Melvin Gordon holdout: Fantasy context for 2019
By Raju Byfield
With the Melvin Gordon holdout situation becoming a significant concern for fantasy owners, Rizzla breaks down the potential fantasy impact on the Chargers other players if his contract dispute extends into the regular season.
Two time Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon appears set to engage in a prolonged holdout over a contract dispute with the Los Angeles Chargers. Gordon wants a new contract in the $13 million dollar per year range, but the Chargers have been rumored to be offering something closer to the $10-11 million dollar mark. Gordon has the statistics to argue he belongs in the Todd Gurley, David Johnson, Le’Veon Bell range, even if he is not quite on par in terms of talent.
Gordon is still one of the top ten talents at his position but is dealing with a team whose ownership and management have been notoriously frugal over the years. Part of the Chargers reported trepidation towards handing Gordon a contract in the range he wants is his injury history. Gordon has made it through a full season just once in his NFL career.
From a team standpoint, perhaps a front-loaded deal in the $50 million dollar range, with $25 million in true guarantees, all payable in the first two years would be a fair compromise. Yes, they do have some strong talents behind Gordon in Justin Jackson and Austin Ekeler, but as we saw with James Conner and Damien Williams last year, having someone who can succeed in a role vs. having someone who strikes fear into opposing defenses are two different things entirely.
Gordon missing most of the regular season or ultimately being traded could lead to them missing the playoffs or faltering if they do. There are as many as eleven games this season whose spreads may be affected if Gordon were to miss the games. The Chargers could lose them all outright without the threat of Gordon.
It is important to note that even if he does hold out like Vincent Jackson did to this very same team in 2010. Gordon will have to report before the end of October to receive an accrued season from a contractual standpoint. It should also be noted that a contract holdout is not the same thing that we saw from Le’Veon Bell last season or Jackson in 2010. Melvin Gordon is still under contract and can be fined for missed time.
Melvin Gordon has dropped out of the first round in ADP and figures to continue to fall in the coming days and weeks this holdout may last. He is still a worthwhile roster stash as he has to return this season, but be aware that it may not happen until week six or seven and draft accordingly.