Heisman-caliber talent at RB37 ADP; progressing well from ACL; dual-threat upside.

Brooks was a second-round pick in 2024 coming off a torn ACL suffered in November 2023. He debuted in Week 12 but re-injured the same knee three games later. However, head coach Dave Canales reported at the NFL Annual Meeting that Brooks has progressed to the point where he can "be put in a football scenario with other people around him." During OTAs, Charlotte Observer beat writer Mike Kaye noted Brooks "caught a pass across the middle from Bryce Young and blazed down the field through traffic," looking "fast, fluid and decisive." Brooks is being drafted as RB37 in Round 9 at a discount that prices in the risk of a healthy return or never arriving. However, the source argues that Brooks has the talent to be the primary option in the Panthers offense if he can duplicate his college form. Dean Jones noted that "Brooks was projected as the best running back in the 2024 class" and "was a Heisman Trophy candidate before getting hurt," with potential to be "phenomenal a dual-threat within Canales's schematic concepts." Brooks has complementary skill sets with Chuba Hubbard; while Hubbard is a physical, downhill runner, Brooks is shiftier with home run ability as both a runner and pass catcher. Canales noted that "Half of his highlights when he was coming out (of Texas) are screen passes, wides, things down the field. He has a great ability to catch the ball, track it, and transition once he catches it." A split seems likely, but if Brooks duplicates his college form, he could take the lead role in an offense that rides the hot hand.