In the current NFL climate, teams are employing more committees in the backfield and looking for multi-purpose backs. While a draft observer cannot ignore rushing yards, there are other statistics that provide enhanced insight into a player’s NFL potential: Yards per Carry, Receptions and Breakaway Speed are crucial indicators to examine a prospect. The 2015 running back draft class far exceeds last year’s, and clubs on the third day of the annual allocation of college talent can snatch a starter. Listed below are profiles on the top-twelve ball carriers as well as their benchmark stats to pinpoint runners at the next level.

Benchmark College Stats for Draft Consideration

Yards per Carry: Over 5 yards per carry

Receptions: Over 50 career catches

Breakaway Speed: 4.50 (or less) in the 40-yard dash

2015 Running Back Prospects

1. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

Among the best running back prospects in the last three drafts. Stupendous first-step, cut-and-go runner. Explosive playmaker with exceptional vision, balance and speed. Tremendous second gear and breaks tackles to pick up yards after initial contact. Employs dip-and-spin moves as well as stiff-arm to elude tacklers. Very patient runner in traffic and explodes in the open field. Stop-and-start agility. Prodigious ball carrier inside and outside. Drives legs and hurdles tacklers diving low. Probes for daylight and beats defenders to the edge. Top Badger running back prospect in the last decade. On the gridiron, looks faster than timed speed at Combine. Doak Walker Award winner last year: Rushed for 2,587 yards and scored 32 touchdowns. On 631 career totes, concluded NCAA tenure second in yards per carry. Set single-game record with 408 rushing yards on only 25 carries vs. Nebraska (broken the following week by Samaje Perine). Two failings must be rectified in order to remain on the field all-three downs: Blitz recognition (and pickup) and ball security (fumbles). Both may limit playing time on Sundays. Poor route runner and fights the football as a receiver. Fast and shifty, reminds observers of NFL stars Jamal Charles and Chris Johnson. A franchise-turning home run hitter in the backfield at 6’1” and 215 lbs. Should end the drought of clubs bypassing runners in the first round of the draft. 

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 7.8

Receptions: 22

Breakaway Speed: 4.52

Draft Potential: First-round talent

2. Todd Gurley, Georgia

Film study—and career production—illustrates an elite generational talent on the gridiron. If not for ACL injury in November, would be top-rated prospect. Preeminent breakaway speed combined with bulldozing physicality. Before injury, skills, size and production illuminated All-pro potential. 6’0” and 222-pound frame. Stop-and-start runner with quick feet, amazing agility, great vision and soft hands. Intuitive runner and dual-threat playmaker. Electric with ball in his hands: Runs as well east-to-west as north-to-south. Strong and powerful. Willing to overpower defenders when necessary. Ideal patience allows blocks to develop and waits for hole to open. Extra gear to separate from tacklers in the open field. Heisman candidate at start of 2014 season. Fantastic opening month before NCAA suspension for allegedly selling autographs. In only five games, gained 911 yards rushing and scored nine touchdowns. During career, totaled 3,285 yards on 511 carries and scored 39 times. Missed three games with ankle injury in 2013. On April 18, Ian Rapport of NFL.com reported that “medical rechecks” of knee “checked out fine.” NFL clubs and fantasy owners received the positive news that they were patiently waiting for on Gurley. A true workhorse with tackle-breaking ability, likely to be selected among the top 12 picks in the draft.  

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 6.4

Receptions: 65

Breakaway Speed: n/a

Draft Potential: First-round talent

3. Jay Ajayi, BSU

The “J-Train” skips senior season after two prolific campaigns. Power, size (6’0” and 221 lbs.) and hands will garner interest among personnel departments. A relentless runner with good balance and lower-body agility. Runs well between the tackles: Good vision and toughness. A fluid runner who illustrates a little wiggle at times. Aggressive fighting for yards late in the run. A long strider. Has displayed home run speed and acceleration; however, takes awhile to hit second gear. Runs angry and emotional leader. Consecutive All-Mountain West First Team. Concluded college career with back-to-back 1,000-yard crusades and scored 55 touchdowns. In 2014, became only player in FBS history to accumulate 1,800 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a season. School-record 2,225 All-Purpose yards. A workhorse, amassed nearly 600 carries and 72 receptions the past two seasons. Terrific game vs. Ole Miss: 20 carries for 86 yards rushing, 12 catches for 93 yards receiving and a touchdown. Ball security and pass protection issues may limit playing time unless skills improve. On occasion, runs into blockers instead of being patient for holes to develop. Number of touches might limit long-term production in NFL.  

