Arizona Cardinals: Running Back Options in 2015 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals have a need at the running back position. Andre Ellington is a talented back with elite change of pace skills, but Ellington proved last season that he was not able to carry a full load as a featured NFL back.

The Cardinals’ rushing attack averaged only 81.8 rushing yards per game last season. That ranked next-to-last in the entire NFL. Ellington missed the last six games of the regular season, and the Cardinals’ one playoff game with a foot injury that he struggled with all season long.

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While the injured foot certainly could take some blame, Ellington only averaged 3.28 yards per carry on his 201 rushes last season. He was clearly unable to stay healthy and effective throughout the season while carrying a big load.

Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) following his two point conversion against the Denver Broncos. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Denver Broncos. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Ellington does not deserve all of the blame for the Cardinals’ poor running attack in 2014. Their offensive line was average at best, but the free agent addition of Mike Iupati will certainly help the Cardinals going forward.

Iupati is considered to be one of the best run blocking offensive lineman in the NFL, and his mauling run blocking style will tremendously help the Cardinals open up holes in the running game up front.

With his impressive elusiveness and agility, Ellington can handle an important part-time role for the Cardinals going forward, but the team must be careful to limit his touches. In order to do so, Arizona must look to bring a more talented back in, as the likes of Stepfan Taylor and Kerwynn Williams are unlikely to get the job done.

The Cardinals did show some interest in free agent DeMarco Murray this off season, but nothing too serious. Reports of their interest in Minnesota Vikings star back Adrian Peterson have popped up all off season, but that does not appear likely to happen at this point.

If the Cardinals are going to get a strong back to compliment Ellington and improve their running game, he is very likely going to have to come from the 2015 NFL Draft.

First round options Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon certainly make a lot of sense for Arizona. Gurley is a very physical running back with elite upside. His recent ACL injury could hold teams back from draft Gurley in the first round, but he would be a fantastic fit in Arizona, and he has a seemingly unlimited ceiling.

Gordon is a little bit safer of a pick than Gurley with a touch less upside. He is a quick and athletic runner with incredible ball carrier vision. One of Gurley or Gordon (probably not both) should be available for the Cardinals when they are up with the 24th overall pick. They certainly have other players they will think about, but these talented running backs will certainly be under consideration if available.

Nov 29, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) prepares to stiff arm Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Ajayi is another intriguing running back prospect who could be under consideration for Arizona. Ajayi has a great combination of power and athleticism that will make him tempting for many teams.

He is widely expected to be the third running back off the board, so if the Cardinals pass on the position in the first round, it is fairly unlikely that Ajayi would be available for them at the end of the second round. However, if he is there, Ajayi would be a slam dunk pick for the Cardinals.

Other mid-round prospects like Duke Johnson, Tevin Coleman and Ameer Abdullah could be interesting for Arizona in the second or third round, but with them already having a good speed guy in Ellington, the Cardinals may look to add more of a power back.

David Johnson out of FCS school Northern Iowa could end up being a fantastic fit for the Cardinals in the middle rounds. At 6-foot-1, 224 pounds, Johnson is a thick and muscular athlete who could immediately fill a large role in Arizona’s running game.

Johnson shows great athleticism and an impressive power running style that could really gel in the Cardinals’ offense. He is also a very good receiver out of the backfield, and has shown a ton of durability throughout his career so far.

Aug 30, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Northern Iowa Panthers running back David Johnson (7) carries for a first down agains the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

While he does not have great power, Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon is another mid-round running back who would make a lot of sense for the Cardinals. He is a very smooth runner with advanced field awareness. He has good athleticism and speed that allows him to get wherever he needs to on the field.

Yeldon also shows very good agility, balance and acceleration skills that make him very difficult to stop in traffic. He also has very good vision, rarely missing an open hole.

Jeremy Langford is a hard-nosed Big Ten back who showed the ability to carry a very large load while at Michigan State. He has good vision, power and the ability the gain an extra yard when needed. Langford is also very advanced for his age when it comes to pass protection.

Out of Johnson, Yeldon and Langford, the Cardinals will have some very interesting options at the running back position in the middle rounds of the draft. Other prospects like David Cobb from Minnesota, Javorius Allen from Southern California and Mike Davis from South Carolina could be interesting fits as well.

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Running backs get instruction before beginning their drills during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, the Cardinals have a need at running back. They must find a capable back to pair with Ellington as they look to turn around their pitiful performance on the ground from 2014.

This draft class is loaded with capable backs. Whether they decide to take a guy like Gurley or Gordon in the first round, or wait for one of the under-the-radar options in the middle rounds, the Cardinals have a good chance to find an impact player or two at a clear position of need in the 2015 draft.

Next: 2015 NFL Draft: 5 First-Round Options for Cardinals

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