T.J. Yeldon, Melvin Gordon, & Tevin Coleman leading rookie backs
By Luke Sims
Sep 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) rushes during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Melvin Gordon, running back, San Diego Chargers
Melvin Gordon is going to prove that he is a valuable running back in the NFL throughout his career. He got that going well with an impressive Week 1 performance.
The San Diego Chargers weren’t a stellar rushing team last season, finishing with the 30th ranked rushing attack in the NFL in 2014.
Fortunately for 2015, the San Diego Chargers have Melvin Gordon.
Gordon, the second running back taken in the 2015 NFL Draft, is a true talent and while his play wasn’t as electrifying as that of Ameer Abdullah, it was certainly a strong first step. Gordon put together 51 yards on 14 rushing attempts (3.6 yards per carry) in his first regular season NFL game.
While 3.6 yards per carry isn’t going to jump off the page quite like 7.1 or even 4.5, it’s great progress for a San Diego Chargers unit that, frankly, isn’t great at run blocking. Gordon had the second-most yards after contact (30) of the rookie running backs on this list.
Melvin Gordon also showcased his ability to make plays, forcing defenders to miss three tackles.
Showcasing his versatility, Gordon finished his Week 1 game with three catches for 16 yards, where he managed to make another defender miss.
As the San Diego Chargers head to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals in Week 2, Melvin Gordon’s role should get plenty of attention. The Bengals allowed just 63 yards on the ground against the Oakland Raiders in Week 1. The Chargers aren’t like the Raiders, but they will certainly have to put their best foot forward as blockers and schemes in order to get Gordon going.
He showed he can be a threat in his first game and as he continues to put it all together, teams will take notice.
Next: The second-rounder with huge expectations on him