Here are 12 of the top running backs in the 2015 draft class. Can any of them break into the first round?
Running back Todd Gurley of Georgia tries to stiff arm Tennessee defensive back Brian Randolph from making a diving tackle.
Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon sprints past Ohio State's defense in the second half of the Big Ten Conference Championship game.
Nebraska running back Ameer Abullah tries to vault past a tackle from Rutgers linebacker Steve Longa.
Indiana running back Tevin Coleman tries to outrun Michigan State safety Kurtis Drummond.
Miami running back Duke Johnson tries to shrug off a tackle by Nebraska safety Corey Cooper.
Karlos Williams of Florida State prepares to fight for yardage against Virginia's Quin Blanding, who gets ready to make the tackle.
Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon dives over one Auburn defender as another tries to make the tackle from above.
South Carolina running back Mike Davis tries to escape a tackle in the Gamecocks' 2014 rivalry game against Clemson.
Minnesota running back David Cobb leaves Ohio State safety Tyvis Powell grasping for air on a 30-yard touchdown.
Boise State running back Jay Ajayi dives for a touchdown as Arizona defensive back Jarvis McCall Jr. tries to make the tackle in the Fiesta Bowl.
Northern Iowa running back David Johnson hurdles a would-be tackler in Hawaii defensive back Ne'Quan Phillips.
Central Michigan running back Thomas Rawls runs a drill at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
This year's class of running backs are hoping to break back into the first round for the first time in a few years, led by Todd Gurley of Georgia and Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin. You can see individual breakdowns by analyst Andrew Mason below from his Draft Prospect File series leading up to the draft:
• Todd Gurley, Georgia
• Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
• Tevin Coleman, Indiana
• Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
• Duke Johnson, Miami (Fla.)
Toughest Adjustment
When running backs coach Eric Studesville was asked about the toughest part of transititioning to the NFL, he said: "First of all, it's the increased level of competition. It goes from something you do in college as a supposed extracurricular activity to their occupation." This is their profession now, and there's certainly a different level of accountability when you're competiting with men who have wives and kids and are paying bills to do this, so there's an increase in intensity at that level."
Best Fit and Sleeper Picks
Andrew Mason joined the Broncos TV crew to discuss picks for who the best fit at running back could be, as well as who the sleepers could be in the class' depth.
