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Passing Game
Gurley was utilized fairly often in the Bulldogs’ passing game, and he can run all the routes RBs tend to be asked to run. Up here, you see flat routes, checkdowns, and screens. He catches with soft hands and can make good things happen after the catch. I don’t have any concerns about this translating into the NFL game.
Pass Protection
Gurley was a mixed bag as a pass protector, but he absolutely needs work. Fortunately, he appears willing to block, which is a good thing and falls in line with his physical nature. Above, you see three examples of him attempting cut blocks. The fist is very good, while the second is laughable.
When asked to square up and block, Gurley often has a problem where he leans too far forward during his punch. It doesn’t happen every time, but it happened enough for me to notice it as a trend. That will need to be fixed at the NFL level. In the last example, he doesn’t lean too far forward, and actually does a pretty good job of holding off a DT who’s probably at least 70 poinds heavier than he is.
Returning
This is a small addition to the overall package and I doubt a NFL team will use him in this capacity, but Gurley has experience and ability as a returner.
I see Gurley as the complete package. He’s well rounded and good at everything a runner needs to be. He’s got great, not elite speed. He’s very powerful. He’s got solid vision. He makes great cuts. He can catch out of the backfield. The one problem with Gurley is that all of those things I just said hinge on his return to health and his ability to stay healthy. That’s not easy for any NFL player, and Gurley has already missed games in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons due to injury, including the ACL tear that he’s currently recovering from. If he makes a full recovery, Gurley can excel both outside and between the tackles as a runner in the NFL. He might be a bona fide star for years to come.
Oh, one other thing I should mention: technically, Gurley has a character concern as he was suspended for four games in 2014. His crime? Selling autographs. While the NCAA may care about making sure it can horde all the money it possibly can off of its players and not give them any, I doubt many NFL teams care.
Pro Comparison and Draft Projection
Pro Comparison:
As a Vikings fan, when I watch Todd Gurley, there’s one guy I’m reminded of: Adrian Peterson. Now, Peterson’s a generational talent and I’m not saying Gurley is quite that good, but they’re both made from the same mold. Fast, but powerful. Electrifying runners. Love to initiate contact. Even the injury problems match up. Again, I’m not saying Gurley is as good as Peterson. But that’s what his style reminds me of.
Draft Projection: Mid-to-late first round.
