Denver Broncos: Free agent running back options in 2020

Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers (age: 26)

Melvin Gordon is a big-name player for the Los Angeles Chargers as a former first-round draft pick who has only somewhat lived up to expectations in the NFL.

After not scoring a single touchdown in his rookie season, Gordon has made up for it in a big way over the last four years with a total of 47 touchdowns (36 rushing, 11 receiving) and has been one of the top scoring threats in the NFL.

The big problem with Gordon?

On a per-play basis, he hasn’t been much more effective over the course of his career than Royce Freeman over the last two seasons.

He averages 4.0 yards per carry in his career, thanks largely to the 5.1 yards per carry he averaged in 2018 which is an outlier for the other four years he’s played in the NFL (3.5, 3.9, 3.9, 3.8).

Still, Gordon’s work as a tandem back with Austin Ekeler and his effectiveness at putting the ball in the end zone could be intriguing to the Denver Broncos depending on what his asking price is.

Obviously, Gordon held out with the Chargers this past year, they did not succumb to his request, and they were probably right to do what they did. He’s only rushed for 1,000 yards one time in his career and averages just 4.8 yards per offensive touch.

Gordon has speed and strength, for sure, but have we seen the peak of what he is at this point? Is he worth upwards of $10 million per season?

With what the Broncos currently have, I would take the field of free agents and the NFL Draft over paying Gordon as much money as he is looking for. If he were to come in at the price of $7 million per season?

That might pique my interest.