Instant Fantasy Analysis - RB Melvin Gordon, Chargers

[The Football Guru 214]

It was a virtual lock that San Diego was going with a first-round running back if it made sense to do; it was only a matter if either one of this draft's first-round talents were going to last long enough for the Chargers to make the pick or trade up a couple spots to do it. The latter happened and, as a result, fantasy owners can breathe easy that at least one top-flight running back should have a good shot at 250-plus carries this season. The Chargers will probably continue using their committee backfield and make sure Branden Oliver and Danny Woodhead get their touches, but Gordon will be the clear leader of the backfield and is probably the best choice right now to be the top overall pick in rookie drafts. In redraft, Gordon should be considered a rock-solid RB2 with low-end RB1 upside.

[KSB2424 3,085]

I agree, STUD. Rookie of the year. Love his attitude too.

[Kopy 493]

Who is the better rb. Oliver or Woodhead?

[The Football Guru 214]

Oliver.

[Sho Nuff 720]

Love this for Gordon. From a FF perspective...a Wisconsin fan...and a Packers fan where he goes to a team I don't dislike and not in the division.

[Geeze_Louise 0]

we were really hoping he'd fall to the Cowboys

[Quickolas1 80]

we were really hoping he'd fall to the Cowboys

I think you should be hoping JJ finally gets it. RBs are easily the most replaceable position on the field and they grow on trees... find one in Round 2 or 3 or 4... or even UDFA.

[svtballa 8]

Nice player and a good pick for the Chargers. He will be over drafted This year big time. Tough schedule and oliver/woodhead arent going anywhere

[Flgatorguy87 160]

I like this for the chargers but I bet this guy sky rockets into the 1st round or early 2nd by early September. I think he will have a good rookie year but I agree Oliver and Woodhead prob steal 8-10 touches a game.

[RaiderHaters Revenge 3,615]

he will move up to late 2nd at best, there are just too many good WR's, TE's, RB's and QB's in that top 20 range

[weepaws 2,483]

This pick was a very good pick . Chargers needed this guy and he will be good from the get go . Oliver and no match for Gordan . Woodhead will be a in passing downs . But I like Gordan and he is going to to right team .

[Flgatorguy87 160]

Assuming he gets 225 touches and GL carries what's he worth?

[Djgb13 2,338]

You guys are all forgetting the one thing that all rookie rbs have problems with. Pass blocking. If he can't block he won't be able to stay in much. They still have rivers so he is gonna want to pass. I hope Gordon gets up to speed on the nfl way of things but as far as a 2nd round pick in redraft there's no way I would be taking him in anything less than 8-9th rounds

[Flgatorguy87 160]

I don't disagree with you but he will still go early. I was just spit balling ideas for his floor/ceiling projections. I think 225 touches is his upside and prob 175 is the low side if he is healthy.

 

That line didn't run block the greatest last year so his YPC will prob be average at best unless they've made improvements I'm not thinking about?

[The Football Guru 214]

You guys are all forgetting the one thing that all rookie rbs have problems with. Pass blocking. If he can't block he won't be able to stay in much. They still have rivers so he is gonna want to pass. I hope Gordon gets up to speed on the nfl way of things but as far as a 2nd round pick in redraft there's no way I would be taking him in anything less than 8-9th rounds

This is a solid point, although the Chargers' GM said he felt Gordon was the best pass-pro back in the draft (FWIW). I don't agree with Mr. Telesco's opinion in this case and SD has been a RBBC team from the moment McCoy took that team over. Gordon should be the clear leader in carries and touches, but I'm fairly certain Oliver and Woodhead will be quite involved (maybe 20 percent of snaps apiece?).

[RaiderHaters Revenge 3,615]

8-9th round? so just say you arent taking him, but thats ridiculous.

 

I could see not taking him in the 2nd, but 3rd-4th there are all RB gambles, I don't mind taking a guy who should get 200+ touches and has take it to the house ability

[Magnificent Bastard 190]

You guys are all forgetting the one thing that all rookie rbs have problems with. Pass blocking. If he can't block he won't be able to stay in much. They still have rivers so he is gonna want to pass. I hope Gordon gets up to speed on the nfl way of things but as far as a 2nd round pick in redraft there's no way I would be taking him in anything less than 8-9th rounds

 

Good grief man. Why not wait till the 10th round?

[Djgb13 2,338]

Good grief man. Why not wait till the 10th round?

Because I don't want to. Any problems with that?

[Flyfreak 84]

8-9th round? so just say you arent taking him, but thats ridiculous.

 

I could see not taking him in the 2nd, but 3rd-4th there are all RB gambles, I don't mind taking a guy who should get 200+ touches and has take it to the house ability

this, i always try to score a home run or two in the draft that others would rather wait on until it's too late

[Djgb13 2,338]

this, i always try to score a home run or two in the draft that others would rather wait on until it's too late

I usually pick up my homerun players at least after the 7th. 1-6 I wanna shore up my rbs, wrs, and a Qb. If there's good value for a te then I'll take him. But I guess this all depends on the size of your league. If you have 14+ in it then I could see Gordon going in maybe the 5th. Any leagues with less members then no. He's fresh in the league, won't have pass blocking down like the others, and will more than likely be taken out during passing downs and during the final 2 minutes. Next year I could see him having a great year and I bet he does end up with decent stats but nothing more than maybe a flex spot

[Flyfreak 84]

I usually pick up my homerun players at least after the 7th. 1-6 I wanna shore up my rbs, wrs, and a Qb. If there's good value for a te then I'll take him. But I guess this all depends on the size of your league. If you have 14+ in it then I could see Gordon going in maybe the 5th. Any leagues with less members then no. He's fresh in the league, won't have pass blocking down like the others, and will more than likely be taken out during passing downs and during the final 2 minutes. Next year I could see him having a great year and I bet he does end up with decent stats but nothing more than maybe a flex spot

i should also clarify that i live and die on the wire

 

always looking for the next big thing

[mobb_deep 918]

Tough call on taking Gordon or Gurley #1 overall in dynasty rookie drafts. Gurley is the better talent, but Gordon doesn't have the ACL recovery. If I was an already good team that traded into 1.1 I'd probably take Gordon. If I was rebuilding I'd go Gurley.

[R8RMick 242]

I think you should be hoping JJ finally gets it. RBs are easily the most replaceable position on the field and they grow on trees... find one in Round 2 or 3 or 4... or even UDFA.

This is the most ridiculous take I've ever seen.

[tanatastic 2,061]

ROY contender if he gets a feature role and a probable 2nd or 3rd rnd fantasy pick depending on hype and camp buzz. Or if he makes one good play in preseason he could skyrocket to the back of rnd 1. I usually find rnd 4 to be a breeding ground for the hot rookie rbs who could explode or be meh. I got AP there, joseph addai etc when they were rookies. But now we are so rb hungry that they go in rnd 2-3 as long as some talking head thinks they will get 300 carries.