RB Tahj Brooks, CIN (1 Viewer)

[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.

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[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

 

[pinkstapler]

Don't know about you guys, but RBs on waiver is already disgustingly thin. Think I saw a tumbleweed roll across my screen while checking it the other day. With all the additional injuries this week, a lot of people should have a "free" roster spot after moving a guy to IR. I'd rather be a week or two early than a week or two late and snag Brooks as a stash.

My personal thoughts on Chase Brown's "talent" aside; 1.98 yards per carry on a sample size of 47 through 3 weeks is about as ugly as it gets. His receiving isn't much better. Yes, the line stinks and Burrow is gone till December. All the more reason to add Brooks as it's looking like a throw away season and how much longer till they say "Let's see what we have in the rookie. The year is lost, and tbh he can't do much worse than Brown is." He got 5 touches this past week. Not a lot, but it was one more than Perine, and Brown only had 10 himself. Plus he was widely viewed as one of the best blocking RBs in the draft class, so it's not exactly like they will be putting any extra undue risk on Browning (that his oline isn't already haha).

Of course he's only available in two of my leagues, but bids are going out on him in both.

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

This definitely wasn't the angle I was going for when I decided Brooks needed to be rostered. I suppose 2.0 YPC is eventually going to be a problem no matter how bad the situation is. I'm skeptical that Brooks is the upgrade that's suddenly going to make the running game go. Before the Perine injury, I was actually starting to wonder if the other RB Brooks wouldn't be a better injury stash.

Not concerned about Perine, except for the fact that it took his injury for Brooks to see some carries in a backup role and give them something to think about.

 

[rockaction]

Yeah, you're with me, but I thought better of it this morning. From last night:

Post in thread 'RB Chase Brown, CIN'

Sep 21, 2025

I would be buying low, he's about the surest thing to a bell cow you get in today's NFL.

The offense can't get any worse can it?

Better days ahead

I don't know. Tahj Brooks is probably looming right over his shoulder right about now. Chase doesn't look good. I watched enough of today's and the the first two games to wonder what's wrong with him.

• rockaction

I have a bunch of questions, however.

Chase is in his second year. Zac Taylor did massive installs (or claimed to) with Chase specifically in mind. He's a leader of men. That offensive line stinks. Everybody and their mother knows it. You can lose your team by blaming Brown after you hyped him all offseason. I mean you can lose them emotionally and they'll stop working for you. I mean, they almost quit yesterday. He's got to keep those guys somehow. I don't think that he changes if they don't want him to. If you hear Cinci grumbling, then maybe.

I just—and this is total vibes opinion—have a hard time believing Taylor does that, for some reason.

I see the YPC. I see the negative yards over expectation, too. It's ugly.

I don't know. I just know I thought of it also and then sort of dismissed it in my head. Uncomfortable public stance on this because it's so subject to the vagaries of interdependent success and football.

 

[Kiddnets]

yesterday was a bury the ball and move on game - Im not concerned at all about Brooks. entire team laid an egg. Obviously if you have the space adding the cuff never a bad idea tho

 

[Chaka]

Most of the rest of the Bengals schedule looks rough.

 

[pinkstapler]

This definitely wasn't the angle I was going for when I decided Brooks needed to be rostered. I suppose 2.0 YPC is eventually going to be a problem no matter how bad the situation is. I'm skeptical that Brooks is the upgrade that's suddenly going to make the running game go. Before the Perine injury, I was actually starting to wonder if the other RB Brooks wouldn't be a better injury stash.

Not concerned about Perine, except for the fact that it took his injury for Brooks to see some carries in a backup role and give them something to think about.

Yeah it's not from a place of thinking Brooks will do better though. It's from a place of they play Broncos, Lions, Packers the next three weeks. I think there is a good chance they drop them all and will be 2-4 shortly and recognize they are not a playoff team. At that point I believe it will be easy for the team to switch priorities and want to see what they have in Brooks and get him some live action. Brown's contract is up after next season and I don't think he's getting paid significantly to stay, or at the very least it would behoove them to see if they need to do that or if they can rock with Brooks and draft another cheap option. Could also spin it that they just don't want to risk an injury to Brown in a lost season and look to regroup for another run next year once Burrow is not just back, but 100% healthy, which even if he does make it back by December I doubt he will be the Joe they need to be a competent team.

