Melvin Gordon vs. Javonte Williams: Vegas Favoring Gordon as Leading Rusher in Week 1

The Denver Broncos have two running backs vying for carries in their backfield, Melvin Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams. How will the workload be split in the Denver backfield?

Vegas is favoring Gordon to lead this duo in rushing heading into Week 1, with WynnBET setting Gordon’s rushing yards total at 48.5 compared to Williams’ total of 37.5 rushing yards. The New York Giants allowed just 4.1 yards per carry against last season, which was good for eighth in the NFL, so both Gordon and Williams should have their hands full in Week 1.

Gordon has had a respectable career, nothing amazing, but respectable. In his first year as a Denver Bronco, Gordon amassed 986 yards on 215 carries, 4.6 yards per carry. Not too bad.

His days as a San Diego/Los Angeles Charger were filled with ups and downs, nagging injuries, and the occasional dud games, that leads me to believe that Vic Fangio isn’t going to lean on Gordon as a workhorse.

The Broncos saw enough in Williams to take him with their second-round pick, 35th overall. Williams averaged 7.3 yards per carry last year at North Carolina, collecting 1,140 rushing yards and picking up 19 touchdowns on the ground, all while sharing a backfield with Michael Carter (1,245 rushing yards and nine touchdowns), a fourth-round pick of the New York Jets. Williams has been in a shared backfield before, as he had 157 carries last year to Carter’s 156.

Considering that Williams did split time with Carter so evenly last year at UNC leads me to believe that he will not be asked to take on such a heavy load right out of the gate. I would fully expect Gordon to lead this backfield in carries and yards in Week 1.

I’ll see how Williams does in this game before I start placing bets on him.

Who will have more rushing yards? Gordon or Williams? Make your pick at WynnBET.