Productivity vs. Explosiveness: That’s the debate teams will have when choosing between Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley.
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The value of the NFL RB has diminished over the years, but that shouldn’t prevent teams from investing in some of the nearly dozen top class backs available in this year’s draft.
With the value of the NFL RB as low as its been in its history, teams could be poised to buy low and see major returns from this year’s class. As many as 10 RBs could become full time starters for their respective teams within a few years and many of them have serious Pro Bowl potential. The Big Ten conference itself has at least five backs representing it that could be Day 1 starters for any NFL team: Melvin Gordon, Ameer Abdullah, David Cobb, Tevin Coleman and Jeremy Langford.
Here is a look at the five best RB prospects in the 2015 NFL draft:
5. Jay Ajayi, Boise State
A versatile rushing and receiving threat Ajayi is the first player in FBS history with over 1,800 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season. Extremely quick feet that he developed player soccer when he was younger has made Ajayi very quietly a dynamic runner and the kind that NFL teams crave in an age where backs need to essentially be a 5th WR on the team. Speaking of the passing game: Ajayi also had a strong reputation as a pass blocker. Ajayi does have an ACL tear from 2011 on his medical sheet – so it would behoove NFL teams to limit his carries early in his career.
Projection: Late 2nd round
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