NFL Draft: Could The Colts Draft A Running Back In The First Round?
By Corbin Lewis
The question that makes any Colts fan cringe: Could the Colts draft a running back in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft? The answer may send some of those fans running to the bathroom; They just might.
Running backs are very hard to assess in the process of the draft. Mainly because college is a different world than the NFL. Many times has a running back looked great in college and then fizzle out in the NFL. Also, the value of a running back is low due to the beating they can take and the short shelf life.
The trend for running backs drafted in the first round has gone down in recent memory and here’s why: Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, David Wilson, Mark Ingram, C.J. Spiller, Ryan Mathews, Jahvid Best, Knowshon Moreno, and Beanie Wells.
These eleven running backs were all drafted in the first round since 2009. The list doesn’t really impress. Some of these running backs are often injured, slow to transition to the NFL or are capable of being busts. These are reasons as to why it’s no wonder teams are waiting until the later rounds for a running back.
However, this year, the trend of drafting a running back in the first round is likely to be back. There are two players that many analysts, scouts, and fans think could be called in the first round. Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon.
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Now the Colts have picked up veteran Frank Gore and is not the long-term option for the team. They also have Dan “Boom” Herron, who has his moments, good and bad, and Vick Ballard who has a Derrick Rose-esque injury record. I say the Colts will be definitely drafting a running back in this year’s stacked draft, but in which round?
I do believe Gurley and Gordon will be gone before the Colts even have a chance to think about them. But this is the NFL Draft, crazy things have happened. Gurley could slide due to his ACL tear that he is still rehabbing and Gordon could be passed on due to other team’s needs.
If for some reason either two players drop to the Colts’ lap, will they pull the trigger and draft them? The Colts desperately need a safety (Landon Collins is who I would love the Colts to get), could use help with ILB and offensive and defensive line help, but with two high-profile running backs still on the board, I can see Ryan Grigson pulling that trigger.
Gurley can work behind Gore and not have to be rushed with his rehab process and bring him along slowly. Gordon is that power-runner Pep Hamilton would love for his offense and would compliment Gore greatly.
However, you still have players like Jay Ajayi, Telvin Coleman, Duke Johnson, Ameer Abdullah and many other running backs that will be available in the later rounds who also are potential star running backs.
The Colts will have plenty of options in this stacked running back class. The question is when will they draft their running back? I think it depends how the players fall. It will be a very interesting 2015 draft for the Colts.