2015 NFL Draft: Running Backs

NFL history was made when two consecutive drafts passed without a single running back landing in the first round. That has a lot to do with a lack of an elite performer, but also the way the league is trending. With more teams utilizing multiple backs, teams are reluctant to select a back in the first round. That trend should change this year, with one player leading the pack.

Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon is the latest Badger back to make headlines, following James White and Montee Ball, and he is the best of the bunch. He's a big play threat every time he touches the football. He gets to top gear quickly, which allows him to hit a seam and outrun defenders in space. Gordon is quick through the hole, but also gets to the perimeter very fast. He is not very elusive but he does show the ability to make the first defender miss, then accelerate and get back up field very well. Gordon is on the lean side at 6'1 205, and will need to add bulk to make a bigger impact between the tackles. He is a physical runner however, willing to seek out contact when needed and pick up tough yardage. Gordon made big strides as a receiver during his junior year. His 17 receptions may not stand out much, but considering he only had three total receptions his first two years in college, it's a major improvement. Continued develop is necessary, but the improvement is there, and the work he has put in shows. Gordon is a home run threat as a runner and he can maximize his impact on the game as this trait gets better. He should hear his name called in the first round this year, ending the drought of first round backs.

RB RANKINGS Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin Todd Gurley Tevin Coleman, Indiana TJ Yeldon, Alabama Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska Buck Allen, USC Duke Johnson, Miami Jay Ajayi, Boise St. David Johnson, Northern Iowa Jeremy Langford, Michigan St.

Todd Gurley of Georgia also had first round ability until a torn ACL ended his season, and pretty much eliminated the possibility of landing in the first round. While Gordon is the big play threat, Gurley is the hammer. He has a powerful 6'1 230lb frame and he is a very physical runner. He attacks the line of scrimmage and shows no hesitation once a hole opens up. Gurley will seek out contact and deliver a blow, and continue to move forward. Picking up tough yardage is no problem for Gurley and he will thrive as a power runner between the tackles. As powerful as he runs, he shows quick feet and good speed for a back his size. He is not going to make defenders miss in space, but he can side step the first defender and gets back upfield in a hurry. Gurley has the speed to turn the corner, and once he gets some daylight, can break off some big runs. He has also shown some ability as a receiver, which is a must in today's NFL. He is a workhorse that you rarely see in the league nowadays, but his durability is a definite question mark, as is his recover from the ACL injury. How quickly he can recover and workout for teams may dictate where he goes, but there is a possibility Gurley could land in the second round despite the injury.

Tevin Coleman displayed some talent as a sophomore at Indiana, but absolutely blew up as a junior. Despite being the focal point of the Indiana offense, he still managed to top the 2,000 yard mark this season. Had Melvin Gordon not amassed an amazing 2,300, Coleman might get the nod for the best back in the country this year. He's a three down back with an intriguing all around skill set. Coleman doesn't fit a typical style, as he isn't a bruiser or a home run threat. He has good size at 6'1 210lbs, and is tough to tackle because of his aggressive and decisive running style. He doesn't waste any motion and attacks a lane when its there or the defender at the end of the run. Coleman isn't very elusive, but he can make the first defender miss and he has good enough speed to get into space. While he isn't going to run away from defenders, he is able to break off big plays consistently. He's also shown the ability to make plays as a receiver out of the backfield. He isn't going to be split out wide in the NFL to create mismatches, but he has soft hands and is definitely a guy teams have to watch leaking out of the backfield. Coleman is the type of back you could keep on the field every down because of his all around skills, but teams in the league like to employ multiple backs. However he is used at the next level, he has the ability to be an impact performer and should hear his name called on the second day.

