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Evaluating Melvin Gordon’s 2015 NFL Draft Stock After Record-Setting Performance

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By @Spencer_NFL

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin

Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

It only took Wisconsin Badgers‘ RB Melvin Gordon three quarters to break LaDainian Tomlinson’s FBS single-game rushing record. After breaking the record, Gordon sat out the fourth quarter of a 59-24 thumping of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. So what does this performance, and Gordon’s season thus far, mean for his NFL Draft stock?

With both Tanner McEvoy and Joel Stave struggling at quarterback this season, opposing defenses have been able to stack the box against the Badgers. Gordon has faced eight- and nine-man fronts all season, yet still averages 8.6 yards per carry. His excellent vision and patience are what allows him to find even the smallest amount of daylight. Once he finds the hole, there isn’t a back in college that accelerates as quickly as Gordon.

Gordon has the luxury of running behind an experienced offensive line. Four of the five starters return from last season when Gordon and current New England Patriots RB James White combined for an FBS record 3,053 yards rushing by two teammates. There aren’t any superstars on the line, but the group is very solid as a whole. That was clear against Nebraska as Gordon went untouched on several of his long runs.

That’s not to say Gordon can’t break tackles. Despite his smaller frame, he does have enough power to break arm tackles. He also has extraordinary balance, which allows him to gain every yard possible on a given play.

Now, what could prevent Gordon from being selected in the first round? Besides the fact that the RB position is trending further down draft boards than ever before, there are a few areas of concern. The first is durability. Until this season, Gordon was never the top back for Wisconsin. Prior to this season, he had carried the ball an average of 96 times per season. This includes 2011, when he was given a redshirt despite appearing in three games. This year, he’s already rushed 223 times, with four games remaining. How will his body hold up after the increased workload? Will he be able to be a primary back in the NFL? These are questions that won’t be answered before the draft.

Another question is his ability to play on passing downs. Gordon caught a total of three passes in his first three seasons with the Badgers. He does have 11 receptions this season, but his inability to pass block and catch passes on a consistent basis may limit his playing time at the next level.

Finally, Wisconsin lucked out this season in terms of the schedule. Gordon and the Badgers don’t play any of the Big Ten’s top five rushing defenses this season. Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State are all ranked in the top 10 in the nation in rush defense, and Ohio State is ranked 30th (Wisconsin is the fifth team). The toughest run defense Gordon has faced this season was 49th-ranked LSU. Unless Wisconsin draws a tough run defense in a bowl game, NFL teams will have to factor in the weak schedule.

Taking all of this into consideration, where does that place Gordon in the draft? Before Gordon torched Nebraska for 408 yards, I had him ranked as the second-best RB behind Todd Gurley of Georgia, and the No. 24 player overall. If there’s a playoff team who already has a pass-catching RB and is looking for someone to carry the load on first and second downs, Gordon could sneak into Round 1. If not, he’ll likely come off the board in the early stages of Round 2.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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