SI 300 Rankings: RB
They say the running back position is dying. Tell that to this stacked group WITH 2014 STATS
16 TODD GURLEY
GEORGIA (6'1", 222 LBS.)
911 yards / 9 TDs
PROS
Rare combo of power, speed. Most backs his size can't hit the edge with his acceleration and second gear. Patient behind blocks outside; can hit top speed in a flash.
CONS
Medicals will be a major issue. Not especially agile in short spaces. Needs to be more exact in his blocking.
NFL COMP
Adrian Peterson
23 MELVIN GORDON
Wisconsin (6'1", 215 lbs.)
2,587 yards / 29 TDs
PROS
Accelerates to top speed quickly; effective on draws, delays. Home run potential whenever he hits his gap.
CONS
Too many zero- or negative-yard carries.
NFL COMP
Jamaal Charles
42 AMEER ABDULLAH
Nebraska (5'9", 205 lbs.)
1,611 yards / 19 TDs
PROS
Outstanding speed, acceleration. Runs low and forward to pick up extra yards between the tackles.
CONS
Struggles in power situations; won't add weight.
NFL COMP
Andre Ellington
49 JAY AJAYI
Boise State (6'0", 221 lbs.)
1,823 yards / 28 TDs
PROS
Outstanding balance and jump-cut ability outside; moves between two gaps in time it takes others to hit one.
CONS
Loses yardage looking too hard for bigger gaps.
NFL COMP
Darren McFadden
57 DUKE JOHNSON
MIAMI (5'9", 207 LBS.)
1,652 yards / 10 TDs
PROS
Outstanding acceleration: Ran a 4.54 40 at the combine but is much faster on the field. True one-cut-and-go runner.
CONS
Limited against inside contact; struggles to create in short spaces.
NFL COMP
Reggie Bush
71 TEVIN COLEMAN
Indiana (5'11", 206 lbs.)
2,036 yards / 15 TDs
PROS
Speed and agility to bounce outside quickly. Great jump-cut runner; fakes defenders in space.
CONS
Not a creator when limited between tackles.
NFL COMP
Chris Johnson
76 DAVID COBB
Minnesota (5'11", 229 lbs.)
1,626 yards / 13 TDs
PROS
Built to last (552 carries past two years). Runs through tackles with regularity; could be a short-yardage option.
CONS
Minimal ability to turn the corner, break long runs.
NFL COMP
Toby Gerhart
77 T.J. YELDON
Alabama (6'1", 226 lbs.)
979 yards / 11 TDs
PROS
Powerful, muscular one-cut runner hits holes decisively. Potentially dominant blocker.
CONS
Tends to run too high. Relied heavily on an expert run-blocking line.
NFL COMP
Ahman Green
79 MIKE DAVIS
South Carolina (5'9", 217 lbs.)
982 yards / 9 TDs
PROS
Compact frame; ability to get low in his runs and plow through first contact.
CONS
Decelerates as he makes his cuts.
NFL COMP
Terrance West
107 DAVID JOHNSON
Northern Iowa (6'1", 224 lbs.)
1,553 yards / 17 TDs
PROS
Durable despite a heavy college workload. Almost always falls forward upon contact. Sharp with his cuts.
CONS
See above: 1,000-plus college touches. Upright running style.
NFL COMP
Rashad Jennings
131 JAVORIUS ALLEN
USC (6'0", 221 lbs.)
1,489 yards / 11 TDs
PROS
Excellent slashing runner with ability to work inside or outside tackle box.
CONS
Bad habit of abandoning designed path of a run.
NFL COMP
Bernard Pierce
144 CAMERON ARTIS-PAYNE
Auburn (5'10", 212 lbs.)
1,608 yards / 13 TDs
PROS
Known for his patience, as he consistently waits for his blocks to materialize rather than forcing the issue.
CONS
Not especially explosive; struggles to break free in the open field.
NFL COMP
Ahmad Bradshaw
147 JEREMY LANGFORD
Michigan State (6'0", 208 lbs.)
1,522 yards / 22 TDs
PROS
Versatile enough to play three downs. More reactive than instinctive; sees daylight and goes. Solid receiver.
CONS
Not consistently effective after contact.
NFL COMP
Tre Mason
158 JALSTON FOWLER
Alabama (5'11", 254 lbs.)
69 yards / 0 TDs
PROS
Big, bruising fullback also has above-average hands and a tailback's ability to read his blocking.
CONS
Lacks fluidity as a blocker; has issues moving bigger linemen on short yardage.
NFL COMP
Jerome Felton
166 MATT JONES
FLORIDA (6'2", 231 LBS.)
