The Todd Gurley love continues as I was digging through some projection model data recently. At first I wanted to sift by athleticism, rushing score, AND receiving scores for the best of the best. However, the list got small ridiculously small in hurry.
First Step: Athleticism
Todd Gurley, in the pre-combine phase, has a projected +39% athleticism. Using +30% as the low-band cut-off reduces the since 1999 cattle drive down to 82 prospects. Already we are down to a workable number by limiting the search to the best athletes. The only drafted running back from 2014 to hit that threshold? Jerick McKinnon.
Second Step: Rushing Score
Next, I cut the field to only running back prospects with +50% or more rushing scores. Now with have very good athletes for their size and highly productive college runners. The 80+ options from athleticism alone is now down to 8 prospects. Todd Gurley finished his career at +62% in rushing, so he did not scrape by in the category.