The Raiders.com Draft Prospects series is back for 2015. You can find information on each prospect invited to the NFL's Annual Scouting Combine by position. We continue with a look at the RUNNING BACKS invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. *Photos courtesy of the respective player's university or college.
Ameer Abdullah | 5-9 | 195 | Nebraska
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Decisive runner with good lower-body drive and a willingness to run behind his pads. Finishes his runs. Has NFL-caliber burst and can hit top speed quickly. Defenses must respect his ability to turn the corner on play-side. Patient runner with plus vision. Willing to seek out cutback lanes. Rarely dances to the line or makes unnecessary lateral moves. Isn't a predictable runner. Lacks blazing top-end speed but plays fast. Highly competitive with a high football IQ. Hasn't dropped a pass in two years and can be a valuable weapon in passing attack. Will make arm tacklers pay and is better in short yardage than most backs his size. Can help immediately as a punt or kick returner. Personal and football character is considered off-the-charts by the scouting community.
Jay Ajayi | 6-0 | 216 | Boise St
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Good size and great feet. Former soccer player with sudden feet. Able to string together multiple moves at a time. Varies speeds as a runner and can call on second gear when he sees daylight. Hips and feet always in sync thanks to soccer background. Shows enough wiggle to make defenders miss and can create and improvise if creases aren't offering much. Runs with wide base and generates leg drive to push. Plays with bend and bursts through the hole with low pad level. Reliable yards-after-contact back. Accelerates into contact on second level. True weapon out of backfield with adequate hands and good feel for maximizing each catch in space. Twists and turns and fights to fall forward. Asked to be physical, downhill runner between tackles and he obliged. Shows good blitz recognition. Showed mental toughness and character, coming back from deep in the doghouse for October 2011 arrest.
Buck Allen | 6-1 | 220 | Southern California
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Loose hips for tight turns and razor-sharp cuts. Has quick-stop, jump-cut ability to make defenders miss in the backfield. Can slalom back and forth, navigating around traffic through the line of scrimmage and into the second level. Able to shake linebackers and downhill safeties in space. Short-area acceleration to give leg-tacklers a vanishing target. Has lateral quickness to bounce runs outside and create something out of nothing. Factors into passing game, averaging 11.3 yards per catch over last two seasons. Plays with adequate burst through the crease. Able to handle a heavy workload if asked.
Cameron Artis-Payne | 5-11 | 210 | Auburn
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Patient runner who waits for blocks to develop before attacking the hole. Will duck his head and finish a run. Short-stepper who gets to top speed quickly. Looks to keep the runs north and south. Effective spin move on second level. Good ball security. Due to stocky frame, defenders underestimate his burst around the corner and tend to take poor angles on him. Willing banger between tackles.
Dominque Brown | 6-2 | 241 | Louisville
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Big back with power potential. Adequate vision with lower-body strength to dismiss angle tackles lacking commitment. Effectively presses line of scrimmage on inside zone runs. Runs along scheduled track and generally stays square to line of scrimmage. Soft hands out of the backfield and has enough straight-line speed to win on wheel route. Size and strength to become above average in pass protection.
Malcolm Brown | 5-11 | 222 | Texas
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Strong finisher who gathers and delivers a blow at point of initial impact. Will run through arm tackles. Falls forward and churns out as much as he can from his runs. Showed ability to wear down defenses. Plus blocker who steps up to take on blitzers. Capable pass receiver out of backfield. Rarely hesitates as a runner. Has decent jump-cut in the hole to avoid sudden traffic. Had success with zone plays early in his career. Known as a good worker in the weight room and considered a quiet, high-character player and person.
Mike Burton | 6-0 | 230 | Rutgers
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Crafty pass-catcher out of backfield. Shows desired speed into routes and is always ready for the throw. Good, not great, ball-catcher who is able to adjust to poor throws. Agile with ability to make defenders miss in space. Has radar to find his assignment as lead blocker. Gives good effort to mirror and stay connected at contact in protection.
B.J. Catalon | 5-9 | 190 | Texas Christian
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Uses small, choppy steps as a runner, allowing for maximum balance, body control and change of direction. Comfortable in outside-zone game with one-cut burst to hit it downhill or acceleration to ride track to the corner. Changes run tempo to create indecisiveness from defenders. Versatile. Lined up in the slot as a receiver at times and also returned some kickoffs. Ran quality slant routes and showed an ability to catch the ball over the middle. Vision is a plus and sees steep cutback lanes.
