NFL draft's top running back? One expert picked Tevin Coleman

The debate lasted most of the 2014 season, and it doesn't appear to be slowing down as the 2015 NFL Draft approaches.

Along the way, though, the debate has gone from arguing the Big Ten's best running back to the NFL's top running back prospect.

Is it Melvin Gordon, the Big Ten Running Back of the Year and 2014 Heisman Trophy finalist? Is it Ameer Abdullah, the all-time all-purpose yards leader at Nebraska and NFL Combine star? Is it Tevin Coleman, the star out of Indiana? Or, is it former Georgia star Todd Gurley?

It's Coleman, according to former Chicago Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel.

This is why Gabriel picks Coleman over the others:

"My thinking is that if Coleman played behind the Wisconsin line he may have run for over 2500 yards. As it was, he ran for 2036 yards, a 7.5 average per carry, 15 touchdowns and 25 receptions. Coleman has a complete game. He can run with power between the tackles, is creative, and consistently gets yards after contact. He has the speed to turn the corner and is elusive in the open field. As a receiver, he is very reliable, runs good routes and has very good hands. Add to that the fact that he can already pass protect and is a dangerous kickoff returner."

Here's the rest of Gabriel's top 5 running backs:

2. Melvin Gordon
3. Todd Gurley4. Ameer Abdullah
5. Jay Ajayi

Gabriel has Gordon No. 2 and Abdullah No. 4 on his list of the NFL draft's top 5 running backs.

Read what he says about them here.

h/t: nfl.com