RB Tahj Brooks, CIN (2 Viewers)

[barackdhouse]

Didn't see a thread for him so thought I'd get one started. Waldman had him as #3 back in the class. Someone else called him the best blocking back in the draft.

5th year senior
23 years old in May 2025
5'9" 214
Combine:
4.52 40
35" vert
10' broad
6.9 3-cone
16 bench press reps

plenty athletic in my book
over his final 2 seasons:

576 carries 3046 yards 27 TDs no fumbles
57 catches for 268 1 TD

flashed/mini broke out during his 20 yo season as a junior with 147 carries for 697 yards and 7 TDs with 27 catches for 164 and another TD.

Seems like a guy that might go higher in the NFL draft than he is currently going in FF circles.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[barackdhouse]

couple people said Le'veon Bell

 

[Faust]

Tahj Brooks 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Texas Tech Red Raiders RB

Tahj Brooks Draft and Combine Prospect Profile (NFL.com)

 

[Faust]

Kent Lee Platte
Tahj Brooks is a RB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 8.58 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 299 out of 2099 RB from 1987 to 2025.

ras.football/ras-informatio…

https://x.com/mathbomb/status/1909675107510821361?s=61

 

[Faust]

NFL Game Day
"Two-time captain. First team Academic All-American. Best blocking back in this Draft. That's the stuff you don't get in YouTube highlight reels. It's what you learn in conversations here in Indy."

@pschrags on @TexasTechFB RB Tahj Brooks

https://x.com/nflgameday/status/1895902458238710073?s=61

Matt Williamson
In 2024, Tahj Brooks averaged 154.9 rushing YPG — the 3rd-best single-season mark in this year’s class, behind only 2024 Ashton Jeanty and 2024 Omarion Hampton. Even more impressive: he recorded at least 95 rushing yards in each of his last 22 collegiate games.

https://x.com/williamsonnfl/status/1913976546043252787?s=61

@SleeperCFB
Are we overlooking Tahj Brooks in the 2025 Draft?

- 5'10", 230 lbs
- Elusive runner
- Two seasons with 1,500+ yards
- 96 forced missed tackles in 2023
- 100+ rush yards in 19/24 games the last two years

https://x.com/sleepercfb/status/1901297828271444262?s=61

 

[barackdhouse]

I liked the lateral explosion I saw in the highlight clips. Patience and vision followed by what looks like a deadly jump cut.

 

[barackdhouse]

6th round 193rd overall by Cincinnati meh whatever but he probably has a good shot at primary backup to Chase Brown. Not sure what is really left from Z Moss or Perine. Maybe something like a taxi squad stash but otherwise meh.

 

[Ilov80s]

6th round 193rd overall by Cincinnati meh whatever but he probably has a good shot at primary backup to Chase Brown. Not sure what is really left from Z Moss or Perine. Maybe something like a taxi squad stash but otherwise meh.

Good pick in dynasty rookie drafts as a mid round flyer with upside. Brown gets hurt and Brooks could be the lead back on a Bengals offense.

 

[Faust]

Dan Hoard
The #Bengals open camp in 37 days. I’m counting them down with a daily observation.
It’s crazy that 18 RBs were taken before Tahj Brooks in the draft.
“For him to be there in the sixth round when we got him; we’re really lucky that he fell to us at that point,” said Zac Taylor.

https://x.com/dan_hoard/status/1934928605865496969?s=61

 

[dipandglide]

Waldman fav. There's room for him to carve out a role.

 

[Faust]

Dave Kluge
Tahj Brooks is a bit old for a rookie (23) and has a lot of mileage on his legs (806 touches over the last three years), and that’s why I expected him to slide in the draft.

But he’s a complete back who can do it all. Reminds me of another Day 3 RB the Bengals drafted in 2023…

https://x.com/davekluge/status/1935306584411775048?s=61

 

[Faust]

Nick Penticoff
Tahj Brooks is a natural pass catcher.

https://x.com/nickpenticoff/status/1935122287029621204?s=61

 

[taylormeetstheismann]

How are people seeing Tahj differently now that Zack Moss has been released?

 

[Gally]

How are people seeing Tahj differently now that Zack Moss has been released?

Not too much differently. Still a guy I am trying to roster late and see what happens. I think this is Chase's backfield for the most part.

