2015 NFL Draft: 5 Running Backs Who Will Have Immediate Impact in NFL

NFL fans love running backs. NFL teams love players who play the running back position but can contribute in more than one facet of the game. Five all-around running backs who truly stand out are going to be drafted this year, and all of them should impact early.

They hail from all throughout the country. But the best of the best come from mainly the SEC, the Big Ten and, yes, the Mountain West. With every running back, there will be a pro comparison for how they play. Every comparison is a "90 percent comparison" or best-case scenario for each player.

Ameer Abdullah, University of Nebraska

5'9", 195 pounds

Senior

NFL Comparison: Tiki Barber

Ameer Abdullah runs with a reckless abandon that most running backs out there just don't have. When he's on the field, it's almost a given that he's going to be touching the ball. He's got excellent vision and balance, and he bursts through holes quickly and powerfully.

The biggest asset that he has as an all-around back is his ability to make all of his catches look natural. His drawbacks are all about his size and speed. His small frame will bring back comparisons to Warrick Dunn and Tiki Barber. However, the way he runs the ball is more similar to the former Giant.

Abdullah might end up being the best value at running back in the draft. Much like Devonta Freeman was last year, Abdullah could be a fourth-round pick who is better than his draft position would imply. His projectable skills like vision and balance are some of the best in the class, though.

Early in his career, he should be someone who can be a change-of-pace back. Pairing him with a power running back to help limit some of the hits he has to take should help him adjust to the NFL more quickly. Abdullah should have Pro Bowl potential early in his career. 

College Stats

2014: 12 Games Played, 237 Carries, 1,523 Yards, 18 Touchdowns, 16 Catches, 208 Yards, 3 Touchdowns, 11 Kick Returns, 272 Yards

2013: 13 Games Played, 281 Carries, 1,690 Yards, 9 Touchdowns, 26 Catches, 232 Yards, 2 Touchdowns, 4 Kick Returns, 77 Yards

2012: 14 Games Played, 226 Carries, 1,137 Yards, 8 Touchdowns, 24 Catches, 178 Yards, 2 Touchdowns, 16 Punt Returns, 209 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 17 Kick Returns, 360 Yards

2011: 13 Games Played, 42 Carries, 150 Yards, 3 Touchdowns, 1 Catch, 11 Yards, 16 Punt Returns, 109 Yards, 26 Kick Returns, 763 Yards, 1 Touchdown

Jay Ajayi, Boise State University

6'0", 216 pounds

Redshirt Junior

NFL Comparison: Clinton Portis

Jay Ajayi is a good back for a team that wants someone who can come in and play multiple roles within the offense. He's not the fastest back, but he's got great size and vision. He's not very laterally quick, but his straight-line speed should be around average.

As a receiver out of the backfield, he tends to use his vision to find the best holes in the defense. He can also block effectively on outside blitzers. Unfortunately, he has some issues going against the inside blitzes and can look clunky going against a blitzing "Mike" or safety.

He's likely going to be drafted in the earlier parts of the third round or even as high as the late second when all is said and done. Teams will fall in love with his size and receiving ability. He's got a bit of Le'Veon Bell in his game as well and can break tackles effectively.

Ayaji has a bit of a dark-horse feel to his game. He's not the best at any individual aspect, but his size, speed and vision will help him impact early. He should be especially useful in the red zone as a dual-threat with some power. His similarities to Clinton Portis could be shown if he winds up in a zone scheme.

College Stats

2014: 13 Games Played, 325 Carries, 1,689 Yards, 25 Touchdowns, 45 Catches, 536 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 2 Tackles, 1 Tackle For Loss

2013: 13 Games Played, 249 Carries, 1,425 Yards, 18 Touchdowns, 22 Catches, 222 Yards, 1 Touchdown

2012: 11 Games Played, 82 Carries, 548 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 1 Catch, 14 Yards, 1 Kick Return, 16 Yards

2011: Redshirted

Melvin Gordon, University of Wisconsin

6'1", 213 pounds

Redshirt Junior

NFL Comparison: Terrell Davis

Melvin Gordon has a build, speed and vision similar to what Terrell Davis had as a tailback in the NFL. However, unlike Davis, he tends to focus on trying to break runs to the outside too often. Teams will be happier if he can start running between the tackles more effectively.

