Chicago Bears 2015 Draft Prospects: Running Backs

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Ameer Abdullah, 5-foot-9, 205 pounds, Nebraska

Ameer Abdullah is one of the premier runners in this draft. He is a decisive runner with great driving power coming from his lower body. He eats up yards. He finished his career at Nebraska with 4,588 yards, second in school history to Mike Rozier (4,780).

Abdullah runs low to the ground and has great footwork. He controls his momentum well to make sharp cuts and elude tacklers in the open field.

Abdullah is a patient runner with plus vision. He looks for and finds cutback lanes quickly. He does not dance around. He won’t make unnecessary lateral movement. He does not waste any movement. He looks for the open crease, then hits it.

Even though Nebraska did not use the passing game a great deal, Abdullah did make 22 catches for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns. He’s shown that he has good hands by not dropping a pass in two seasons.

Abdullah’s size will turn off some teams. He does have room to bulk up some 10 pounds on his frame, so that will help him at the next level. Once he bulks up, his pass protection will improve as well. He also needs to improve his ball security, having 13 fumbles in his four years in Nebraska.

Abdullah’s character and leadership abilities are excellent. On the field and off, he is well-respected, and he has a grounded personality. He would be a great addition to the new regime’s emphasis on great character people on the roster.