David Cobb | 5-11 | 220 | Minnesota
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Powerful, compact runner with a low center of gravity. Efficient and decisive. Makes defenders miss with slight movement and hand usage. Won't succumb to arm tackles. Gained 54 percent of his yardage after contact from 2013-2014. Patient runner who gets the most from his runs. Has good speed in open field for a back his size. Balance is his friend. Smooth change-of-direction with little wasted motion. Gets low and finishes with leg drive. When he smells the end zone, he wants to eat.
Tevin Coleman | 6-1 | 210 | Indiana
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Decisive north-south runner. Outstanding three-step burst into second level. Fearless between the tackles. Has dangerous jump-cut to instantly change gaps and ruin the plans of linebackers. Stays square to the line and is always in ready position to hit turbo. Fluid and flexible lower body with elite one-cut ability and natural change-of-direction talent without gearing down. Power in legs to slice through arm tackles and uses free hand as quality stiff-arm. Violent run finisher. Will duck shoulder and throw heavy forearm into tackler to prove a point. Not a content runner -- keeps feet moving after contact and won't give in. Capable hands out of backfield and willing to square up and engage pass rushers on pass plays. Hits top speed so quickly that safeties and linebackers repeatedly take poor angles, leading to long touchdowns. Half of his 28 career rushing touchdowns were of 43-plus yards, including eight of 64-plus yards.
John Crockett | 6-0 | 202 | North Dakota St
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Played in pro-style attack. Patient runner. Has feel for the hole and a sense of timing on when to burst. High school high-jumper. Has hip explosion and enough suddenness to shake a downhill safety and long speed to finish with a big play. Impressive feet that jump cut, side step and reset with ease. Can make tight moves. Proved to be dangerous out of the backfield. Consistent production while playing for a consistent winner. Tenacious, with strong desire to succeed. Big personality with loads of confidence.
Mike Davis | 5-9 | 223 | South Carolina
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Compact frame with plus balance as a runner. Keeps feet moving in traffic and can pinball from defender to defender. Uses spin move effectively to avoid the hit and keep running. Will duck head and accelerate behind his pads with force to finish his runs. Downhill runner near the end zone with adequate push to grind out the extra half yard needed. Creates separation to the perimeter with quality stiff arm and showed surprising top-end speed to hit the long run in 2013. Gets adequate separation out of backfield and can convert the catch into a first down. Capable in pass protection with understanding of protections.
Michael Dyer | 5-9 | 212 | Louisville
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Has experience in pro-style sets. Willing to keep his running track between the tackles. Not a physical runner, but has enough leg strength to break open field tackle attempts near his legs. Drops pad level and protects the ball at point of impact. Was at his best in big game against Florida State. Only fumbled once in 153 carries while at Louisville.
Jahwan Edwards | 5-10 | 219 | Ball St
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Desired size and strength to carry the load. Smooth glider. Maneuvers through pockets of traffic and has feel for finding a crease. Consistently finishes run and falls forward. Will hit the gas and steam into contact with pads low. Drives legs at contact and will force another defender to come help with the tackle. Shows adequate one-cut talent with an ability to cut it across the grain when needed. Stepped it up as receiver his senior year with 29 catches for 236 yards. Solid hands and ran diverse routes at times rather than just being safety option in flat. Consistent, high-end production for three straight years.
Jalston Fowler | 6-1 | 248 | Alabama
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Has desired size. Made transition from running back to fullback. Willing iso-blocker. Flashes ability to rock linebackers. Has been used as a move fullback and can catch out of the backfield. Sifts through the masses and finds his responsibility in pass protection. Good body control and vision. Makes reads on stretch plays and finds his target. Can get rush yards that other fullbacks can't.
Melvin Gordon | 6-1 | 213 | Wisconsin
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: 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.
Todd Gurley | 6-1 | 226 | Georgia
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Rare blend of speed and power. Immense power in legs and shows balance through contact. Shreds arm tackles and has speed to house it. Very hard to tackle on an angle. Professional, decisive runner. Presses line of scrimmage to set up his cut-back runs. Gets downhill with knee bend and forward lean, staying small through the hole. Uses quick, tight steps to second level. Will sink and explode into tackler or side-step and jet, causing hesitation in downhill safeties with their approach. Converts "speed to power" between tackles and around corner. Rarely looks to run out of bounds and finishes his runs. Able to factor out of the backfield with soft hands and ability to adjust to throws. In 2014, churned out an amazing 61.9 percent of his rushing yardage after contact. Strong hands and carries ball tight to his body. Only three fumbles in 510 carries.
