The Best Potential Landing Spots for Melvin Gordon
Based on his career numbers, running back Melvin Gordon should have several suitors lined up to sign him if he hits the free-agent market in March. Then again, the fifth-year veteran didn't leave a great lasting impression this past season.
In 2019, Gordon opted to hold out in an attempt to force the Los Angeles Chargers' hand in signing him to an extension. Team brass didn't budge and instead went with running back Austin Ekeler as the lead playmaker out of the backfield.
During Gordon's four-game absence, Ekeler mirrored what the two-time Pro Bowler had done over the last four seasons, handling most of the carries and hauling in catches as a reliable receiver.
Gordon rejoined the team in September, but Ekeler held on to a good portion of the workload. In 2019, the former logged 612 rushing yards while averaging 3.8 yards per carry, his lowest mark since his rookie term. The latter finished with career highs in yards from scrimmage (1,550) and touchdowns (11) while averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
If the Chargers choose the cost-effective approach, they'll allow Gordon to walk in unrestricted free agency and match potential offers for Ekeler, who's set to hit the market as a restricted free agent.
Obviously, Gordon is seeking a big payday. He's also accustomed to leading the backfield, which may be a factor in his free-agent decision.
We'll outline five potential landing spots for Gordon. All the teams mentioned have at least $46 million in projected cap space, per Spotrac, which gives those clubs enough funds to comfortably sign the running back without concern about limited financial capital since Gordon could command roughly $11-12 million in annual salary.
Buffalo Bills
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The Buffalo Bills offense isn't poetry in motion. This past season, head coach Sean McDermott and play-caller Brian Daboll leaned on the ground attack to move the chains for the 23rd-ranked scoring offense.
In order to sustain an effective rushing attack, the Bills should add another ball-carrier who can handle a sizable load running between the tackles. Frank Gore, who led Buffalo in rushing attempts (166) in 2019, will turn 37 years old in May and will be an unrestricted free agent.
Unless the Bills plan on re-signing Gore, who's nearing the end of his career, team brass must replace his touches.
Last year, Buffalo selected running back Devin Singletary in the third round of the draft. Although he handled the majority of the workload down the stretch, the Florida Atlantic product logged 20-plus carries in just three games.
Secondly, Singletary averaged 5.1 yards per carry overall, but that number dropped to 3.6 with one to three yards to go for a conversion and 3.2 in 3rd- and 4th-and-short situations.
With T.J. Yeldon as the primary pass-catching back, Gordon could share the carries with Singletary. Every man in the Bills' three-man rotation at running back would have the ability to run and catch.
Gordon and Singletary can split 25-30 carries per game, keeping both active with a decent volume on the ground. Furthermore, the Bills could potentially dial back on quarterback Josh Allen's carries to reduce the number of hits he takes. He listed second among all signal-callers in rush attempts (109) this past season.
Detroit Lions
2 of 5
The Detroit Lions have a lead running back in Kerryon Johnson, but he's been unable to stay healthy in his first two NFL seasons, missing 14 of 32 games with knee injuries.
Johnson also took a step back in average yards per rush, dropping from 5.4 to 3.6 between his rookie and sophomore campaigns. He had a slow start but put forth a strong finish in the last two weeks of the season. As for other Detroit backs, Bo Scarbrough and Ty Johnson each logged at least 63 carries, averaging 4.2 and 4.3 yards per attempt, respectively.
Scarbrough could spell Johnson or fill the void in case of injury, but he's not a natural pass-catcher and does his best work running between the tackles. The second-year tailback recorded just one reception for five yards in six outings.
The Lions can swing for the fences to upgrade the running back position, snagging a more durable lead rusher who's a dynamic asset out of the backfield. Gordon ranks fourth among running backs in yards from scrimmage (6,113) since he entered the league as a 2015 first-rounder.
Last year, Detroit hired offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who's known for putting together top-five ground attacks that previously featured Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch.
As a ball-carrier, Gordon isn't on the same level as Peterson and Lynch in their primes, but with Johnson, the Lions could have a balanced offensive attack. The tandem would provide firepower as a complement to quarterback Matthew Stafford's arm.
