1) Todd Gurley - Where do I start when discussing the best back in this years draft? Todds a power back with good speed that prefers running between the tackles. He shows explosion when making a decisive cut and gashing the defense. Gurley can be deadly when running zone plays as he sees the cutback with ease. When it comes to instincts, its not an attribute thats lacking in this complete backs game. He sees the blueprint of the play before the uncontrollable variables play out exactly how he pictured moments before. Gurley understands pace, capable of running with patience to let the play develop or hit the hole with sonic burst to maximize a closing lane. Todd combines a powerful lateral step with non-stop movement in his pistons that are sold to us as human legs. Hes equally dynamic in power or zone schemes. His best trait is his nose for the endzone. Hes a missile hitting the hole inside of the five yard line and will work for pay dirt by any means necessary. The one problem with drafting Todd Gurley is found in his durability. Its hard to run for 1,500 yards per season in the NFL when you cant stay on the active game day roster due to injuries.
2) David Johnson - This small school product has such natural hands, its like having an extra receiver on the field. The big difference is that this receiver can break tackles with ease and runs so fluidly out of the backfield. David has great instincts and vision and is able to pair that with a unique ability to dislocate his lower body while going through traffic. Johnson makes beautiful cuts but his jump cut may be the most exciting maneuver he shows. While he is an upright runner, he lowers his pads and plows through contact. David can ski through defenders and also possesses a dangerous spin move that will need to be tightened up a tad in the NFL. Hes a good blocker that should see the field early as a rookie thanks to this ability. At times he makes too many juke moves but that can be coached out of his game at the next level. His running ability and threat as a receiver will keep defensive coordinators concerned as how to properly defend even the most basic of personnel groupings.
3) Duke Johnson - Hell be best in a power scheme in the NFL. Duke has insane stop and start ability combined with solid vision to hit the proper lane. Johnson can drop a combo on defenders by getting them off balance with a quick lateral step and powerful stiff arm. Hes a downhill runner that needs to work on his patience. Duke isnt afraid to sacrifice his body in short yardage situations. His hands need improvement as he body catches far too often. Johnson has crafted a better jump cut than cutting ability. He maximizes his lateral ability by bursting up field instantly afterwards.
4) Mike Davis - Hes a great catcher of the ball and becomes extremely physical with the ball in his hands. Extremely quick, sharp cuts. Displays amazing balance on his jump cuts and can destroy with his stiff arm. He was lined up wide at times in college and ran great routes. It was hard for defenders to get their hands on him in the open field. Possesses insane shake and go. At 59 217 he plays with a powerful base which makes it hard to bring him down. Davis sees things quick and adjusts fast. Hes great outside or inside. Davis is great as a goal line or short yardage back as well. Insanely explosive and fast, he kills the creases. Plays with great pad level and power in the hole.
6) Rasheed Williams - Whos that dude? If Rasheed played at USC instead of Alfred State, wed all be throwing his name around in the discussion with Todd Gurley for best back in the 2015 draft. I realize that this could blow up in my face if I misjudge his talent due to LOC (level of competition). That being said, his skill set is dynamic no matter what 11 defenders you place on the field. He has Reggie Bush-type movement skills but hes 61 215. Gale Sayers said give me 18 inches of daylight, thats all I need. Williams instantly made me think of that quote upon watching him. He has game-breaking speed and agility. His film reminded me of two players that Ive watched in my life: Bo Jackson on Tecmo Bowl and Rickys high school film in Boyz N the Hood.
7) Ameer Abdullah - Id put Ameer in a zone offense immediately. The majority of his runs appeared to go outside but he does play with a good burst, stutter step and great balance that are helped due to powerful legs. His cuts are similar to LeSean McCoy and for good measure he throws in McCoys shimmy as well. Despite his size hes able to power through tackles. Hell slash the crease and his COD is second to none. Abdullah is amazing laterally and highly effective on inside zone runs. Although hes only 59 205 he shows a valuable nose for the endzone. If you put him in the game on a stretch zone, hes a threat to gash the defense each time. Ameers patience and vision on zone plays will boost his stock for those teams.
8) Karlos Williams - In this corner, coming in at 61 230 pounds
. Karlos Williams looks like an intimidating, big, short yardage back and he can be that but hes so much more. With 4.4 speed, smart cuts and a dangerous juke in the open field, hes a weapon. Hell also protect his quarterback as a big-bodied capable blocker. After moving over from safety/linebacker to running back, you wouldnt expect him to possess instincts for his new position but he does. On top of the instincts, hes able to moving quickly laterally and then gets north/south immediately. He understands when to cut on stretch zone plays and he shows patience behind blockers. At worst, hes a valuable short yardage/goal line back that has vision and is difficult to bring down. His NFL team can play him in any running scheme or role.
10) Malcolm Brown - A complete back. He comes into the NFL ready to protect the quarterback. Brown has huge hands and uses them to catch out of the backfield effectively. Brown shatters arm tackles. Malcolm uses a sharp cut radius and vision to take advantage of the cutback. He also has great balance and lowers his pad to blow through the hole. His legs dont stop churning despite contact. His ability to square his shoulders immediately after cuts is textbook.
11) TJ Yeldon - A one-cut runner that can quickly plant and burst up-field. Yeldon has quick COD through jump cuts. I question his balance and his blocking needs work. TJ isnt a great edge rusher without it just opening up in zone runs. He has shown patience behind blockers and a good spin move to get out of tackles.
12) Tevin Coleman - When he sees the crease he knifes through it with sharp, explosive moves. Coleman has great straight-line speed. Tevin doesnt show vision or instincts in his film. He has big play potential but it usually comes by stretching the play or hitting the hole off tackle. He was deadly on inside zone runs but it usually was against five or six man boxes. Coleman is willing to drop his head and plow into the line but lacks a lot of make you miss-type moves. Hes a good blocker for his quarterback. The first person takes him down far too often on runs. A team selecting Coleman needs to run a lot of zone concepts.
13) David Cobb - Good balance and quick hips to avoid tackles. His offensive line was usually overmatched and he was still productive. Hell fight for every yard and is extremely difficult to get to the ground. He shows good vision and his legs never quit moving. Very patient and willing to allow his play to develop. Cobb catches the ball well and displays a burst with the ball in his hands. He has amazing balance and strength in his legs with surprising shiftiness. David can press the hole and kick out at the last minute. Shows great start and stop ability. Hell be a chain mover in the NFL.
14) Jeremy Langford - Good size back that has enough speed to get the edge. Runs good routes and has the hands to be effective in the NFL in this manner. Langford is a great blocker that will get the opportunity to see the field early due to this ability. Uses his speed to take advantage of defenders mistakes. Can push a pile on short yardage thanks in part to his legs that never stop moving. A patient runner that follows his blockers and displays a great spin move with balance and speed. At times he dances too much in the hole. He does a little bit of everything well. A guy that will come in and contribute early as a rookie but may not ever become exceptional.
15) John Crockett - Another small-school kid. He shows vision, patience. Combines lateral moves with burst to capitalize on openings. A good blocker and receiver out of the backfield. His LOC is a bit of a concern and limits how high I can place him on this list.
I'm really hoping for one of these guys in the fourth or fifth round.