2015 Draft Snapshot: Running Backs

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With the draft approaching quickly, here is a look at how I rank the running back position, with a quick take on each player that also includes a projection on what round I think they will be drafted, possible NFL fits and where I think there current value lies in rookie fantasy drafts. If you missed it, make sure to check out my snapshot on the wide receiver class as well.

Todd Gurley, Georgia

Gurley is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson came out of college. He offers a combination of size, speed, power, vision and agility. He can be a foundation back in the NFL similar to what Marshawn Lynch is for the Seattle Seahawks. The only question that lingers with Gurley is his health after tearing his ACL this past season. If he was completely healthy, I believe he would have been taken in the top ten of the draft. If all his medical reports check out, he should still be a lock to get selected in the first round.

NFL Draft Projection: 1^st round
Possible NFL Fits: San Diego, Arizona, Dallas, New England
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: Top 4

Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

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Gordon is the clear number two runner in the class who possesses good size, outstanding burst through the hole, and the speed, that if he has an open lane can take it to the house any play. Unlike in college, Gordon will not have those huge running lanes often, so he will have to use his vision to find the right path and pick up positive yardage consistently. Even though he has great speed and quickness, Gordon’s talents fit better in a power gap scheme rather than a one cut zone scheme, where he is asked to move more laterally east and west to find and hit the open hole. The biggest question mark with Gordon is his pass protection and can he be a productive receiver out of the backfield, two things he was asked to do very little of in college, until this past season.

NFL Draft Projection: 1^st round
Possible NFL Fits: San Diego, Arizona, Dallas, New York Jets
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: Top 4

Jay Ajayi, Boise State

Ajayi offers a balanced skill set that any team would love to add to their backfield. He has the strength, physicality and quickness to be a lead back but also has the hands to be a productive receiver out of the backfield. He is more comfortable right now running between the tackles than on the outside but has the skill set to do both. His game and body type remind me of Steven Jackson, who has had an outstanding NFL career.

NFL Draft Projection: 2^nd round
Possible NFL Fits: Jacksonville, Atlanta, San Diego, Dallas
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: Top 8

Duke Johnson, Miami

Johnson is one of my favorite running back prospects in the draft and I believe he will become a dangerous all around weapon in the NFL. Johnson has tremendous game speed, quickness and agility. He is an explosive runner when he has the ball in his hands. He is best served in a zone running scheme because he is at his best when making one cut, finding the open lane, and working more towards the outside than in between the tackles. He is one of the top receivers of all the backs in the draft, which adds to his overall value. While I think his size will limit him from being an every down back capable of handling 20 touches a game, his game and upside is similar to Giovani Bernard, who was drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft by Cincinnati.

NFL Draft Projection: 2^nd/ 3^rd round                                                                                                                                                                                         Possible NFL Fits: Atlanta, New York Jets, Baltimore, New England
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: late 1^st/early 2^nd round

Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

Abdullah, similar to Johnson, offers tremendous potential as both a runner and a receiver. He has great vision, quickness and change of direction ability. He is a strong and compact runner, capable of handling the rigors of a lead back in the NFL. His physical running style at his size reminds me of Frank Gore and Ahmad Bradhshaw. The limitations in Abdullah’s game that need improvement are in his pass protection and ball security, two areas that will limit his role at the NFL level until they are fixed.

NFL Draft Projection: 2^nd round
Possible NFL Fits: Detroit, Atlanta, New York Jets, Washington
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: Top 10

David Cobb, Minnesota                                                                                         

Cobb is the one running back who I do not believe is getting the attention he should be as we approach the draft. He is a strong, physical, downhill runner who does his best work between the tackles but has enough quickness and agility to get to the outside from time to time as well. He is also a solid pass protector and has the ability to be useful in the receiving game, making him a possible three down back at the next level. His size and style reminds me of Le’Veon Bell, coming out of Michigan State, even though I do not anticipate him reaching that level of success in the NFL.

