1. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin (6010, 207#)
Taller back with long legs and big strides in open field. Decent pad level but takes shots. Doesn't break a ton of tackles but falls forward a lot. Benefitted from very good O-line play. Not sure I see "elite" talent but he's a good solid back that has size to do everything in an offense (catching ability needs checked out). In the mold of a Bell/Forte type if he can become a weapon in the pass game. Round 2
2. Todd Gurley, Georgia (6010, 226#)
Similar to Gordon. Does not look as tall because he's thicker. Not impressed with his pass blocking (especially at his size) and pass route/catching ability: does not look like he takes it seriously yet. Could be selfish and only want to run and has to prove work ethic to be a great all-around back. Talent is there (probably more-so than Gordon). ACL injury clouds evaluation process and must pass medical. Round 2-3
3. Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn (5100,212#)
Lots of running talent here. Shows some “cradle” ability but likes to pop outside a bit too much. Quick and strong with the perfect build for a back. Shows some willingness to block and get his nose dirty. Capable in the pass game. Underrated at this point in the draft season and I expect him to rise a lot before draft day. Looks like a 4.5 runner. 3 lost fumbles in 400 touches. Round 2-3
4. David Cobb, Minnesota (5110, 229#)
Big, strong, physical back that reminds me a lot of Alfred Morris and Arian Foster. Used to bad weather and grinding work load (550 carries the last two seasons for 2800 yards). 10 fumbles and 7 lost in career is a concern. Similar to Morris in that he’s probably best suited in a one-cut running system that doesn’t ask a lot in the pass game from the backs. Definitely has the running ability to turn in a 1500 yard season in the NFL for the right team/system if fumbles don’t derail playing time. His size, feet and balance are that good. Round 3-4
5. Mike Davis, South Carolina (5090, 220#)
Reminds you a lot of Ray Rice on film. Naturally quick in hole and very strong in lower body. Breaks arm tackles. Willing blocker and hand catcher. Good enough in both respects to not be a liability. Check hand size as he lost 6 fumbles in college (on 450 touches). Keep an eye on this guy. I think he’s good. Round 3-4
6. T. J. Yeldon, Alabama (6020, 220#)
Another very big back. Shows a willingness to get his nose dirty on pass blocking. Can hold up to LB’s. Decent runner that’s somewhat shifty in the hole, finds daylight and falls forward. Not explosive and won’t generate a lot more on his own. Don’t think he makes guys miss enough to keep his YPC up. Did not see much in pass game other than small releases to space. Round 4-5
7. Duke Johnson, Miami (5090, 205#)
A bit short but stocky and strong. Well built in seat/thigh. Tough prospect to grade. He's not a great 'cradle' back, but there's enough there to be an effective runner. Too much option/pistol sets and got a lot of yards on wide open cut backs. Shows some affinity to pass catch and might be able to return kicks early. No idea about pass blocking. Looks like a backup/part time player. Round 4-5
8. Jay Ajayi, Boise State (6010, 215#)
Very athletic and inexperienced back. Looks new to football and is just running on instinct. Tall and leggy and goes all over the place to maintain balance. A bit too tall and did not like his pad level. Could have intriguing top-end speed but do not take that to mean good running skills. Little to see in pass blocking. Interview will matter and could be a rising prospect or struggle to “catch up” at next level. Round 4-5
9. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska (5080, 195#)
A bit undersized and doesn't run as violently as I'd like. Looks quick and fast and can exploit good holes but not sure he generates much on his own. Did not see much pass protection on film but can be a threat on underneath routes and dump offs or against LB in coverage. Round 4-5
10. Matt Jones, Florida (6010, 235#)
Reminds me a lot of Yeldon. Very big SEC prospect that can pound between the tackles and on power/counter plays. Doesn’t add much on anything not north/south. A bit of LaGarrett Blount in his game. Still needs work on pass blocking (goes low too often for his size) and pretty much a non-factor in the pass game. Round 5
11. Tevin Coleman, Indiana (6010, 210#)
Looks a lot like Gordon/Gurley but is noticeably a "notch" below them talent-wise. Not as explosive or fast, not as good on footwork. Still, if this is the way RB's are headed (6'+ and versatile) then he fits, but he's not a guy that will "fix" a running game or really raise your offense a notch. Round 5
12. David Johnson, Northern Iowa (6010, 224#)
Decent, small-school back with some nice NFL traits. Hits hole well and hard with good pad level (but that’s difficult sometime to transfer from D-II to NFL). Returns kicks. Not sure I see one thing “special” about him other than NFL size though. James Starks??? Round 5
13. Jeremy Langford, Michigan State (6000, 211#)
A slitherer through the hole with patience more than a violent runner. Tall and noticeably has a forward lean to his running style. Good toughness on contact and doesn’t go down that easy. Nice stiff arm. A lot will come down to pass catching/route running ability. Round 5
14. Malcolm Brown, Texas (6000, 223#)
You want to like him because he runs like it’s 1980. Big, traditional, deep-set tailback that runs predominantly counters, I-formation pulls and pitches. When he gets a head of steam, he’s a violent runner that can knock-out secondary. Nice balance but doesn’t have the stop-start ability or shiftiness to be discussed as a top prospect and doesn’t generate a lot once slowed down in the hole. Round 5-6
15. Javorius Allen, USC (6010, 220#)
Tall one-cut runner that looks too tall for my tastes. Not great pad level and legs look way too exposed in his running style. Can be physical and violent on contact which is a good thing. Not sure he’s a 3-down back at the next level but could suit zone blocking schemes. Round 5-6
16. Josh Robinson*, Miss St. (5090, 215#)
Questionable underclassman draft entrant that is banking on combine/limited film in college. Prototypical stocky size with exceptional lower-body strength and balance. Effective in pass game (28 catches) and keep head up nicely in pass protection. A sleeper candidate that could catch someone’s eye and rise up boards. Check character but not a bad mid-to-late round risk. Round 6
Honorable Mention:
17. Terrence McGee, LSU (5090, 220#)
18. Karlos Williams, FSU (6010, 225#)
