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Can Melvin Gordon be a top 5 RB in 2015?

By Daniel

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Dec 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; (left to right) Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper and Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon and Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota pose with the Heisman Trophy during the pre-announcement Heisman finalists press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Who Might Draft Gordon?

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com is thinking that the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and Dallas Cowboys could all be looking at drafting Gordon in the first round. Not only do these teams have potential needs at the running back position, their draft positions are all similar. The Cardinals have the 24th pick, the Ravens have the 26th pick, and the Cowboys the 27th.

Most people are projecting that Gordon will be the only running back selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. This would be impressive for Gordon considering a running back hasn’t been selected in the first round of an NFL draft since 2012. The last two drafts didn’t have a runner selected until the second round.

If the Cardinals select Gordon I believe that he’d be their featured back in 2015 with Andre Ellington as his backup. To have Gordon playing in climate-controlled Arizona on a great field, with his quick feet, could be quite an amazing sight for Cardinals fans.

If the Ravens select Gordon I think that he would share carries with Justin Forsett, at least in the beginning of the year. Although it’s no guarantee that the Ravens will re-sign Forsett, a player that is an impending free agent. If the Ravens don’t bring back Forsett we could definitely be seeing Gordon in black and purple.

If the Cowboys select Gordon he would be the change-of-pace back for DeMarco Murray and their backfield would be absolutely terrifying. Of course, they aren’t likely to draft a running back in the first round if Murray stays — which he may not. If the Cowboys do not bring back Murray then Dallas would become a likely landing spot for Gordon. He would be the best bet to continue the success that Murray has had in recent years; although a rookie living up to the year Murray had in 2014 would be an extremely tall order.

The Indianapolis Colts are also a team that could look at selecting Gordon with the 29th pick in the first rouund if they don’t pick up a running back in free agency. If Seattle’s Lynch actually does retire–which would be shocking–they could definitely be in the running for Gordon at pick 31.

But will Gordon be available that late into the first round? Will any of these teams have to move up to get him?

Mel Kiper of ESPN believes that the San Diego Chargers may pick Gordon with the 17th pick in the first round. San Francisco is also a potential landing spot for Gordon, if Frank Gore moves on, and they have the 15th pick in the draft. Perhaps Gordon could even be taken earlier; remember he is potentially the most talented running back in Wisconsin Badgers history. That said, I can’t imagine any running back being selected in higher than 15th in the first round of an NFL draft these days.

No matter who selects Gordon and no matter when they select him, they’ll be getting an exciting back that will definitely sell a good amount of jerseys as a rookie. It will be fun to watch his game at the professional level and see if he actually will become the greatest former Badger to run in the NFL.

I wouldn’t be against him.

After watching this video can you really say he doesn’t have a chance to be one of the best in the league from day one?

Next: NFL Spin Zone's Updated 2015 Mock Draft

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