While the hybrid edge rushers garnished the majority of the spotlight from day-one of the NFL Draft, it's widely known that the running backs this class has to offer is one of the richest and deepest pools of the positions that we've seen in a decade.  

Heading into Thursday the NFL had not drafted a running back in the first round since Trent Richardson was drafted in 2012.  The trend of a pass heavy league continues to spread throughout the league and has diminished the perception of the value of tailbacks along its way.  However, that drought was snapped when both Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon heard their name called in the first fifteen picks to the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers respectively.  

Those two only tickle the surface of talent remaining on the board as the run on running backs will continue in heavy fashion tonight.  The consensus across the board says Boise State’s Jay Ajayi, Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah, and Indiana's Telvin Coleman will be the first to go in rounds two and three but with so much talent it's anybody's guess as to which order the dominos fall.  In a grab bag full of different styles, breeds, and sizes of talented runners each team has the rare opportunity to hone in on detailed and specific traits they want to add into their backfield.  Minnesota’s David Cobb as known as the best red zone and goal-line back with his bruising physicality he showcased at the Senior Bowl while Miami’s Duke Johnson possesses some of the best vision and agility in the entire class.  If you need a pass catching running back Northern Iowa’s David Johnson has better hands than most receivers and can run in between the tackles and bounce outside with his speed.  

In such a deep class players that are highly ranked and intriguingly valuable will be pushed down into the later rounds because of the sheer volume at the position meaning day-three will produce starting caliber talent.  Michigan State's Jeremy Langford ran the fastest 40 time at the combine with a 4.41 yet may not crack the first ten running backs drafted.  With his production and familiarity in a pro-style offense Alabama’s TJ Yeldon has the size and speed to be an every down back in the NFL.  South Carolina’s Mike Davis reminds me of Frank Gore with his rare combination of strong lower body and quick feet to explode through tiny creases in between the hashes.  

Every class has their share of sleepers and this group will be no different.  I love South Dakota State Jackrabbit Zach Zenner who was ultra productive during his four-year career compiling over 2,000 yards in three straight seasons as an every down “do it all” tailback.  Another guy to keep an eye on is Texas’ Malcolm Brown who struggled through injuries during his college career but was the number one high school recruit just a few years ago with elite potential and talent. 

To put things into persepctive the last three years there has been 22, 26, and 21 running backs selected respectively however, in this group of prospects I have 31 draftable grades from top-to-bottom which doesn't include the players that will be pushed into undrafted free agency soon there after due to the sheer numbers the league will get to play with. 

While there are many plotlines and twists throughout every draft weekend pay close attention to this group of running backs that compares to the wide receiver class from last year, and that will have a long lasting impact on the league for a very long time.