 

[Faust]

Mike Petraglia
Good burst and agility from Tahj Brooks in 11s with the second team

https://x.com/trags/status/1950578200586682745?s=61

Dave Kluge
Since everyone is buzzing about Tahj Brooks today, where’s what I succinctly said about him in yesterday’s article.

https://x.com/davekluge/status/1950576188675744134?s=61

 

[Bronco Billy]

I really, really like this guy. You watch his film and his game just looks pro ready. His size/mass ratio is very good and he’s got a thick lower body. My big 4 factors are all there in spades: vision, footwork, patience and explosion into the seam. He sets a great base and then can get skinny into small seams. Once he’s through the LoS he’s a no nonsense N/S runner with padded speed better than his timed 40. He just explodes downfield even though he looks like a cartoon character with his legs going a mile a minute with that short stride. Good contact balance and absorbs high hits easily without being rerouted. DBs don’t track him down once he’s into the third level.

He’s got a nifty little jump cut that allows him to change lanes seamlessly with no wasted motion. Pass catching is solid but he was not asked to get into the second level against LBs, so that’s an unknown. Pass protection is good with desire to hit, proper positioning and moving feet. He doesn’t lunge. Like almost every rookie RB he’s still got learning to do as a blocker, but the base ingredients are there.

Just love watching him and think his game translates very well. I was genuinely surprised when someone said Chase’s talent far exceeds Brooks’. I don’t see much gap there at all, if any. I think this kid is the real deal and is going to really open some eyes.

 

[barackdhouse]

31% rostership in UD best-ball tourneys (87 drafts)
57% in FFPC BB tourneys lol (22)

and I have him in 6 of the 9 Big Gorillas I've drafted. I should probably pump the brakes and that should be good timing now that I presume he is going to start climbing

 

[barackdhouse]

ADP 18th round and has gone undrafted here and there

 

[barackdhouse]

I also snagged him in 3/6 SuperFlex/TriFlex rookie drafts in May.

3.11
5.05
4.09

and took him in a TriFlex startup in April pre-NFL draft at 17.06 as RB63

 

[BigJim®]

How are people seeing Tahj differently now that Zack Moss has been released?

I got him @ 4.06 in a rookie draft and thought it was great value. Assumed he slid under belief he was behind both Brown/Moss, combined w/being drafted late in such a weirdly deep RB class. Having Moss gone does make a big difference in terms of opportunity. Hopefully he shows the team they don’t need significant competition.

 

[Faust]

Hayden Winks
Tahj Brooks checking a ton of boxes to be a late Day 3 pick who could matter. Doubtful Samaje Perine is the bellcow if Chase Brown misses because he has 2 games above 14 carries since 2018.

Brooks is 214 pounds. Decent shiftiness. Capable on pass downs. Reportedly a great guy.

https://x.com/haydenwinks/status/1951039423325556992?s=61

Hayden Winks
Tahj Brooks nearly had the same amount of pass pro reps last year as Tuten, Blue, and Brashard combined.

Here's some character reporting:

https://x.com/haydenwinks/status/1951040955764843018?s=61

NFL GameDay
"Two-time captain. First team Academic All-American. Best blocking back in this Draft. That's the stuff you don't get in YouTube highlight reels. It's what you learn in conversations here in Indy."

@pschrags on @TexasTechFB RB Tahj Brooks

https://x.com/nflgameday/status/1895902458238710073?s=61

Hayden Winks
And the most bullish thing about Tahj Brooks is that he actually competed in the three cone at the NFL Combine. A man of the people.

https://x.com/haydenwinks/status/1951042439109812368?s=61

 

[Bracie Smathers]

'He reminds me of Emmitt Smith': Bengals might have found the steal of the NFL Draft in this sixth-round pick

 

[Faust]

Zareh Kantzabedian
Tahj Brooks, 2025 Preseason, Week 2.

All touches and targets.

https://x.com/zkantzff/status/1953706280918343830?s=61

Dave Kluge
He’s not the flashiest athlete but Tahj Brooks makes up for it with decisiveness, immaculate footwork, and tenacity.

The backup OL was getting worked but he kept the chains moving. He got a lot of experience running behind a line like this from his time at Texas Tech.

https://x.com/davekluge/status/1953804576768901247?s=61

 

[King of the Jungle]

Zareh Kantzabedian
Tahj Brooks, 2025 Preseason, Week 2.

All touches and targets.

https://x.com/zkantzff/status/1953706280918343830?s=61

Dave Kluge
He’s not the flashiest athlete but Tahj Brooks makes up for it with decisiveness, immaculate footwork, and tenacity.

