Jonathon Brooks rookie contract Carolina Panthers NFL Draft revealed

Carolina Panthers select Jonathan Brooks in the 2024 NFL Draft, set to earn millions with a rookie deal, despite ACL injury.

The Carolina Panthers made a bold move in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting Jonathan Brooks from Texas with the 46th overall pick, breaking the seal on running back selections. As a Top 50 pick, Brooks is poised to earn a substantial rookie deal worth around $8 million over four years, with an annual payout of $2,044,230 and a signing bonus of $2,766,850.

Carolina traded multiple picks to move up and secure Brooks, who suffered an ACL injury in November during the Longhorns' season. Despite the setback, Brooks was on track to potentially win the Doak Walker Award and receive All-American honors. Prior to last season, he served as Bijan Robinson's backup, who was the first running back selected in the previous year's NFL Draft.

Despite the knee injury, Brooks has limited wear and tear on his body, with a standout season in 2023 where he rushed for 1,139 yards on 187 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per carry and scoring 10 touchdowns. Hailing from Halletsville, Texas, Brooks was a four-star recruit ranked 21st among running back prospects and 46th overall in the state.

Experts like Mel Kiper and Lance Zierlein have high praise for Brooks, with Kiper labeling him as the best back in the draft based on his abilities. Zierlein compared Brooks to former Longhorn and NFL star Jamaal Charles, highlighting his agility, smoothness in cuts, and potential for growth in reading blocks and setting up defenders. Brooks is seen as a versatile player with three-down potential and the ability to excel in zone-heavy schemes as an early starter in the NFL.