3 Teams Who Should Pursue Melvin Gordon In NFL Free Agency

Melvin Gordon, NFL, Rams
NFL Analysis Network

The running back position has rarely gotten large paydays in free agency in recent years. Teams have de-emphasized the position and it has become apparent that you do not need to spend lavishly at the position to win the Super Bowl. Despite that, there are still some players that deserve solid paydays at the position. One of the players that will be looking to cash in this offseason is Melvin Gordon.

Gordon’s holdout from the Los Angeles Chargers didn’t go well, but he proved with the Denver Broncos the last two seasons that he still has plenty left in the tank to offer.

Gordon registered back-to-back seasons with a rushing grade of 83 or better in Denver. He is among the least efficient pass-catching running backs in the NFL, but there is certainly a spot for him as an early-down running back that can handle some responsibility as a receiver.

He has proven to be rather durable in recent years, missing only two games during his tenure with the Broncos. Gordon combined to be a strong duo with Javonte Williams, but if Denver is ready to hand the backfield over to Williams, Gordon will have to look elsewhere to play in 2022.

Where could he end up? Here are three teams who should pursue Gordon in NFL free agency.

3. Miami Dolphins

The goal this offseason for the Miami Dolphins has to be improving the offense around Tua Tagovailoa. The offensive line needs a boost, but he could also use some more weapons at the skill positions around him.

A lot of people focus on wide receiver and tight end, but to really help Tagovailoa take that next step, the team needs to start having success in the running game. Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed struggled mightily throughout the season. Duke Johnson, who was added later in the season, was the best running back they had all season.

Both Gaskin and Ahmed were better as pass catchers, which makes this a great landing spot for Melvin Gordon. Gordon can take over as the early-down running back, providing Miami with production they have lacked in the rushing game, while Gaskin and Ahmed function as third down and passing backs.

2. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons thought that they would fill their hole at running back in 2021 when they signed Mike Davis away from the Carolina Panthers. He didn’t even make it the entire season as the starter, as Cordarrelle Patterson, who began the season at wide receiver, ended up being the team’s lead back.

Patterson is now a free agent, so there could be a huge void to fill in the backfield. Looking for anyone that can produce, the Falcons could provide Gordon a chance to put up some big stats and hit free agency again for a bigger payday in 2023.

Gordon would assume the early-down role, but without much competition on the team, could be an every-down back in Atlanta. His inefficiency in the passing game is well documented, but it is an area that he has gotten better in since he joined the league.

Adding a veteran of Gordon’s caliber would also help take pressure off of Matt Ryan, who is lacking weapons to get the ball to through the air. Kyle Pitts is the only building block Atlanta has for skill position players, especially if Calvin Ridley is traded.

1. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are facing a lot of tough roster decisions in the coming weeks. They are $74 million over the salary cap and will have to make some trades and cuts to get compliant with the league’s rules.

That is hard enough to deal with before considering that they may be without Alvin Kamara depending on how the arrest during the week of the Pro Bowl plays out. Without him, they need someone capable of carrying the load, which makes Melvin Gordon a good target.

Gordon is more than capable of handling a starting role. Should the Saints have Kamara available, Gordon could fill the role we have seen Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray fill as an early-down chance of pace back to keep Kamara fresh.

Having someone capable of handling a sizable rushing load is imperative to the Saints’ offense being successful. Kamara is too important of a weapon in the passing game to not have another capable ball carrier on the roster. Gordon could be the ball carrier, with the ability to step into a bigger role if need be.

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