X

Have feedback / suggestions? Let us know!

NFL

Evaluating Todd Gurley’s 2015 NFL Draft Stock After Week 12

By @RoKnowsDFS

 

todd gurley georgia bulldogs rb running back

Getty Images

Entering the 2014-15 college football season, many experts had University of Georgia RB Todd Gurley listed as a surefire first-round pick for the 2015 NFL Draft. Even though many NFL teams seem to be taking the RB-by-committee approach and RBs aren’t getting drafted as high as they were in the past, it doesn’t mean that they would pass on an elite, every-down talent such as Gurley.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighting 236 pounds, he draws immediate comparisons to the Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch with his punishing running style. Gurley is also surprisingly light on his feet for a player with his bulk, and can also shift into an extra gear of explosive speed to turn a seven-yard gain into a 30-plus yard gain.

Teams like the Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers and even the Atlanta Falcons, despite the presence of Devonta Freeman, could use the services of a back like Gurley. After all, he is only the second Georgia player to rush for over 1000 yards as true freshman. The first was the legendary Herschel Walker.

This past Saturday, Gurley made his return against Auburn University after serving a four-game suspension for accepting over $3000 to sign memorabilia. His suspension seemed like a blessing in disguise at first since it meant that was four games of Gurley avoiding the punishing hits that comes along with the physical style of SEC football. It’s a scenario that had some NFL scouts breathing a little bit easier since Gurley’s dealt with injuries earlier in his college career.

During the game, Gurley looked like his usual, unstoppable self as he carried the ball 29 times for 138 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he opened the game with a 105-yard kickoff return for a TD that unfortunately got negated due to a holding penalty.

Everything was smooth sailing for him until the fourth quarter, when he carried the ball, planted his foot to make a cut and then fell to the ground in pain. It was immediately clear that this non-contact injury could be something serious, and many hoped that his apparent knee injury was more of a sprain rather than a tear. However, Gurley ended up with a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.

Not only does this end his season, but it most likely ends his career at Georgia as well since he is a near guarantee to declare the 2015 draft now. He ends this season with 911 rushing yards and nine TDs in only six games played. Additionally, his 7.4 YPC has him ranked at the top in the SEC.

Gurley’s latest injury is cause for great concern among NFL scouts as his recovery time, usually nine months, would have him returning around the 2015 preseason. Therefore, his draft stock will immediately be pushed into the second round at best unless a team selecting in the late first round wants to roll the dice on him.

A team looking for an RB in the late first round will now set their target on University of Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon, who just set the single-game rushing record with 408 yards in only three quarters.

It’s an unfortunate situation for Gurley. But if he can recover fully and return just as strong or even stronger, then he will be the steal of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Roje Smith is a Fantasy Sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RoKnowsDFS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on