2015 NFL Draft: Needs and Targets for the Seattle Seahawks

Target #1 Todd Gurley, RB, University of Georgia

Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers linebacker Kris Frost (17) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

2014 Stats: 123 carries, 911 yards, 9 TDs

Many 12s didn’t like that I had Todd Gurley as one of my top draft targets for the Seahawks earlier this year. Guess what?

I don’t care.

This dude is a franchise-caliber player. Barring any further serious injury, I believe that this kid’s floor is Matt Forte-caliber of production. His ceiling?

Who knows. Marshawn Lynch? Adrian Peterson?

Still don’t believe me? I have the stats to prove my point.

Gurley put up his 2014 numbers in six games. And those six games weren’t against a bunch of pansy opponents either: Tennessee, Auburn, South Carolina, Clemson, Vanderbilt, and Troy. And even against Troy, Gurley carried the ball only six times for 73 yards.

Many 12s dismissed Gurley as simply a “speed-back” who won’t be able to break tackles in the NFL. First of all, watch the highlight reel below, that will quickly any of those rumors.

Second of all, over his three-year career at Georgia, Gurley averaged 46 yards after contact per game. Gurley plays in the SEC, widely viewed as the best conference in college football and that has produced current NFL defensive starters such as HaHa Clinton Dix, Dre Kirkpatrick, C.J. Mosley, Dont’a Hightower, and a plethora of others.

And if Gurley’s torn ACL puts you off, have no fear because other running backs have recovered from the same injury, most notably Adrian Peterson. Plus, Gurley will have plenty of time to rehab his injury, as the Seahawks won’t need to rush him back. They clearly have no problem with their roster as it currently stands.

If all goes right, Gurley will be available at the back-end of the first round or even the top half of the second round. View this pick as an investment; it may not pay off immediately, but it will end up paying off in the long haul. And quite frankly, the Seahawks really don’t need any of their draft picks to come out right away and contribute.

As much as I like Robert Turbin and Christine Michael, both are not close to Gurley’s caliber. Might as well call Gurley, “Manly,” because of his elite acceleration, speed, vision, ball security, agility and power.

He’s the real deal.

Gurley should be the running back of the future for the Seattle Seahawks and he will be a great fit in Seattle’s power running offense.

(These highlights are from Gurley’s sophomore season, I made sure to make sure that there were plenty of “power” highlights for all you 12s in here)