Denver Broncos: Top 15 moves over the last three offseasons

13. Signing Melvin Gordon (2020)

I completely understand why many in Broncos Country were vehemently against signing a running back in free agency.

With that said, this move could wind up being substantial for the Broncos and I like it for a variety of reasons.

Gordon is a very skilled all-around back, and when the Broncos needed someone other than Phillip Lindsay over the past two seasons to make an impact in the running game, they struggled to find it.

The team had obviously hoped Royce Freeman could be the ‘smash’ to Phillip Lindsay’s ‘dash’ but that hasn’t materialized the way they had hoped, so Melvin Gordon was signed to a two-year deal in the 2020 free agency period.

Gordon is a big, strong back with speed and tackle-breaking ability. He struggled some in 2019 as the Chargers got Austin Ekeler a lot more involved in the offense overall, but part of Gordon’s struggles can be attributed to a holdout after his tremendous 2018 campaign.

Gordon’s peers thought extremely highly of him after the 2018 season where he ran for 885 yards in 12 games, racking up over 1,300 yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns.

Gordon has been one of the best backs in the NFL at running against a stacked box of eight players or more, and in fact was the best in the NFL in that regard in 2019. He can also catch passes, pass protect, and he gives the Broncos a veteran presence at the offensive skill positions they have lacked.

Plus, he comes over from the Los Angeles Chargers and will finally get to feel what it’s like to play in front of a home crowd.

At least, we hope.