He does have the speed to burn a defense long, but it's still not that 4.4 speed that the Chris Johnsons of the world have. He also has some solid size to be effective on the inside runs, but his agility makes him an asset on those outside runs.

The questions in his game coming out are in blitz protections and as a receiver. He doesn't have much experience catching the ball and doesn't look natural doing so. On top of that, he doesn't see a lot of downs where he is asked to hold up to a pass rush.

An NFL team will definitely be able to get some impact out of Gordon early, though. He's got the ability to step right in and be the workhorse running back who takes 10-15 carries a game and helps establish the run. His best bet would be a team that runs a zone scheme, though.

College Stats

2014: 13 Games Played, 309 Carries, 2,336 Yards, 26 Touchdowns, 17 Catches, 151 Yards, 3 Touchdowns, 2 Tackles

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

2012: 14 Games Played, 62 Carries, 621 Yards, 3 Touchdowns, 2 Catches, 65 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 7 Kick Returns, 151 Yards, 1 Tackle

2011: 4 Games Played, 20 Carries, 98 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 1 Kick Return, 23 Yards, 1 Tackle

Redshirted after a groin injury in the fourth game of his true freshman season

Todd Gurley, University of Georgia

6'1", 226 pounds

Junior 

NFL Comparison: Steven Jackson

Todd Gurley is a meast—half-man, half-beast. He's just a hoss who, at 6'1", 226 pounds, can run a 4.4 in the 40 and take it to the house from anywhere on the field. He's got soft hands when he catches the ball and understands how to knock around guys in pass protection too.

Gurley is a powerful runner who understands how to use his size to his advantage. He has a violence to his game that can't be taught. Chris Ivory and Steven Jackson are the best comparison for how he plays, as they are also violent, oversized tailbacks.

Gurley's biggest questions come from his injury history and his vision not being ideal. Sometimes he follows plays almost to a T, and it makes it tough for him to find the best possible hole by doing that. Tearing an ACL during this past season won't help him much, either.

An NFL team will likely use him sparingly early in the season, as he will still be recovering from the knee injury. However, the bruiser out of Georgia should start looking like a Le'Veon Bell clone partway through his rookie year and could be a Pro Bowl starter early in his career.

College Stats

2014: 6 Games Played, 123 Carries, 911 Yards, 9 Touchdowns, 12 Catches, 57 Yards, 4 Kick Returns, 179 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 1-of-1 Passing, 50 Yards

2013: 10 Games Played, 165 Carries, 989 Yards, 10 Touchdowns, 37 Catches, 441 Yards, 6 Touchdowns

2012: 14 Games Played, 222 Carries, 1,385 Yards, 17 Touchdowns, 16 Catches, 117 Yards, 7 Kick Returns, 243 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 1 Tackle

Josh Robinson, Mississippi State University

5'9", 215 pounds

Redshirt Junior

NFL Comparison: Maurice Jones-Drew

Josh Robinson might be the most underrated back in the entirety of college football. He's a bit small at just 5'9", 215 pounds, but he's able to run with power and break a ton of tackles. He's also shifty and has some good top-end speed.

His overall comparison is closest to Maurice Jones-Drew, as they are both compact builds with underrated speed. They are also a pair of guys who can hold up exceptionally well in pass protection despite being physically overmatched at times.

Robinson's true strength comes from when he gets the ball in space on a screen or on a swing route. He uses his speed and vision to find the best possible holes and bursts right through them. His ability to run between the tackles will give him some early impact.

Teams can use him as either a one-cut and go zone-style running back. Or they could use him behind man-blocking concepts that allow him to get isolated on defensive backs. Or, even more ideally, they can just put him on the field as a jack of all trades and reap the benefits.

College Stats

2014: 12 Games Played, 177 Carries, 1,128 Yards, 11 Touchdowns, 28 Catches, 370 Yards, 1 Touchdown

2013: 13 Games Played, 78 Carries, 459 Yards, 3 Touchdowns, 12 Catches, 115 Yards

2012: 12 Games Played, 55 Carries, 335 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 3 Catches, 8 Yards, 1 Tackle

2011: Redshirted

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 and Rotoworld.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.

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