4. Melvin Gordon, RB – Los Angeles Chargers
Gordon was the 12th-best running back in 2017, according to Pro Football Focus, which classifies him as an above-average player at his position.
Gordon is coming off his third year with the Chargers, but his first as a 1,000-yard rusher. He had a strong rookie campaign, but failed to find the end zone through the season. His second and third years were much different as Gordon scored 12 times each year. Gordon is also improving every year as a pass catcher out of the backfield. In 2017 he caught 58 passes, which were good for second on the team.
The Chargers are one of the trendiest teams in the NFL this offseason and it’s hard to imagine it’s not largely because of Gordon. He was a top-five fantasy option by most measures and helped the Chargers creep up to the brink of a playoff appearance. With Philip Rivers at quarterback, Gordon is a great balance to the offense and he may still be getting better.
At Wisconsin
Gordon was a monster. His best year was his final year in Madison where he approached history. Gordon ran for 2,587 yards during the 2014 season, including 408 yards (a then record) in one outing against Nebraska. Gordon finished less than 100 yards shy of the all-time single-season mark. His burst was unprecedented at the college level. He could hit the hole and accelerate through it better than anyone, and he had the breakaway speed to outrun defenders to pay dirt.
The Chargers will be a popular pick to win their division next year. Gordon will surely lead the team in carries and probably be a focal point of the passing game yet again. If you play fantasy football, Gordon should be on your radar. He’s a dual-threat back, that can run and catch. He’s still young enough to be the feature back for his team and he’s good enough to gather up large chunks of yards any time he touches the ball. As mentioned previously, Gordon may still be getting better. He’s very likely to add to his already impressive stats from last season.