Can Melvin Gordon be a top 5 RB in 2015?

Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Why Will Gordon’s Success Translate To The NFL?

He is literally the total package at running back.

He can break tackles, he has tremendous speed and vision and he boasts a plethora of moves. His cut-back ability and acceleration through the hole is NFL ready and the strength of his stiff-arm jumps off the tape.

If you want to compare him to former Wisconsin backs you can. He boasts the power and knack for scoring that former Badgers’ running back Montee Ball had, as while as the speed and pass catching ability of another former Wisconsin runner James White. Both Ball and James were drafted in the NFL in the last two seasons.

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Look for Gordon to surpass both of them, in terms of success, early in the 2015 season.

When Gordon decided to come back to college for his junior season some people questioned if he made the right choice. He did. He proved that he could become a quality pass-blocker and receiver (153 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions in 2014). He also proved that he could be an every down back, the workhorse, and still produce at the same insanely high level. Gordon definitely proved his durability, but he still doesn’t have much wear on his tires.

His burst, vision, and ability to take over games is what separates him from all other Wisconsin running backs. Perhaps he’s the greatest to ever run the ball in Madison.

Legendary athletic director, and former Badgers coach, Barry Alvarez said, “I’ll remember Melvin as probably the best back to come through here. And that’s saying a lot.” A lot indeed, considering two Wisconsin running backs have won the Heisman Trophy (Alan Ameche and Ron Dayne) and three backs, including Gordon, have won the Doak Walker Award (Dayne and Ball the others). It should be mentioned that Gordon finished second in Hesiman voting for the 2014 season.

No other back in the 2015 NFL draft has the combination of speed and power that Gordon possesses. Not to mention the fact that he was an emotional leader of a team that overcame the loss of a head coach heading into their bowl game and still won. Plus, he has no history of injuries or character issues to speak of. He is a big of a home run draft choice that there is at the running back position.

Georgia running back Todd Gurley is the only runner with similar elite qualities to Gordon, but he is a health-risk coming off an injury-riddled season.

Next: Can He Become a Top-5 Back as a Rookie?