Dynasty League Rookie Prospect: Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon

Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 59-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Melvin Gordon is one of the best running backs to come out for the NFL Draft in a long time. He is more than likely going to be a first round pick this year, which would make this year the first year a RB was taken in the first round since 2012. That year three running backs were taken in the first round; Trent Richardson (3 overall) Doug Martin (31 overall), and David Wilson (32 overall). This year should be the year we break the trend of running backs not being drafted until the 2^nd round. I suspect that there will be anywhere from 1 to 3 running backs taken in the first round this year.

College Production

Melvin Gordon had one of the most productive careers in NCAA history. Playing behind Montee Ball for the first couple seasons of his career, Gordon didn’t get a large chunk of the carries until his sophomore year of college. As a sophomore (age 20) he rushed for 1,609 yards and 12 TDs. After his sophomore season Gordon was considered one of the best college prospects in the nation, and a lot of dynasty owners had Gordon pegged as a top 3 pick for the 2015 rookie draft. Gordon really let the fireworks go off for his junior season (age 21), when he rushed for an outstanding 2,587 yards and 29 TDs, while catching 19 receptions for 153 yards and 3 TDs. November 11, 2015 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Gordon rushed for a historic 408 yards and 4 TDs. Gordon had 12 games with over 100 yards rushing, and he had 6 games with 200 or more yards rushing. Gordon was responsible for 39.29% of Wisconsin’s offensive productions in 2014, which is an incredible statistic that shows that he dominated the team’s offensive output.

Player Metrics

Name	Date Of Birth	Height	Weight	40-Time	3-Cone	Vertical	Bench	Hand Size
Gordon, Melvin	4/13/1993	6’0	215	4.52	7.04	35″	19	9 3/4

At 6’0 215, Gordon has enough size to handle the punishment in the NFL, and with his size he is still fast enough to be dangerous in the open field which is demonstrated with his 4.52 40-time. His 3-cone suggests that has a very good quick twitch ability while moving laterally, which is something we saw a lot of while he was in Wisconsin when he was elusively running through the rushing lanes for long gains. Gordon is a very explosive player, and he’s not going to have any problems busting through the 2^nd level of defenses in the NFL.

Film Review

Gordon is very explosive; he can turn a run that is supposed to be a 2-yard gain into a 50 yard touchdown run. Gordon is a homerun hitter. He is quick at deciding on when and how to hit the hole, while displaying excellent vision being patient and reading his blockers almost perfectly on every run. Gordon is a naturally gifted runner. Gordon doesn’t take many hard hits because he has the ability to get his body into position to not take direct impact. That is the main reason why Gordon we didn’t see Gordon on the injury report much during college. Gordon is solid around the goal line because of his explosiveness that he uses to burst right through the holes.

The only negative that Gordon has to his game is that he was pulled during a lot of passing situations, and he was absent in the passing game only catching 22 passes during his entire career in college. I don’t understand why you don’t want to include your best skill player in the passing game unless that player has an issue catching the ball or running routes. Gordon had 19 receptions during his senior year, but 11 of them came against Western Illinois, Purdue, and Iowa. During the Big 10 championship game with Wisconsin getting blown out by Ohio State, Gordon didn’t get one reception while Wisconsin was playing catch-up during their 56-0 loss. Gordon’s usage in the passing game raises an eyebrow, but he is still a very talented runner, and he can do things that most running backs can’t.

Player Value

I like Gordon a lot. I think he is going to be a terrific running back in the NFL. He is going to be drafted in the 1^st round to a running back needy team that will plan to use him a lot. Gordon is going to go in the top 4 spots in most rookie drafts. In a lot of them he is going to be the 1.1 pick. Gordon’s player value will go through the roof once he gets some playing time in the NFL and flashes his talent. Once he flashes, you will be able sell him for almost whatever you want.

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