{"id":80883,"date":"2020-02-16T11:09:55","date_gmt":"2020-02-16T16:09:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=80883"},"modified":"2022-02-02T18:44:50","modified_gmt":"2022-02-02T23:44:50","slug":"melvin-gordon-free-agent-team-fits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/02\/16\/melvin-gordon-free-agent-team-fits\/","title":{"rendered":"Melvin Gordon Free Agent Team Fits"},"content":{"rendered":"

One year after holding out for a major contract extension, Melvin Gordon<\/a><\/strong> 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\u2019s contract will look like. That said, there will be teams interested in bringing in a talented player like Gordon.<\/p>\n

2020 NFL Free Agency: Melvin Gordon Team Fits<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Miami Dolphins<\/h3>\n

The Miami Dolphins need everything and have essentially a bottomless supply of resources. Armed with the most salary cap space<\/a> in the league and enviable draft capital, Miami might have the luxury of spending up on a position like running back. Running behind Miami\u2019s offensive line won\u2019t be easy, but Gordon made it work behind a similarly bad offensive line in Los Angeles. After watching Mark Walton<\/a>, Patrick Laird<\/a><\/strong>, and Kalen Ballage<\/a><\/strong> carry the ball in 2019, the Dolphins should welcome some security at the position.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Joe Thuney<\/strong><\/a> in free agency while adding a tackle or two in the draft should give Gordon enough running lanes to be successful.<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/h3>\n

Ronald Jones<\/a><\/strong> started to break out last year, but the former second-round pick probably won\u2019t 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\u2019t enough, the star receiver duo of Mike Evans<\/a> <\/strong>and Chris Godwin<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Washington Redskins<\/h3>\n

Ron Rivera<\/a><\/strong> is an old-school coach who loves to run the ball. Unfortunately for him, the Redskins don\u2019t have too many dependable running backs on the roster. Derrius Guice<\/a><\/strong> looks like he\u2019s worth every bit of hype when he\u2019s on the field, but the former second-round pick struggles to stay healthy. Adrian Peterson<\/a><\/strong> is miraculously still chugging along, although he can\u2019t possibly have much more in his tank. Gordon should help solidify the backfield for one of the most run-friendly coaches in the league.<\/p>\n

Detroit Lions<\/h3>\n

Much like Rivera, head coach Matt Patricia<\/strong> wants to be a run-first team that brings a physical style of play akin to 1970\u2019s football. Kerryon Johnson<\/a><\/strong> battled injuries for the second straight season and didn\u2019t 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\u2019ll hand out whatever contract it takes to get the job done.<\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>