2015 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 5 RB Prospects

Nov 9, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Ameer Abdullah (8) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

5. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska Cornhuskers

Rounding out as the fifth-best running back in the 2015 NFL Draft, Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah is a very intriguing prospect to say the least. He finished his senior season with the Cornhuskers with a huge season, rushing for 1,611 yards and 19 touchdowns on 264 carries. Those numbers ended up averaging out to an impressive 6.1 yards per carry.

Abdullah has the ability to be an all-around running back, as he has the combination of strength and speed that NFL backs need. He will be a force to be reckoned with in short-yardage situations, but can also make plays in the open field when he hits top speed. Check out a couple of clips that show both sides of his game.

First of all, the first play showed quite a few different abilities that Abdullah possesses. He can stretch a play to the outside with excellent acceleration and then has a nice jump cut in the open field. The ability to that he has to take contact, shed it and proceed down the field shows the toughness that he has developed.

Secondly, he has drawn a lot of criticism for being a small running back but showed that he can still power his way for short yardage. It is important for NFL scouts to see that type of play from him to get past his size.

Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Abdullah’s game is his ability to make plays as a receiver out of the backfield. He ended up catching 22 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. They aren’t huge numbers as a receiver, but it shows that he is capable of doing it if an NFL teams needs him to.

At this point in the draft process, Abdullah has drawn intriguing comparisons to Arizona Cardinals’ running back Andre Ellington from NFL.com. There are some concerns about Abdullah’s size at 5’9″ and 195 pounds, and he simply doesn’t fit the size that most teams look for in a three-down running back.

There is no doubt that Abdullah is going to be drafted within the first three rounds of the draft. He has all of the tools to become a very dangerous running back, and is just looking for a team to give him a chance. During his Nebraska career, Abdullah showed off a complete package and will make an NFL team extremely happy.

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