook months removed from knee surgery isn’t promising.
Senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports spoke to a league source who shared “there’s a lot of concern” regarding Brooks’ development being impacted by all of this. While NFL talent evaluators loved his talent entering the draft, his lack of touches has significantly impacted his ability to develop.
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- Jonathon Brooks contract (Spotrac): $1.912 million cap hit in 2025, $2.295 million in 2026, $2.678 million in 2027
In his first two seasons at Texas, Brooks handled just 54 total touches and with 12 career touches in the NFL, he’s recorded less than 70 touches in three of his last four seasons. Furthermore, a second ACL tear in the same knee raises serious concerns regarding whether or not Brooks can ever reach his potential now.
As Robinson noted, the Panthers offseason moves already signal they don’t expect Brooks to be a factor in 2025. Carolina signed Rico Dowdle, who rushed for over 1,000 yards with a 4.6 yards-per-carry average last season, to serve as Chuba Hubbard‘s backup. With Hubbard and Dowdle leading the Panthers’ backfield, Brooks likely won’t have a chance to make an impact until 2026. By that point, after two years of not producing, he’ll likely have to fight for a roster spot.
