Melvin Gordon: 2015 NFL Combine Results, Highlights and Twitter Reaction

The running back position seems to be on the verge of a renaissance in the NFL draft, and Melvin Gordon set out to lead the charge Saturday at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine.

There is no doubt that there has been less emphasis on drafting running backs early over the past few years. A few backs have an opportunity to crack the first round in 2015, though, and Gordon may very well be the best among them.

According to Doug Farrar of SI.com, Gordon entered the combine with the mentality of making running backs en vogue again.

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There are a lot of running backs out here, including myself, who are trying to break that trend. We've been telling people all year that we're capable of being drafted in the first round, that's been our goal, and hopefully, we can change that. There's a lot of talent in this class. We're a close group, and I think we have the talent to go first.

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The former Wisconsin standout enjoyed an unbelievable collegiate career with the Badgers, and he attempted to supplement that showcasing his skills at the combine.

Gordon did well, although he isn't necessarily a workout warrior like some of his peers. He is a dominant in-game performer, though, which is his greatest asset.

With that said, here is a full listing of Gordon's combine statistics:

Height	Weight	Arm Length	Hand Size
40-Yard Dash	Bench Press	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump
Three-Cone Drill	20-Yard Shuttle	60-Yard Shuttle
6'1"	215 lbs.	32 3/8"	9 3/4"
4.52	19	35"

Most probably expected Gordon to post a blazing-fast 40-yard dash time at the combine, and while he was certainly among the best backs in that drill Saturday, his unofficial time of 4.52 seconds didn't jump off the page.

Ryan Wood of The Green Bay Press-Gazette was one of many who figured the reigning Doak Walker Award winner would post a better time:

One person who wasn't at all concerned with Gordon's time, though, was NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock, per NFL.com College Football 24/7:

By the time every running back finished their two attempts, Gordon was a respectable fifth, less than one-tenth of a second behind Michigan State's Jeremy Langford, according to NFL on ESPN:

Speed is definitely an important element of every running back's game, but it is far from the only aspect that they need to excel in.

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is a perfect example of that, and Gordon just so happens to compare quite favorably to Beast Mode, according to NFL Network on Twitter:

While 40 times never tell the entire story, ESPN Stats & Info points out that they do seem to have a substantial impact on draft stock:

Luckily for Gordon, though, he stood out in other aspects. A prime example of that was his weigh-in as he tipped the scale at 215 pounds, which was up from the last time he was officially weighed, per Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com:

The fact that Gordon touched the ball so often in college is something that could give NFL teams pause, but he showed at the combine that he has a durable frame capable of taking a pounding.

Gordon also looked good in positional drills, and he especially stood out as a pass-catcher in the eyes of Mayock, according to Bleacher Report's Ian Kenyon:

Observers are always looking to compare incoming rookies to established players, and while NFL Network detailed the similarities between Gordon and Lynch, ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler sees a lot of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in Gordon:

Regardless of which Pro Bowl back Gordon is most similar to, any team that drafts him would obviously love for him to ascend to that level.

There is inherent risk involved with drafting any running back early regardless of their talent level. Simply put, backs have a shorter shelf life than most other players due to the punishment they absorb.

At the same time, a great running back can still be the featured part of a successful offense even in a pass-first league.

Gordon has that type of ability, and while he didn't necessarily boost his stock at the combine, he didn't hurt it either.

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