What to Expect from Top Rookie NFL Running Backs in 2015
The 2015 NFL draft produced one of the most highly touted classes of running backs in recent memory.
The class snapped a two-year drought of running backs in the first round and saw eight selected within the first three rounds.
So what can we expect from this talented class of NFL freshmen?
The following slideshow analyzes the situation of the eight running backs selected on Day 1 and 2 of the draft and projects their role for their rookie year.
Todd Gurley, Rams
1 of 8
Projected role: Instant starter when healthy
The Rams decision to select Todd Gurley was surprising because the running game wasn't necessarily an area of weakness a season ago.
Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham each had moments of success the past few seasons, and 2014 third-round selection Tre Mason showed some promise after taking over the starting role midway through last year.
Before the draft, all signs pointed to Mason entering the year as the unquestioned starter.
After investing a top-10 selection in Gurley, however, the Rams are clearly headed in a new direction.
Gurley's recovery from ACL surgery will determine exactly when he takes over the starting job, but it's clearly his when he's ready:
"Timeline I was told on Todd Gurley (ACL) involves him being ready for week 2 of training camp. Candidate to start camp on PUP list
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 1, 2015"
Mason is the safe bet to remain as Gurley's primary backup, but Cunningham should still see action in the passing game. In 2014, Cunningham led all Rams running backs with 45 receptions on 49 targets, according to Pro Football Focus.
Melvin Gordon, Chargers
2 of 8
Projected role: Instant starter
Melvin Gordon may have the easiest path to a starting job, with only Branden Oliver, Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead standing in his way.
Given the way running backs are viewed in the league today, it's unlikely that any team would target someone in the first round without the intention of plugging them into an immediate starting role.
Gordon figures to receive the majority of the carries in the San Diego backfield, with the other three running backs competing for the backup role.
The one question that remains regarding Gordon is how often he'll be on the field on passing downs.
He was frequently taken off the field at Wisconsin, hauling in only 22 receptions in his three years with the Badgers.
During his last fully healthy season in 2013, Woodhead was targeted 83 times in the passing game, according to Pro Football Focus, so there is a good chance he'll take some snaps away from Gordon on passing downs.
T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars
3 of 8
Projected role: Competing for starting job
The Jaguars are obviously high on T.J. Yeldon, as they spent the No. 36 overall selection to bring him aboard. But he isn't necessarily guaranteed the starting job for 2015.
Yeldon is most likely competing with Denard Robinson for the bulk of the carries, with Toby Gerhart having an outside shot to win the job if he can rebound from a disappointing first year in Jacksonville.
The most realistic outcome of the competition likely has Yeldon and Robinson sharing the load, with Gerhart behind them.
Robinson is the more electric runner, as he showed during his time as the starter in 2014. At one point, Robinson had a stretch of four straight games with a run of at least 20 yards.
Yeldon, on the other hand, is more of a downhill runner. Late in his career at Alabama, he was used primarily as the short-yardage back after Derrick Henry began to steal carries from him.
The other thing Yeldon has going for him is his pass-protection ability. While he was rarely used as a receiver at Alabama (15 receptions in 2014), he was frequently on the field in passing situations as a blocker.
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Ameer Abdullah, Lions
4 of 8
Projected role: Third-down back
Joique Bell turns 29 in August, but his light usage early in his career likely means he has enough left in the tank to carry the load for the Lions for another season.
Competing for playing time behind Bell and Theo Riddick is a tough position for Ameer Abdullah, and he isn't guaranteed anything as a rookie.
But Abdullah fits the profile of the type of elusive runner GM Martin Mayhew has targeted in the past, such as Reggie Bush and Jahvid Best, suggesting the Lions see a specific role for him in their offense.
With Bell doing the majority of the work in the running game, Abdullah will likely be competing with Riddick for receptions out of the backfield.
Riddick led all Lions running backs with 41 targets in Weeks 8 through 17 last year, according to Pro Football Focus. This could be the role Abdullah finds himself in this season.
Tevin Coleman, Falcons
5 of 8
Projected role: Competing for starting job
The battle between Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman could be ongoing throughout the season, and it's possible no one ever emerges as the true starter.
Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has referred to the two running backs as "1A and 1B" in reference to their standing on the depth chart, giving a slight edge to Coleman.
The Falcons selected Freeman in the fourth round in 2014, but saw very little of him on the field during his rookie year.
According to Pro Football Focus, Freeman played 237 snaps but nearly 70 percent were for passing plays.
As a result, this is essentially a battle between two unknown commodities.
Since both running backs are on the smaller side and both can serve as weapons in the passing game, the Falcons have the option of using them interchangeably. Although if either steps up as the clear front-runner for the starting job, the other would easily shift to the role of a third-down back.
Duke Johnson, Browns
6 of 8
Projected role: Third-down back, return specialist
Despite coming off the board in the third round, Duke Johnson has very little chance to earn the Week 1 starting job in Cleveland.
But that doesn't mean the Browns don't have a significant role for him in their offense.
Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell will compete for the bulk of the carries in Cleveland, but neither offered the Browns any production as a receiver out of the backfield during their rookie years.
During his final season at Miami, Johnson had nearly twice as many receptions (38) as West and Crowell combined for in Cleveland (20) in 2014.
As the best receiver and the most explosive runner of the group, Johnson will likely be the primary running back on passing downs.
Johnson also figures to be a factor in the return game for the Browns.
Speaking to ClevelandBrowns.com, special teams coach Chris Tabor recently said of Johnson: “We feel that he had that ability [as a kick returner] and he’s developing as a punt returner. We’re excited about, hopefully, what we can do with him.”
David Johnson, Cardinals
7 of 8
Projected role: Competing for backup job
According to Pro Football Focus, returning starter Andre Ellington received 75 percent of the touches given to Cardinals running backs before his season-ending injury in Week 13.
The workload may be reduced slightly due to the addition of David Johnson, but Ellington remains the clear-cut starter.
As a result, Johnson is competing with Stepfan Taylor for the backup job.
Speaking to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (via NFL.com), Bruce Arians recently had this to say about Johnson's future with the team: "The kid can do anything as far as a wide receiver, running back, fullback. He will find a niche quick because he can learn so much."
While Arians clearly likes Johnson's well-rounded ability, that statement also makes it clear that Johnson doesn't have a defined role on the team right now.
At 6'1", 224 pounds, Johnson has a considerable size advantage over Ellington, which may give him the opportunity to take some carries away in short-yardage situations.
Matt Jones, Redskins
8 of 8
Projected role: Alfred Morris' backup
The departure of Roy Helu to the Raiders opened up the backup job behind Morris, and third-round selection Matt Jones will compete with Silas Redd for the job.
Morris received 82 percent of all carries given to Redskins running backs in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus, so Jones probably shouldn't be a target for your fantasy team this fall.
However, Morris does turn 27 this year and has been receiving a heavy workload for three consecutive seasons. It's possible the Redskins spent a third-round pick on Jones because they view him as the guy who could take some carries from Morris to help keep him fresh as he gets older.
Redd figures to be given an opportunity to compete with Jones, but he was on the field for just 13 snaps a season ago, so he is as much an unknown as the rookie.
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