Denver Broncos: Trading Melvin Gordon to Rams might be a possibility

The Denver Broncos could be dangling veteran running back Melvin Gordon in a potential trade,  and there may now be a team that could jump the line.

It has been speculated that the Broncos could consider dealing Gordon before the 2021 season kicks off. It wouldn’t be as much about what the team could get back for him, but more about just dumping a player they may not need and being able to save nearly $7 million in the process.

Gordon is still technically the starting running back for the team, but he didn’t exactly blow anyone away with his performance last season and the Broncos didn’t draft Javonte Williams in the second round (trading up for him no less) so he could sit on the bench.

Williams is going to get his opportunity as a rookie and the Broncos also signed Mike Boone, a player general manager George Paton likes from his time with the Minnesota Vikings.

Gordon is a player with plenty of NFL carries under his belt and that could be seen as quite important to teams around the league, particularly one that plays in the city that  Gordon used to play in,  Los Angeles.

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Rams lost their starting running back, Cam Akers, to a season-ending torn Achilles.

The rest of the Rams’ depth chart at running back includes Darrell Henderson, Xavier Jones, and Jake Funk, Raymond Calais, and Otis Anderson. Who? Exactly.

The Rams would obviously like to add a proven vet to the backfield as they are a team in “win-now mode” following their trade to acquire Matthew Stafford this offseason.

A player like Gordon could be one that interests head coach Sean McVay.

What could the Broncos get in return for Gordon?

Probably not a lot. If they could swing a fourth-round pick out of the Rams, that should be considered a win.

As stated above, moving Gordon would get the Broncos a little money back on the two-year, $16 million deal Gordon signed last year. Gordon also played for the Chargers, so playing in Los Angeles is familiar to him.

Another option would be for the Rams to trade for Royce Freeman, a guy who could come in and re-create himself in a new offense. The Broncos have some flexibility in their backfield and they probably don’t need both Gordon and Freeman, especially if they can get something in return.

Trading Gordon could also give Freeman one more chance to show what he can do in Denver, a chance he likely won’t get with Gordon around.

So if you’re the Rams, and you’re looking around the league for teams that could help, the Broncos should be at the top of your list.