Dee Hart | 5-9 | 190 | Colorado St
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Played only one year at Colorado State, but teammates rallied around him. Runs with determination and finishes his runs with some attitude in the open field. Plays bigger than his listed size. Uses head and shoulder fakes to freeze open-field tacklers and buy himself time to the outside. Is a natural out of the backfield and is able to get separation with his routes. Presses line of scrimmage as zone runner and understands how to set up blocks. Throws effective cut blocks in pass protection.
Braylon Heard | 5-11 | 189 | Kentucky
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Instant zoom. Can hit top gear as quickly as the top-end runners in this draft. Short-strider with outstanding change-of-direction talent. Patient runner with burst, feet and vision to squeeze through small creases. Runs with swivel hips and can plant and cut at sharp angles. Vision is a plus and understands how to run a tight track through the hole. Idolizes Reggie Bush and it shows with his hands and ability to separate out of backfield. Willing to stick his nose in and make honest attempt in pass protection.
Kenny Hilliard | 6-0 | 232 | Louisiana St
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Decent top-end speed and can catch the ball well out of the backfield. Finds open spaces in passing game and sets up blocks after the catch. Doesn't dance to the line and finishes off runs falling forward. Play speed is adequate but could improve if carrying less weight.
Joey Iosefa | 6-0 | 245 | Hawaii
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: No-nonsense runner who prefers to rush between the tackles. Will coil his hips and deliver a blow into second-level linebackers attempting to tackle him and pass rushers in pass protection. Often leans shoulder into contact, absorbing blow while resetting feet to continue his run. Functional ability to cut and take it downhill. Can catch the ball out of the backfield and is adequate in pass protection.
David Johnson | 6-1 | 229 | Northern Iowa
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Looks good on the hoof. Possesses a big body and falls forward for additional yards. Smooth pass-catcher out of the backfield and is a mismatch for linebackers. Has been a consistent weapon out of the backfield while in college. Uses an effective jump cut on inside runs to change direction and can string a couple of them together on the same run. Has good long speed when he gets into space.
Duke Johnson | 5-9 | 206 | Miami
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Explosive burst and plays with suddenness. Elusive in tight quarters. Has lightning in his feet. Has hips and feet to stop and start without stalling. Rare ability on stretch plays to hit cutback lanes that other backs can't get to. Runs with patience and a well-timed burst. Has great feel as zone-scheme, one-cut runner. Changes direction without breaking stride. Courageous runner. Shows no fear when getting downhill. Strong-willed competitor with toughness. Has second gear around the corner and can erase the angles. Gets small(er) through the hole and runs behind pads. Fights through arm tackles. Regroups and balances himself after initial contact. Reads and sets up routes and adjusts to poorly thrown balls.
Gus Johnson | 5-10 | 224 | Stephen F Austin
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Well-built with thick bubble and powerful legs. Shows necessary power to rip through arm tackles and churn out additional yardage after contact. Has delayed burst once he gets to second level. Bow-legged runner with wide base and adequate balance through contact. What he lacks in explosiveness he makes up for in grit. Produced at consistent level over last three seasons.
Matt Jones | 6-2 | 235 | Florida
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Imposing size with muscular frame. Above-average swivel in hips and perimeter quickness for runner his size. Pistons for feet, chomping and churning through contact to extend run. Has slippery lower body with angle-tackle attempts sliding off. Keeps shoulders square to line for maximum power. Plays with forward lean and is difficult to stop for a loss. Used sparingly as a pass-catcher, but flashes capable hands if asked to do so in the pros. Aggressive in protection, squaring up and striking a blow against free-running blitzer.
Jeremy Langford | 6-1 | 208 | Michigan St
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Running back who has played wide receiver and cornerback at Michigan State. Improved a great deal since 2013 season. Has feet to avoid the trash and bounce it outside. Has burst around the corner and can separate from linebackers in pursuit. Finished his 2014 campaign with 22 carries of 15-plus yards, placing him fifth in running-back heavy Big Ten. Effective with chip blocks and will square up blitzers and take them on in pass protection. Has blocking and pass-catching talent to play on third downs. Good spin move and plus lateral foot quickness. Maintains balance through contact. Showed special-teams potential as a sophomore.
Terrence Magee | 5-9 | 217 | Louisiana St
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Has more than enough competitiveness and toughness. Sees the holes and makes good decisions when the ball is in his hands. Has decent strength and falls forward to finish runs. Courageous pass protector. Understands protection schemes -- who to block and when to release. Works his feet to stay in front of blitzers and is technically sound.
