Official 2015 Draft Discussion

[Mister Hoarse]

Beas Mode!

[Fleet]

Im still a big buyer of Gordon in the 1st. I think the draft is deep enough at other positions to go luxury in the 1st. And a franchise high end RB like Gordon is a sweet little prize. Especially if we go heavy on the OL in free agency.


17: R1P17 RB MELVIN GORDON WISCONSIN
48: R2P16 DE OWAMAGBE ODIGHIZUWA UCLA
83: R3P19 OT DARYL WILLIAMS OKLAHOMA
114: R4P18 DT GABE WRIGHT AUBURN
145: R5P17 WR STEFON DIGGS MARYLAND
176: R6P16 OG MILES DIEFFENBACH PENN STATE

[Steve]

This year is going to be really, really interesting when it comes to RB.

One the one hand, it has been the last couple of seasons, RB have become the second class citizens of football. Teams don't want to go get RB high in the draft due to perceived value and the way the game is changing.

The flip side is that the last few seasons, there really haven't been any great RB prospects. So, if there is a RB that is good enough, does that offset the RB being left behind by todays game?

I think this years RB are way, way ahead of the RB the last few years. I really like Gordon, and even Gurley is as good as any of the other RB who have been touted as 1st round picks lately. There should be a few other who will get more mention once the draft gurus start to wake up and get some decent information out of the scouts. Guy like Duke Johnson, Abdullah, Coleman and Yeldon are as good as some of the back that have gone high the last 4-5 years, and could be 1st round picks. Of course, with several good ones, the urgency to draft one high goes away some, so many we won't see a RB go in the 1st. I will be curious to watch.

Ironically, I don't think we have a true need at RB. For us RB is just a value thing. We just need a body to replace Mathews. I am fine with Oliver and Donald, provided we add a 3rd player. The real key to the running game is OL, and that still has to be addressed, as well as the interior pass protection.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Something...

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Todd Gurley vs. Melvin Gordon: 2015 NFL draft comparison
By: Eric Galko @OptimumScouting


More
In the last two drafts, zero running backs have been taken in first round. Blame it on short-area passing game developments, value in later rounds and overall depth at the position.

But the 2015 class offers one of the best crops in recent memory, lead by Todd Gurley of Georgia and Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin. They are NFL ready, offer high-level potential and can be immediate difference makers in the NFL.


MORE: 2015 NFL Mock Draft | Combine date, schedule | Top 5 players at each position

Both runners are likely to break the positional drought in the first round. But when it comes to deciding whom to draft, teams must choose whether to go with the Jamaal Charles-esque Gordon, or the Adrian Peterson-like Gurley?

Background, Injury

Gordon stayed in his home state for college, growing up in Wisconsin and becoming a four-star addition to the Badger backfield that has been a hotbed for NFL running backs in the 2000s. He has only 631 carries in his college career, and outside of a groin injury in 2011 didn’t miss a game in his last three seasons.

Gurley was a top-five running back in the country out of high school (and a member of Team USA for track and field), opting for Georgia over in-state N.C. State and Duke, along with Clemson and Auburn. Gurley set Georgia’s freshman record for rushing touchdowns in 2012 in his 12 starts. But injuries have plagued Gurley. An ankle injury in 2013 cost him three games, and a torn left ACL cut his final college season short.



Edge: Gordon

Athleticism, Build

While most top Wisconsin running backs have been known for their balance, timing and decisiveness — all of which Gordon excels at, too — Gordon is the most naturally athletic and flexible runner since Ron Dayne in 2000. Gordon utilizes remarkable step control as he works on outside runs or through initial holes to generate smoothe bursts without wasted motion. At 6-1, 210-pounds, he’s able to sink through contact, keeping a good pad level that allows for control when cutting and reduces the number of high impact, direct hits he takes.

Of the two runners, Gurley is the most athletic. Even with a bigger frame (6-1, 226) and added weight, Gurley’s ability to adjust his upper half as he works upfield is remarkable, and it’s that fluidity and body control combined with ideal size that draws the Peterson comparison. He consistently eludes big while picking up chunks of yards.

