NFL Media's LaDainian Tomlinson knows a thing or two about playing running back in the NFL.
The former All-Pro tailback turned his attention Tuesday to the next group of rushers entering the league and gave a strong endorsement to the player he ranks as the No. 1 running back in the draft.
"My No. 1 running back is Todd Gurley. This guy combines the size and the skill set to get it done in the National Football League," Tomlinson said on NFL Network's "Path to the Draft". " ... I love to see a big man like this with the combination of size, strength, speed, and vision.
"I'll tell you what, he is the best prospect we've probably had (at running back) since Adrian Peterson."
That is high praise from one of the league's all-time greatest rushers.
Gurley is ranked by NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah as the No. 12 player overall in the draft in his latest Top 50 list, and the former Georgia star is considered a lock to go in the first round, along with Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon. The two are expected to snap a first-round drought for running backs, as no RB has gone in the first round since 2012.
Though some teams might have concerns about Gurley considering he is coming off of an ACL tear, his knee checked out fine over the weekend during a NFL Scouting Combine medical recheck to gauge the progress of his recovery.
Mock drafts of NFL Media analysts have the productive former Bulldogs rusher going anywhere from No. 16 overall to the Houston Texans to No. 26 to the Baltimore Ravens. However, the most likely landing spot for him might be the San Diego Chargers with the 17th pick, barring a trade, as the team needs a workhorse back.
No matter where Gurley ends up going, he'll enter the league with a big stamp of approval from Tomlinson.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
