NFL free agency 2020: Best running backs available

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 29: Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (25) looks for running room in the third quarter of an AFC West game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 29, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 22: Running back Melvin Gordon #25 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball in the first half of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

2. Melvin Gordon (Los Angeles Chargers)

All told, it was a season of great disappointment from the Los Angeles Chargers. In 2018, Anthony Lynn’s club won 12 games, clinched a playoff berth and knocked off the Ravens in Baltimore in the wild card round before succumbing to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

And the franchise was certainly not very happy with what transpired during the summer as 2015 first-round pick Melvin Gordon opted to hold out during the final year of his rookie contract. The two-time Pro Bowler would sit out the first three games, returned in Week 4 and was active but did not play against the Miami Dolphins.

He took the field seven days later against the Denver Broncos and totaled a modest 31 yards rushing on 12 carries. When it was all said and done, he led the team with 612 yards on the ground and eight touchdowns. He added 42 catches for 296 yards and another score and finished second on the team with nine total TDs.

Gordon has had a mysterious career. As a rookie, he played in 14 games, made 13 starts, amassed 833 yards from scrimmage but never reached the end zone. From 2016-18, he appeared in 41 regular-season contests and totaled an impressive 4,372 scrimmage yards and 38 touchdowns. Then came last season abbreviated showing in which he played in the final 12 contests. It’s hard to imagine he’ll return to the Bolts, who won’t be bringing back veteran quarterback Philip Rivers and could be a team who could make a slew of changes over the next months.

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