The running back position is an interesting one because it has one of the most diverse talent pools in football. There are running backs who are fast, slow, elusive, powerful and a variety of different body types that have been extremely effective and productive players in the NFL.

However, what if a player had all those traits and a body type and durability to withstand the enormous amounts of punishment that running backs face on a weekly basis? You would have a perfect NFL running back. This player could win between the tackles and on the edge. He could juke a linebacker out of his shoes or run over a defensive end sitting in the hole.

Without further ado, using this year’s draft class, let’s take a look at how we could construct such flawless player.

Size: Todd Gurley, Georgia

When you are looking to build the perfect running back, you need someone with enough size to withstand the punishment and play with power and speed. At 6-foot-1 and 222 pounds, Todd Gurley has the prototypical size for a running back.

Gurley’s size allows him to play with power, push piles and generate a lot of force, but he isn’t so dense that he can’t play with speed and elusiveness.

Vision: Duke Johnson, Miami

Arguably the most important trait that a running back must possess is great vision. This means that the running back can read a defense and locate the running lanes that will yield the best results on that particular play. These players take what the defense gives them and maximize each run. Miami’s Duke Johnson epitomizes each of those respects as he has exhibited excellent vision throughout his college career.

Despite his small stature, Johnson isn’t afraid to run in between the tackles if that’s what the play dictates. He locates backside cut back lanes on a regular basis and he is very aware of where the defense is and where they are flowing. Johnson may not have the size or speed you would ideally want in a running back, but he will be effective in the NFL because of his elite vision.

Burst: Tevin Coleman, Indiana

The ability for a running back to burst through a hole and quickly get to the second level is a huge plus for running backs. The running backs with a great burst can outrun pursuit angles and take the ball to the house on any play, which perfectly describes the play of Indiana’s Tevin Coleman.

Coleman is one of the few running backs in this class that can pull away from defenders and put a lot of pressure on a defense. Coleman had eight 60-yard runs in 2014 and an average touchdown distance of over 40 yards, which is incredible. He may not have the most power or best running style, but Coleman’s speed allows him to be a threat from anywhere on the field.

Elusiveness: Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

Barry Sanders is the gold standard of elusiveness in the history of the NFL. He was able to make multiple layers of defenders miss and many referred to him as a ghost because of how he would just disappear from their grasp. While he may not be at that level of elusiveness, Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah can make any defender miss.

Abdullah has the short-area quickness and change-of-direction skills to make defenders miss in a variety of ways. He can stop on a dime and cut at steep angles to force even the best tacklers miss. Abdullah’s fluid hips and impressive ankle flexion allow him to contort his body away from defenders while not losing speed.

Power: Josh Robinson, Mississippi State

While elusiveness is the trait that gets you on Sportscenter, power is the trait that wins football games. Running backs who have a great deal of power can wear down defenses and really make them play at the end of a game. In this draft class, Mississippi State’s Josh Robinson is basically a bowling ball with legs and opposing defense are the pins getting ready to get knocked over.

Robinson has little to no speed, but his incredible core strength and powerful legs allow him to punish defenses every time he touches the ball. Cornerbacks and safeties don’t want to tackle him because they know that even if they get him down, they will pay for it. Robinson’s power allows him to be great in short-yardage situations and on the goal line. NFL defenders are going to hate Robinson in the NFL and that’s a good thing.

Pass Protection: Todd Gurley, Georgia

The most underrated trait that a running back should possess is the ability to pass protect. People forget that running backs are vital to a lot of pass protection schemes in the NFL. They are counted on to pick up blitzes and clean up if an offensive lineman gets beat. It is rare that you find a running back in college who is good in pass protection, but Gurley is one of the few who does it well.

Gurley has the ability to work across the formation and pick up outside blitzes from cornerbacks and he can stick his nose in and take on a linebacker sprinting through the interior of the offensive line. Gurley was a huge help to Georgia in the passing game because he allows the quarterback to have more time to find receivers. Pass protection is one of the biggest reasons some rookie running backs don’t see the field, but that will not be the case with Gurley.