Mainly it's trying to project ahead and add Brooks now for a relatively cheap bid in a market devoid of fantasy relevant RBs rather than wait till we are bidding against 8 other league owners and have to spend 3-4x as much. Could Browning be what some people believe? I guess... but I watched the games and didn't see it, even the one he "won". Even after the next three tough games, they still have all of their divisional games. I'm a Steelers fan and suffer no delusions they are some great team either, but their defense will absolutely swallow the Burrow-less Bengals. So will the Browns. They nearly beat them when they had Burrow behind the line. Still have the Ravens twice. The Bills. They might not break .500 IMO.

At this point I'm not trying to find some league winner RB on waivers as I don't believe they exist. I'm trying to find someone who may wind up getting a solid amount of touches enough they don't goose egg if I need to start them in a flex spot or when bye weeks hit. And maybe they can luck into a TD and help me get a win or two during the tough part of the fantasy season. I see more than one way Brooks winds up getting to that spot and he's only owned in 5% of sleeper leagues. Like many of you guys though, it's unfortunately more like 50% of my redraft leagues.

 

[FGITLOTR]

This definitely wasn't the angle I was going for when I decided Brooks needed to be rostered. I suppose 2.0 YPC is eventually going to be a problem no matter how bad the situation is. I'm skeptical that Brooks is the upgrade that's suddenly going to make the running game go. Before the Perine injury, I was actually starting to wonder if the other RB Brooks wouldn't be a better injury stash.

Not concerned about Perine, except for the fact that it took his injury for Brooks to see some carries in a backup role and give them something to think about.

was just wondering the same with Jonathon Brooks. Have we heard anything about his recovery?

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

This definitely wasn't the angle I was going for when I decided Brooks needed to be rostered. I suppose 2.0 YPC is eventually going to be a problem no matter how bad the situation is. I'm skeptical that Brooks is the upgrade that's suddenly going to make the running game go. Before the Perine injury, I was actually starting to wonder if the other RB Brooks wouldn't be a better injury stash.

Not concerned about Perine, except for the fact that it took his injury for Brooks to see some carries in a backup role and give them something to think about.

was just wondering the same with Jonathon Brooks. Have we heard anything about his recovery?

That's not a bad long play for dynasty. I would think he's got a shot to get in the mix in 2026, but after two ACLs and pretty significant investment in the position, all bets are off as anything other than a flier.

I was actually referring to Chris Brooks, but wonder if Emmanuel Wilson might make that a murkier situation than I think Perine would be capable of in Cincy. I think Perine's role is his role with or without Chase Brown. Still rostering Tahj Brooks. I'm not counting on Chase getting supplanted, but I would sure think he gets mixed in more to show what he can do this season.

 

[Bri]

This definitely wasn't the angle I was going for when I decided Brooks needed to be rostered. I suppose 2.0 YPC is eventually going to be a problem no matter how bad the situation is. I'm skeptical that Brooks is the upgrade that's suddenly going to make the running game go. Before the Perine injury, I was actually starting to wonder if the other RB Brooks wouldn't be a better injury stash.

Not concerned about Perine, except for the fact that it took his injury for Brooks to see some carries in a backup role and give them something to think about.

was just wondering the same with Jonathon Brooks. Have we heard anything about his recovery?

Wrong thread

 

[FGITLOTR]

Brooks made something out of nothing his entire career at TT, and I think he’s going to get a long look this year. Brown, while talented, is more of a complementary piece, and better suited as a 3rd down/passing back

 

[MTskibum]

I have a lot of taj brooks in dynasty. I can't remember whether it was Jacob Gibbs or Matt waldman who was much higher on him then consensus, but whichever it was I listened.

 

[menobrown]

He's not going to do anything as long as Brown is healthy.

 

[Bronco Billy]

He's not going to do anything as long as Brown is healthy.

Yeah, Brooks can’t hope to match that production.

 

[FGITLOTR]

He's not going to do anything as long as Brown is healthy.

thx for the good laugh

 

[FGITLOTR]

Taj's time is coming

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Taj's time is coming

It is?