He's coming

[molsaniceman]

Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon announced Wednesday that he will forego his final year of college eligibility and enter the NFL draft.
A 21-year-old redshirt junior, Gordon is listed at 6-foot-1, 213 by Wisconsin, where he's garnered plus-sized Jamaal Charles comparisons for his smooth, nifty running style and open-field acceleration. He currently leads the nation in rushing yards (2,336) and all-purpose TDs (29). Gordon needs 293 yards in the Badgers' Outback Bowl date with Auburn to break Barry Sanders' single-season college rushing record of 2,628, set in 1988. A "special" talent, Gordon is projected as a first-round pick in next May's draft.

Cant wait to see this kid play

 

[night]

Who was the last Badger running back who didn't flop in the NFL?

 

[TxHeat]

his performance in the conference championship game did him no favors. maybe a 2nd rounder?

 

[Cincyfan78]

The problem is, anymore, teams don't value RB's like they used to. So many teams now divide their reps between several guys based on formation, scheme, defense they face, etc...it makes them less valuable. Also, durability (short and long-term) affect their stock as well. You just don't get as much return on the investment at RB as you do at other positions.

While he could very well go 1st round, I would wager it would be late 1st round. Maybe to a team like Indy who is already pretty complete on offense, but really needs a RB...other than that, it's hard to see where so many pass-happy teams are going to use their 1st pick on a position that has just been so devalued over the past 4-5 years.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

The problem is, anymore, teams don't value RB's like they used to. So many teams now divide their reps between several guys based on formation, scheme, defense they face, etc...it makes them less valuable. Also, durability (short and long-term) affect their stock as well. You just don't get as much return on the investment at RB as you do at other positions.

While he could very well go 1st round, I would wager it would be late 1st round. Maybe to a team like Indy who is already pretty complete on offense, but really needs a RB...other than that, it's hard to see where so many pass-happy teams are going to use their 1st pick on a position that has just been so devalued over the past 4-5 years.

Agreed entirely. It's all QB and defense driven these days. Gotta have a good QB, gotta keep that QB healthy (so draft line), gotta stop the other QB (which now requires secondary and great pass rushing).

What team lately has been successful that drafted a runningback in the first where the runningback actually had any significance to a championship team? One could argue Shaun Alexander (Hawks 05, even though they lost the SBOWL) but their O-Line was the reason Shaun did what he did.

 

[night]

Agreed entirely. It's all QB and defense driven these days. Gotta have a good QB, gotta keep that QB healthy (so draft line), gotta stop the other QB (which now requires secondary and great pass rushing).

What team lately has been successful that drafted a runningback in the first where the runningback actually had any significance to a championship team? One could argue Shaun Alexander (Hawks 05, even though they lost the SBOWL) but their O-Line was the reason Shaun did what he did.

Rashard Mendenhall? I believe they lost the year he was a starter and barely got any playing time the year before when the Steelers won the SB. He did have a big game in the AFC championship game against the Jets where Ben struggled a lot though.

 

[packfancjh]

With the 32nd pick of the NFL draft the GB Packers select Rb Melvin Gordon! Two wishes thrown into that sentence right there Santa. Bring it!! Him and Lacy would be an unstoppable backfield

 

[SonnyCID]

I like Gordon a lot. IMO, he could be Lynch with better speed. Wide base, quick feet, hits the hole with authority, always moves forward. He'll be under drafted because of his position, someone will get a steal. be the Seahawks.

 

[HammerDown]

his performance in the conference championship game did him no favors. maybe a 2nd rounder?

I have him projected as a steal to the Titans in the 3rd.

 

[sonnyblack65]

Who was the last Badger running back who didn't flop in the NFL?

Too early to tell with Ball but Dayne was a big bust after beating Ricky Williams college records

 

[molsaniceman]

Does any 1st rounder make an impact on a SB winning team their 1st year?

last 10 years 1st rounders by position

43 DE
42 DB
33 WR
28 LB
28 DT
26 OL
25 QB
24 RB
20 T
8 TE
5 CB
5 FS
4 C
4 G
4 SS
2 DL
of these players 9 won a SB their 1st year

2 RB--addai (1300yds/8tds) is other besides mendy 1 GS
2 TE--miller 15 games started watson 1 GS
3 DB--ross 9 GS jenkins 6 GS--amukamara 7 GS
2 T----bulaga 11 GS---wilfork 6 GS

not many come in and put their team into the SB

another fun fact about the draft

14 players drafted before rodgers are no longer playing Its a crapshoot and no telling if gordon will be successful

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Yeah, if i'm an NFL team i'm betting the farm on a wisconsin RB.

 

[molsaniceman]

Who was the last Badger running back who didn't flop in the NFL?

ELROY (CRAZYLEGS) HIRSCH is a HOFamer

 

[HammerDown]

With the 32nd pick of the NFL draft the GB Packers select Rb Melvin Gordon! Two wishes thrown into that sentence right there Santa. Bring it!! Him and Lacy would be an unstoppable backfield

Now you're just being greedy!

Eddie Lacy = grown-ass man

 

[packfancjh]

Now you're just being greedy!

Eddie Lacy = grown-ass man

Yes I am, what's your point? lol Lacy is an effing beast but I'd still love to see gordon in the packers backfield too. it won't happen though

 

[night]

Too early to tell with Ball but Dayne was a big bust after beating Ricky Williams college records

Between Dayne and Gordon there is James White, Montee Ball, John Clay, Brian Calhoun, Anthony Davis, and Michael Bennett if I looked correctly. A couple of them have time to make a name for themselves but most of them haven't done much. I think Wisconsin's offensive line made a few of them a lot of money before the CBA contract limited rookie contracts.

 

[Clayton]

He reminds me of Darren McFadden. Probably a mid-late first rounder and should have a decent career IF he lands on a good team and fixes his fumbling problem

 

[SonnyCID]

Between Dayne and Gordon there is James White, Montee Ball, John Clay, Brian Calhoun, Anthony Davis, and Michael Bennett if I looked correctly. A couple of them have time to make a name for themselves but most of them haven't done much. I think Wisconsin's offensive line made a few of them a lot of money before the CBA contract limited rookie contracts.

None of those guys (outside of Dayne) were high draft picks or high expectation guys with elite skillets. IMO, it's unfair to make an indictment on Gordon based one the history of "busts" from Wisconsin, which really just boils down to Dayne.

 

[night]

None of those guys (outside of Dayne) were high draft picks or high expectation guys with elite skill sets. IMO, it's unfair to make an indictment on Gordon based one the history of "busts" from Wisconsin, which really just boils down to Dayne.

I'm looking at it from a production viewpoint while in college. Brian Calhoun has twice as many 5 touchdown games as Melvin Gordon for Wisconsin. Have you even heard of that guy? They have done some impressive things in college football but it just never translated to the professional level.

 

[SonnyCID]

I'm looking at it from a production viewpoint while in college. Brian Calhoun has twice as many 5 touchdown games as Melvin Gordon for Wisconsin. They have done some impressive things in college football but it just never translated to the professional level.

Yeah, but college production hardly ever translates. What does is skillsets, and Gordon has very good one. I'm not even looking at his numbers, just his ability.