Todd Gurley NFL Draft 2015: Scouting Report, Grade for Rams' 1st-Round Pick

STRENGTHS

Todd Gurley can do it all. He’s big, fast, agile, can catch the ball and even scored as a kick returner. Coming out of a running back factory, Gurley broke Georgia freshman records with 17 rushing touchdowns and tied Herschel Walker as the only freshman to rush for over 1,000 yards. He was productive every year he was on the field, beating defenses with speed and power.

Gurley is a tank in his lower body and has the leg drive to run through and over defenders. His tree-trunk thighs make it tough for defenders to wrap him up, and when they go low on his legs, he’ll drive his knee into their facemask. He is also elusive, showing the hips and feet to make tacklers miss in the open field. He can then turn on the jets and accelerate away for big gains. He’s strong after contact and has some Marshawn Lynch to his game in that area.

WEAKNESSES

A torn ACL against Auburn kept Gurley out for the second half of the season and has prevented him from working out pre-draft. He was oft-injured at Georgia, and teams must get comfortable with his medicals. While he was out, backup Nick Chubb matched his production in the offense, leading to questions about Gurley being a product of the system.

PRO COMPARISON: Shaun Alexander, former player

There is no great comparison for Gurley, who is a mix of Eddie George and Shaun Alexander, but his ability to score as a runner, receiver and return man at 220-plus pounds reminds of Alexander at Alabama.

2014 STATISTICS

Rushing Attempts: 123
Rushing Yards: 911       
Touchdowns: 9

FINAL GRADE: 7.30/9.00 (Top-15 Player Potential)