Melvin Gordon III

Free agent RB Melvin Gordon has agreed to terms on a new deal with the Denver Broncos.

Fantasy Impact

Gordon has been contemplating where he wants to sign over the last couple of months, but he will ultimately opt to re-sign with Denver. The veteran back was effective for the team last year, logging over 1,000 total yards and ten touchdowns in his seventh season. This is bad news for the fantasy value of Javonte Williams, who many hoped would take the reigns in the backfield as the bellcow back.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that former Broncos RB Melvin Gordon is in discussions with the Baltimore Ravens about a potential deal.

Fantasy Impact

Gordon, who’s the top available RB still on the market, would add to a potentially crowded backfield in Baltimore if he were to sign with the Ravens. Baltimore was plagued by injuries at the running back position in 2021 with JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards both suffering season ending injuries in the preseason, but both players are expected to be ready for the 2022 campaign. Gordon, Dobbins, and Edwards would all likely contribute in the rushing game and Gordon would be the favorite to see the bulk of the passing down work, though Baltimore hasn’t been an offense that gives many targets to the RB position. If Gordon were to sign, Dobbins and Gordon should be viewed as no better than mid to low end RB2’s, possibly RB3’s depending on how the workloads shake out. In Denver, fantasy managers rejoice with this news, as this would provide a clear path for Javonte Williams to catapult into RB1 territory.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Melvin Gordon is changing agents from Fletcher Smith and Demarius Bilbo to Brian Murphy and Joe Panos of Athletes First.

Fantasy Impact

Gordon spent the 2021 season sharing the Denver backfield with rookie sensation, Javonte Williams. Denver, who has stated since the beginning of the off-season that they would welcome Gordon back, used the two RB’s in a nearly identical fashion in 2021. Last season Gordon handled 203 carries and 38 targets while Williams handled 203 carries and 53 targets. Williams’ dynasty managers have been forced to hold their collective breath for longer than anticipated this off-season while waiting to see where Gordon will sign. Williams would see preseason of 2021 Jonathan Taylor-esque hype this draft season if Gordon were to move on to another team. Gordon’s fantasy value will be dependent on where he signs, and the soon to be 29 year-old RB surely hopes his new agents will be able to find him a nice payday and his 2022 team sooner rather than later.

Broncos GM George Paton said Tuesday that he and Melvin Gordon III have had ‘really good discussions’ and that he wants Gordon in Denver this season.

Fantasy Impact

These comments hit hard for Javonte Williams dynasty managers, as it looked like he may get a chance to have this backfield to himself. Williams remains an elite dynasty RB, and this could open up a buy-low window for the standout back. As for Gordon, he finished as the RB24 on a per-game basis, averaging 12.2 FPPG, and RB21 in total fantasy points. This backfield was a true split in 2021, as they finished the season within 30 snaps of each other. Although these two running backs cap each-other’s upside, they are both RB starters in fantasy. If Gordon stays in Denver, he will likely go under drafted in the fall, creating a potential value option for fantasy managers.

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon III rushes 12 times for 110 yards and a score and adds one reception for six yards in Saturday's loss to the Chiefs.

Fantasy Impact

Gordon had great vision and decisiveness on Saturday. He identified the hole and never hesitated, often coming out the other end with positive yardage. His highlight play was a 47-yard touchdown run that gave the Broncos a 21-17 lead in the third quarter. Gordon showed that he can easily be an RB2 in fantasy, and depending on where he lands in 2022, the ceiling could be even higher.