2015 NFL Draft Top Position- Running Backs

MadDog49er · 2014-12-30T20:35:55-08:00

I think the 2015 NFL Draft will prove to be a pretty substantial dropoff in quality from 2014, and a desert compared to what I believed then, and still believe today about the 2011 draft- the greatest in nearly 30 years. That being said, this draft is stacked with really good running backs, and for teams in need, they can get one that will really make major contributions. We'll see how many decide to come out. I believe nearly every back given a fourth round grade or higher by the advisory board will declare. Such is the shelf life for RBs compared to OL, who tend to return if not given a high grade. The first picked should be Melvin Gordon, who might end up being a top 20 pick. Much will depend on what scouts and coaches think about his hands and pass blocking ability. If he checks the boxes, he is a three down stud. I believe the second back taken is Indiana's Tevin Coleman. The Big Ten has some pretty good defensive teams, but they simply could not stop Coleman, even though they knew he was their only weapon. He is vastly undertalked right now, but will be a starter next year. Probably an early second rounder. I'll say that some team is willing to draft Todd Gurley in the middle-late second round and redshirt him next year, because he is that good. High risk,high reward player. Will probably not be able to do much at all before the draft, and is a PUP at best during the season. Mark me down for Ameer Abdullah as a late second rounder. Explosive, shifty, small, but hard-working and a great guy off the field. Team will need another back, because he is not a workhorse, but a change of pace guy, like Gio Bernard. I'll say TJ Yeldon goes very early third round, and some team will be pleased with his pro career. Experienced, good vision, and excellent build. Can break some runs. Might end up being a bit overlooked in the process, but can play at the next level. One guy that might be all over the place on team boards is Duke Johnson of Miami. I think medicals eventually keep him in the third round, but could be a guy that makes a big impact in the NFL. Has a gear that teams really like in potential breakaway running backs. Super shifty. I'll say Mike Davis of South Carolina cracks the top 75 picks. He's got the pro build, and doesn't mind contact. Much will come down to his ability to pass protect and catch out of the backfield. If he can do these things, he will get every shot to play a lot of downs. Two other guys that might just crack the first three rounds, and I believe will be overlooked, but shouldn't, are David Cobb of Minnesota, and David Johnson of Northern Iowa. Cobb is not a breakaway guy, but has no problem making one cut and bursting through the line. He looked impressive against Ohio State earlier this year, and has the height/weight combo to take a beating. Johnson is a small school star, with similar height/weight dimensions as Cobb, and he can catch the ball. For teams looking at backs like Jeremy Hill, Johnson may look the closest physically. These are 9 running backs that might crack the top 100, and we might even see more. Karlos Williams, Matt Jones, Jay Ajayi, Javorius Allen, Jeremy Langford, Cameron Artis-Payne, are all guys who have a shot of making the top 125 players selected. Wouldn't be surprised to see 15 or more RBs taken by the middle of the 4th round, which was more than last year, and much more than the previous drafts in the years before 2014. Not sure what the team has planned in 2015, but with Gore possibly gone forever, or only back for one year, this position will have to be addressed to supplement Hyde as the feature back in the Niners' offense in 2015, or 2016, and beyond.

Dec 30, 2014 at 8:46 PM

LZRD_WZRD
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Any chance Gordon goes early in the first in your opinion? Like top 10? He's pretty damn good and until a few years ago, running backs early were par for the course.

Dec 30, 2014 at 9:01 PM

InsertNameHere1
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Posts: 2,556

With Gore coming back for one more, would it be smart to grab TG, in the 3rd, and put him on IR all year, or is he going to be able to play in 2015?

[ Edited by InsertNameHere on Dec 30, 2014 at 9:02 PM ]

Dec 30, 2014 at 9:11 PM

LifelongNiner
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I'll stick take Duke Johnson. I see the potential of Jamal Charles type of explosiveness. UM running back in the third round. It sure worked before :-).

Dec 30, 2014 at 10:14 PM

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 131,419

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
I'll stick take Duke Johnson. I see the potential of Jamal Charles type of explosiveness. UM running back in the third round. It sure worked before :-).

I think Gore would be psyched to come back and tutor a young RB from the U.

Dec 31, 2014 at 9:14 AM

MadDog49er
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Johnson a different type of back as Gore was much bigger coming out of college. But, both have a burst and can run well in the open field. I am a bit concerned about his injury history but if the Medicals are not red flagged, he could go earlier than anticipated.

Dec 31, 2014 at 9:15 AM

MadDog49er
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Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by LZRD_WZRD:
Any chance Gordon goes early in the first in your opinion? Like top 10? He's pretty damn good and until a few years ago, running backs early were par for the course.

This is such a weak incoming class that it is possible Gordon goes top ten. Most teams, however, simply don't value RBs like other positions in the draft. So, they tend to drift down boards rather than rise

Dec 31, 2014 at 10:38 AM

ninergold
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shaq thompson gets drafted as a lb?

Dec 31, 2014 at 12:17 PM

MadDog49er
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Originally posted by ninergold:
shaq thompson gets drafted as a lb?

Probably by a team that runs a Tampa 2. He's light, but dynamic. Lovie Smith would turn him into a star.

Dec 31, 2014 at 2:56 PM

ninergold
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Posts: 846

he has skills, but he is a little small.