Scouting Profile: Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon

Get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class, leading up to the NFL Draft which takes place from April 30 to May 2 in Chicago.

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Melvin Gordon

Position: RB
School: Wisconsin
College Experience: Redshirt Junior
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215 lbs.
Age: 21

Combine Results

Strengths

• Excellent combination of size and speed.
• Great foot speed. Legs stay active as he searches for the hole.
• A decisive, downhill runner. Very slippery in the open field.
• Excellent balance. Bounces off contact from smaller defensive backs.
• A capable and improving receiver.
• Incredibly productive college career. Topped 200 yards in a game six times and led the nation with 29 rushing touchdowns.

Weaknesses

• High-cut frame with less-than-ideal leg bulk.
• Occasionally slows as he approaches the hole. Needs to be more decisive.
• Has a tendency to bounce runs to the outside when he shouldn't.
• A boom or bust runner. Too many carries go for no gain or a loss.
• Too many fumbles.
• Runs with physicality, but not necessarily functional strength.
• Difficult to evaluate his college stats because they were inflated by numerous long runs through gaping holes. He won't see the same running lanes as a pro.

NFL player comparison: Jamaal Charles

Gordon is a Charles clone down to the color of his jersey and the number on his back. It's eerie how similar the two look on tape. The similarities extend to their running style as both are upright, slashing runners, though Gordon lacks the high-end speed of Charles.

Ideal Fit: New York Jets

Gordon could sneak into the first round, but he's more likely to be selected early in the second. The Jets know they need to get faster at running back - as evidenced by the team's signing of Chris Johnson a year ago - and grabbing Gordon with the 37th overall pick would be a great way to do it.

Draft Projection: Round 2 (32-48)