(Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Melvin_Gordon.JPG under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
As we gear up to the start of the NFL season, Football Absurdity is going to bring you a comprehensive breakdown of every notable player that will be available in fantasy football drafts. When you don’t see us talking about Christine Michael or Mike Davis, don’t get mad at us for neglecting your favorite sleeper. Get mad at yourself for having bad taste in football players. We are only focusing on the top-rated running backs in standard scoring and points per game leagues. If you like your running backs undervalued and underappreciated, then this Melvin Gordon player profile is for you.
With my player profiles, I’ve only decided to go back to look at their fantasy scoring for three years. I could show you lists from earlier, but most of the guys at the top are no longer in the league anymore. I’ve also added a chart for their usage over that time span. We will try to determine, based on those two factors, where the best running back value lies.
Melvin Gordon
Current ADP:
Standard: Number 5 among running backs. Number 5 overall.
PPR: Number 5 among running backs. Number 6 overall.
Melvin Gordon Average Auction Value (AAV) $200 Budget: $36
Stats:
FANTASY SCORING — STANDARD
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 6 | 225.5 | 2 | 18.8 |
| 2017 | 4 | 217.7 | 6 | 14.5 |
| 2016 | 7 | 209.6 | 5 | 16.1 |
FANTASY SCORING — PPR
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 8 | 275.5 | 5 | 23.0 |
| 2017 | 5 | 288.1 | 6 | 18.0 |
| 2016 | 7 | 250.6 | 6 | 19.3 |
FANTASY USAGE
| Carries | Carries Per Game | Targets | Targets Per Game | |
| 2018 | 175 | 14.6 | 66 | 5.5 |
| 2017 | 212 | 14.1 | 36 | 2.4 |
| 2016 | 31 | 2.8 | 11 | 1 |
9/2 UPDATE
The Gordon negotiation has been going… excuse us, that should have read “the Gordon negotiation has been NOT going.” We like Gordon like we enjoy leaving an upper-decker at an enemy fantasy owner’s house: Gordon’s best use is clogging up another opponent’s roster. Do not touch.
Overview: First and foremost, we’re not worried about Gordon holding out into the season. Unlike Le’Veon Bell in 2018, Gordon is under contract. That means he’ll be fined $40,000 for each day he holds out. Each day! That’s like $6 million for holding out the whole season. [Updated: August 20] This certainly aged well.
The talk at the top of 2019 NFL fantasy football drafts centers around the big four. Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Alvin Kamara, and Christian McCaffery. Nobody wants to talk about Gordon in this category, and I don’t understand why. Gordon had as many top 12 finishes as both Zeke and Kamara while playing 3 fewer games. The only reason he isn’t ranked in the big four is that he missed his last four games.
Strategy: Our Melvin Gordon Auction Value ($200 Budget): $25
The strategy is simple. If you are drafting in the middle of the first round and he falls to you, draft Melvin Gordon and be happy with the incredible value you received. You have a guy in a power rushing offense that was an RB1 in 9 of 12 starts last year. You can’t beat that level of consistency.
[Updated: August 20] Unlike the Ezekiel Elliott situation, there aren’t any real overtures between the Chargers and Gordon’s camp that might lead to a resolution. He showed support for Lev Bell last season, and seems dedicated to follow in Bell’s footsteps. The two sides are $3 million apart per year, from recent reports. Gordon is ready to take this the distance, it seems. He will need to return at some point to accrue a year for free agency, but he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry. Scoop him up if he falls to the fourth, or go full #YOLO and start Zeke/Gurley/Gordon.
Best Case Scenario: The best-case scenario is that you get solid RB1 production out of Melvin Gordon and a much better pick on the swing in the second round, all while laughing as half of the sure-fire running backs vastly underperform, just like they always do.
Worst Case Scenario: The worst-case scenario is that Melvin Gordon continues to miss a quarter of his games in a season and it turns out he is the dude who vastly underperforms and you both get to miss the playoffs.
