5 players who Denver Broncos need to be great in 2020

2. RB Melvin Gordon

If you’re going to add a running back to go with or usurp Phillip Lindsay, who has topped 1,000 yards on the ground in each of his first two NFL seasons, you better go all-in and you better be right. There were rumors Denver was interested in some noteworthy free agent running backs, and they landed on Gordon with a two-year, $16 million deal.

Lindsay is a smaller back who has dealt with a wrist issue in each of his first two seasons, so he might benefit from operating in a more strict 1-2 tandem with Gordon. However, he also has a better yards per carry average than Gordon in each of the last two seasons. He is playing good soldier, and has no plans to hold out as he gets near a lucrative new contract of his own. But if Lindsay proves to be the far better back, tension may rise and the move to sign Gordon will look foolish.

Gordon has been a capable dual threat back with a nose for the end zone, with over 40 catches and at least eight touchdowns on the ground in four straight seasons. So he indeed may become the bell cow for the Broncos this year.

Quite simply from the team’s perspective, to justify the idea of pushing Lindsay aside, Gordon better take the reigns of the lead role and perform at a high level this year.