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2015 NFL Draft: Top 15 Running Backs

2015 NFL Draft: Top 15 Running Backs

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin
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After running backs dominated the Senior Bowl, it's time to evaluate the position's top prospects. There hasn't been a RB drafted in the first round since 2012, but Georgia's Todd Gurley and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon could break that trend. Here's a look at the top 15 running backs available in the 2015 NFL Draft.

15. Josh Robinson (Mississippi State)

Josh Robinson Mississippi State
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15. Josh Robinson (Mississippi State)

Josh Robinson Mississippi State
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

With Dak Prescott returning to school, it was a mild surprise to see Josh Robinson enter the draft. He's a physical downhill runner who can break and bounce off tacklers as much as any other back in college football. He didn't carry the ball often in college, and his ability to carry the workload is in doubt. He carried the ball 20 times just twice in his career at Mississippi State. In his last six games, he failed to gain more than 75 yards.

14. Matt Jones (Florida)

Matt Jones Florida
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14. Matt Jones (Florida)

Matt Jones Florida
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Matt Jones was a part of the mass exodus of underclassmen leaving Florida after Will Muschamp was fired. While there's a four-inch height difference between Josh Robinson and Matt Jones, both have similar running styles. Like Robinson, Jones is a downhill runner who lacks breakaway speed. One thing that will appeal to NFL teams is his lack of wear and tear. His 297 career carries are the fewest among the 15 backs on this list.

13. David Johnson (Northern Iowa)

David Johnson Northern Iowa
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13. David Johnson (Northern Iowa)

David Johnson Northern Iowa
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We go from the player with the fewest carries to the player with the most. Northern Iowa RB David Johnson carried the ball nearly 900 times in four seasons for the Panthers. Not only is Johnson a workhorse RB, he was one of the team's most reliable receivers. Against Iowa, he gained 203 yards receiving. He'll likely begin his career as a third-down back, but will have an opportunity to gain carries over time.

12. Jeremy Langford (Michigan State)

Jeremy Langford Michigan State
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12. Jeremy Langford (Michigan State)

Jeremy Langford Michigan State
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With so many great backs in the Big Ten this season, Jeremy Langford seemed to get lost in the shuffle. The senior carried the ball over 20 times in more than half of Michigan State's games this season. His ability to pass block allowed Langford to be a three-down back for the Spartans. He did struggle against some of the bigger defensive lines this season. Oregon, Nebraska and Penn State all held him to under four yards per carry.

11. Mike Davis (South Carolina)

Mike Davis South Carolina
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

11. Mike Davis (South Carolina)

Mike Davis South Carolina
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After looking like a top-five running back after the 2013 season, Davis saw his stock take a hit in 2014. He failed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark and gained almost a full yard less per carry. Other than the Kentucky game, Davis failed to shine at any point this season. He runs with power, but must do so more consistently. With so many backs having a Day 2 projection, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Davis slide into the third day of the draft.

10. Javorius Allen (USC)

Javorius Allen USC
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10. Javorius Allen (USC)

Javorius Allen USC
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In his first season as the go-to back for USC, Javorius "Buck" Allen exceeded expectations. He was an electrifying back in 2013, but he proved to be a reliable receiver as well in 2014. He combined for 1,947 total yards this season. He had a career-best 205 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in a narrow victory over 10-ranked Arizona. Breaking and running through tackles is where Allen must improve.

9. Cameron Artis-Payne (Auburn)

Cameron Artis-Payne Auburn
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

9. Cameron Artis-Payne (Auburn)

Cameron Artis-Payne Auburn
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Artis-Payne entered the 2014 season with just 91 carries at Auburn. 303 carries and 1,608 yards later, Artis-Payne has become one of the most intriguing RB prospects in the draft. He ended his college career with 78 total yards in the Senior Bowl. He doesn't have great straight-line speed, but he shows solid patience followed by acceleration at the line. He currently has a Round 4 projection.

