Great Blue North Draft Report - News and Analysis on the NFL draft

Todd Gurley, Georgia, 6-1, 232, 4.55, JR … Was considered to be the top prospect at the position, as well as a potential top 5-10 pick for the 2015 , but his draft status has been turned upside down after he tore an ACL which will require season-ending surgery; that came in his firts game back after sittingout a 4-game suspension for accepting improper benefits in exchange for autographs and other football memorobilia; on the field, though, was a third-year junior who many scouts considered to be the best player in college football period; indeed, Gurley, who is the only true freshman RB in Georgia history other than the great Herschel Walker to have rushed for over 1,000 yards, had been averaging over 8 yards per carry and was on pace to run for close to 2,000 yards this fall before being suspended; when healthy, has the strength and power to run over people, as well as the quick feet and agility to jump cut to a secondary hole or bounce plays outside; also has excellent vision and instincts, as well as outstanding acceleration for a 230-plus pounder once he gets a crease; also has natural balance and while somewhat tall for a RB keeps his pads low and his feet churning and just doesn’t go down easily; lacks prototype sprinter speed, but is a long strider who moves well in space; also an excellent receiver with soft hands and the ability to get open in the secondary; also very good after the catch as he averaged almost 12 yards a reception in 2013 when he had 37 total receptions and scored 5 times, although those figures are way down so far this fall; also a willing blocker; for good measure, can also returns KOs and has averaged almost 40 yards per try in his career with 2 TD returns out of ten total returns; needless to say will be grilled about the suspension during pre-draft interviews, but the consensus around the league seems to be that it reflects a certain immaturity and selfishness, it is not something that was going to have much impact on his final grade; the injury is another thing as it is possible that Gurley may never be quite the same athlete, plus there is a better than even chance he will not be available when training camps open next fall; for the record, Gurley also missed 4 games in 2013 as a result of a high ankle sprain.

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