2015 NFL Draft Profile: Todd Gurley, RB Georgia

There aren’t many players in the NFL will will make NFL front offices change their mind as much as Georgia running back Todd Gurley. The tape on Gurley is quite good. He’s a big, powerful player who isn’t afraid to make contact with defensive players and can punish some smaller tacklers who go after him. Sadly, that’s a good and a bad thing.

Todd Gurley is currently rehabilitating an ACL tear that will keep him out of action until possibly mid-August. Then, teams will have to hope that he’s the same player he was before the injury and that he can stay healthy after returning. With his physical style of play, that might be difficult.

He very rarely fumbles the football and picks up a ton of yards after contact. He is even quite solid in the passing game, where he caught 65 passes and averaged 9.5 yards per catch over his 3 year career at Georgia. The only other issue with Gurly is that he can be impatient when waiting for blockers to make holes for him. Despite that, if he can play at the level he did prior to the ACL injury, he could make a team quite happy at the 2015 NFL Draft.

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

Combine Measurables:

Height: 6’1″
Weight: 222 pounds
Arm Length: 31.5″
Hand Size: 10″
40 Yard Dash: N/A
Bench Press: 17 reps
Vertical Jump: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
3 Cone Drill: N/A
20 Yard Shuttle: N/A

Draft Projection

Todd Gurley is the #20 overall prospect according to CBS Sports and is their #1 ranked running back. He looks to be a first round selection or possible early second round pick at the 2015 NFL Draft.

NFL Player Comparison

NFL.com: Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
CBSSports.com: Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

Fit For The Vikings

Minnesota may have to look to the draft if something happens with Adrian Peterson. Although they have Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata behind him, another young, promising back might be good if they end up losing “All Day” this offseason.

My Take

I don’t see running back as a huge need for the Vikings even if Adrian Peterson is not a part of the roster for the 2015 season. I’d like to see McKinnon continue to develop with Matt Asiata being the short yardage specialist. Still, Minnesota may add a young running back, but I don’t think that’ll happen in the first round of the NFL Draft.

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