Green Bay Packers 2015 NFL Draft: Breaking down the running back prospects

Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) runs against Vanderbilt Commodores defensive back Torren McGaster (5). Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tier One

1. Todd Gurley, Georgia (6-1, 222)
2. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin (6-1, 215)

The Skinny: Two very talented backs headline this class, and they could each be taken in the first round.

If either of them gets their name called Thursday night, it will be the first time a running back was selected in the first round since 2012.

Gurley is the most gifted back of this class. He’s the perfect blend of power, speed, and quickness. He can run defenders over or make them miss in the open field.

He completely tore up the top defense in the country the past two seasons when he posted a 198-yard and three-touchdown performance and a 154-yard and two touchdown performance against Clemson.

The comparisons to Marshawn Lynch aren’t far off.

He’s a once in a generation type of talent, and he may be the best running back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson.

Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25). Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

The only questions about Gurley’s game are his durability. With his injury history and punishing running style, some wonder how long of a career he’ll have in the NFL.

Gordon is an explosive runner with big-play ability out of the backfield.

He may not be as physical of a runner as Gurley, but he can still grind it out between the tackles. However, Gordon is best when he can bounce outside and make plays in space.

He was highly productive at Wisconsin, and that even feels like an understatement. In 2014, he posted the second-most single-season rushing yards in FBS history with 2,587 and briefly held the FBS single-game rushing record with 408 yards on the ground against Nebraska.

He also led the nation last season in touchdowns with 29, and he is making the transition to the NFL with a good bill of health.

Gordon is the Jamaal Charles of this year’s running back class, and is a player, who once he improves his hands and receiving ability, could be the all-purpose back NFL teams are looking for to feature in their offense.

Next: Tier Two