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Melvin Gordon 2018 Outlook: Volume Should Lead to Low-End RB1 Production
6 years agoOne of the most polarizing players in fantasy football is Chargers running back Melvin Gordon. Athletically, he looks good on paper. He has 70th percentile or better measurables and is a 77th percentile SPARQ-x athlete. On the field, we just don't see it. He's been wildly inefficient throughout his entire career. His 40% success rate ranked 41st amongst qualifying backs last season and he was 21st and 22nd in yards created per carry and juke rate, respectively. Gordon profiles as a good NFL running back, but performs like a replacement level back. However, he receives a ton of volume on a very good offense. If healthy, Gordon is going to touch the ball 325-350 times and handle the vast majority of the goal line carries. He did cede some passing down work to Austin Ekeler later last season, but Gordon is an adept pass-catcher who is in no real danger of losing the RB1 gig. He is never going to wow you, but he remains the poster boy for situation + opportunity + talent. We know the situation is good and we've been given no reason to doubt the opportunity. Gordon should once again compile his way to RB1 numbers. Even if we project a slight decrease in receptions, Gordon is a relatively safe selection around the turn in fantasy leagues.