As surprising as it may seem, USC's Javorious ÒBuckÓ Allen is one of the more unheralded draft prospects available this year. He is arguably the most gifted running back available for the draft, but he does not receive much national acclaim. That should change this year. He has great size at 6'1 220, great speed, and is a threat as a runner and receiver. Allen has shown the ability to break arm tackles but also lower his pads and deliver a blow on the defender. He keeps his feet moving and battles for extra yardage after contact. He also shows great speed to turn the corner with ease, and if there is any daylight, he will take it to the house. Buck has proven to be a real threat as a receiver as well. He's been a bit of a late bloomer for the Trojans, and he has not had the chance to prove himself as a workhorse type back. While that may be considered a positive in terms of the wear and tear on his body, you still want to see him be able to take a consistent pounding and still make plays. Allen has big play ability along with the size and toughness to be a factor between the tackles. Should Buck declare this year, good workouts could push him into the second round.

Nebraska's Amir Abdullah is another shorter back, but he's a big play waiting to happen. He's one of the more explosive backs available this year, possessing great quickness, agility, and speed. Abdullah can stop and start again very quickly, but can also shake defenders in the open field. He gets back to top speed quickly, and once in space will outrun defenders. Abdullah is an aggressive runner and does not shy away from contact, but his 5'9 195lb frame does not allow him to do much damage in short yardage. He's not going to move the pile or run through tacklers. His big play ability definitely stands out though, and he is accomplished as a receiver and returner as well. That multi purpose ability will make him a coveted prospects on draft day, and should put him squarely in the day two discussion for teams that need a big play addition to their offense.

Duke Johnson of Miami is also a big play threat that will be in high demand because of his versatility. He stands 5'9 200 and can make plays as a runner, receiver, and return man. Johnson's best trait is his ability to accelerate and pull away from defenders. He hits that top gear very quickly, which gives him a step on the defender and he won't be caught from behind. He can get to the perimeter and outrun defenders. He can make defenders miss in the open field. He's willing to run between the tackles but he doesn't bring enough bulk or power to make plays in short yardage situations. Johnson can be moved around on offense, lining up in the backfield or split out wide. He is a legitimate threat as a receiver and is great after the catch. Johnson has had some trouble staying healthy and finishing games, but his big play skills are obvious. He would be an excellent fit as the lighting component of a thunder and lightning backfield.

Alabama is no stranger to producing top flight running backs, and TJ Yeldon is their next candidate. He's a versatile weapon out of the backfield, and should be able to help his team in a variety of ways. Yeldon has good size at 6'2 215, and may be even to pack on more weight as he gets older. There may even be some concern about his height and about it being a detriment to him. He's very athletic and shows great feet and elusiveness to make defenders miss. That makes him a big play threat and gives him the ability to make something out of nothing. Yeldon has shown some ability as a receiver, and this is where his size may be a positive. If he can continue to develop his receiving skills, he could be lined up in different positions to create a mismatch in the pass game. Yeldon is tough and willing to fight for extra yardage, but he may not be equipped physically yet for short yardage situations. His height and lanky frame make him a big target, and makes it more difficult for him to lower his pads and move the pile. Yeldon is a solid all around back and could hear his name called on day two of the draft.

Another SEC standout, South Carolina's Mike Davis is another potential day two selection should he choose to enter the draft. He definitely brings a different look than the prospects ahead of him, as he stands 5'9 on a good day, while the rest are 6-feet plus. That compact build make Davis very difficult to tackle. He packs a very solid 215lbs on his frame, and it is hard for defenders to square him up to bring him down. His strong lower half allows him to run through arm tackles and finish off runs. Davis has the ability to carry the load between the tackles and as a goalline runner. He's not a plodder though. He shows the quickness to elude the first defender and has the speed to get to the outside at times. He's not a breakaway threat but he can make some big plays from time to time. Davis is more of the blue collar kind of back that will pick up the tough yards but that is a very defined role in today's NFL.

Keep an eye on: Karlos Williams(Florida St), Jeremy Langford(Michigan St), David Johnson(Northern Iowa), Jay Ajayi(Boise St), and Malcolm Brown(Texas)

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