Top Running Back Prospects in 2015 NFL Draft

Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Joel Stave (2) hands the football off to running back Melvin Gordon (25) during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

They say the value of the running back position is down because of the insane amount of passes NFL quarterbacks now throw. But it really hasn’t gone anywhere because all of the last three teams to win the Super Bowl ran the ball well. You do need a running game to get through the playoffs in January with snow and all kinds of the inclement weather.

The problem here is that there aren’t too many running backs coming out that are good enough to go in the first round. If they’re not special at one thing, they have to be able to do everything including pass protecting and catching the ball. So more times than not in the NFL these days, it’s running back by a committee of two or three.

Where’s the value in that?

I don’t mean scat-backs like LeSean McCoy in the read option because that system has been figured out in the NFL. McCoy is now averaging 3.7 per plus that’s not who you want in on 4th-and-1 so that type of running back is disqualified.  Sure, backs like that can catch and do some thing with it in space are always have a place in the NFL.

But the kind of backs you get in the first round do that, pass protect and make plays when everyone knows he’s getting the ball. Just line up seven yards deep, get the ball about three or four yards deep, read color and go. And this year, there are three particular guys coming out in the draft that are true NFL running back prospects.

Turn the page to see who and what I have.