May 20, 2021

28-year old running back Melvin Gordon III has had a strong career to date, including two Pro Bowl appearances and six consecutive years as the leading running back on his team. In 2019, Gordon's final year with the Chargers, his offensive snap share dropped to a mere 40% due to injuries and an emerging Austin Ekeler. Fast forward to 2021, Gordon is once again entering a contract year in his second season as a member of the Denver Broncos. While Royce Freeman's complemented Gordon's game in the backfield for parts of 2020, second-round draft pick Javonte Williams poses a direct and immediate threat towards Gordon's stranglehold on the Broncos' backfield. Williams was almost universally considered a top-three running back in the 2021 draft class along with Travis Etienne and Najee Harris. By selecting Williams with the 35th overall pick, despite having two established veterans in Gordon and Freeman, general manager John Elway signaled frustration and a significant investment in the future. Assuming that the Broncos fall out of contention early, which is possible with the uneven quarterback play and turnover on defense, Coach Vic Fangio's team will probably look to get their youthful newcomers more involved, leaving free-agent-to-be Melvin Gordon sitting on the sideline in what could amount to a lame-duck year for the Kenosha, Wisconsin native. Williams could take over this backfield sooner rather than later and is a risky, but worthwhile selection in the fifth or sixth round of your fantasy drafts.--Nick Federline - RotoBaller
Source: Pro Football Reference