Todd Gurley (Getty Images file)
Spotlight on… Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams
When: Every Sunday at a stadium near you or at someone you know.
What’s up: Running backs became disposable parts over the past decade. They represent football’s equivalent of late-inning relievers. Everyone needs them, but no one wants to pay them or draft them. Todd Gurley caused a rethink, despite tearing the ACL in his left knee last season at Georgia. He has rushed for 664 yards, third in NFL history in a player’s first six games.
Background: The Rams trusted his rehab and highlight reel enough to take him with the 10th pick. The Chargers selected Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon 15th. It marked the first time since 2012 any running back had been taken in the first round.
Renck’s take: Special talent knows no timetable. Drafting a running back in the first round typically is unnecessary, but not when evaluating a talent like Gurley. Billed as the best college back since Adrian Peterson, he boasts the same type of burst as the Vikings star. Gurley can take a hit, but what makes him unique is his breakaway speed. He leads the NFL with four rushes of more than 45 yards. Gurley insisted he had no doubt he would return at full strength from his surgery. The Rams took a cautious approach, keeping him out the first two games. If the Rams move to Los Angeles — the increasingly likely outcome — he could become the league’s next heavily-marketed superstar.
