2015 NFL Draft: Top Running Back Prospects Available For the Baltimore Ravens

Paul Frances

Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) runs against Auburn Tigers defensive back Jermaine Whitehead (35) and others in the third quarter of their game at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

During free agency the Baltimore Ravens managed to resign their top back from last season, Justin Forsett, to a three-year $9 million deal. Forsett revitalized the Ravens’ running game last season as he rushed for a career-high 1,266 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry while scoring eight touchdowns as the replacement for former Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice. Although Forsett had a great season, however, he is yet to show he can consistently play at that level.

Behind Forsett on the depth chart is third year running back Lorenzo Taliaferro from Coastal Carolina University. Taliaferro was involved in 13 games last season and racked up 292 rushing yards, averaged 4.3 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns. Taliaferro is a big bodied back who performed well when he saw a lot of carries. The question is, has he got what it takes to become a lead back, or is he the right compliment for Forsett?

The Ravens finished the 2014 season eighth in rushing offense and fifth in rushing touchdowns scored. The Ravens also have third year backs Fitzgerald Toussaint and Tauren Poole on the roster but they will consider taking a running back in this years draft. The position has a lot of depth this year and it looks like the Ravens can get a quality back in most rounds if they choose to do so.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the top five running backs in the 2015 NFL Draft and how they might fit with the Ravens.

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Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers defensive back Joshua Holsey (15) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Gurley, Georgia, 6’1″ 222 LBS

Gurley is ranked as the top running back in this year’s draft, and for good reason. He has a rare mix of speed, power, and amazing strength. Gurley has the ability to break tackles with ease and he is very difficult to bring down. In 2014, Gurley gained an amazing 61.9 percent of his rush yards after contact. He is built for the NFL with a muscular, physical frame and he runs with natural balance, power and momentum.

Gurley loves contact and naturally lowers his pads and squares his shoulders when he attacks the line of scrimmage. He had great production in college with over 3,200 rushing yards, 36 rushing touchdowns, 615 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. Gurley averaged 109.5 rushing yards per game and a stout 6.4 yards per carry over his career.

Gurley tore his ACL in November of 2014, which could be a red flag for some NFL teams, especially with his return estimated around mid-August.

In my opinion, he is one of the best backs in this years draft and would start on most NFL teams. He is also a good receiving back and will help in pass protection. If he recovers well from his ACL injury, Gurley has the potential to be a top 5 NFL back.

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Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon runs with the ball in a drill during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin, 6’1″ 215 LBS

Gordon ran a little slower than expected at the combine but still produced a quality time. He also did very well in field work, and he ran better at his pro day. Gordon is a play-maker with excellent speed, good size, and the toughness to be an every-down back. He has excellent cutting ability, vision, patience and balance. He has amazing acceleration and the ability to follow blocks and find holes to daylight.

Gordon has an effective spin move that makes defenders miss in the open field. He has the natural balance to bounce off contact without losing momentum and the physical nature to break arm tackles. He can cover ten yards in a few strides when fully uncorked in open field.

In 2014, Gordon posted the second-most single-season rushing yards in FBS History with 2,587 (Barry Sanders is No. 1 with 2,628 in 1988). Gordon holds the NCAA Division I FBS record for being the fastest player to reach 2,000 yards rushing in a season, doing it on only 241 carries. During his four years at Wisconsin, Gordon rushed for 4,915 yards and racked up 45 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 111.7 rushing yards per game with an incredible 7.8 yards per carry.

There is no doubting Gordon’s talent, as he is definitely one of this year’s top running backs. Gordon showed in 2014 that he can be utilized out of the backfield as a receiver, but he needs to improve in that area at the next level. He produced very well in college, and like Gurley, will be a starter on pretty much any NFL team.

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Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Jay Ajayi (27) runs for a 1 yard touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Wildcats in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Ajayi, Boise State, 6’0″ 221 LBS

Ajayi has good size and great feet as a former soccer player. He is able to string together multiple moves at a time and has good hands out of the backfield. Ajayi is very good at blitz recognition. He always fights for every yard, falls forward, and is very physical, making him good in short yardage situations.

