Melvin Gordon rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

He’s had an up-and-down career to date. So where could Los Angeles Chargers’ running back Melvin Gordon wind up when free agency opens on March 18?

Melvin Gordon spent his rookie year looking for the end zone and never found it. Over the next three seasons, he amassed an impressive 4,372 total yards from scrimmage and scored a combined 38 touchdowns in 41 regular-season outings. This past season, he opted to sit out looking for a new contract. He returned in Week 4, did not play that Sunday and finished with 908 scrimmage yards and nine TDs in a dozen games.

Such is the five-year career for Los Angeles Chargers’ running back Melvin Gordon. The two-time Pro Bowler is getting set to hit free agency and appears to have plenty of football left in him. The 26-year-old performer was the 15th overall pick in 2015 has rushed for 4,240 yards and totaled 224 catches — among his many accomplishments.

So what will be the market for Gordon? And will the fact that he opted to hold out come back to bite him? Teams have been known to frown on such moves. Of course, this is a different day and age in the league. In any case, here are five teams that could certainly use his services.

5. Arizona Cardinals

Late last October, the Arizona Cardinals swung a deal to get running back Kenyan Drake from the Miami Dolphins.  It proved to be a wise acquisition as he would eventually go on to lead the team in rushing yards (643) and touchdown runs (8) in eight games and starts. He was a real workhorse down the stretch and came up big in late-season wins over the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks.

Of course, the four-year pro is also on the verge becoming an unrestricted free agent and it remains to be seen if general manager Steve Keim will bring him back. If they do not, could be a take a look a hard look at Gordon? And what does the future hold for former Pro Bowler David Johnson?

Next: No. 4