One year after holding out for a major contract extension, Melvin Gordon is finally getting his chance to hit the open market. The overall value of the running back position is one of the biggest debates among NFL execs and fans alike, so nobody knows exactly what Gordon’s contract will look like. That said, there will be teams interested in bringing in a talented player like Gordon.
2020 NFL Free Agency: Melvin Gordon Team Fits
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins need everything and have essentially a bottomless supply of resources. Armed with the most salary cap space in the league and enviable draft capital, Miami might have the luxury of spending up on a position like running back. Running behind Miami’s offensive line won’t be easy, but Gordon made it work behind a similarly bad offensive line in Los Angeles. After watching Mark Walton, Patrick Laird, and Kalen Ballage carry the ball in 2019, the Dolphins should welcome some security at the position.
Of course, Gordon alone won’t be enough to fix Miami’s running game. No running back can have success without blocking up front, but the Dolphins have enough money and draft capital to overhaul the position in 2020. Signing a guy like Joe Thuney in free agency while adding a tackle or two in the draft should give Gordon enough running lanes to be successful.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ronald Jones started to break out last year, but the former second-round pick probably won’t prevent the Buccaneers from signing a player like Gordon. The Buccaneers have an average offensive line and plenty of money to upgrade the unit over the offseason. As if that wasn’t enough, the star receiver duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin should be enough to keep opposing defenses from focusing in on the run game. If Gordon can play like his 2018 self with Tampa Bay, then the Buccaneers should have a good offense regardless of who ends up at quarterback.
Washington Redskins
Ron Rivera is an old-school coach who loves to run the ball. Unfortunately for him, the Redskins don’t have too many dependable running backs on the roster. Derrius Guice looks like he’s worth every bit of hype when he’s on the field, but the former second-round pick struggles to stay healthy. Adrian Peterson is miraculously still chugging along, although he can’t possibly have much more in his tank. Gordon should help solidify the backfield for one of the most run-friendly coaches in the league.
Detroit Lions
Much like Rivera, head coach Matt Patricia wants to be a run-first team that brings a physical style of play akin to 1970’s football. Kerryon Johnson battled injuries for the second straight season and didn’t even play that well when he was on the field. Patricia is very much on the hot seat and needs to start producing a winning team if he wants to keep his job. If he feels that signing Gordon could keep him employed, he’ll hand out whatever contract it takes to get the job done.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
