One of the bigger bodies in the 2024 NFL Draft class at running back, Notre Dame’s Audric Estime has a lot of tangibles to like. Having excelled in the starting role for the Fighting Irish, Estime is looking to take his 30 total TDs to the next level.
While not blessed with game-changing speed, Estime is surprisingly athletic for his size. His ability to help in the passing game will need to improve, but he certainly can become a well-rounded back for your dynasty roster.
Profile
- College: Notre Dame
- Height: 5’ 11”
- Weight: 227 lbs.
- Age: 21
- Year: Junior
- Draft Projection: Late 2nd
College Career
| Season | Games | Rushing Attempts | Yards | TD | Receptions | Receiving Yards | TD |
| 2021-22 | 12 | 7 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | 13 | 156 | 920 | 11 | 9 | 135 | 1 |
| 2023-24 | 12 | 210 | 1,341 | 18 | 17 | 142 | 0 |
Estime exploded onto the scene in his sophomore campaign, as he found the end zone 12 total times that year. Averaging a healthy 5.9 yards per carry, Estime showed that he could take on a starter’s workload, establishing himself on the NFL radar.
Estime made even more noise in his junior season, capitalizing on a more significant workload. All Estime did was rush for more yards, average more yards per carry (6.4), find the end zone more, and become a bigger factor in the passing game.
Strengths
Physicality
Estime is a physical specimen, as evidenced by his above-average RAS score. He excels in strength and athleticism and brings a ton of physicality to the NFL.
The former Fighting Irish back consistently runs through arm tackles, churns his legs while in the middle of the pile, and falls forward often—skills you want to see out of a young running back. Estime really shouldn’t have an issue using his power at the next level, something that will stand out to many NFL teams.
The Ravens would fall in love with this type of power down near the red-zone/goal-line
— Snoog’s Dynasty Society (@FFSnoog) February 27, 2024
Audric Estime's ability to power through contact, lower his pad level, and pump his feet at 227lbs makes him a wrecking ball.
This poor UNC defense down 19 in the 4th quarter got physical… pic.twitter.com/WkRjxPYoY9
Running Style
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Estime isn’t fancy with his footwork, but it’s good to see that his tape consistently shows him utilizing a downhill approach. Straight to the point in how he runs, Estime hits the hole fast, being physical as soon as he makes contact with his defender.
Being a decisive runner makes NFL offenses flow well, and as long as Estime can continue that style of running for his next team, he should see plenty of work in his rookie year.
The #Packers want to keep that explosive playmaking element when Aaron Jones is not on the field, but they also want to pair him with a bigger, complimentary back. Audric Estime might be just what the doctor ordered. pic.twitter.com/PzKD2Agt4t
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) February 28, 2024
Agility
It would be factual to say that Estime and his 4.71 40-yard dash are slow. But it’s also accurate to say that for what he brings to the table, Estime is quick.
For his body size, Estime shows a good change in tempo and running balance as smaller players go for his legs. Whether via a hurdle or running through tackles, Estime is physically at the point of attack and surprisingly agile to make defenders miss.
Both can be true
— AngeloFF (@angelo_fantasy) March 9, 2024
1 – Audric Estime ran a 4.71 in the 40-yard dash
2 – Audric Estime is good at the sport of football
One of the many reminders to not overrate surface level metrics. pic.twitter.com/l55mLIkAzD
Weaknesses
Receiving Abilities
Estime was never counted on heavily in the passing game, as he only had 26 receptions in three years. While he needs to develop his game in this area, it will likely ding him in the draft process.
Bigger backs like AJ Dillon, Gus Edwards, and Derrick Henry have done well enough in the passing game, so there is hope for Estime to develop his skills here, too. Joining a timeshare could mean he won’t need to be a big part of the passing game, but he still needs to improve.
Explosiveness
It may seem like low-hanging fruit, but Estime’s tape doesn’t always show explosiveness when running with the ball. There are instances of Estime hitting pretty solid speeds on long runs, but he can’t get out of the box in a hurry, meaning he is typically caught from behind.
An important thing to remember is that explosiveness isn’t likely something he will be asked to bring to the NFL. Bigger bodies tend to be ‘less sexy’ when conducting your dynasty rookie drafts, so it could help him slide.
Projected Draft Capital & Dynasty Outlook
There is no clear-cut RB1 in this year’s draft class, which makes this group of RBs tough to grade. While there are plenty of traits for Estime that could make him the group leader, it isn’t likely.
Without that clubhouse leader, every draft will look different, making your pre-draft research much more important. Estime is a prospect who can offer value in a Gus Edwards goal-line role, but his skills make his potential that of a two-down runner.
