The NFL draft is one day away and this could be the year running backs jump back into the first round, as players like Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon and Ameer Abdullah have been receiving high marks from scouts and teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins could be interested in players at the position in 2015.
The draft has not seen running backs go in the top 10 for a few years, with Bishop Sankey being the first off the board last year in the second round. According to Yahoo Sports, scouts look at both Gordon and Gurley as first round targets, with Gurley getting attention from teams in the top 10. Charles Robinson writes that Gurley could end up as a top 10 pick, as his knee issues have been checked out and he has had the all-clear medically on his injury from last season.
Gurley likely will not go in the top five, but if a team like the Raiders trades back, they could look at targeting Gurley. According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins "covet" Gurley and will take him if he is there at number 14. There is a good chance he won't be and that could leave the team with a player like Gordon instead. According to ESPN Dallas, the Cowboys are "very likely" targeting a running back in the draft and they have met with both Gordon and Gurley this offseason before the draft.
Gurley is coming off of an ACL injury, but reports from his medical re-check had things looking good and that could give teams the confidence they need to draft him. Gurley potentially could go in the top 10, as a team could trade up, while the Redskins, Raiders, Bears, Giants and Falcons all have a need at running back. Gurley rushed for over 900 yards in six games last season and in his career he had 36 touchdowns in three seasons at Georgia.
Gordon is also getting attention heading into the draft, as he rushed for over 2500 yards last season and was one of the most productive backs in college history. Gordon comes in after scoring 29 touchdowns last season and he is considered to be the second overall back in the draft. The RB position is very deep and teams that miss on these two also have names like Ameer Abdullah, Duke Johnson, Jay Ajayi, Jeremy Langford and David Cobb as options.
Gurley and Gordon are the top backs in the draft and they are expected to go in the first round. The Cowboys reportedly will consider taking Gordon if he is there when they pick in the first round, according to Peter King. Gordon played for Wisconsin and has a strong college track record of production and he could be a good draft pick if the team can't get Gurley. The reports coming out of the media ahead of the draft have Gurley as a potential top 10 pick, including for the Bears or Falcons.