Can Gordon regain his OPOY form in the NFL?
Draft stock is a fickle thing, and it’s nearly as common to see a prospect tumble down draft boards as it is to see meteoric rises.
The former is what happened to Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II in 2025. Gordon was considered one of the top running back prospects in the nation before the start of the 2024 season after being voted the Big XII Offensive Player Of the Year in 2023. However, he didn’t take the expected step forward at the same time Oklahoma State had a pitiful 3-9 season.
The New York Giants will almost certainly be looking to add to their offense over the course of the 2025 off-season. Could Gordon be a surprise pick if the value is right?
Prospect: Ollie Gordon II (0)
Games Watched: vs. South Dakota State (2024), vs. Arkansas (2024), vs. Utah (2024), vs. Kansas State (2024)
Red Flags: Knee/leg (2024)
Measurables
Height: 6-foot-2 (estimated)
Weight: 220 pounds (estimated)
Strengths
Best traits:
- Long speed
- Physicality
- North-south running
- Contact balance
- Receiving and pass protection
Gordon II is a good-sized running back with a solid blend of size and athleticism.
Gordon is listed at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and is a slightly high-cut and “leggy” athlete. His size and build make him appear more like a big X receiver than a modern running back in a spread offense. That said, he certainly plays with a big running back’s mentality and is a physical player.
He’s at his best when allowed to get north-south as soon as possible. He plays with solid patience behind the line of scrimmage and understands blocking schemes well. He follows his blockers in man-gap runs well and anticipates where holes will open in zone blocking schemes. Gordon is also dangerous on the edge when he gets the ball on toss plays.
Gordon has good contact balance for a taller player and is able to run through incidental contact as long as he has momentum. He’s able to regain his feet on the move and is difficult for individual defenders to bring down. His height makes it difficult for him to maximize his play strength, but he’s able to carry defenders in space. He plays with good competitive toughness and rarely shies away from contact – though he can be a bit too eager to try and cut back or bounce plays to pick up extra yardage.
Gordon is an asset in the passing game. His size and understanding of blocking schemes make him a capable pass protector. He does a good job of coming up to meet defenders and has the strength to sustain his blocks. Gordon is also a good receiving back despite not being asked to run a varied route tree. He’s a natural hands catcher who frames the pass well, extends to pluck the ball out of the air, and has soft hands to make secure catches.
Weaknesses
Worst traits:
- Burst
- Agility
- Change of direction
Gordon is a one-cut runner. He has some stop-start ability and change of direction skills, but he lacks the burst necessary to cut sharply and explode in new directions. Likewise, he’s an upright runner, which gives him a high center of gravity and further limits his short-area quickness.
He lacks the acceleration to consistently win the edge on off-tackle runs and is relatively easily stopped if the defense forces him to stop his feet. His limited agility can also make him appear slightly out of control at times. While Gordon is a capable pass protector, he can whiff on blocks because he’s unable to make last-second adjustments.
Game Tape
(Gordon is the Oklahoma State RB No. 0)
Projection
Gordon II projects as an important back in an active running back rotation.
He will need to land in an offense that allows him to play downhill. Gordon would fit best in an offense that wants to use a bigger back between the tackles after the passing game has spread the defense out. He isn’t a true power back and lacks the burst to run with true violence and really “punish” defenses. Likewise, he doesn’t have the agility to make something out of nothing or the acceleration to win the edge on off-tackle runs from behind center.
That said, he’s tough to bring down once he’s squared his shoulders and is also capable of generating big plays once he’s past the line of scrimmage.
Gordon’s ability as a pass protector and a receiver should expand his appeal and help raise his draft stock. His age (just 21 on draft day) and relatively low mileage could make him a great value if he slips into the third day of the draft.
Does he fit the Giants?
Possibly, if they want a between-the-tackles runner
Final Word: An early Day 3 value
