Ranking the Top 15 Running Backs in the 2015 NFL Draft
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
1. Todd Gurley, 6’0.5, 222, Georgia
If Gurley bounces back to his previous form as he recovers from an ACL tear that ended his 2014 season, he’s the best running back in this draft, plain and simple. Gurley is very impressively built, which allows him to employ his aggressive, upper-body-intensive running style without consequence. He gets a significant burst once he breaks into the open field and has definite big-play potential at all times. He’s elusive for a bigger back, and he is very in touch with his balance. As the cherry on top, Gurley is an able pass protector and is quite possibly the best pass-catching back in the class. Gurley is also a highly explosive kick returner, though it may be risky to have him back there if he’s a starting running back, especially considering the injury that he suffered in 2014.
On the flip side, there are a few things besides his health that could hamper Gurley at the next level. First of all, because of his great burst and quickness, he hasn’t had to fight too hard for extra yards at the college level. With bigger and more athletic defenders in the NFL, Gurley will need to prove that he’s willing to be physical when the situation turns crucial. In addition, there were times at Georgia where he failed to assert himself at the point of attack and did not gain any yards. He could definitely stand to become more consistent in that regard.
It would be foolish for a running back-needy team to pass on Gurley, even if the opportunity is there for them in the first round. He may not make the biggest of impacts in 2015, as the mid-November timing of his injury means he probably won’t truly be back to 100 percent until midway through the regular season, but in terms of long-term potential, Gurley is head-and-shoulders above everyone else in the running back class.