Low-end NFL Player Comp(s):
Late-career Devonta Freeman
Best Scheme Fit: Should fare
fine as a 1B back initially in either a gap- or zone-blocking
scheme, although he logged significantly more runs in the former
in 2023.
Best Team Fit(s): Cowboys, Buccaneers, Bills,
Giants, Chargers, Rams, Cardinals
Non-bolded times - Good examples of attribute Bolded times - Average/poor examples of attribute
* - How well does his skill set carry over
to the fantasy game? For running backs, a player needs to be a
three-down option as well as a realistic threat for 1,000 rushing
yards and 500 receiving yards to be a candidate for a perfect
grade. Positional scarcity at the pro level is also a part of
the equation.
Positives
Compactly built, which gives him a natural leverage advantage;
he can also "get skinny" when necessary.
Possesses quick twitch and has a good sense for when a lane
is developing, especially when he feels that the defense has
crashed down too hard.
Patient runner who uses his diminutive size to hide behind
his linemen on occasion before unleashing a well-timed burst
on an unsuspecting defender.
Understands how to disrupt pursuit angles.
As tough as a piece of scrap metal; very comfortable running
in between the tackles and dropping his shoulder to finish his
run.
Lost only two fumbles across 731 career touches.
Negatives
Lacks high-end athleticism and an obvious second gear; less
than 10 percent of his runs in 2023 (25 of 258) went for more
than 10 yards. (That mark was 12.4 percent over his college
career.)
Runs with good power for a 205-pound back but will not consistently
pick up three or four yards after contact.
Will turn 24 years old in November of his rookie season and
probably will not be able to add much good weight to his frame
without sacrificing speed and/or quickness.
Did well with his chances as a receiver but was not asked
to do much in that area.
Suffered a torn meniscus and sprained MCL late in the 2022
season, which likely played a role in the drop of several key
rushing metrics during his senior year.
Bottom Line
Corum is much more of a fit in today's NFL than he would have
been 15 or 20 years ago. Back in the day, 205-pound backs were
typically typecast into third-down roles (assuming they had much
of a role behind the starter). Corum is just what a back his size
needs to be in today's NFL: tough and fearless. Instincts, patience
and vision are among his other best qualities. In short, he should
have no problem fitting in with any NFL team because he oozes
intangibles. It is difficult to start any discussion about the
two-time Big Ten Running Back of the Year without discussing his
production. He finished his career as Michigan's career record-holder
in rushing touchdowns (58), total touchdowns (61) and career points
scored (356) and seventh on the program's all-time rushing list
(3,737 yards). Corum may not hit many home runs that people like
to see from lighter backs, but he will probably continue to hit
plenty of the singles and doubles in the NFL as he did in college
because he can play through contact and has enough burst to keep
an offense on schedule.
Most of the negatives - a few of which he has little to no control
over - cited above speak for themselves. Corum runs with good
power, but determination alone is not going to be enough to consistently
power through the hole against NFL linebackers most weeks. With
his small frame, it will be hard for him to add enough muscle
to change his fortunes after contact at the next level. The two-time
All-American's short stride length also does not help him break
many big runs. Michigan also did not ask him to do much in the
passing game nor did the Wolverines allow him to show off his
skills as a receiver. He identified threats and fared well more
often than not as a blocker, but one has to question if he can
hold his ground against NFL linebackers week after week at his
size. There is also a distinct chance Corum will be a one-contract
player, as he will turn 24 years old around Thanksgiving.
A franchise can always find room for a player like Corum because
it needs character guys like him to build/continue a culture.
While Corum is more than just a good role model, it is worth wondering
how long of a career he can have without an elite physical skill
to use as his trump card. Without game-breaking speed or quickness
and Michigan giving evaluators little to work with in terms of
his ability to run routes and/or separate as a pass-catcher, his
ceiling would seem to be as a high-end backup or 1B option in
a committee - one that might be more reliant on having a good
run-blocking line than most.
Doug Orth has written for FFToday since 2006 and been featured
in USA TODAY's Fantasy Football Preview magazine since 2010. He
is also a high-stakes player who often appears as a guest analyst
on a number of national sports radio shows, such as Sirius XM’s
“Fantasy Drive." Doug is also a member of the Fantasy
Sports Writers Association.