Ajayi runs low and close to the ground with balance and proper pad level to work off contact. He refuses to go down easy and has the vision to cut-and-go with quick eyes to read blocks. He is experienced in lining up as a wide out and running routes. Ajayi had a highly productive career, including a record-breaking junior season in 2014, as he became the first player in FBS history to rush for 1,800-plus yards and collect 500-plus receiving yards in a season.

In his three years at Boise State, Ajayi rushed for 3,796 yards and scored 50 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 99.9 rushing yards per game with 5.6 yards per carry, adding over 770 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He was outstanding during the 2014 season with 2,225 total yards from scrimmage and 32 touchdowns.

Ajayi can do everything you want from a back. He has a superb skill set with power, speed, phenomenal balance and versatility. It looks like he will be a steal in the second round of the draft but he may creep into the first.

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Dec 27, 2014; Shreveport, LA, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson (8) rushes during the first quarter as South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Sharrod Golightly (9) attempts a tackle in the 2014 Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Duke Johnson, Miami, 5’9″ 207 LBS

Duke has rare ability on stretch plays to hit cutback lanes that other backs can’t get to. He was one of the most explosive runners in college football. He runs with patience and possesses the ability to burst through holes. Duke shows no fear as a runner and plays with toughness. He will fight through contact and arm tackles.

Johnson has impressive acceleration and is very agile and light on his feet. He has soft hands and can get downfield on wheel routes and contribute in the passing game. He is a speed back who can take any carry to the end zone. Johnson has a very effective stiff arm and can block in pass protection.

In college, Johnson ran for 3,519 yards with an average of 6.7 yards per carry and he racked up 26 rushing touchdowns. Duke also had 719 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. He has been compared to former Philadelphia Eagles’ running back LeSean McCoy and is seen as a zone-scheme back.

Johnson is an explosive back and his elusiveness should help him to adapt to the speed of the NFL. He should be able to contribute straight away as a change of pace back, but only time will tell if he can carry the load as an every down back. He will need to brush up on his pass-protection skills at the next level if that is to be the case.

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Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad running back Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska (28) carries the ball against the against the South squad in the fourth quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The North won, 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska, 5’9″ 195 LBS

Abdullah is a very decisive runner who is willing to run behind his pads. He has great burst and can hit top speed quick. He is a patient runner with great vision. Addullah is a valuable weapon in the passing game and hasn’t dropped a pass in two years. He has experience in the return game as well.

Abdullah’s character is considered to be off-the-charts by NFL scouts. He is well-respected, has a grounded personality and works extremely hard in practice and off the field. Abdullah is much tougher than he looks and lowers his pads in contact. He makes sharp cuts and is elusive in the open field.

Abdullah has good production coming out of college with an average of almost 100 all-purpose yards per game, 6.0 yards per touch and 46 total touchdowns. Abdullah has quick feet and good vision with the ability to hit holes as they appear. He is always willing to give up his body in pass protection.

I think Abdullah has a lot of talent with lots of potential but his lack of preferred NFL size might drop him into rounds three or four. His character will make him a hit with any team and if he can add some bulk I’m sure he will be a great addition to any teams running back corps.

With the Ravens resigning Justin Forsett as their lead back I don’t think they will use a high draft pick this year on a running back. If they decide to pick up a back in the later rounds and if none of the backs above are available, they may look at Alabama’s T.J Yeldon, Indiana’s Tevin Coleman or even Michigan State’s Jeremy Langford. All are very talented and could add depth to the position.

I feel that Lorenzo Taliaferro can contribute, but if it was me, I would consider taking a back between rounds four and seven. Maybe Yeldon or Langford would still be available. Both have good production and are bigger than Forsett which could help in short yardage situations. No matter what, you can bet the Ravens will draft a back at some point.

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Paul Frances