2015 Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: RB Melvin Gordon

The Atlanta Falcons have Devonta Freeman as the current starter on their depth chart for running back. If the Falcons were to take a running back early in the draft, Melvin Gordon is almost as good of a pick as Todd Gurley would be. He's a true zone-scheme back who makes his living off of his excellent vision.

The Falcons are moving to a zone scheme with new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and should be a great scheme fit for the talented Wisconsin running back. Shanahan would love how Gordon is built and would love his similarities to another back his dad coached named Terrell Davis.

Melvin Gordon

Running Back

University of Wisconsin

Combine/Pro Day Measurements

Height: 6'0 ⅝"	Weight: 215 pounds	Arm Length: 32 ⅜"
Hand Measurement: 9 ¾"	40-yard dash: 4.52 sec.	10-yard split: 1.63 sec.
20-yard shuttle: 4.07 sec.	3-cone Drill: 7.04 sec.	Bench Reps: 19 reps
Vertical Jump: 35.0"	Broad Jump: 10'6"

Stats

2014: 14 Games Played, 343 Carries, 2,587 Yards, 29 Touchdowns, 19 Catches, 153 Yards, 3 Touchdowns, 2 Tackles

2013: 13 Games Played, 206 Carries, 1,609 Yards, 12 Touchdowns, 1 Catch, 10 Yards, 1 Tackle, 1 Forced Fumble

2012: 14 Games Played, 62 Carries, 621 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 2 Catches, 65 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 7 Kick Returns, 151 Yards, 1 Tackle

2011: 3 Games Played, 20 Carries, 98 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 1 Kick Return, 23 Yards, 1 Tackle

Medical Redshirted after three games due to a groin injury in 2011

Scouting Report

Strengths

Gordon has some of the best vision out of any running back in the class. He sees holes before they develop and understands how to navigate through the second and third levels of a defense effectively. He also understands how to set up his blocks effectively to open holes even bigger.

His quickness and raw speed is something that helps him gain big yardage once he settles into his rhythm in games as well. As a whole, he has a ton of natural rushing talent and a nose for the end zone and is a home run threat from anywhere on the field.

Weaknesses

Gordon isn't a great pass-blocker or pass-catcher. He's not used often in the passing game and has been almost entirely a true running back in every sense of the word. He's got a lot of refining to his game in the passing aspects that needs to be done. 

There isn't much power to his game, and when he does break tackles, it's more due to his shiftiness and not taking a straight hit from the guys trying to take him down. There is functional strength there to improve in both aspects, but Gordon will never be thought of as a power back even if he improves here.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

The first check against the Comrade Filter is always whether or not the player has been arrested or suspended, and Gordon passes that one easily. The Falcons also love coachable players, but when it's a running back, the question comes more from pass protection than anything else.

On top of all of that, the Falcons tend to prefer seniors and redshirt juniors—which Gordon is. The only way that this could look like an even better fit for the Falcons off the field is if Gordon were a captain for the Wisconsin Badgers while he was in college.

Overview

Gordon compares favorably to Davis in a lot of aspects of his game. As a runner, he's a true vision runner, and as a receiver, he's a bit unproven compared to the majority of his competition. Teams will love him as a pro because he's a true feature running back.

The Wisconsin product has the talent to be a top running back in the NFL if he's in the right scheme. Atlanta could bring the most out of him if they take him due to the Shanahan-style zone-blocking scheme that would open a ton of cutback lanes for him to run through.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans

The Falcons would likely have to trade into the back-end of the first round or hope that Gordon slips to them in the second round to have a shot at selecting him. He'd be able to start right away for the Falcons and would move Freeman back to a change-of-pace role.

The Falcons would have a franchise running back for the first time since Michael Turner signed with them out of San Diego. Having a top-tier running back could help Matt Ryan have one of his best years ever while also giving the Falcons balance on offense. Gordon has that potential to be a top-tier back.

All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required), ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He's also a Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.

Follow @ScottCarasik