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 5.6

Receptions: 73

Breakaway Speed: 4.57

Draft Potential: First-round talent

4. Tevin Coleman, Indiana

Enters the NFL after an outstanding junior campaign in 2014. One-cut and go runner with an upright running style. Lean, muscular and good size for an every-down back. Generates power from thick lower body. Enjoys punishing defenders: Lowers pads and breaks arm tackles easily. Fluid runner with long strides. A hard-nosed competitor, runs well in traffic and seeks open spaces in the second level. At 5’11” and 206 lbs., a pile-driver who has a nose for the finish line. North-south runner who encounters difficulty heading east-west. Does not vacillate between the tackles. Natural hand catcher despite not being employed often in passing game. Former high school track & field star: Never caught from behind in the open field. Hyper-productive ball carrier: Eighteenth player in FBS history to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark last year, ranking fifteenth all-time with 2,036. Among the eighteen 2,000-yard rushers, 7.5 average per carry is the fifth-highest. A game changer, scored six times from beyond 70 yards. Against the National Champions last season, torched the Buckeyes for 228 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Excelled despite focal point of opposing defenses. Lacks initial explosion and quick first step: Average vision and must learn to be patient. Below average pass blocker but has skills to be competitive. Missed three games after suffering an ankle injury in 2013 and required corrective surgery in December. Did not work out during drills at the Combine. At least 23 teams sent observers to the Indiana pro day on April 15 and witnessed an impressive 40-yard dash time. Best suited for a gap scheme to employ run skills in space.

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 7.1

Receptions: 54

Breakaway Speed: 4.40 (Pro Day Results)

Draft Potential: Second-round talent

5. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

Third Big Ten runner among the top prospects. At 5’9” and 205 lbs., small in stature but plays bigger and stronger. Quicker than fast. Awesome agility, extraordinary body control and terrific feet. Shifty, decisive runner with burst and balance. Effortless ball carrier who makes tacklers whiff and avoids big hits. Uses pads well to absorb hits and dish out punishment. Change of direction back who plants foot and stops-and-starts in an instant. Low center of gravity. Hesitates and explodes into hole. Jump cuts to dodge tacklers: Defenders have difficult time wrapping up and bringing down. Plays with a mean streak and rarely tackled for loss. Three consecutive 1,000-yard crusades, back-to-back 1,600-yard seasons and reached the end zone 48 times during his career. Returned punts as freshman and sophomore and kickoffs all four seasons. Limited route-running experience; however, did run a variety of routes: Swings, wheels, screens and options. Above average hands with good hand-eye coordination and tracks ball well. After the catch, dangerous in space. Lacks elite speed and lots of carries on resume. Never asked to block at Nebraska. Attempts to cut block opponents instead of planting and hitting. Senior Bowl Game MVP after a terrific week of practice. Many scouts foresee a very productive lightening back in the NFL. Should contribute immediately in a specific role and as a special teamer.

Key Career Stats:

Yards per Carry: 5.6

Receptions: 73

Breakaway Speed: 4.60

Draft Potential: Second-round talent 

6. Duke Johnson, Miami

A playmaker and the all-time leading rusher in school history. A natural runner with explosive feet, tremendous balance and impressive acceleration. Good hands and very nice vision: Successfully sticks foot in the ground, cuts up field and bursts into the second level. Elusive with splendid cutting ability and employs a stiff-arm to ward off tacklers. In three seasons, rushed for 3,519 yards and scored 32 touchdowns. In 2014 named All-ACC First Team: Finished seventh in the nation in all-purpose yards (2,073) and topped 1,000 yards rushing (1,652) for the first time. Collected 80 or more yards in every contest and produced seven 100-yard games. After a celebrated career, exits as school's all-time leader in All-Purpose yards (5,526) and yards per carry. Most prestigious runner in Miami history, outperforming Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore and Willis McGahee. A speed back who may be most effective in a 20-touch role in the NFL. On the smaller side at 5’9” and 207 lbs. Hot-and-cold vision. Durability concerns after suffering a broken ankle in 2013. Lacks NFL pass-blocking skills. Might be best suited for a two-back system, which effectively utilizes talents. Comparable prospect to Giovani Bernard.  

Key Career Stats

Yards per Carry: 6.7

Receptions: 69

Breakaway Speed: 4.54

Draft Potential: Second-round talent