Colts Post-Draft Positional Review: Running Back
By Evan Reller
Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Levi
2014 Stats: 1,106 yards (4.3 ypa), 4 TDs;
PFF Grade: -0.8
DYAR: 10th DVOA: 13th
Despite turning 32 on Thursday this week, Gore has proven that he still has value on the football field. Generally, running backs fall off a cliff the minute they turn 30 and their value plummets. Gore hasn’t had a sub-1,100 yard season since 2010, and that was due to missing five games.
Gore is the kind of running back that opponents will respect on his name alone. He has proven to be a tough, north-south runner who can get the break big plays and churn out short yardage situations as well. Gore is another player who will benefit from having Luck as his QB as teams are more likely to sell out against the pass than stack the box to stop the rushing attack.
Gore is also a running back of a quality the Colts haven’t had since the early days of Joseph Addai (or James). Gore has played in every game over the past four seasons, giving the team a reliable back they haven’t had for the better part of a decade.
Don’t expect Gore to put up career numbers this season, especially with all the options littering the offense, but the Colts will have a more consistent ground game this season, led by Gore.