Mike Davis Bolsters Already Deep RB Class at South Carolina Pro Day

There is absolutely no reason to select a running back in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. 

Mike Davis provided another reason why on Wednesday at South Carolina's pro day. 

The depth of this year's running back class is bordering on the absurd. At least 11 prospects have the potential to be selected within the first three rounds of the draft. 

Why select Georgia's Todd Gurley or Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon with a valuable first-round selection when a quality prospect can be acquired a round or two later? 

Davis added his name to the conversation with an outstanding workout that answered the two lingering questions about his game.

"Mike's a good tailback," South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier said, per the SEC Network telecast. "He's a good, solid back. He should do well in the pros."

Spurrier alluded to a problem, though, with Davis and his program. 

"I'm always amazed," the coach stated. "The guys are in the best shape of their lives right now, and you wonder why they don't do that when they know they have four years to play here at the University of South Carolina. But it's that way all over the country. When pro day and an NFL opportunity get there, they all get into tiptop shape."

NFL scouts questioned Davis' preparation and conditioning after his production declined as a junior. 

As a sophomore, the Atlanta native ran for 1,183 yards at 5.8 yards per carry. Those numbers dropped to 982 yards and 4.9 yards per carry during his final year on campus. 

"Not the same guy [in 2014]," an anonymous NFC scout told NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "I think he had a rib injury early, but that's not what bothers me. You look at Alshon [Jeffery]'s conditioning, [Jadeveon] Clowney's last year and now Davis? He's got talent, but he can't just half-step and think he's going to make our league."

ESPN.com's Kevin Weidl was on hand in Columbia to cover South Carolina's pro day and add to Davis' concerns while preparing for the event: 

Davis, however, showed up at Wednesday's pro day in tremendous shape. The running back weighed 211 pounds, which was six pounds lighter than his combine weight.

The running back looked svelte, strong and proved to be far more athletic and nimble than expected while working out for scouts at Williams-Brice Stadium.

After running an official 4.61-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, the tailback needed a stellar performance to put himself back into early-round consideration. 

He did so and then some. 

The State's Josh Kendall captured Davis' first attempt at improving his time: 

The unofficial time ranged from a wind-aided 4.38 to 4.45 seconds, depending on who timed the run. The SEC Network posted the former, while South Carolina wide receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. had the latter. 

Either way, it's a tremendous improvement over Davis' previous effort at the combine. 

It also helps dispel one of the other concerns regarding the South Carolina running back: Davis is viewed as a potential workhorse back who lacks a second gear. 

However, his 40 time in Columbia would have placed him somewhere among the top three performers at his position in Indianapolis. 

Davis may not be the fastest back in the draft, as the initial report indicates, but he owns far more speed than he was initially given credit for. 

This only adds to his value as a decisive one-cut runner from an inside-zone scheme who can remain on the field in passing situations. 

Weidl provided an example of Davis' running style: 

The South Carolina running back sees it and takes the yards available to him. He isn't going to dance behind the line of scrimmage and expect a bigger hole to emerge. This type of runner is ideal for a zone-heavy team like the Atlanta Falcons or the Philadelphia Eagles, for example. 

In fact, Davis is the antithesis of former Eagles back LeSean McCoy. It's exactly the reason why a team would move on from such a productive back and potentially consider a talent like Davis in the draft. 

Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins described the type of back his team prefers during an interview on NFL AM: 

"

You look at the style of runner that Chip [Kelly] wants in his offense and even though Shady is one of the best backs in the league, he's not necessarily what Chip is looking for all the time. Chip thinks he's a great running back, he knows his talent is there, but our (system) is really predicated on downhill, somebody who is going to hit the hole every time. It's about getting up in the defenders [sic] face as fast as you can and that's not necessarily Shady's running style.

"

NFL organizations are searching for certain types of runners to fit their systems. Davis will be held in higher regard by some because of his ability to make definitive cuts, particularly in zone-based schemes. 

It just so happens that Davis will work out for the Falcons next week, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter: 

Former South Carolina teammate and recently retired running back Marcus Lattimore sees something special in Davis. Lattimore projects Davis as an all-around back who isn't simply a scheme-specific talent.

"Mike is a special back," Lattimore said on the SEC Network. "I saw that right when he came in as a freshman. He's quick. He's fast. And he's very explosive with a lot of power. He can fit into any offense. He can also catch the ball. At 211 pounds, he's the ideal back that you'd want. He can fit into any NFL scheme."

Davis could contribute as a short-yardage or third-down back early in his career if placed in a running back rotation. 

The South Carolina tailback's decisive style makes him one of the better runners in this year's class when his team only needs a yard or two to extend a drive. 

He even caught 66 passes over the past two seasons. 

Kendall provided a glimpse of Davis with a short reception during the pro day: 

The running back is a natural receiver out of the backfield who is also an adequate blocker in pass protection. This is especially important, because these two factors often keep young running backs off the field early in their careers. 

With his improved speed Wednesday, Davis proved he is a complete running back prospect. 

Once Gurley and Gordon are off the board, Davis will be in the mix with Alabama's T.J. Yeldon, Boise State's Jay Ajayi, Indiana's Tevin Coleman, Miami's Duke Johnson, Michigan State's Jeremy Langford, Minnesota's David Cobb, Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah and Northern Iowa's David Johnson as the next running back off the board. 

The value of each will be based completely on the team's preference within its scheme and how those running backs fit particular needs. 

With so much talent at the position just within the first few rounds and the recent history of running backs not selected in the opening frame, what appears to be a better value: Gurley in the first round or a first-round pick plus Davis in the third round? 

Recent history shows that being the top running back selected doesn't equate to immediate success. The last running back to be selected first in his class and run for 1,000 yards was the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson in 2007. 

On the flip side, the Cincinnati Bengals' Jeremy Hill, Pittsburgh Steelers' Le'Veon Bell, Washington Redskins' Alfred Morris, Philadelphia Eagles' DeMarco Murray, Kansas City Chiefs' Jamaal Charles and McCoy were chosen in the second round or later. 

If teams are patient, a top back will be available in this year's class without spending a valuable first-round asset. 

In the right situation, Davis presents the type of potential to become the most productive running back in this year's class without being one of the first players selected at his position.

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL draft for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @brentsobleski.