Todd Gurley's chances of being an early first-round pick and the top running back chosen in the 2015 NFL Draft look better than ever. The former Georgia star's recovery from the ACL tear he suffered in November received a favorable review over the weekend from his NFL Scouting Combine medical recheck.
In fact, NFL Media's Albert Breer is told by sources from five NFL clubs that Gurley has a "great shot" to play in the first game of the 2015 season. According to Breer, results of Gurley's exam suggest that he'll be ready to play at some point during training camp.
His progress is squarely in line with the six-to-nine-month time frame for recovery that Gurley described at the combine in February. That range put his return somewhere between May and August, and Gurley reiterated at Georgia's pro day in March that his recovery was on schedule. Gurley tore his ACL on Nov. 15 against Auburn in his first game back from a four-game suspension levied first by UGA, then extended by the NCAA, for profiting from autographed memorabilia.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah projects Gurley to be drafted by the San Diego Chargers at No. 17 overall as the first running back chosen in the draft. Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon is also projected as a first-round pick, and has been campaigning publicly to be chosen ahead of Gurley.
The two are expected to end the first-round drought for running backs, as no RB has gone in Round 1 since 2012.
Gurley rushed for 911 yards and a career-best 7.4 yards per carry last season for the Bulldogs, but the suspension and his injury limited his season to just six games. NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks wrote in October that the suspension would not adversely affect Gurley's draft status. He was unable to participate in the combine or Georgia's pro day while rehabilitating his injury.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
