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The top 5 underrated rookie running backs to watch for in 2015

By Daniel

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Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jeremy Langford (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Baylor Bears in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jeremy Langford, Chicago Bears

My steal pick of the 2015 NFL draft goes to the Chicago Bears for selecting running back Jeremy Langford in the fourth-round. Langford was a late bloomer for the Michigan State Spartans and was a two-year starter, but in those years he–quietly–played like a superstar. He posted 1,422 and 1,522 rushing yards in consecutive seasons and scored a whopping 41 touchdowns in those two years in a tough Big Ten East Division. Some believe he’ll be the perfect compliment to running back Matt Forte.

Langford is, perhaps, the fastest running back in the 2015 draft class as he ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine (4.43). However, he isn’t just a track-star type of runner; he has a plethora of moves and solid instincts that help him find the end zone regularly. That said, he’ll have to bulk up a bit to be an every-down runner and he’ll have to prove that he can be a receiving threat in the pros (just 39 receptions at MSU), if he wants to thrive in the NFL. But he couldn’t have a better teacher than the Bears’ current starting running back Matt Forte. Forte is a phenomenal pass-catching running back and Langford will definitely learn a lot from him this year.

He has to work his way up the depth chart if he wants to contribute this fall, but I wouldn’t bet against him. Langford sat at Michigan State until he got his opportunity to start and he definitely made the most of it. He’s an elusive runner and his talent won’t go unused in Chicago, despite the fact that Ka’Deem Carey and other runners will want to take his playing time.

We’ll check back in a few years to see if Langford was as great of a steal as I’m projecting him to be.

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