1. Melvin Gordon-San Diego Chargers
The rookie that I think will make the biggest impact this season is the Chargers’ Melvin Gordon. San Diego had to trade up to hop over the Texans giving up their first and fourth-round picks this season and a fifth-round pick next season and moving up from 17 to 15.
It’s easy to see what the Bolts liked in Gordon who was a Heisman Trophy finalist after a monster year at Wisconsin. Gordon had absolutely sick numbers going off for 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns while challenging Barry Sanders’ single-season FBS rushing record. Gordon rushed for over 200 yards in six games including a crazy 408-yard performance against the Cornhuskers.
While those numbers will be much harder to come by in the NFL and somewhat a reflection of the effective Wisconsin blocking scheme, I like Gordon to be a big part of the Chargers offense. Gordon hasn’t been extremely involved in the passing game in college, so Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver will still have a role. However, the Chargers moving up to get Gordon after letting Ryan Mathews walk shows they’re ready to make him their primary early-down back which would make him a solid fantasy option.
Gordon has top-20 RB upside heading into the year and can be your second RB in most formats. He does carry risk since he hasn’t played in the NFL, though, and needs to improve his pass-catching. As long as you make sure you have a solid third running back as a backup plan, Gordon can be a late third round consideration in most standard scoring leagues. Gordon isn’t really a “sleeper” but he does have huge potential in a great situation and is someone I think could be a value in many drafts in the coming year.