NFL draft watch: Is UGA’s Todd Gurley missing games good in NFL’s eyes?

The next time you see Georgia running back Todd Gurley, assuming the school’s appeal is not granted, will be when the Bulldogs take on Auburn in a great test in two weeks.

Gurley has been suspended and will have missed four games, as things stand now, for receiving more than $3,000 in exchange for signed memorabilia the past two years. Georgia suspended Gurley for the previous two games after allegations of accepting illegal benefits came to light.

In the NFL’s eyes, these transgressions are but a blip on the radar. From a character question, nothing Gurley did in relation to this case should hurt his future draft stock.

“Not in the least,” said one NFL personnel director. “Are there rules and did he break them? Yes. But we’re not talking about anything too serious here. Heck, in five years, would it surprise you if kids can get paid [as student-athletes]? We’re headed that direction.”

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But let’s take it a step further. Could Gurley’s absence help or hurt him?

Sitting out four games against SEC opponents might not be the worst thing in the world for Gurley, the eventual NFL prospect — either this year or next — with more tread on his tires. Oh sure, NFL teams want to see production against the highest levels of competition, but they also look down on heavy workloads for college backs.

“I don’t think it’s a negative at all,” the director said. “Let him rest up, heal up. This is a tough part of the season, and who knows? Maybe he did some speed work on the side while he was [suspended]. Maybe not being out there did his body some good.”

But what about the fact that in Gurley’s place, freshman Nick Chubb has come in and been terrific? Gurley averaged 154.6 yards per game (and that included a six-carry, 73-yard cameo against Troy) in his five games before the suspension, along with an 8.2-yard average per carry.

Chubb has run the ball an impressive 68 times over the past two games with Gurley out and averaged 172.5 yards against Missouri and Arkansas. Over his past three games, which included a strong outing against Vanderbilt, Chubb has averaged 5.6 yards per carry.

Does the fact that the Georgia run game hasn’t taken much of a hit in Gurley’s absence hurt his stock? Is he a product of the system?

“Absolutely not,” the scouting director said. “First of all, Chubb is a talented young kid — big, strong, has some twitch. But he’s not Gurley. Not at all.

“Gurley is special. It’s a solid [offensive line] group there, but Gurley can make yards where there aren’t any. He’s not just running to space. He has great vision and speed and instincts. He’s very naturally gifted.”

Those gifts are expected to be on display for the Bulldogs’ final few games — Auburn, Charleston Southern (which could be another Troy-like game for Gurley and the Dawgs), the rivalry game against Georgia Tech, plus the postseason. Georgia is squarely in the mix to represent the East division in the SEC title game and mathematically remains in the college football playoff mix ranked at No. 11.

Even though NFL teams have seen plenty of Gurley, they’ll get more. We’re just not sure how much that will be yet.

TIDBITS

With some strong early returns from 2014 rookie linebackers Khalil Mack and C.J. Mosley so far this season, it begs the question: Are there any 2015 prospect who grade out as potential first-year 

impact players? Answer: It depends.

Washington’s Shaq Thompson grades out as a fantastic athlete — he plays running back, too — with rare playmaking skills who projects to play an outside linebacker spot in a 4-3 defense (or perhaps inside in a 3-4, although many scouts wouldn’t be wild about that). A slew of pass-rushing defensive ends who could be 3-4 linebackers are expected to go high, too, with Missouri’s Shane Ray, Nebraska’s Randy Gregory, Washington’s Hau’oli Kikaha, Kentucky’s Bud Dupree and Clemson’s Vic Beasley leading the list. Other off-the-ball linebackers — a la Thompson — who could be in the first-round discussion include Mississippi State’s Benardrick McKinney and Georgia’s Leonard Floyd.

Top 5 senior running backs (so, not Gurley et al)

Every week we’ll run a top-five list related to the 2015 NFL draft.

1. Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska — “I like him, that burst and effort are there, but he might not be a three-down back in our offense,” one personnel man said.

2. Jeremy Langford, Michigan State — Tough but perhaps not special player with any remarkable traits. Solid in passing game as blocker and receiver.

3. David Cobb, Minnesota — Compact plugger who packs a punch but lacks a burst or a second gear.

4. Karlos Williams, Florida State — Instincts still raw, but he has the raw physical skills to be good in time. Not a microwave-ready talent.

5. Marcus Murphy, Missouri — Dynamic, record-setting return man with receiving ability and shiftiness to be multi-toll weapon in right scheme.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm