The Cincinnati Bengals selected Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks with the 193rd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Texas native joined the Red Raiders as a three-star recruit. His production really picked up in 2023 – his fourth season – with 1,541 rushing yards and 10 TDs. He posted similar numbers last fall but set a new high in rush TDs (17). His shifty feet lead to very few hard hits, and Brooks can certainly deliver the occasional explosive. He recorded 26 runs of 15+ yards this past season. He showed adequate speed (4.52 forty time) and burst (1.56 ten-yard split) at the NFL Combine. He shined in the agility drills with a 93rd percentile shuttle; a 76th percentile 3-cone. Outside of missing one game in 2024 with an arm injury, Brooks has largely stayed healthy despite 576 carries over the past two seasons. While the downfield passing offense rarely targeted him as a receiver, Brooks brings some value on passing downs.
Brooks is a rolling ball of knives running the ball as a short, but compact runner.
He is tough, but takes big hits.
Brooks can make the Bengals roster in a wide open RB room with Zack Moss, Samaje Perine, and Kendall Milton.
As a sixth-round pick though, he still has an uphill climb to make the team.
Brooks is an underrated receiver as well, which could offer some upside if he makes the team.
He is worth a late round rookie pick in deeper leagues if the well dries up, just in case Brooks impresses in camp.
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