NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Melvin Gordon Could be a First Round Pick
By Jim Oxley
It’s way, way, way too early to begin realistically looking too deep into mock drafts for the 2015 NFL Draft. I mean, the 2014 NFL regular season isn’t over, we’re months away from the NFL Combine, and some projected high draft picks haven’t even declared for the draft.
But…
Wisconsin Badgers
Mock drafts are just too much fun. Everyone waits all season to see those first mock drafts, hoping their favorite college players have a high number next to their name and that their favorite NFL finds a gem that fills a team need.
A quick glance at the mock drafts around the Internet has one thing Wisconsin Badgers will be happy to see: star running back Melvin Gordon is widely considered to be the first running back off of the board, and might be the first running back to be selected in the first round of the draft since Trent Richardson went No. 3 overall in 2012.
Here’s how mocks around the Internet see Gordon’s likely NFL landing spot:
Fansided.com
Fansided’s Josh Sanchez predicted Gordon would be a first round selection by the Indianapolis Colts, going No. 24 overall.
Here’s what Sanchez had to say about Gordon:
"Have you noticed that Trent Richardson is a bust and the Colts need to get Andrew Luck some help? Offensive line would be a good area to address, but a player of Gordon’s talent at a position of need may just be too much to pass up."
Richardson has been a huge disappointment, but the Colts have a nice No. 2 in Ahmad Bradshaw. Gordon and Bradshaw would make a great tandem, and having Bradshaw would limit Gordon’s NFL carries in his first season after he was Wisconsin’s workhorse this year.
And after playing under the combo of Joel Stave and Tanner McEvoy this season, Gordon would thrive in an offense that can actually throw the ball. Can you imagine Gordon playing against a defense that doesn’t have eight or nine players in the box?
ESPN.com
ESPN’s Todd McShay has a first round grade on the Badger back, and predicted he will be chosen in the first round (Insider subscription required) by the Baltimore Ravens at pick 23.
Here’s a brief excerpt of what McShay had to say about Gordon to the Ravens:
"Gordon is a good value pick at this point, and he also matches a need for the Ravens."
The pick makes sense – Baltimore has had a shaky running back situation all season after the Ray Rice situation, and can only hope Justin Forsett continues strong play. Behind Forsett is slim pickings at running back, and Gordon fits the Ravens offense well.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. also has a strong grade on Gordon, and has him 9th on his Big Board (Insider subscription required).
Here’s what Kiper had to say about Gordon:
"Gordon is an easy accelerator, and he cuts with explosiveness and little wasted motion. He will miss a hole here and there in search of a bigger lane, but he has good vision, isn’t afraid of contact between the tackles or on the edge, and has breakaway speed when he gets in space."
Kiper hasn’t put out a mock yet, but Gordon is the clear No. 1 back on his Big Board, as no other running backs made his top 25.
Bleacher Report
Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report featured columnist, predicted a first round selection for Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon, also sending the Badger back to the Baltimore Ravens with pick No. 23 overall.
Chiari wrote about Gordon:
"Baltimore has gotten shockingly efficient production out of veteran running back Justin Forsett in 2014, but he isn’t a long-term option. Gordon is a potential stud at the next level, and he will take a great deal of pressure off quarterback Joe Flacco."
As stated above, Gordon seems to be a good fit for the Ravens.
CBSSports.com
Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst, wrote for CBSSports.com predicting that Gordon would be selected in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals at pick No. 24 overall.
Brugler wrote about Gordon:
"If I were a betting man, my guess is no running back is drafted in the first round, but this is a spot that could make some sense. Arizona has struggled to find a consistent option, something Gordon could potentially give the Cardinals’ offense."
The Cardinals were down to Stepfan Taylor and Kerwynn Williams this season after starter Andre Ellington went down with an injury. Arizona still had a surprisingly successful rushing attack,
The 2014 Arizona Cardinals team actually closely resembles the 2014 Wisconsin Badgers – both teams found success despite poor and inconsistent quarterback play, both teams relied heavily on the run game, and both teams had strong defenses.
Arizona, like Wisconsin has this season, might continue to rely that rushing attack in 2015 with Gordon in the backfield.