Melvin Gordon
OVERVIEW
In 2014, posted the second-most single-season rushing yards in FBS History with 2,587 (Barry Sanders is No. 1 with 2,628 in 1988). Won Doak Walker Award (nation's best running back) and was selected first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten. Was Heisman runner-up to Marcus Mariota. Gordon briefly held the FBS single-game rushing record with 408 yards against Nebraska. Set school records with 12 100-yard games and six 200-yard games. Led the nation with 29 rushing touchdowns. In 2013, selected second-team All-Big Ten after leading the nation with 7.8 yards per carry. Was the only player in FBS with three runs of 70-plus yards. In 2012, rushed for 216 yards in Big Ten Championship Game against Nebraska. In 2011, played in three games before a groin injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Was first-team All-State and Offensive Player of the Year in Wisconsin after rushing for 2,009 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior. Growing up, Michigan State cornerback and 2015 draft prospect Trae Waynes was his best friend.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Tall, leggy running back with shredded physique. Transitions run from inside to outside without losing any speed. Can cover five yards in two strides when fully unlocked in open field. Impressive 20-yard burst, creating space to hit the big runs. Averaged 7.6 yards per carry over last two seasons. Had 40 runs for 15-plus yards in 2014. Shifty in open field without having to hesitate. Uses jump-cut at line of scrimmage to change gaps and avoid tacklers. Has an effective spin move to make defenders miss in open field. Great agility and plus balance hurdling opponents diving at his legs. Feet keep moving in tight spaces, probing for daylight. Able to consistently beat college defenders to flank. Loves to run over the tackles. Shows ability to create for himself and has burst and agility to turn small gain into big one. Improved as a pass-catcher over second half of the 2014 season.
WEAKNESSES
Desires to bounce runs wide too often. Not as trusting of blocking from B-gap to B-gap. Held to "stuffs" -- runs resulting in no yards or a loss -- on 19.2 percent of his carries. Feel and instincts as interior runner need improvement. Shows indecisiveness as one-cut runner. Would gear down and stutter-step to line, waiting for crease to show itself rather than adjusting on fly and taking what was available. Play strength through hole was only average. Used speed over strength to create many missed or broken tackles. Benefited from gaping running lanes. Ball security was an issue. Fumbled six times over his final five games, often being stripped while finishing run. Uncomfortable pass-catcher with marginal hands. Either dropped, double caught or smothered many throws. Pass protection needs work. Might have to come off field on third downs.
NFL COMPARISON
Robert Smith
BOTTOM LINE
Angular, talented open-field runner who combines outstanding burst with a long stride to gain separation and hit the home run. He won't be able to outrun NFL defenders like he did in college and must develop more feel between the tackles. Gordon shines when his track runs over tackle or around the end and can put a defense to sleep around the corner. Not trustworthy enough to be a three-down back, but his pass-catching improved enough to utilize him out of backfield as a receiver.
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Malcom Brown
OVERVIEW
Granted draft eligibility as an underclassman. Was a 2014 finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy (most outstanding defensive player) and for the Outland Trophy (top interior lineman). Selected first-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12. Became first defensive tackle to lead Texas in tackles for loss and sacks since Tony Degrate in 1984. Started every game over the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Did not start in 2012, but playing time increased drastically over the second half of the season. Played in the 2012 Under Armour All-American Game and was selected to the All-State team once and All-District team three times as a prep. Is married (wife's name is Faith) with two children, Rayna and Mayah.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Showed great improvement during 2014 season and is considered a "riser" on draft boards by league scouts. Good bend in his hips to play low off the snap. Athletic big man who improved his quickness this year. Began to impose his will more frequently late in the season. Excels once he reaches a lineman's edge. Flashes power and control in his hands. Discards blockers when ready as a read-and-react defender and uses a punch to keep himself clean and scrape down the line after ball carriers. Eyes stay glued on ball carrier no matter what battle is in front of him. Can recover and improve positioning if he is losing early in snap. Light on his feet and diagnoses very quickly. Hard defender for offensive linemen to cross-face. Too athletic and talented to consistently single block.
WEAKNESSES
Despite size and frame, not consistently physical at the point of attack. Has average power in his lower body and struggles to hold his ground against double teams. Looking for secondary motor as rusher. Effort level stalls when his pass rush stalls. Is in need of a more polished counter move as a pass rusher. Would benefit from improved strength and ability to vary game from penetration to power. Plays hard but scouts do not consider him a "glass-eater."
NFL COMPARISON
Sylvester Williams
BOTTOM LINE
Penetrating big man who took a huge step forward as an NFL prospect in 2014. Brown has hand quickness and uses hands like an NFL starter. His instincts and feel off the snap help him to get into the backfield quickly. Some personnel men believe Brown can play multiple spots along the line in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, which could put him in play for a high number of teams.
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Eddie Goldman
OVERVIEW
Selected third-team All-American and first-team All-ACC in 2014 while starting 14 games. Integral part of 2013 Florida State defense that helped propel team to BCS National Championship. Consensus 5-star prospect and Under Armour All-American with 23 tackles for loss and 15 sacks as a senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy Public Charter School (D.C.). Goldman played basketball and competed in track in high school, too.
PRO DAY RESULTS
40-yard dash: 5.27 seconds
Vertical jump: 26 inches
20-yard short shuttle: 4.87 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.62 seconds
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Carries broad shoulders and well-proportioned frame. Plays the run like a full-grown man. Outstanding power in upper body. Plays with good hip flexion. Explodes out of stance and into defenders with force and leverage. Violent hands that jar offensive linemen and force them into defensive posture. Able to shed blockers with hands or with clubbing arms and spring into ball carrier. Can two-gap at the point of attack and plays square throughout, leveraging gap when offenses try to block him on an angle. Bull-rusher with ability to invert pocket, ringing up six sacks over last two seasons.
WEAKNESSES
Scouts consider him incomplete as a player due to his lack of consistent pass rush. Marginal burst upfield. Square rusher who hasn't learned to get to shoulder of the guard consistently yet. Rushes with leg stiffness and plays too tall when attacking. No pet move to create an opening. Scouts have questions about whether or not he can be an explosive penetrator in a 4-3 front.
NFL COMPARISON
Randy Starks
BOTTOM LINE
His power at the point of attack and ability to discard blockers and actually make plays rather than just eating space will have 3-4 teams very excited about their potential nose guard of the future. However, his lack of pass-rushing prowess could limit just how high he rises on draft boards.