Miami Dolphins
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The Miami Dolphins need a lead ball-carrier. In 2019, six players, including quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, registered at least 36 carries. But none of them ran the ball more than 74 times.
Yet Kalen Ballage averaged a disappointing 1.8 yards per carry. Kenyan Drake is now gone from that group after the Dolphins traded him to the Arizona Cardinals in October. And team brass waived Mark Walton after he was arrested on Nov. 19 for alleged battery.
In Ballage's case, an improved offensive line may help him produce better numbers. Miami's five-man groups ranked 32nd in run blocking this past season, per Football Outsiders. Myles Gaskin, who logged 25 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown in his last two appearances of the 2019 season, may have the most upside among the tailbacks currently on the roster.
Nevertheless, the Dolphins have a backfield that's filled with unproven talent. Perhaps Gordon could jump-start the ground attack as a viable threat within the unit. And If Miami selects a quarterback in the upcoming draft, he would have an established player to lean on in the backfield.
With Fitzpatrick under center, Miami can string together some successful drives. Remember, he threw for seven touchdowns and just one interception in his last three games. The addition of a viable ball-carrier and pass-catcher out of the backfield could keep the Dolphins competitive while they sort out the quarterback position long-term.
As for Gordon, he could take on a workhorse role as the only established running back on the depth chart.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-sign quarterback Jameis Winston, head coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich have to figure out how to reduce his interception rate.
In 2019, Winston threw for 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, seven of which were returned for scores. From 2015 to 2019, he's thrown 88 picks—most in the league.
By nature, Winston is an aggressive quarterback who attempts to fit passes through tight windows. On the one hand, he gives his wide receivers a chance to make spectacular plays, but on the other, he puts his team as a whole in disadvantageous positions because of careless turnovers.
Arians and Leftwich don't have to coach the gunslinger mentality out of Winston. They could bolster the ground attack with a dual-threat option, providing the turnover-prone signal-caller with a reliable target in the short passing game. At the moment, the Buccaneers don't have a consistent running back to fill that role.
In four seasons, Peyton Barber has averaged 3.6 yards per carry, and Tampa Bay will likely allow him to hit the free-agent market in March. Ronald Jones II made some strides in his sophomore term, but he averaged just 10.8 carries per game this past campaign. The USC product has never logged at least 20 rush attempts in 25 career contests.
Gordon can easily take on the workhorse role, and his pass-catching skills could entice Winston to check down more frequently, which may cut down on the quarterback's risky passes to receivers in double coverage.
Washington Redskins
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Despite the depth at running back in Washington, much like the other four teams listed above, Gordon would have an excellent chance to step into the lead role.
The Redskins shouldn't hitch their rushing offense to a running back in the twilight of his career with quarterback Dwayne Haskins looking to take big steps as a second-year starter. Washington has a $3.1 million 2020 club option on Adrian Peterson's contract. He'll turn 35 years old days after the new NFL year begins in March, and at the tail end of his career, the four-time All-Pro's production could drop precipitously at any given time.
Because of recurring knee issues, running back Derrius Guice has played just five games in two seasons. Although talented, Washington can't rely on him being available. Rookie fourth-rounder Bryce Love also missed his entire rookie year while recovering from a torn ACL, making him an unknown commodity.
Chris Thompson and Wendell Smallwood are simply change-of-pace tailbacks. Neither has recorded more than 87 carries in a single season, and both are set to become unrestricted free agents in March.
Gordon could either share the backfield with Peterson for another year or instantly become the featured ball-carrier, handling close to 20 rush attempts per game.
Haskins won't have to force throws to wide receiver Terry McLaurin downfield because of limited pass-catching weapons, especially since tight end Jordan Reed's future career is uncertain due to multiple concussions, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Instead, Haskins can find Gordon on underneath routes, paper-cutting his way through defenses until other receivers emerge in the aerial attack. He needs a safety blanket in the passing game as he goes through the maturation process under center, and Gordon can certainly fill that role.
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