The backup OL was getting worked but he kept the chains moving. He got a lot of experience running behind a line like this from his time at Texas Tech.

https://x.com/davekluge/status/1953804576768901247?s=61

Love watching him run. Tough sledding with that blocking but got what was there a bit more on a few runs.

 

[C & C]

I liked a lot of what I saw from him last night. Just wish he had a little more burst. Looks useful as a complimentary back, but not enough to be an NFL starter.

 

[King of the Jungle]

I liked a lot of what I saw from him last night. Just wish he had a little more burst. Looks useful as a complimentary back, but not enough to be an NFL starter.

Hard to tell with his runs as he did not have a lot to work with. He certainly is not the fastest, but I think his burst is adequate. It would been nice to see him have a little more space to show it, maybe next game.

 

[C & C]

I liked a lot of what I saw from him last night. Just wish he had a little more burst. Looks useful as a complimentary back, but not enough to be an NFL starter.

Hard to tell with his runs as he did not have a lot to work with. He certainly is not the fastest, but I think his burst is adequate. It would been nice to see him have a little more space to show it, maybe next game.

Fair enough. His first catch is where I noticed it most. He made a nice catch out in the flat, turned upfield, had a little space and then didn't have the burst I hoped for. Small sample sure for sure. With a little burst maybe he fights off the initial tackle.

 

[LawFitz]

I liked a lot of what I saw from him last night. Just wish he had a little more burst. Looks useful as a complimentary back, but not enough to be an NFL starter.

Hard to tell with his runs as he did not have a lot to work with. He certainly is not the fastest, but I think his burst is adequate. It would been nice to see him have a little more space to show it, maybe next game.

Fair enough. His first catch is where I noticed it most. He made a nice catch out in the flat, turned upfield, had a little space and then didn't have the burst I hoped for. Small sample sure for sure. With a little burst maybe he fights off the initial tackle.

Agreed on visual lack of burst in those clips. And that was against preseason players. Doesn't jive with his timed athletic testing though, so taking it as just one data point for now. Definitely something to keep an eye on.

 

[menobrown]

His size is fairly similar to Chase Brown but they are not very similar at all with respect to athletic ability or play style.

 

[King of the Jungle]

I liked a lot of what I saw from him last night. Just wish he had a little more burst. Looks useful as a complimentary back, but not enough to be an NFL starter.

Hard to tell with his runs as he did not have a lot to work with. He certainly is not the fastest, but I think his burst is adequate. It would been nice to see him have a little more space to show it, maybe next game.

Fair enough. His first catch is where I noticed it most. He made a nice catch out in the flat, turned upfield, had a little space and then didn't have the burst I hoped for. Small sample sure for sure. With a little burst maybe he fights off the initial tackle.

Not nitpicking your analysis on the catch but he looked and saw the defender and I think he was just setting him up to side-step him. Regardless, I am looking forward to seeing additional plays to see how he looks with more of a runway.

 

[barackdhouse]

I thought he looked just fine for the most part.

He seems to do a bit of shoulder dancing like he's head faking or whatever on his way towards the hole. Ultimately seems like wasted movement. Dancing. For his first game I'd call it jitters but if he turns into a dancer he won't make it.

Otherwise I thought he looked ok. Nothing special but can fill the role. Look forward to seeing more.

 

[Ilov80s]

His size is fairly similar to Chase Brown but they are not very similar at all with respect to athletic ability or play style.

Chase more explosive? Anything else you see different?

 

[menobrown]

His size is fairly similar to Chase Brown but they are not very similar at all with respect to athletic ability or play style.

Chase more explosive? Anything else you see different?

Chase explosive. Boyd is more of a plodder.

Patience as runners is night and day. Almost extremes each way where I think Chase could stand to be a little more patient and Boyd less so.

Boyd’s really good in pass pro, Chase is improving but not a strength.

Both can catch well out of backfield.

 

[menobrown]

His size is fairly similar to Chase Brown but they are not very similar at all with respect to athletic ability or play style.

Chase more explosive? Anything else you see different?

Chase explosive. Boyd is more of a plodder.

Patience as runners is night and day. Almost extremes each way where I think Chase could stand to be a little more patient and Boyd less so.

Boyd’s really good in pass pro, Chase is improving but not a strength.

Both can catch well out of backfield.

Brooks I meant to say in all that. Bungling my Bengals