Georgia running back Todd Gurley is heading to Indianapolis this weekend to have his knee examined after last November’s torn ACL and the results of that examination will likely play a big role in determining where he winds up being drafted.
Conventional wisdom around the league is that Gurley is the top back in the draft by a fair margin and that he’ll be the first one taken as long as there’s nothing scary in the medical assessment. Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon disagrees with that assessment.
“He’s considered the special back and the rest of the class, especially me, we’re just another group of guys,” Gordon said, via U-T San Diego. “I don’t find that fair because I feel like I’m a special back. I feel like I can do it all. I’m a playmaker. I can run the ball up the middle. I can run it outside. I can run the ball from the gun. I can do it all. I can catch the ball and make some plays; I’ve done it. ... I think guys just automatically assume because I’m not 230 and I’m not straight bulldozing guys over that I’m not a strong runner, which is false. ... I’m a special back, and I know I am.”
Gordon may not go before Gurley, but Peter King of MMQB.com reported Monday that Gordon won’t make it past the Ravens at No. 26 in the first round. Wherever he winds up, he’ll get the chance to prove he’s as good or better than Gurley after what’s shaping up to be the first opening round with a running back selected since 2012.