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Melvin Gordon rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

By Russell S. Baxter

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 22: Running back Melvin Gordon #25 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after a touchdown in 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)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 22: Running back Melvin Gordon #25 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after a touchdown in 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) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Head coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons looks on from the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Head coach Dan Quinn of the Atlanta Falcons looks on from the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

1. Atlanta Falcons

It wasn’t all that long ago that the Atlanta Falcons had one of the best 1-2 running back punches in the league in Devonta Freeman — a fourth-round pick in 2014 — and Tevin Coleman. In 2015, Freeman was a Pro Bowler and one season later, the Super Bowl-bound Falcons got big years from that duo. But the last few years, due to injuries and a free-agent defection, an area of strength has become one full of question marks.

In 2018, Freeman missed the vast majority of the season and Coleman was the team’s top ball-carrier – albeit his real forte is that of a pass catcher. This past season, Freeman returned but just wasn’t as effective as in past years. Meanwhile, the other half of that combination rejoined Kyle Shanahan (Atlanta’s former offensive coordinator) in San Francisco. And there’s speculation that Freeman could be on his way out of Atlanta, but there’s been nothing substantial to date.

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Shades of Michael Turner? Back in 2008, the Falcons signed the former Chargers’ running back who was at the time backing up future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. He would go onto to be a workhorse in Atlanta for five seasons, rushing for at least 1,300 yards three times while earning a pair of Pro Bowl invites. The circumstances aren’t necessarily the same but Gordon would be an ideal complement for quarterback Matt Ryan and company. Unfortunately, the team appears cap-strapped at the moment (via Spotrac). But stranger things have happened.

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