Best fits for top RB prospects - ESPN Insider

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Best fits for top running back prospects in the 2015 NFL draft -- NFL

This is one of the deeper running back crops we've seen in the past few draft classes, and we could potentially see the two-year streak of no running backs selected in the first round broken with either Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon coming off the board in Round 1.

Below I've looked at the best fits for running back prospects we project as potential NFL starters -- or at least heavy contributors -- plus a list of guys who could help out in a more limited capacity.


Teams in need of a running back who runs a power scheme: Cowboys, Colts, Vikings, Jets, Raiders, Steelers, Chargers, 49ers

Teams in need of a running back who runs a zone-blocking scheme: Ravens, Panthers, Bears, Lions, Texans, Jaguars, Dolphins, Giants, Redskins

Bigger backs (215 pounds or more) who project as starters


Todd Gurley, Georgia (Scouts Inc. overall rank: 9): The reality is Gurley can fit in any scheme. He is a top-10 player on my board and one of the most talented players in this draft -- though concerns about his durability and positional value could cause him to slide down the board a little bit. But his best quality is as a north-south power runner, so the ideal system fit might be a power O scheme. However, he also has very good vision and excellent speed for his size, so he's scheme-versatile. He can be a big-time contributor in the passing game, which makes him a three-down back.

Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin (23): I think he is best-suited for a zone-blocking scheme. He's at his best utilizing his vision and patience to identify creases and then sticking his foot in the ground and quickly accelerating upfield. He also has a great sense for cutback lanes and reading the second level of the defense to exploit linebackers or safeties who over-pursue. The concerns for Gordon are his ball security (his 1.8 career fumble percentage ranks near the bottom of this year's class) and his third-down capabilities, as he isn't yet where he needs to be as a pass-catcher or pass protector.


Jay Ajayi, Boise State (50): He's bigger and therefore can handle the role of a power back, but he also has good overall vision, patience and agility, which makes him capable of playing in a zone scheme as well. What really helps his cause as a prospect is he's a natural pass-catcher who can be productive in this area early in his NFL career. He needs to get a little better in pass protection, and he isn't the most explosive back, but he should be valuable on third down.

T.J. Yeldon, Alabama (65): He's a narrow-based runner who isn't as powerful as his size (6-foot-1, 226 pounds) might indicate. He'll break a few tackles, but he isn't an overpowering runner. Where he excels is with his lateral agility and acceleration off his cuts. So many times on tape I'd see him make a quick jump cut in the backfield to elude a defender and then explode through the hole. I think he can play in either a power O or zone-blocking running scheme, as he's patient, waits for blocks to develop and does a good job of finding cutback lanes.

Buck Allen, USC (93): His specialty is as a downhill runner, but that doesn't mean he's limited to a power-rushing attack. I thought he showed a good sense for identifying cutback lanes and displayed good patience in setting up his blocks, so his best fit in the NFL might actually be in a zone-blocking scheme that allows him to take advantage of his good acceleration. He isn't particularly elusive in the open field, but he has good burst and a very effective stop-and-start move. He's capable of being a three-down back in the NFL, given his pass-catching ability.

David Johnson, Northern Iowa (102): He's similar to Yeldon in that he doesn't quite run as big as his size would suggest. He just doesn't break as many tackles as you'd think, and he's a high-cut runner. But he's still adequate as a power back, and he is extremely effective in the passing game. He shows good feel and savvy as a route runner, can make some tough catches and is dangerous with the ball in his hands. One of the biggest concerns I have with him is he took a pounding during his college career. Any time a back has more than 800 college touches, you worry. Johnson had 1,007 in his career.

Mike Davis, South Carolina (111): Davis struggled quite a bit in 2014, and based on what I've heard and what I saw on tape, it had to do with him not staying in shape, which is definitely a red flag entering the draft. But if you go back to 2013, you can see what his potential is if he can stay in shape. He's a bell-cow type of back who can wear defenses down over the course of a game with his power. I love how he protects the ball, can make plays in the passing game and read blocks, and I love that when he's playing at the correct weight he has good-enough agility and acceleration for his size. I think his best fit is in a power-running scheme, where he can set up his blocks and make cuts.

 

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Smaller backs (sub-215 pounds) who project as starters

Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska (41): He'll never overpower defenses because of his small stature, but he is an extremely competitive player who runs angry. His ideal fit is with a team that has another back who can play more of the short-yardage power role, which allows him to be more of a change-of-pace type who can make plays with his elite lateral agility and ability to get in and out of creases and avoid defenders. (How the Bengals use Gio Bernard alongside Jeremy Hill is a good model.) He's also a good receiver out of the backfield.

Duke Johnson, Miami (FL) Hurricanes (67): He isn't going to be a bell-cow runner in the NFL, but like Abdullah, he could be a big-time contributor as a change-of-pace runner who plays in tandem with a power back. He's one of the best pass-catchers of all the running backs in this class, which makes him a big-time threat on third down. There is some concern about his durability and whether he can consistently stay on the field at the NFL level.

Tevin Coleman, Indiana (68): The first thing that jumps out on tape with Coleman is his speed. He ran in the 4.3s at his pro day in the 40-yard dash, and that translates to the field. His lateral agility isn't great, and neither is his power, but he's a great fit for a zone-blocking scheme that will take advantage of his above-average vision and patience and allows him to make one cut and explode up the field once a crease opens up. He reminds me some of Chris Johnson in terms of his skill set and body type. He's not going to be a power back, and his long-term durability is a concern, but there's no question he's a home run hitter.

Jeremy Langford, Michigan State (121): I think he can fit in any scheme, but he might be best in a traditional power running game. He does a good job of pressing the line of scrimmage and working laterally until a hole opens up, and he's very sudden with the ability to make defenders miss once he finds a crease. He isn't very powerful, but he runs behind his pads and is just a grinder. Most smaller backs wear down with a lot of carries, but on tape I saw him get stronger as the game went on. He needs to get more consistent as a pass-catcher because the team that drafts him is going to want to get him the ball in space and let him make plays.

Later-round specialists
These guys, who can be found in the Day 3 range, could fill specific roles for teams.

Bigger backs capable on passing downs: Matt Jones, Florida; Karlos Williams, Florida State; Dominique Brown, Louisville

Change-of-pace backs: Terrence Magee, LSU; David Cobb, Minnesota; Cameron Artis-Payne, Auburn

Power backs best in short yardage situations: Malcolm Brown, Texas; Zach Zenner, South Dakota State; Josh Robinson, Mississippi State; Tyler Varga, Yale; Jalston Fowler, Alabama

Scat backs/versatile weapons: Trey Williams, Texas A&M; Dee Hart, Colorado State; Tyson Gulley, Syracuse

 

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I wonder where the Northern Iowa RB is.