Wisconsin Badgers on SI List of Top 400 NFL Players

Running Back

Melvin Gordon III , LA Chargers, 203rd Overall, 11th RB

James White, NE Patriots, 335th Overall, 21st RB

So loyal Badger of Honor readers know that I will never pass up an opportunity to talk about how great Melvin Gordon is.  But I can’t really dispute the SI ranking.  He had an underwhelming rookie season and broke out in his sophomore campaign for the Chargers.  But an injury derailed the end of his season and left him three cruel yards short of 1,000.  MG3 ended his 2016 campaign as 9th in the NFL in yards/game and 7th in TDs.

James White had a tremendous Super Bowl but New England responded by adding a pair of RBs in free agency.  The RB-by-committee approach from the holders probably deflates his value.  In addition, White’s best work comes on passing downs.  He has 70 total rushing attempts and 105 receptions in his three NFL seasons.  Gio Bernard of the Bengals is arguably the highest rated pure 3rd down back and he slots in at 300 overall on the SI list.  Bernard has 583 rushing attempts and 187 receptions in his four NFL seasons.