Georgia Bulldog running back Todd Gurley was a Heisman frontrunner during the first half of the season, but injuries derailed both his season and his draft stock.
Since declaring for the draft earlier this year, the University of Georgia’s Todd Gurley has seen his draft stock rise without even working out for teams. Now, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the electrifying running back has been given some of the most hyperbolic praise yet.
As for #UGA RB Todd Gurley: A respected evaluator described him to me as the best RB in the draft since @AdrianPeterson. High praise.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 2, 2015
It is easy to see the excitement building over the Georgia prospect. Gurley’s burst through the hole, his toughness and his vision and balance to make cuts make him an effective possession back. His elite straight line speed and rare acceleration make him a big play threat on every carry.
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However, Todd Gurley’s injury history has diminished his draft stock. He suffered an ACL tear last season against Auburn, making 2014 the second consecutive season missed by Gurley even without a heavy offensive workload.
Major proclamations have happened with first round running back talents. Todd Gurley is not the first back to be given such grandiose praise. This was written just a few years ago about another can’t-miss running back prospect.
From NFL.com:
"[Player] is a talented back who should garner a top-five pick in this year’s draft, regardless of the idea that the shelf life of running backs doesn’t warrant the risk of a top pick … it will be tough for teams to pass on such a talented, polished back."
It won’t take too much deep contemplation to realize that was written about a Mr. Trenton Jamond Richardson, currently in his fourth year after three miserable seasons in Cleveland and Indianapolis. NFL.com was not alone in its praise of Richardson; the Alabama prospect was regarded as a complete back with both superb vision and old-school power through the hole, and most evaluators, professional or otherwise, regarded Trent Richardson as a top-five pick.
Despite the unreliable nature of draft evaluations with running backs, the potential for Gurley is still tantalizing. If Gurley can remain healthy and demonstrate the same qualities as a player in the NFL, a team may be getting their offensive cornerstone in the second half of the first round.
With all that upside, taking the pick may be worth the risk.
(H/T: NFL.com)
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