Melvin Gordon
Wisconsin, RB
Height: 6.0
Weight: 213
Age: 22
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Athleticism: A
Extremely impressive size-speed ratio and is a talented athlete for the running back position. Playing speed is very good and shows excellent acceleration within a couple of steps. Has very good balance, especially when he leaves his feet on hurdles and is able to keep his balance when he lands. Extremely agile and moves well laterally without gearing down. Doesn’t have a true homerun gear, but isn’t easily tracked from behind. (Ball security is a significant concern.)
Inside Run: D+
Ability to get tough yards on the inside and between the tackles is a concern. Possesses a lean, tall frame with an underpowered upper body. Takes a false step out of his stance which slows his burst to the hole. Bounces most of his runs to the outside and doesn’t find smaller holes up the middle. A lot of his yardage was blocked for him and doesn’t create much on his own. Has average contact balance and doesn’t break many tackles. Rarely picked up more than two yards after contact and goes down too easily on contact. Did not become the featured back until his junior season following the departure of James White for the NFL.
Outside Run: A-
Will make his money in the NFL running outside of the tackles. Is capable of turning the corner against collegiate competition, and has the speed and burst to get to the perimeter and cut upfield. Is patient to let blocks develop in front of him, but can dance when holes don’t open up. Possesses shifty feet and a strong lower body to move through trash on the corner and can hurdle over ankle tackles. Extremely elusive in the open field and has the body control to contort away from contact while moving in a straight line. Dangerous when used on jet sweeps.
Blocking: D
Has the frame of a prototypical pass protector out of the backfield, but results do not match his physique. Frequently led with his shoulder into blocks and did not sustain particularly well. Will dive and whiff at blitzers who go wide of him. Better utilized while on the move and as a run blocker.
Receiving: D
Seldom used as a receiver out of the backfield. Did not run any variety of routes and was rarely targeted until his junior year when he received a small amount of receptions. Lined up as a receiver often, but was only used on jet sweeps when doing so. Hands appear to be average the very best and did not appear to transition after the catch well. Limited sample size and was underwhelming.
Red Flags: System Player
Bottom Line: Many running backs have put up huge numbers at Wisconsin playing in a run blocking scheme that creates huge holes, but few have managed to translate that success to the pros. Melvin Gordon figures to be another Wisconsin back who was able to exploit favorable blocking into eye-popping numbers, despite marginal quarterback play and stacked boxes. Gordon’s inability to run with power between the tackles and marginal third down value should relegate him to a primarily zone blocking offense and has bust potential should he be drafted in the first round.
Comparison: Jamaal Charles
Grade: 8.3 (3rd Round)
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