I realize the 2015 NFL Draft is just under a year away. I get that. But with the draft being exciting and entertaining (there’s a reason why the NFL moved it to primetime and added a third day), I say anytime is a good time to talk about the next draft. So with that, I decided to give you all a heads up as to where Heisman Trophy candidate Melvin Gordon lands in most mock drafts around the internet.
That was pretty nice of me, wasn’t it?
DISCLAIMER: Since it’s nearly impossible to predict the draft order for next year, some of these sites used 2015 Super Bowl Odds by Bovada while others used power rankings or this past year’s draft order.
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I checked five sites from around the world wide web, with everyone having Gordon in the mid to late first round. If he would have declared for this past draft, there’s no doubt in my mind he would have been the first running back picked. Will we be able to say the same for the 2015 NFL Draft?
According to NFL.SI.com, Gordon would be the first running back taken in next year’s draft. They have him going 26th to the Indianapolis Colts. Whether he would start would be a different story, because who knows what Trent Richardson will show up next season. Either way, playing with Andrew Luck puts you in a position to succeed. Gordon just needs to work on his pass catching abilities.
CBSSports.com on the other hand decided to use last year’s draft order. They have Gordon going to the Miami Dolphins with the 19th overall pick in their latest mock draft. With Knowshon Moreno residing in Miami, it would seem Melvin Gordon would have to wait on the sidelines for his chance to make in impact in South Beach. They also have Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley as the first back taken, one spot ahead of Gordon.
Gordon is the second running back picked as well in the 2015 NFL Draft according to The Big Lead. They have him as the 26th overall pick going to the Kansas City Chiefs. Who knows how much Jamaal Charles has left in the tank, but I’m guessing he’s still got a few miles left on the treads. If this scenario happened, I don’t think it would be long before Gordon got a solid opportunity to see some playing time.
Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com has an interesting take as to where Melvin Gordon will land. He has Gordon going to the New England Patriots with the 31st overall pick. Yes those same Patriots that drafted Gordon’s former teammate James White in this past draft. The Patriots could have a couple of running backs leave after next year, leaving them looking for another reliable running back. Could you imagine White and Gordon in the same backfield once again, this time in the NFL?
Dan Kadar and Matthew Fairburn of SB Nation also offered up their own mock draft. Kadar’s draft has the Atlanta Falcons selecting Gordon with the 21st overall pick. Pretty sensible pick if you ask me. Steven Jackson is nothing like he was with the St. Louis Rams and he’s not getting any younger. A guy like Gordon would finally add a reliable running element to their high-powered offense.
Fairburn has Gordon going one spot ahead to the Baltimore Ravens. Joining Ray Rice would add another dynamic to the Ravens offense. Gordon really doesn’t have experience catching the ball like Rice does, but there’s no doubting he can run the ball with the best of them. And after the 2015 NFL Draft, Rice will only have two years left on his contract. Who knows how long he will be around in Baltimore.
Well there you have it. Multiple mock drafts and multiple places Melvin Gordon could land. But one constant remains–all have Gordon going in the later part of the first round. It will be interesting to see during the course of the season Gordon move around the mock draft boards.
After seeing these mock drafts, where do you see Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon going in the 2015 NFL Draft? Comment below on whether you think he should be picked higher, lower or if these mocks have him right where he needs to be.