There's no way you can call San Diego Chargers rookie first-round running back Melvin Gordon a bust. He's averaging a rock solid 4.3 yards-per-carry and has rushed for 190 yards thus far. No fuss no muss. But from a fantasy football perspective, Gordon hasn't lived up to the considerably hype that surrounded him this preseason. Being replaced in goal line situations by Danny Woodhead is not want owners want to see from the big and talented first-year ball-carrier.
Fortunately for all those who spent an early-mid round pick on Gordon, there's a good chance he finally breaks out this week against the porous Cleveland Browns rush defense.
"The Charger want to get him going; he had his number called on six of the first nine plays (including one target) last week against the Vikings, but once the Chargers fell behind 24-7, Gordon got just three more touches," ESPN's Senior Fantasy analyst Matthew Berry wrote in his weekly Love/Hate column. "He's been a tough tackle so far. The only RBs with more carries who are averaging more yards after contact are Latavius Murray, Adrian Peterson, Carlos Hyde and Joseph Randle. It's a great matchup against Cleveland, as the Browns have allowed the most rushing yards, the second-highest yards per carry and third-most fantasy points to opposing RBs. We've been waiting for a Melvin Gordon breakout game, and I think this will be it."
Specifically, the Browns are allowing an average of 19.7 fantasy points to opposing RBs per game and have surrendered three rushing touchdowns so far this season. It's more than a good bet that Gordon finds pay dirt for the first time this year in this one. If so, the Chargers could begin to fatten up his workload and give him more opportunities in goal line situations.