817 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Patient runner; keeps shoulders square to the line. Wields a wicked stiff-arm.
CONS
Doesn't possess great feel or vision. Consistently misses cutback lanes. No second gear.
NFL COMP
Alex Green
177 TYLER VARGA
Yale (5'11", 222 lbs.)
1,423 yards / 22 TDs
PROS
Physical traits to switch from RB to FB, where most teams see him. Powerful upper body, strong legs.
CONS
Needs to be rebuilt techniquewise.
NFL COMP
Sam Gash
194 TREY WILLIAMS
Texas A&M (5'7", 195 lbs.)
560 yards / 7 TDs
PROS
Has the kind of wiggle and make-you-miss ability you want in a player this size, plus the short-area burst to explode through openings.
CONS
Has a tendency to dance too much; will overcut.
NFL COMP
David Palmer
197 KARLOS WILLIAMS
Florida State (6'1", 230 lbs.)
689 yards / 11 TDs
PROS
Tall for an RB but shows great burst despite frame. Tremendous top speed; unafraid of contact.
CONS
Hesitant hitting the hole. Too often runs upright.
NFL COMP
Alfred Blue
198 DOMINIQUE BROWN
Louisville (6'2", 234 lbs.)
378 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Excellent feel for zone-scheme runs. Innate ability to know where cutback lane will be. Good open-field vision; sees how blocks will play out.
CONS
For a big body, rarely puts hurt on defenders.
NFL COMP
Najeh Davenport
208 JOSH ROBINSON
MISSISSIPPI ST. (5'8", 217 LBS.)
1,203 yards / 11 TDs
PROS
Earned the nickname Bowling Ball for his ability to bounce off defenders and extend plays.
CONS
Only one year of starting under his belt.
NFL COMP
Branden Oliver
209 MALCOLM BROWN
Texas (5'11", 224 lbs.)
708 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Tough inside runner with good instincts in tight spaces. Will fight for extra yards, use upper body to break tackles.
CONS
Lacks open-field speed and dynamic moves.
NFL COMP
Terrance West
216 DEE HART
Colorado State (5'7", 199 lbs.)
1,275 yards / 16 TDs
PROS
Impressive footwork: light and spry. Adept at finding and poking holes in the D.
CONS
Atypical size for an NFL back. Put up weak performances against stronger teams in '14.
NFL COMP
Darren Sproles
231 TERRENCE MAGEE
LSU (5'8", 213 lbs.)
571 yards / 3 TDs
PROS
Briefly played WR; catches the ball naturally with his hands. Stout runner who can be difficult to tackle. He'll put his shoulder into you.
CONS
Experience: Started just one game at RB.
NFL COMP
Dan Herron
256 CONNOR NEIGHBORS
LSU (5'11", 229 lbs.)
0 yards / 0 TDs
PROS
Opened lanes for future NFLers. Smart fullback with good instincts and strong footwork. Can contribute as a pass catcher.
CONS
Very few chances to prove he could carry the ball at LSU: three total carries.
NFL COMP
Derrick Coleman
277 MICHAEL DYER
Louisville (5'8", 218 lbs.)
481 yards / 5 TDs
PROS
Compact, downhill runner; precise cuts. Embraces contact for extra yardage.
CONS
Red flags: three schools, myriad team violations.
NFL COMP
Justin Forsett
281 JOHN CROCKETT
North Dakota State (6'0", 217 lbs.)
1,994 yards / 21 TDs
PROS
Speed and shiftiness to make tacklers miss in open field. Productive passing target.
CONS
Upright runner; susceptible to arm and diving tackles.
NFL COMP
Vick Ballard
282 KENNY HILLIARD
LSU (6'0", 226 LBS.)
447 yards / 6 TDs
PROS
Stout, hard-running short-yardage weapon with body type to absorb, dole out contact.
CONS
Lacks breakaway speed: 4.83 40 at combine.
NFL COMP
Ronnie Brown
290 JAHWAN EDWARDS
Ball State (5'9", 220 lbs.)
1,252 yards / 12 TDs
PROS
Surprising quickness in the open field belies his 4.80 40 in Indy. Uses strong lower body to keep balance, shake off arm tackles.
CONS
Patient—almost to the point of indecisiveness.
NFL COMP
Michael Turner
291 MARCUS MURPHY
Missouri (5'8", 193 lbs.)
924 yards / 4 TDs
PROS
Elite return man consistently flashes game-breaking speed. Not afraid of contact.
CONS
Too small to fight off tacklers regularly inside.
NFL COMP
David Wilson
2014 FBS rushing leader
MELVIN GORDON 2,587 YARDS
Top 40 time at combine
JEREMY LANGFORD 4.42
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