2015 Draft: Running Back Rankings

Updated: January 19, 2015

Another day, another set of rankings. Today we are going to breakdown the 2015 draft class of running backs with a few notes on each player. Note that these rankings are likely 100% wrong if you check out any of my rankings in the past.

As usual, check out the current rankings whenever you read this at the ranking page.

Here are the rankings as I have them right now (January 2015):

1. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Most people don’t have him #1, but I do. Gordon is not only a volume back, but has the speed to get in and out of cuts quickly and pull away from defenders. Add that to the fact he doesn’t seem to get tired and you have an elite NFL prospect if I’ve ever seen one.

2. Todd Gurley, Georgia
Gurley has the power and toughness you want in a back. Runs with a chip on his shoulder and initiates contact. If he wasn’t coming off an ACL he may very well be the #1 back.

3. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
At 5’9 195 everyone is going to question his durability but I think he can more than help a team from day 1. Considering he does all his work behind zone blocking which utilizes his speed, it wouldn’t surprise me if he out-gained everyone on this list in rushing yards as a rookie.

4. Mike Davis, South Carolina
Davis has a combination of size and speed that will make him successful at the next level. This is a big guy at 5’9 223.

5. T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
Why is Yeldon this low? Mainly due to the fact Coach Saban seemed to tend to favor Derrick Henry down the stretch in crucial downs. He’s deceptively big at over 6’2 as well. He just needs more time to develop into his pro game. I think he’ll be a Demarco Murray type back and do most of his damage outside the hashes as a pro…

6. Duke Johnson, Miami (Fla.)
Another speedy zone runner, he just has to figure out how to stay healthy in the NFL. May best be used in a committee to limit his carries.

The Rest:

7. David Johnson, Northern Iowa

8. Malcolm Brown, Texas

9. Matt Jones, Floida

10. Jay Ajayi, Boise State

11. Tevin Coleman, Indiana

12. Thomas Rawls, Central Michigan

13. Alonzo Harris, UL-Lafayette

14. David Cobb, Minnesota

15. Jeremy Langford, Michigan State