Rams News: Comparing big name running backs from 2015 draft

With the hype for the rookie running backs of 2017 building, we look back and analyze one of the best running back classes of the last century- the 2015 draft. 

It isn’t often that NFL Draft’s contain extremely strong groups that produce many all-stars in the same position.

Recently, there was the great draft class of 2012 that produced multiple great quarterbacks; such as Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III (for a brief time), Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, and Ryan Tannehill. In 2014, the NFL was treated to a historic wide receiver class that included the likes of Odell Beckham Jr, Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Brandin Cooks, Allen Robinson, John Brown, and Kelvin Benjamin to name a few.

The 2015 Running Back Class was possibly one of the most dominant running back drafts in recent memory- developing 10 running backs who started for their teams in 2016, including Los Angeles starters Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon.

Both Gordon and Gurley showed flashes of greatness while posting one good season and one disappointing one in their two years. While both LA backs are very good, it begs the question, which will find more success in 2017? Furthermore, how to they compare to the rest of their peers from the 2015 draft class?

Though the class was loaded with talent, many others also struggled their first year and broke out in their second while some did the opposite. Many factors will be considered to decide which running back will do the most in 2017: quarterback play, offensive line, drafted rookies, off-season signings, and the player’s skill.