The Case for Drafting Tevin Coleman

Tevin Coleman is one of the top running backs in a tough 2015 NFL Draft class. He’s got stiff competition to be an early second round selection, having to beat out guys like Jay Ajayi and Duke Johnson to be next off the board behind Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon and Georgia’s Todd Gurley.

That isn’t to say that Coleman doesn’t deserve to be in the consideration of best backs available in the 2015 NFL Draft. He certainly does.

Coleman is almost unique among running backs in this year’s draft class. He’s a violent runner, constantly playing with an edge to him that makes defenders not want to tackle him. He punishes players who get in his way. That violent, grinding style is exactly what a team like the Jacksonville Jaguars could use. He’d be a perfect contrast to Denard Robinson’s more elusive running style.

Coleman also has the hardware to go with his tough running. A consensus first team All American in 2014, a first team All-Big Ten, Doak Walker finalist (for the nation’s best running back), Coleman has put together a list of accolades that suggest his play isn’t just about abusing defenses, it’s about quality running.

This guy is a workhorse waiting to be put in and dominate the running game. I love that. I love a guy who comes in and doesn’t have to do anything pretty but can just go to work running north-south for a team and being successful at it.

All the love for his running style and recognition aside, the main reason to keep Coleman in mind when drafting this year is his production. Last season he carried the ball 270 times and racked up over 2000 yards. He’s averaged over seven yards per carry for two seasons in a row at Indiana and he’s put together 27 touchdowns on the ground the last two seasons. Big play production in a big conference from a grinding running back is tough to pass up.

Tevin Coleman may not be the sexiest running back available in round two, but he may be exactly what the Jaguars need. He’s a back perfectly capable of shouldering the responsibility and the carries to make sure that his team has a balanced offense. He’s able to make sure that his team can move the ball when he gets it in his hands. That capacity is relished by offensive coordinators across the league.

Next: How Does this Affect Denard Robinson?

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