Edge: Gurley

Big Play Ability

You don’t get to 2,587 yards in a season without breaking off multiple long runs. Gordon, who has averaged 10, 7.8 and 7.5 yards per carry in his three seasons as a key runner for the Badgers, uses patience and awesome acceleration to take advantage of openings. On inside runs, he has unique command, at times nearly getting to his top speed before the handoff, or sliding laterally at the line and punching upfield with great burst. And when he attacks to the perimeter, he consistently beats the first man to the corner, showing the ability to plant and drive with recognition of late-developing inside running lanes after reaching the edge.

While Gordon’s big plays are partially the results of his taking advantage of the Badgers’ offensive line play, Gurley’s big play flashes come from his elite fluidity for his size and confidence to accelerate through traffic before reaching the second level. While he lacks the edge-rushing step confidence and timing of Gordon, Gurley has composed feet and tackle-breaking ability while at the same time gaining speed and forcing defensive backs to tackle him, something few can successful do.



Edge: Gurley

Vision, Decisiveness, Elusiveness

Gordon thrives on his vision, control and decisiveness. He rarely takes a poor angle or slows to contact without laterally adjusting for added yards. His remarkable control and tight, succinct running style maximizes lanes at the first and second level, including turning six and seven yard runs into 20-plus gains with rare consistency.

Gurley’s vision or footwork on the edge isn’t on the same level as Gordon, but it’s not a detriment to his scouting report. Gurley runs with composed feet in the initial hole and stays behind his pads well enough for a runner of his size. Gurley is one of the more naturally and subtly elusive runners in the class.

Edge: Gordon

Non-Running Traits

While neither runner is a top-end or NFL-ready third-down back, neither is far from being serviceable in that role early in their professional career. Despite not having many receptions, Gordon efficiently ran plenty of short screens, flair routes and past line of scrimmage out routes. He’s shown adequate catching ability. As for Gurley, he looks like the more natural hands catcher of the two, and he’s run the same types of routes as Gordon.

Pass-blocking wise, both have a clear willingness to work in this area, not shying away from contact or losing the immediate leverage battle. Gordon has his fair share of positioning mistakes when asked to pass block, while Gurley’s issues mostly stem from footwork and hand placement at the initial block point. But pass-blocking is one of the easier aspects of playing running back for NFL teams to develop, and both have the mental capacity to improve here if their teams so choose.

Edge: Tie

Summary

Both of the first-round hopeful runners have a strong case to be the first running back taken. Gordon’s health, decisiveness and vision make him the safer option of the two, with Jamaal Charles-like potential based on his ability to turn consistent openings into a handful of big plays per game.

But Gurley’s ideal body type, rare athleticism and big play ability may be enough for teams to overlook his injury concerns and recognize his potential Adrian Peterson impact on their roster.

In the long-run, both of these running backs have all the makings of future Pro Bowl performers. The Giants, Dolphins, and Cowboys may prefer the upside of Gurley, while the Browns, Chargers and Cardinals and may prefer the NFL-readiness and consistency of Gordon.

For future NFL success, I’d bet on Gurley being the better running back, assuming his ACL injury can recover well enough. But for now, the NFL jury is still out on which rusher will have a higher grade by draft day.

Eric Galko is the owner and director of scouting at Optimum Scouting and OptimumScouting.com, as well as a Sporting News contributor. Follow him on Twitter: @OptimumScouting

[Fleet]

Sweet it works.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

What would that be that works? Auto correct for the reader?

[Fleet]

Blue threads,

[Marshall/Boogie]

How early/what team do you guys think have a bead on Shane Ray?

[Mister Hoarse]

What would that be that works? Auto correct for the reader?

Wat

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

How early/what team do you guys think have a bead on Shane Ray?

Shena Ray is team macromay all the way!

[Mister Hoarse]

Wat