Although it's still early, the San Diego Chargers' decision to invest a first-round pick into running back Melvin Gordon is looking somewhat questionable. Don't get the wrong impression, Gordon has been just fine through three games. He's rushed for 190 yards and a solid 4.3 yards-per-carry average and is in no way a bust. But when you look around the league and see guys like fifth-rounder Karlos Williams and third-rounder Matt Jones producing for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins, respectively, you can't help but think that San Diego could have used their resources more efficiently.
"One NFC scout wonders whether Gordon is a good fit in Chargers head coach Mike McCoy's pass-first offense," Ross Jones of FOX sports wrote. "Gordon doesn't have the most natural hands, and that could be a good indicator of why Danny Woodhead has received a chunk of San Diego's third-down snaps. 'He's a really talented runner,' an AFC scout said. 'He probably is still developing in the passing game, but as a runner he has good inside vision, power, he has enough long speed that he can take the ball the distance. He broke tackles. I thought he was a good, all-around guy. I think he'll eventually develop into a three-down back. He's a volume runner. The more you feed him the ball, the better he's going to get. Gordon is a guy that needs the ball to be effective."
Woodhead has carried the ball 25 times for 90 yards (3.6 YPC) and, most importantly, two touchdowns as San Diego's primary goal line back. He's also hauled in 12 receptions for 119 yards. His involved role in the offense has to be concerning for fantasy football owners who took an early round flier on Gordon.
But the rookie has a great chance to get really break out this weekend against the Cleveland Browns who are surrendering an NFL-worst 158.3 yards-per-game on the ground and have allowed three rushing touchdowns. Although Gordon may not be ready for full-time duties, it's clear that he's still the No. 1 option in San Diego's running attack.
