One NFL podcaster has a wild prediction about Tahj Brooks' football future

This week, the annual NFL Draft will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at legendary Lambeau Field. At some point over the three-day event, most expect Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks to hear his name called. According to one NFL podcaster, the team that makes that call will be getting the biggest sleeper in the draft.

Greg Braggs Jr., a producer for CHGO Sports, which is a network of podcasts covering Chicago-area sports, seems to be extremely high on Texas Tech's all-time leading rusher. Recently, he even said on his Bears podcast that he thinks Brooks is going to be the draft's biggest sleeper.

"My No. 1 sleeper in the NFL Draft is a running back by the name of Tahj Brooks out of Texas Tech," he said. "And if I'm the Bears, I don't mind them taking another swing in the fifth, sixth, or seventh round. You watch his tape, he presses the hole very well. The way he flips his hips, then he bursts through the hole, this is a guy that I think people are severely underestimating. Tahj Brooks is a day-three pick that I think somebody is going to hit a home run with."

Of course, Texas Tech football fans are well aware of what Brooks brings to the table. He is the program's all-time leading rusher with 4,557 yards on the ground, and he found the endzone 45 times at Tech.

In each of the past two seasons, he surpassed the 1,500-yard rushing mark. What's more, in 2025, he averaged 138.6 yards per game on the ground. Now, it is time to find out if NFL personnel consider him worthy of a draft pick.

Taking a look at Tahj Brooks' NFL Draft status

Though Brooks is one of the best running backs to ever play at Texas Tech, he isn't projected to be selected until the third day of the draft (rounds 4-7). There are a number of reasons why.

First of all, this year's class of running backs is one of the deepest in the history of the draft. In fact, some draft experts project that as many as 30 running backs could be taken this year.

The fact that there are loads of highly-productive college running backs from major-conference teams in this year's draft means that teams aren't likely to reach to draft a player at that position. Instead, they might try to spend an early-round pick on a defensive lineman, wide receiver, or quarterback, given that those positions are thought to have fewer NFL-ready prospects in 2025.

While Boise State star Ashton Jeanty will be a sure-fire first-round selection, he might be the only running back taken on the draft's first day. Thus, other star players like North Carolina's Omarion Hampton, Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, Iowa's Caleb Johnson, and Arizona State's Cam Skattebo will probably see their stock fall, given that teams can wait longer in this draft to grab a running back and still get a quality player.

“The interesting part is – and a lot of this comes from talking to people around the league – is because of the depth of the class, and it's really good that, man, if you have multiple needs, maybe you could see a scenario where teams are going to punt on running backs early,” NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said, “and then just know that I still got some options there on day two.” 

Additionally, teams just don't value running backs like they once did. Sure, the recent dominant seasons of NFL stars Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles and Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens have shown that running backs can still be the engine that drives the offense for a Super Bowl contender. However, the belief among NFL teams is that running backs are rather disposable and thus not worthy of a high draft pick unless they are considered generational talents.

Then there is the fact that Brooks simply doesn't have the all-around game needed to be a top selection. While is is excellent at breaking tackles, picking up blitzers, and even catching the ball out of the backfield, he lacks the breakaway speed that NFL teams covet.

At the NFL Combine this year, Brooks ran only a 4.52 40-yard dash. That makes him a potential backup in the NFL.

"He can keep a run alive," says scout Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, "but doesn’t have the stride length or acceleration to create space and run away from a rally-hard defense, which could turn him into more of a try-hard grinder. He plays on third downs but hasn’t been all that explosive out of the backfield. Brooks’ productivity and ability to force missed tackles give him a chance to become an NFL backup."

Still, all Brooks needs is a chance to show what he can do. When that happens, he might just prove to be a steal, as Braggs suggests.

Several teams need to take a running back this year. Along with Braggs' Chicago Bears, the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers are all teams that are expected to seek help at the position this week.

It will be fascinating to follow Brooks' NFL journey. He is one of the most beloved Red Raiders of the modern era, and people in Raiderland are hoping he has a productive professional career. And who knows, maybe Bragg is right and Brooks will make one team extremely happy by becoming a long-time NFL back in an age when the lifespan at that position is decreasing rapidly.