Now that NFL teams have seen physical evidence that his knee will be fine, former Georgia running back Todd Gurley appears to be rocketing up draft boards.

Gurley, who tore his ACL on Nov. 15, did not allow doctors to examine his knee during the NFL Combine in February, telling the NFL Network he didn’t want to risk extensive prodding to the surgically-repaired area. Despite renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews coming to his defense, teams seemed to think the health issues were a concern, particularly if they were going to consider investing a first-round pick in a running back.

But Gurley returned to Indianapolis last weekend to give the NFL a good look at his healing knee, and indications are teams liked what they saw.

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay projected Gurley as the sixth overall pick in his most recent mock draft, getting selected by the New York Jets. NFL.com reporter Charles Robinson added further credibility to that new projection.

Still others have projected Gurley at No. 19 overall to the Cleveland Browns, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. San Diego, picking at No. 17, also has been discussed as a team who could consider the running back.

It seems clear now that barring a major upset, Gurley will be the first running back selected in the draft, ahead of Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon. The Georgia product is considered more NFL-ready in that he was much more productive as a receiver and can handle pass protection duties as well.

The only question now is where Gurley will get drafted. He may be one of the biggest risers if he does get selected in the Top 10, or he could fall all the way out of the first round. The last two NFL drafts didn’t produce a single first-round running back.

The last running back to get selected in the Top 10, Alabama’s Trent Richardson (No. 3 overall in 2012), already is playing for his third team (Cleveland, Indianapolis, Oakland). The last Georgia player to get drafted in the Top 10, A.J. Green, has made the Pro Bowl in each of his four NFL seasons.