Should the Miami Dolphins take a chance on Melvin Gordon?
By Matt Graves
The Los Angeles Chargers extending Austin Ekeler was a bit of a surprise. Now, Melvin Gordon is guaranteed to hit the open market.
Melvin Gordon didn’t do himself any favors when he staged his holdout. Gordon was hoping for an extension, but instead, it went to Austin Ekeler instead. Now, the former Wisconsin running back will likely find himself a new home. The Miami Dolphins could be a very strong possibility for Gordon to continue his career. ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe reported that both parties have some interest if it comes at the “right price.”
Gordon potentially signing with the Dolphins would be the team’s most exciting running back since the days of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. Given that the team has over $90 million in cap space, Gordon is expected to get a hefty payday. An upside for a potential Gordon-Dolphins relationship is that it would help the team focus on other positions at the NFL Draft. Miami must find a true running back this offseason.
Gordon, a former first-round pick, has racked up 4,240 rushing yards and 36 rushing yards in his five-year career. He’s even a threat in the passing game with 1,873 yards and 11 touchdowns. After trading Kenyan Drake to the Arizona Cardinals, the Dolphins top rushing yards leader of 2019 was quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Kalen Ballage, Myles Gaskin, and Patrick Laird are under contract for next season, but none of them have proven to be a true starter on the backfield.
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If general manager Chris Grier and company want to pursue Gordon, it would be an immediate answer to their disastrous depth at running back. Should they take a chance on Gordon? While it might not make sense for the rebuilding Dolphins to sign him to a big contract, they must consider adding talent. A veteran like Gordon or an up-and-comer like DeAndre Swift or J.K. Robbins would be a significant upgrade.