Marcus Murphy | 5-9 | 195 | Missouri
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Has the foot quickness and acceleration to make something out of nothing when called upon as a runner. Needs to play in space, but has quality traits for a runner despite size. Has enough speed to turn the corner and hit a big run down the sideline. In passing game, mismatches inside backers with razor sharp cuts to the sideline creating easy throws for the quarterback. Looks to adjust his routes over the top of coverage if quarterback scrambles. Has excellent hands and concentration to finish a catch despite impending contact. Celebrated kick and punt return specialist with seven career return touchdowns at Missouri.
Thomas Rawls | 5-10 | 217 | Central Michigan
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: If you don't bring it to him, he will bring it to you. Powerful beyond his size with strong legs and outstanding balance at and beyond contact. Able to absorb contact on legs with defenders bouncing off. Coils into a ball of power and explodes into tacklers with cocked hip and low pad level to finish his run with a message being sent. Competes hard on every run with jump cuts and lateral shiftiness in the hole to go with his power. Sudden runner with ability to make sharp, decisive cuts. Can plant and go with immediate burst downhill or bounce to perimeter in search of new opportunities. Has desired foot quickness and hip fluidity. Has above-average vision and feel for the changing shape of running lanes. Hands are good enough to factor in passing game.
Josh Robinson | 5-9 | 215 | Mississippi St
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Built low to the ground with power trunk and thick bubble. Coils into a ball at contact, making him immune to shoulder and/or forearm blows to tackle. Patient runner. Runs with consistent balance and can maintain it through contact. Flashes lateral agility to escape from the side door and bounce a run wide. Steady threat out of the backfield as pass-catcher. Soft hands to secure the throw and is ready to run after catch. Can chop pass rusher down with his cut blocks.
Ross Scheuerman | 6-1 | 206 | Lafayette
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Has a combination of fluid hips and stop-start foot quickness. Can make sudden jump-stop with hard plant-and-go cut tied to it. Plays with suddenness and quick-twitch. Has adequate vision and able to hit it between tackles with decisiveness and good burst when hole materializes suddenly. Well-rounded talent. Can catch it and was a part-time kick returner as well.
Tyler Varga | 5-10 | 227 | Yale
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Muscular, well-defined physique. Has hands the size of an offensive lineman. Determined player with willingness to switch from running back to fullback. Strong legs to power through angle tackles. Runs with above average change of direction and uses effective spin move. Able to stop on a dime and make defenders miss. Showed reliable hands out of backfield at Senior Bowl practices.
Karlos Williams | 6-1 | 225 | Florida St
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Former safety with aggressive, physical temperament. Taller and longer than most running backs, but has exceptional burst to trim the corner and go. Angular running style. Makes subtle changes of direction without gearing down. One-cut daddy on outside zone plays. Has good top-end speed. Can be a factor on swing passes and will body up in pass protection. Lowers pads and delivers a blow on the move. Falls forward and is a pile mover when pad level is right. Natural footwork for an inexperienced back. Slams it between tackles when asked and doesn't look to bounce outside. Shows patience and uses head fakes to freeze defenders in space. Hard to tackle and keeps feet churning at impact.
Trey Williams | 5-8 | 195 | Texas A&M
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Features a devastating jump-cut that torments defenders in space. One of the best "make-you-miss" types in this draft. Improvisation-oriented athlete in space. Able to change directions at a moment's notice and multiple times during one play. Great vision. Looks past first move and focuses on second move. Instant burst through the crease to the third level. Ran for 15-plus yards on 13.6 percent of his carries over the last two years. Can be shuffled around the field as a mismatch weapon. Was a kick returner for all three years at A&M.
TJ Yeldon | 6-2 | 221 | Alabama
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: Has good size with room on his frame to add more bulk. Exceptional hips and foot quickness, using both to weave and dart through the trash between tackles. Quick, decisive reads on zone plays. Has ankle flexion to dip, one-cut and burst through second level and into the third. Creative runner showing innate feel for running lanes. Anticipates creases that are developing and makes himself skinny to squeeze through. Effortless lateral movement. Can make tacklers miss and change tackle angles in confined quarters. Above average out of backfield and after the catch. Productive when playing through pain.
Zach Zenner | 6-0 | 220 | South Dakota St
NFL.com's Strengths Analysis: One-cut downhill runner. Workhorse. Big and fast; smart and tough. Will win most footraces once he gets to top gear. Has almost no wasted motion to and through the crease. Stays balanced through contact. Strong production against better competition. In 2014, put 103 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and two touchdowns on Missouri after hanging 202 yards and two touchdowns on Nebraska in 2013. Uses stiff-arm effectively on second level. Runs through arm tackles. Good hands out of backfield and adjusts to poorly thrown balls. Has "every-down" traits. Sticks nose squarely into A-gap blitzers in pass pro. Can add even more weight to frame if needed.
