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The NFL Draft is still two months away, but after last weekend's NFL Combine in Indianapolis, draft experts and pundits started publishing their updated predictions once again.
Former Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon has been discussed as the first running back taken in the draft for some time now since former Georgia running back Todd Gurley sustained an unfortunate ACL injury in November. Below are mock drafts currently placing the Heisman finalist to a myriad of teams:
| Dan Kadar, SB Nation | Todd McShay, ESPN | Charles Davis, NFL.com | Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com | Bucky Brooks, NFL.com | Don Banks, SI | Matt Miller, Bleacher Report | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of Mock Draft | Feb. 23rd | Feb. 23rd | Feb. 25th | Feb. 25th | Jan. 19th | Feb. 24th | Feb. 24th |
| Draft Order | 27th | 27th | 16th | 26th | 26th | 27th | 29th |
| Team | Dallas Cowboys | Dallas Cowboys | Houston Texans | Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore Ravens | Dallas Cowboys | Indianapolis Colts |
| Nate Davis, USA Today | Eric Edholm, Yahoo | Rob Rang, CBS Sports | Pete Schrager, Fox Sports | Pat Kirwan, CBS Sports | Walter Football | Drafttek | |
| Date of Mock Draft | Feb. 24th | Feb. 24th | Feb. 24th | Feb. 23rd | Feb. 24th | Feb. 26th | Feb. 25th |
| Draft Order | 23rd | 42nd | 29th | 30th | 17th | 17th | 23rd |
| Team | Detroit Lions | Atlanta Falcons | Indianapolis Colts | Seattle Seahawks | San Diego Chargers | San Diego Chargers | Detroit Lions |
The most talked-about prediction for a future NFL home for Gordon is in Dallas, where the DeMarco Murray situation is fluid. If Murray does not re-sign with the Cowboys and Gordon's left on the board, it seems like an easy decision for Jerry Jones to replace Murray with a back that head coach Jason Garrett could just plug in and play right away. Gordon would also be reunited with former Wisconsin center Travis Frederick, who was also the last Badger drafted in the first round -- also by the Cowboys.
The Baltimore Ravens have also been a team that's been thrown out there at No. 26. Gordon, if reunited with former Wisconsin running backs coach Thomas Hammock and tackle Ricky Wagner, could be part of a potent combination if the Ravens decide to re-sign unrestricted free agent Justin Forsett. If they don't sign Forsett, Gordon could start right away and be part of an offense led by Joe Flacco, Torrey Smith, and Steve Smith, Sr.
Maybe the most seemingly surprising mock draft came from NFL.com's Charles Davis, with his selection of Gordon to the Houston Texans at No. 16. Not because of how high Davis placed Gordon, but because of the choice to the Texans. When looking at the numbers, however, the pick makes sense. Though Arian Foster ran for 1,246 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014, the next highest rusher, Alfred Blue, rushed for only 3.1 yards per carry and two touchdowns.