NFL Draft Projection: 3^rd/4^th round
Possible NFL Fits: Miami, Minnesota, Houston, Atlanta
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: 2^nd round

Tevin Coleman, Indiana

Coleman has good size, power, burst and top end speed to be a home run threat in the NFL whenever he touches the ball. He is more of a straight ahead runner best suited for a power gap scheme than a zone scheme. He offers additional upside in the receiving game and therefore can be utilized on all downs in the NFL. He attacks the hole very quickly, though at times he does not allow his blockers to open up the necessary running lanes. His upright and violent running style may open him up to take more hits at the NFL level and be more susceptible to an injury.

NFL Draft Projection: 2^nd round
Possible NFL Fits: Detroit, Carolina, Dallas, Jacksonville
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: late 1^st/early 2^nd round

TJ Yeldon, Alabama

Yeldon has good size, quickness, vision and agility to make him a solid running back in the NFL. He is scheme diverse as he can play in either a gap or zone running scheme, which will add to his appeal for NFL teams. He does not possess top end speed and there are questions about his durability and whether or not he is more suited to be a rotational back, similar to how he was used at Alabama.

NFL Draft Projection:   2^nd round
Possible NFL Fits: Jacksonville, San Diego, Arizona, Baltimore
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: late 1^st/early 2^nd round

David Johnson, Northern Iowa

Johnson has taken full advantage of the draft process and has moved up draft boards considerably since the end of the college season. Johnson is a versatile running back who has good size, speed, and hands to be used as a runner between the tackles or as a receiver out of the backfield. Few running backs in the draft offer more upside as a receiver than Johnson, but he does not have the change of direction skills for a position switch. He also is an excellent kick returner, which adds to his overall versatility and value. He would be best suited for a committee role, as some question if he has the strength, quickness, or vision of a lead back.

NFL Draft Projection: 3^rd/4^th round
Possible NFL Fits: Chicago, Baltimore, New England, Tennessee
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: 2^nd/3^rd round

Javorius Allen, USC

Allen is another back who seems to be getting little attention during the pre-draft process, but is one of my favorite under the radar names in the draft. I think Allen is a complete back with the ability to be an effective runner between the tackles in addition to being one of the best pass protectors and receivers of all the running backs in the class. He has good size, strength, and acceleration, but lacks the top end speed to be a game changing running back. He is going to pick up consistent yardage and always seems to be leaning forward for an extra yard or two even when he is getting tackled.

NFL Draft Projection: 3^rd/4^th round
Possible NFL Fits: New York Jets, Indianapolis, Detroit, Minnesota
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: 2^nd/3^rd round

Jeremy Langford, Michigan State

Langford has done well in the pre-draft process and elevated his stock with a good showing of athleticism at the combine after a productive college season. He has good speed, vision and balance during his runs. He provides additional value to any team that drafts him as he is a very good pass protector and receiver, which will help him see the field on many third downs as well. While he has good size, he is a not a physical or powerful runner, which will limit the amount of work he gets between the tackles in the NFL. He will probably fill an early role as a third down back and change of pace runner for any team that drafts him.

NFL Draft Projection: 3^rd /4^th round
Possible NFL Fits: Pittsburgh, Carolina, Arizona, Miami
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: 3^rd round

Mike Davis, South Carolina

Davis is a strong, physical, compact runner who is best when running north and south between the tackles. He does not have much wiggle to his game and will not be able to consistently get to the outside or make people miss at the NFL level. He does have some straight line speed, which helped him produce some long runs in college. With his size, he is capable of handling a heavy workload but comes into the league with some durability concerns after missing time this past season with injuries. I think his role will ultimately be as part of a running back tandem in the NFL, where he handles some of the goal line, short yardage and early down work.

NFL Draft Projection: 4^th/5^th round
Possible NFL Fits: New England, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Houston
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: 2^nd/3^rd round

Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn

Artis-Payne possesses good vision, size and strength to be a productive downhill runner between the tackles at the NFL level. He fits best in a gap scheme where he can use his patience and power to follow his lead blocks. His lack of agility, speed and athleticism will make it harder for him to be an effective runner on the outside in the NFL. In addition, he offers little in the passing game at this stage of his career. Overall though, similar to Langford and Davis, he should have a productive NFL career as a committee back or as a solid backup to an established starter.

NFL Draft Projection: 4^th/5^th
Possible NFL Fits: Jacksonville, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Chicago
Dynasty Rookie Draft Projection: 3^rd round

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