8. T.J. Yeldon (Alabama)

T.J. Yeldon Alabama
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8. T.J. Yeldon (Alabama)

T.J. Yeldon Alabama
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Throughout his career, T.J. Yeldon has looked either like a future star in the NFL or vastly overrated. There's really no in-between with him. Unfortunately for him, he looked more like the latter this season. He finished with a yard fewer per carry than in 2013 and ran for 100 yards just four times. He has excellent vision, but needs to run smaller in order to extend plays. Yeldon is a good fit for a team running a zone blocking scheme.

7. David Cobb (Minnesota)

David Cobb Minnesota
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7. David Cobb (Minnesota)

David Cobb Minnesota
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Speaking of zone blocking schemes, David Cobb has been a part of a great one at Minnesota. He's been the workhorse for Minnesota the past two seasons and finished with a career-high 1,626 yards in 2014. Cobb doesn't have the ability to break long runs, but he'll consistently get the four to five yards per carry needed to succeed in the NFL. He has the skills to be a No. 1 RB at the next level, but he'll have to limit his fumbles.

6. Jay Ajayi (Boise State)

Jay Ajayi Boise State
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6. Jay Ajayi (Boise State)

Jay Ajayi Boise State
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After a rocky start to the season, Jay Ajayi finished as strong as any back in the nation. The Boise State RB gained at least 110 yards and scored multiple touchdowns in eight of his last nine games. He's an excellent receiver and can turn screen plays into 20-30 yard gains with ease. Like Cobb, he also has ball security concerns. He has a Round 3 projection, but his versatility may move him into the Round 2 discussion.

5. Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska)

Ameer Abdullah Nebraska
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5. Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska)

Ameer Abdullah Nebraska
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Senior Bowl MVP Ameer Abdullah has excellent vision and explodes through running lanes. He's also one of the best receivers at the position. His lack of size (measured slightly over 5-foot-8 and 198 pounds at the Senior Bowl) will slide him down in the draft, but he could still be a second-round pick. Abdullah is an extremely hard worker and should continue to improve throughout his first few years in the NFL.

4. Duke Johnson (Miami)

Duke Johnson Miami
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4. Duke Johnson (Miami)

Duke Johnson Miami
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With a freshman QB, someone had to step up on the Miami offense. Duke Johnson did that and more. Despite only carrying the ball 242 times in 2014, Johnson ran for 1,652 yards. He shows great acceleration through the hole, and has the vision and cutback ability to gain extra yards downfield. He's an above-average receiver, but his lack of pass-blocking skills while likely limit his third-down opportunities. He has a Round 2 projection.

3. Tevin Coleman (Indiana)

Tevin Coleman Indiana
Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

3. Tevin Coleman (Indiana)

Tevin Coleman Indiana
Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

With no threat of a passing game, Tevin Coleman faced crowded boxes all season. Still, he managed to gain over 2,000 yards and averaged 7.5 yards per carry this season. How did he do it? By running between the tackles. Coleman aggressively attacks the heart of a defense and isn't worried about the outside. Penn State was the only team to hold him under 100 yards this season. He needs to be more patient at times and wait for holes to develop.

2. Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin)

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

2. Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin)

Melvin Gordon Wisconsin
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

Melvin Gordon led the FBS in rushing by more than 550 yards. The Doak Walker Award winner and Heisman finalist was clearly in a league of his own this season. The problem is that his draft stock won't rise significantly. He entered the season as the No. 2 RB prospect and ended the season in the same position. He can be a great two-down back in the NFL. He just doesn't have the receiving or pass-blocking skills to stay on the field on third downs.

1. Todd Gurley (Georgia)

Todd Gurley Georgia
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1. Todd Gurley (Georgia)

Todd Gurley Georgia
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Todd Gurley, torn ACL and all, is by far the No. 1 RB in this draft. In fact, he's the best back to enter the draft since Adrian Peterson in 2007. In complete games he played in 2014, he averaged 175 yards rushing. He has a rare combination of power and speed. Even if he's not ready to play Week 1, no other RB should be considered until Gurley is off the board. He'll be a first-round pick, with medical reports determining how high he goes.

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.

Related:

2015 NFL Draft: Top 15 Quarterbacks
2015 NFL Draft: Top 35 Big Board

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