2015 Running Back Draft Prospects II

By John Laub
John Laub

7. T.J. Yeldon, Alabama


In recent drafts, the Crimson Tide program has produced highly regarded running back prospects (Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy). And another power back graduates to the NFL this year. Noticeable athleticism for a big back: Tall and lean at 6’1” and 226 lbs. Deceptive speed and natural burst into the hole. Terrific lateral agility, light on feet, runs through arm tackles, and makes defenders whiff. Good vision into cut-back lanes: Changes direction quickly. Accelerates rapidly to breakaway speed. Astounding leaping ability. Recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2012 and 2013 and just missed a third last year with 979 yards. And scored 39 career touchdowns. Needs to improve route-running skills and tends to body catch. Not a finished product in pass protection. More productive first two years on campus than last season as a junior. Upright runner and at times, avoids contact and does not lower pads. Needs to be more decisive between the holes. Ball-security issues troubling. In short-yardage situations, not an automatic conversion despite size. Should be productive in either a power-man or zone-blocking scheme. Not as highly regarded as Ingram or Lacy, but unmistakably better than Richardson. An attractive prospect on the second day of the draft with hulking promise.

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 5.8

Receptions: 46

Breakaway Speed: 4.61

Draft Potential: Second-round talent

 

 

 

8. David Johnson, Northern Iowa

Despite competing at an FCS school, one of the more fascinating nuggets in the draft. Under-recruited coming out of high school and redshirted as a freshman. An astounding athlete: Resolute runner with robust and decisive strides. Upright ball carrier with thick build and looks like an NFL talent at 6’1” and 224 lbs. Tough to bring down and fights for extra yards. Without question, receiving skills highlight resume: Soft hands, effortless body control and vision after the catch. Posted three consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns with a career-best 1,553 rushing yards last year. In four seasons, scored 49 rushing and 14 receiving touchdowns. Also, recorded 1,734 receiving yards while averaging 12.3 yards per catch. Limited foot quickness and non-existent shake. Needs to improve in constricted spaces and burst through tight windows. Doubted at all levels of career and enters the league determined to verify roster spot. On first day in camp, a third-down (and H-back) performer with budding potential as a full-time runner down the road.

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 5.4

Receptions: 141

Breakaway Speed: 4.50

Draft Potential: Third-day talent

 

9. Jeremy Langford, Michigan State

An overlooked feature back playing in the Big Ten the past two seasons. A smooth downhill runner with muscle and power. Owns three-down skills with good vision, balance and body control. Takes hits and keeps cleats churning after initial contact. Good running instincts and finds holes. Hard-nosed competitor: Lowers shoulder into tacklers and utilizes stiff arm. Pass blocks well and shines in the screen game. In 2014, toted the leather 276 times for 1,522 yards, averaged 5.5 yards per carry and crossed the finished line 22 times. At the Combine, recorded fastest 40-yard dash among the running backs. A workhorse over the last two campaigns: Gained well over 2,900 yards and scored 41 touchdowns. Also, recorded fifteen consecutive 100-yard games against Big Ten competition. Not flashy: Lacks wiggle and often bounces outside. Average size at 6’0” and 208 lbs. In the NFL, not likely to generate many big runs or break ankles of defenders. Only as good as the blocking up front. At times, runs into own blockers and needs to be patient. A very nice second-string back who could excel in the right system. 

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 5.1

Receptions: 39

Breakaway Speed: 4.42

Draft Potential: Third-day talent

 

 

10. David Cobb, Minnesota

Another Big Ten luminary. Virtually unnoticed by college fans outside of the mid-west. Fourth-year senior who made giant strides in 2014. Mature leader and hard worker. Swift and strong with power and balance. Possesses quick feet and can change direction. Most of production came between the tackles out of a spread attack. Good patience, identifies blocks and sheds tacklers. Three-down back: Natural hand catcher who detects and picks up blitzers. Unfortunately, pass protection did not match desire and willingness. A lean frame at 5’11” and 229 lbs. Great Senior Bowl week. Last two seasons, logged back-to-back 1,200-yard crusades, lugged the leather 551 times and scored 20 touchdowns. Stupendous game against Ohio State last year: 145 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Not as physical as body-size would indicate. Failed to make many plays outside of the tackles: Home runs came from enormous holes in the middle of the defense. Limited involvement in passing game. Absence of game-breaking speed. Better ball carrier than the sum of individual skills. Best suited for a one-cut, zone-blocking ground game in the NFL.  

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 5.1

Receptions: 34

Breakaway Speed: n/a

Draft Potential: Third-day talent

 

 

11. Mike Davis, South Carolina

After an impressive sophomore campaign, disappointing season last year. At 5’9” and 217 pounds, compact runner with nifty moves in traffic and a worthy catcher out of the backfield. Runs with low pad level and difficult for tacklers to target. Challenging to bring down in open field by single defender. Savvy runner with good vision, low center of gravity and cut-back ability. NFL physique with burst, power and agility and versatile competitor. First-rate hands receiver: Quickly accelerates up the field after catch. Efficient screen runner who explodes in open field. Game speed on film exceeds stop-watch 40-yard time. Recorded a 1,000-yard crusade in 2013 and scored 20 touchdowns during the last two seasons. Injuries hampered production and wore down after huge workload. Cut blocks in pass protection at times. Lack of second gear and breakaway speed. Handful of critical fumbles in big games. Reminds scouts of recently retired Maurice Jones-Drew. Might be best suited for a two-back system as a freshman with limited touches. 

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 5.4

Receptions: 70

Breakaway Speed: 4.61

Draft Potential: Third-day talent

 

12. Javorius Allen, USC

Team MVP in 2013 and First Team All-PAC 12 in 2014. Good gridiron intelligence, great disposition and coachable competitor. Lean and tall at 6’0” and 221 lbs. Deceiving power with controlled aggression: Well-built runner with thick thighs. Not opposed to initiating contact. Gains yards after first hit. Good run skills in tight spaces. Patient ball carrier who zips through holes. Good vision and can change direction. Fantastic hands: Ran longer routes out of backfield and was primary target on a number of designed plays. Nailed to the bench under former coach Lane Kiffin. Finally got an opportunity and flourished once on the field. Rushed for 1,489 yards and snatched 41 passes last season. During college tenure, scored 25 rushing touchdowns and averaged 11.3 yards per reception. Lacks elite speed. Ball security issues and a lack of punch in pass protection. With tall frame and long legs, huge target for tacklers. Gained valuable experience in coach Steve Sarkisian’s pro-style attack. A downhill runner who most likely succeeds in a zone-blocking scheme. Appears to be a back-up immediately with upside ahead.

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 5.5

Receptions: 63

Breakaway Speed: 4.53

Draft Potential: Third-day talent

 

2014 Pre-Draft Rankings

1. Bishop Sankey, Washington

2. Jeremy Hill, LSU

3. Tre Mason, Auburn

4. Carlos Hyde, Ohio State

5. Charles Sims, West Virginia

6. Andre Williams, Boston College

7. Marion Grice, Arizona State

8. Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona

9. Terrance West, Towson

10. Lache Seastrunk, Baylor